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I haven’t done a post on the hip hop song of the day, not because there hasn’t been more than worthy selections, but because I have been handling so many things at once. But I am back!

And what finer way to bring things back than with an ode to one of the most innovative artists STILL in the game – OutKast. I say artists, because while this is a dedication to hip-hop song of the day, their music transcends genre labels. Speakerboxx/The Love Below was genius! A blend of hip hop, jazz, rock, alternative…this dual album defined the individual creativity of these two. Idlewild – eclectic. Stankonia – funky. ATLiens – dope. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik – fire. Big Boi & Dre Present…OutKast – recapitulation of what it means to be innovators in hip hop.

I mean, I would honestly even make songs such as the “You (Remix)” with Lloyd feat. Nas & Andre3000 or “Walk It Out (Remix)” with Unk feat. Andre3000 the hip hop songs of the day JUST because his opening verses are so fresh. Perhaps my favorite song comes off of Aquemini – Liberation.

This is the song that makes me miss the Dungeon Family first of all. Cee-Lo was genius (I say was because I am having a hard time accepting the Gnarls Barkley gig). It could not be a better managed pool of talent and features when they collaborated. Dungeon Family made me proud of the Atlanta music scene.

Have you ever just had one of those days, or even just felt that all of your life had been about struggling just to make ends meet or to meet the standard everyone is setting for you? That is what this song speaks to. It tells you that you have a choice in what you determine to do for yourself. It’s a mellow song we all need to hear sometimes to inspire us to “Shake that load off.”

The beat is smooth and has a funk/jazz feel to it; Liberation sets you on a path to open your mind to something deeper than just another club song, or attention grabbing beat you can nod your head to. It sits you back into your seat for a moment to vibe and to reflect. The spoken word/verse by Big Rube and the approximately 2 minutes of pure instrumental improvisation really brought home this feel.

This song is the hip hop jam of the day for its message, which showed the ability of some young men from ATL to be diverse and talk about anything on an album. It also gets this mention for being original and unique. It is a different feel, since the verses are either delivered in sing-rap delivery or in spoken word style. Perhaps my favorite verse is Badu’s. Her sound is what makes her so unique, and her ability to develop dope lyrics on a whim, and she showed her ability to deliver vocals and lyrics on her verse.

So this is that song that can be the soundtrack of hope to any struggle or bad day you may face. Just sit back, and in the words of Badu:

“…shake that load off and sing a song

Liberate the minds, then you go on home...”