ATLiens

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = ATLiens | type = studio | artist = [[Outkast]] | cover = outkast-atliens.jpg | alt = | released = August 27, 1996 | recorded = 1994–1996 | studio = Bosstown Recording Studios, [[Doppler Studios|Doppler]], [[PatchWerk Recording Studios|PatchWerk Recording]], Purple Dragon Studios, Studio LaCoCo<br />([[Atlanta, Georgia]]) <br />[[Chung King Studios|Chung King]], Sound On Sound Recording <br />([[New York City, New York]]) | genre = {{hlist|[[Southern hip hop]]|[[alternative hip hop]]}} | length = 57:23 | label = {{hlist|[[Arista Records|Arista]]|[[LaFace]]}} | producer = {{hlist|[[Organized Noize]]|Outkast}} | prev_title = [[Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik]] | prev_year = 1994 | next_title = [[Aquemini]] | next_year = 1998 | misc = {{Singles | name = ATLiens | type = studio | single1 = [[Elevators (Me & You)]] | single1date = July 5, 1996 | single2 = [[ATLiens / Wheelz of Steel|ATLiens" / "Wheelz of Steel]] | single2date = August 20, 1996 | single3 = [[Jazzy Belle]] | single3date = April 1997 }} }}

'''''ATLiens''''' is the second studio album by the American [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] duo [[Outkast]]. It was released on August 27, 1996, by [[Arista Records]] and [[LaFace Records]]. From 1995 to 1996, Outkast recorded ''ATLiens'' in sessions at several Atlanta studios—Bosstown Recording Studios, [[Doppler Studios|Doppler Recording Studios]], [[PatchWerk Recording Studios|PatchWerk Recording Studio]], Purple Dragon Studios, and Studio LaCoCo—as well as [[Chung King Studios|Chung King Recording Studio]] and Sound On Sound Recording in New York City.

The album features [[outer space]]-inspired production sounds, with Outkast and producers [[Organized Noize]] incorporating elements of [[Dub music|dub]] and [[Gospel music|gospel]] into the compositions. Several songs feature the duo's first attempts at producing music by themselves. Lyrically, the group discusses a wide range of topics, including urban life as hustlers, existential introspection, and extraterrestrial life. The album's title is a [[portmanteau]] of "ATL" (an [[abbreviation]] of [[Atlanta, Georgia]], the duo's hometown) and "[[Extraterrestrial life|alien]]s", which has been interpreted by critics as symbolizing the duo's feeling of being estranged from American society.

''ATLiens'' debuted at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, and it sold nearly 350,000 copies in its first two weeks of release. The album was very well received by music critics upon its release, who praised its unique sound and lyrical content. It has been certified [[RIAA certification|double platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA), for shipments of two million copies in the United States. The album spawned the singles "[[Elevators (Me & You)]]", "[[ATLiens / Wheelz of Steel|ATLiens" / "Wheelz of Steel]]", and "[[Jazzy Belle]]". Since its release, ''ATLiens'' has been listed by several magazines and critics as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.

==Background== In 1994, Outkast released their debut album, ''[[Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik]]'', which was recorded when members [[Big Boi]] and [[André 3000]] were 18 years old. Bolstered by the success of the single "[[Player's Ball]]", the record established Outkast as prominent figures in the Southern hip hop scene.{{sfn|Nickson|2004|pp=32–33}} After the album was certified platinum, LaFace Records gave Outkast more creative control and advanced money for their 1996 follow-up album ''ATLiens''.<ref>{{cite journal|year=1997|title=none|journal=Black Diaspora|location=New York|volume=18|page=25}}</ref> The duo took the opportunity to recreate their image. On a trip to [[Jamaica]] with producer [[Mr. DJ]], the two decided to abandon their [[Cornrows|cornrow]] hairstyles in favor of a more natural aesthetic, vowing to stop combing their hair.{{sfn|Westhoff|2011|p=135}} [[Dungeon Family]] member [[Big Rube]] observed an increase in the duo's confidence after returning from their first tour, remarking, "They started understanding the power they had in their music. They started showing a swagger that certain artists have—the ones that are stars."{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=139}} The members also underwent changes in their personal lives; in 1995, Big Boi's girlfriend gave birth to their first child and André 3000 and [[Total (group)|Total]]'s Keisha Spivey ended their two-year relationship.{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=140}}

Despite its success, ''Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik'' had some detractors, including hip hop tastemakers who were unaccustomed to the album's style.{{sfn|Nickson|2004|p=35}} As the [[East Coast hip hop|East Coast]] and [[West Coast hip hop|West Coast]] hip hop scenes were already well-established at the time, many did not view the South as a legitimate and respectable scene.{{sfn|Westhoff|2011|p=133}} At the 1995 Source Awards, an award ceremony held by ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' magazine, Outkast won in the "Best Newcomer" category,{{sfn|Strong|2004|p=1134}} but were booed upon taking the stage and delivering their acceptance speech; in response, André 3000 said, "The South got somethin' to say."{{sfn|Johnson|2007|pp=460–461}} He later recalled how the album was received by some listeners: "People thought that the South basically only had [[Miami bass|bass music]]. At first people were looking at us like 'Um, I don't know.'"{{sfn|Nickson|2004|p=35}} Taken aback by the backlash, André 3000 and Big Boi channeled their frustration in the studio to improve upon their debut.{{sfn|Westhoff|2011|p=133}}

After acquiring their own recording studio, the duo immediately started working on new material and assimilated themselves with music recording and studio equipment, as they sought to become more ambitious artists and less dependent on other producers.{{sfn|Nickson|2004|p=42}} The two also became more accustomed to playing live, particularly Big Boi, and André 3000 significantly changed his lifestyle; he adopted a more eccentric fashion sense, became a vegetarian (he has since resumed eating meat), and stopped smoking [[marijuana]].{{sfn|Nickson|2004|p=46}} Having dropped out months before graduation, André 3000 returned to high school to earn his diploma during the recording of ''ATLiens''.<ref name="Vibrations">{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xGB0iIRXtJEC&pg=PA23|title=Positive Vibrations|first=Dimitry|last=Leger|journal=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|volume=12|issue=10|date=January 1997|access-date=July 8, 2012|page=23}}</ref>

Before beginning work on ''ATLiens'', André 3000 purchased an [[E-mu SP-1200|SP1200]] drum machine, an [[Music Production Center|MPC3000]] sampler, a [[TASCAM]] mixing board, and turntables with stacks of classic records.{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=140}} Although he had never produced a song before, he used techniques learned from observing the Dungeon Crew at work. "[[Elevators (Me & You)]]" was the first song the duo created together for the album.{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=140}} The duo refrained from [[Sampling (music)|sampling]] on the album, with Big Boi explaining "I feel like you cheat the listener when you sample. If it's an old school jam, leave it to the old. We wanna have our own school of music."<ref name="Vibrations"/>

Outkast recorded the album in sessions at several Atlanta studios—Bosstown Recording Studios, [[Doppler Studios|Doppler Recording Studios]], [[PatchWerk Recording Studios|PatchWerk Recording Studio]], Purple Dragon Studios, and Studio LaCoCo—as well as [[Chung King Studios|Chung King Recording Studio]] and Sound On Sound Recording in New York City.<ref name="Liner Notes"/> For ''ATLiens'', the band aimed for a consistent set of songs in which a listener would not need to skip tracks; Outkast wrote around 35 songs for the album and reduced them to fourteen.<ref name="Home">{{cite journal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4SsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA108|title=Outkast: Home on the Range|first=Kenji|last=Jasper|journal=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|volume=4|issue=8|date=October 1996|access-date=July 8, 2012|page=108|archive-url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_4SsEAAAAMBAJ/page/n113/mode/2up|archive-date=October 26, 2024}}</ref> The duo's songwriting style for the album had no solid structure and was mostly spontaneous; Big Boi noted, "Stuff'll just come to you. I'll be sittin' in the truck, and I'll start rhymin'. People look at me like I'm crazy, but that's how it starts."<ref name="Home"/>

==Composition==

===Music=== {{Listen |filename=Elevators Me And You .ogg |title="Elevators (Me & You)" |description=The echo-laden track illustrates Outkast's rise to fame and exemplifies the album's sparse, atmospheric production with organ riffs, [[Dub music|dub]] bass, and telephone tones. |format=[[Ogg]] |filename2=13th Floor Growing Old.ogg |title2 ="13th Floor/Growing Old" |description2=The album's closing track is a meditation on aging that contains [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]-like piano and soulful vocals from singer [[Debra Killings]]. |format2=[[Ogg]] }}

Two-thirds of the album is produced by [[Organized Noize]], Outkast's primary production team. The rest is produced by Earthtone III, a production team that includes Outkast themselves and [[Mr. DJ]]. André 3000 and Big Boi produced the songs "[[Jazzy Belle]]" and "Elevators (Me & You)".{{sfn|Wang|2003|p=133}} It also has a notably more laid-back, spacey production sound, which they expanded upon on their follow-up album ''[[Aquemini]]''.<ref name="aqueminirev">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/aquemini-mw0000043056|title=Aquemini – OutKast|last=Huey|first=Steve|work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=December 21, 2012}}</ref> Although the group drew from [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]]'s outer-space inspired compositions, the band utilizes a more laid-back style as opposed to Clinton's hard funk leanings.<ref name="allmusicrev">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/atliens-mw0000175875|title=ATLiens – OutKast|first=Steve|last=Huey|work=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=March 14, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251221120512/https://www.allmusic.com/album/atliens-mw0000175875|archive-date=December 21, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Many tracks feature strong echo and reverb, taking influence from [[Dub music|dub]] and [[reggae]].<ref name="allmusicrev"/> Andrea Comer of the ''[[Hartford Courant]]'' perceives an "extraterrestrial feel" in the record's production.<ref name="Comer"/>

[[MTV]] wrote that the album's production "built giddy, chaotic hooks around throbbing bass grooves, neck-snapping drums and bits of backwoods [[country music|country]] and [[psychedelic rock]] for good measure."<ref>{{cite web|first1=Kyle|last1=Anderson|title=Outkast's ATLiens Crash Lands On Earth: Wake-Up Video|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2579400/outkast-atliens/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417154420/http://www.mtv.com/news/2579400/outkast-atliens/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 17, 2017|website=[[MTV]]|date=August 27, 2010|access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref> Outkast also incorporated elements of [[Gospel music|gospel]] into the music; being from the South, the group felt obligated to "stay close to [their] slave roots".<ref name="Vibrations"/> The album's introduction track "You May Die" has been described as "churchy".<ref name="Harrington"/> "Elevators (Me & You)" contains atmospheric elements including echoes, dub-influenced bass, organ riffs, and telephone tones.{{sfn|Sarig|2007|pp=140–141}} "13th Floor/Growing Old" contains a [[spoken word]] introduction from Big Rube, somber soul vocals from [[Debra Killings]], and a "[[Prince (musician)|Prince]]-ish" piano riff,{{sfn|Wang|2003|p=133}}{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=142}} while "[[ATLiens / Wheelz of Steel|Wheelz of Steel]]" features "furious" turntable scratching by Mr. DJ.{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=142}} "Extraterrestrial" offers a break in the continuity of the record as it features no drum [[Beat (music)|beat]].{{sfn|Johnson|2007|pp=461–462}}

===Lyrics=== Lyrically, André 3000 and Big Boi abandon the "hard-partying playa characters" of their debut album in favor of more spacey, funky, and futuristic personas on ''ATLiens''.<ref name="allmusicrev"/> With their lyrics, the duo hoped to reflect on maturity in the wake of the birth of Big Boi's daughter.<ref name="carries"/> André 3000 explained, "It's like everybody's talking about sipping champagne and being big time, so we just took it upon ourselves to do something new ... I want my children to say, 'Daddy really said something, he wasn't just trying to brag on himself.'"<ref name="carries"/> Many songs on ''ATLiens'' feature more unconventional subject matter for hip hop. The lyrical content ranges from addressing urban life as hustlers and pimps to extraterrestrial life and space travel.{{sfn|Johnson|2007|pp=461–462}} The title track's chorus expresses Southern pride, while its verses feature André 3000 explaining his newly adopted drug-free lifestyle.{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=141–142}}

"Elevators (Me & You)" illustrates Outkast's rise to fame, and was inspired by a show the band played at [[Howard University]] with [[Sean Combs|P. Diddy]] in the audience.<ref name="Home"/> The song also discusses the unlikely partnership of André 3000 and Big Boi, and uses the metaphor of an elevator for the ups and downs of fame.<ref name="Bradley498">Bradley, 2011. p. 498</ref> The final verse illustrates André 3000 dealing with a fan who pretends to have been childhood friends with him.<ref name="Bradley498"/> It also references Southern culture, including mentions of [[Cadillac]]s and extended family gatherings.{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=141}} "Babylon" reflects on [[Religion and sexuality|religious attitudes towards sex]] and illustrates André 3000's upbringing and his forbidden attractions throughout childhood.{{sfn|Johnson|2007|pp=461–462}} "Jazzy Belle" discusses the group's "increasingly enlightened" view regarding women: "Went from yellin' ... bitches and hoes to queen thangs".{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=142}} The album's closer "13th Floor/Growing Old" is a meditation on aging and emphasizes Southern hip hop's legitimacy.{{sfn|Sarig|2007|p=142}}

==Release== ===Promotion=== [[File:Atlanta skyline.jpg|left|thumb|The album is a [[portmanteau]] of "ATL" (an [[abbreviation]] of [[Atlanta, Georgia]]) and "[[Extraterrestrial life|alien]]s". (Atlanta skyline pictured in 1982).]]

''ATLiens'' was released on August 27, 1996, by [[LaFace Records]]. In September, LaFace created a promotion for the record in conjunction with [[Blockbuster LLC|Blockbuster]] in which customers could enter to win a 1970s Cadillac car, emphasizing Outkast and Cadillac's connection with the Southern lifestyle.<ref name="carries">{{cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Shawnee|date=August 31, 1996|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vwcEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA7|title='Elevators' Carries LaFace's OutKast to Top|pages=7, 20|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=108|issue=35|access-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref> The record's inner booklet features a 24-page comic strip foldout starring the members, who must defend "positive music" against the villain Nosamulli.<ref name="carries"/> The strip continues in the artwork for each single released from ''ATLiens'' except for "Elevators (Me & You)".<ref name="carries"/>

The album's title is a [[portmanteau]] of "ATL" (an [[abbreviation]] of [[Atlanta, Georgia]]) and "[[Extraterrestrial life|alien]]s". In his book ''Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture'', author T. Hasan Johnson interprets the album's title as "partly a statement about being from Atlanta, while also signifying on the theme of the group's name (by using the term ''aliens'') framing themselves as societal outcasts."{{sfn|Johnson|2007|p=461}} Mark Bould, author of ''The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction'', observes that the title symbolizes Outkast's "estrangement from American society", suggesting that "the inner city of their formative years is out of this world and its hostile conditions."{{sfn|Bould|2009|p=191}}

===Commercial performance and singles=== ''ATLiens'' debuted and peaked at number two on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart,<ref name="Billboard200" /> and it sold nearly 350,000 copies in its first two weeks of release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-15-ca-44034-story.html|title=The Charts – 'ATLiens' Landing|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 15, 1996|access-date=March 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130140723/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-09-15-ca-44034-story.html|archive-date=January 30, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> It ultimately spent 33 weeks on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart.<ref name="Billboard200" /> Internationally, the album reached number 16 in Canada and number 82 in Germany.<ref name="RPM" /><ref name="OffizielleTop100" /> The album was certified Platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) on November 6, 1996, for shipments of one million copies in the United States.<ref name="RIAA" /> By 1998, it had sold over 1.2 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-sep-27-ca-26891-story.html|title=Four-Star Performers|first=Soren|last=Baker|author-link=Soren Baker|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 27, 1998|access-date=March 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260217130101/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-sep-27-ca-26891-story.html|archive-date=February 17, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 24, 2003, the RIAA certified ''ATLiens'' double platinum, having shipped two million copies in the US.<ref name="RIAA" />

Three singles were released from the album. "Elevators (Me & You)" was released as the first single on July 5, 1996.<ref name="ElevatorsRIAA">{{Cite web |title=American album certifications – Outkast – Elevators |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Outkast&ti=Elevators&format=Single&type=#search_section |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424122747/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Outkast&ti=Elevators&format=Single&type=#search_section |archive-date=April 24, 2025 |access-date=April 18, 2026 |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]}}</ref> The song reached number 12 and spent 20 weeks on the [[Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart.<ref name="Hot100">{{Cite web |title=Outkast Chart History (Hot 100) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/outkast/chart-history/hsi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260218115505/https://www.billboard.com/artist/outkast/chart-history/hsi/ |archive-date=February 18, 2026 |access-date=March 5, 2011 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> It was certified [[RIAA certification|Gold]] by the RIAA on September 13, 1996, for shipments of 500,000 copies in the US, and Platinum on December 13, 2024, for shipments of one million copies in the US.<ref name="ElevatorsRIAA" /> "[[ATLiens / Wheelz of Steel|ATLiens]]" was issued as a [[double A-side]] single with "Wheelz of Steel" on August 20, 1996, as the second single from the album.<ref name="ATLiensSongRIAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Outkast&ti=ATLiens&format=Single&type=#search_section|title=American single certifications – Outkast – ATLiens (song)|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA)|access-date=April 18, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310030126/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Outkast&ti=ATLiens&format=Single&type=#search_section|archive-date=March 10, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> The double A-side single reached number 23 on ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''<nowiki/>'s [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart and number 3 on the [[Hot Rap Songs]] chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Outkast Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/outkast/chart-history/bsi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260307134602/https://www.billboard.com/artist/outkast/chart-history/bsi/ |archive-date=March 7, 2026 |access-date=April 18, 2026 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Outkast Chart History (Hot Rap Songs) |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/Outkast/chart-history/RAP |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224215806/https://www.billboard.com/artist/Outkast/chart-history/RAP |archive-date=February 24, 2026 |access-date=April 18, 2026 |website=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> However, only "ATLiens", when charting separately, entered the Hot 100, where it reached number 35 and remained on the chart for 17 weeks.<ref name="Hot100" /> The song was also certified Gold by the RIAA on December 13, 2024, for shipments of 500,000 copies in the US.<ref name="ATLiensSongRIAA" /> "Jazzy Belle" was released as the third and final single in April 1997.{{sfn|Strong|2006|p=797}} It spent 14 weeks and peaked at number 52 on the Hot 100.<ref name="Hot100" />

== Critical reception == {{Music ratings | rev1 = ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]'' | rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref name="Murray">{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Sonia |date=September 5, 1996 |title=Outkast: "ATLiens" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/979946069/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-date= |access-date=December 22, 2012 |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |page=C4 |format=Transcription of original review at [[Talk:ATLiens#The Atlanta Journal-Constitution review|talk page]] |via=Newspapers.org}}</ref> | rev2 = ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref name="Goldman">{{cite news |last=Goldman |first=Pete |date=September 15, 1996 |title=Outkast: ATLiens |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/178484224/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 19, 2026 |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |page=K12}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' | rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Powell">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/atliens-19961031|title=ATLiens|first=Kevin|last=Powell|author-link=Kevin Powell|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=October 31, 1996|access-date=October 9, 2009}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' | rev4Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Source"/> | subtitle = Contemporary reviews }} ''ATLiens'' received critical acclaim. Andrea Comer of the ''[[Hartford Courant]]'' felt that Outkast's "lyrical acumen shines through" despite "Heltah-Skeltah mumbling and Southern slang", and stated, "after a few rotations, the alien feeling wears away, and [the album is] just out of this world."<ref name="Comer">{{cite web|first=Andrea|last=Comer|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1996-11-07-9611070089-story.html|title=Album Review -- Outkast -- ATLiens|work=[[Hartford Courant]]|date=November 7, 1996|access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref> Sonia Murray of ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]'' called the album "more thoughtful" than its predecessor, noting, "What the second album lacks in adventurous arrangements it more than makes up for in lyrical dominance."<ref name="Murray"/> ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]''{{'}}s Allen S. Gordon observed "growth" from Outkast and Organized Noize, and stated, "Big Boi and Dre have gone out of this world into a new dimension of sight, sound and mind".<ref name="Source">{{cite magazine|title=Outkast: ATLiens|first=Allen S.|last=Gordon|magazine=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|page=118|issue=85|date=October 1996}}</ref>

[[Kevin Powell]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' felt that, like Outkast's debut album, ''ATLiens'' is "a gritty document of what's happening here and now, an up-to-the-minute briefing on Southern black ghetto life on which Outkast members Andre and Big Boi cast their feelings of alienation in familiar, realistic characterizations". Powell asserted that unlike East Coast hip hop's "hedonistic materialism" or "the gunplay and pimpism" of West Coast hip hop, "Andre and Big Boi display a unique ability to describe ghetto life while offering up life-affirming possibilities, something all too rare in today's hip-hop nation."<ref name="Powell"/> Richard Harrington of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' enjoyed the record's "more serious and focused lyrical sensibility", explaining, "The raps are generally inventive, clever without being cloying, more proof (if any were needed) that hip-hop innovation isn't just an East-West thang."<ref name="Harrington">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1996/10/11/outkast-atliens-from-hip-hop-planet/225e4bed-4fa9-4b2c-9330-1ee26238e3a7/|title=OutKast: 'ATLiens' From Hip-Hop Planet|first=Richard|last=Harrington|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 11, 1996|access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref>

== Legacy == {{Music ratings | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="allmusicrev"/> | rev2 = ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' | rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Hoffberger">{{cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2008-07-25/648470/|title=Outkast: ATLiens (La Face / Arista)|first=Chase|last=Hoffberger|work=[[The Austin Chronicle]]|date=July 25, 2008|access-date=June 20, 2019}}</ref> | rev3 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' | rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="BigV">{{cite journal|url=http://blender.com:80/reviews/review_1166.html|title=Outkast: ATLiens|author=Big V|journal=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]|access-date=January 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603102606/http://blender.com/reviews/review_1166.html|archive-date=June 3, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev4 = ''[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]'' | rev4Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{sfn|Larkin|2007|p=1070}} | rev5 = ''[[The Great Rock Discography]]'' | rev5Score = 7/10{{sfn|Strong|2006|p=797}} | rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' | rev6Score = 9.6/10<ref name="pitchfork_outkast-atliens">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/outkast-atliens/ |title=Outkast: ATLiens |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date=23 January 2026 |access-date=24 January 2026 |last=Thompson |first=Paul A.}}</ref> | rev7 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' | rev7Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{sfn|Sarig|2004|pp=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/610 610–611]}} | rev8 = ''RapReviews'' | rev8score = 10/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Juon |first=Steve 'Flash' |date=January 28, 2003 |title=OutKast :: ATLiens |url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2003/01/outkast-atliens/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423022716/https://www.rapreviews.com/2003/01/outkast-atliens/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=RapReviews |language=en-US}}</ref> | rev9 = | rev9Score = | rev10 = | rev10Score = | subtitle = Retrospective reviews | rev11 = | rev11Score = | rev12 = | rev12Score = }} In a retrospective review, [[AllMusic]] editor Steve Huey viewed the album as Outkast's "most focused work" and commented that "In addition to the striking musical leap forward, Dre and Big Boi continue to grow as rappers; their flows are getting more tongue-twistingly complex, and their lyrics more free-associative".<ref name="allmusicrev"/> RapReviews critic Steve Juon recommended it to listeners who "want to be challenged by [their] hip-hop" and wrote of the album's aesthetic:

{{blockquote|It's deep. So deep that listening to ''ATLiens'' you might feel like drowning, but the smooth vo-cals of Big Boi and the earthy flows of Andre always push you back up to the surface. They are players in the truest sense of the word; not just playing for ends but playing to win in the ultimate battle of life over death, good over bad, and righteousness over evil. Yet, it's not that heavy either. This album is nod your head music, shake your ass music. It makes you think and groove at the same time.<ref name="Juon">{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_atliens.html|title=OutKast :: ATLiens :: LaFace/Arista Records|first=Steve "Flash"|last=Juon|work=RapReviews|date=January 28, 2003|access-date=October 9, 2009}}</ref>}}

In ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' (2004), Roni Sarig felt that, strong rapping notwithstanding, the album's music "suffers as the duo make their first attempt at self-producing" and stated, "Although ''ATLiens'' promised expanded vistas with its interstellar motif, the record delivered something of a sophomore slump ... At best, ''ATLiens'' is the sound of an ambitious group searching for its voice."{{sfn|Sarig|2004|pp=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/610 610–611]}}

In 1998, the album was selected as one of ''The Source''{{'}}s "100 Best Rap Albums".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://issuu.com/michaelbech/docs/the_source_magazine_s_100_best_rap__f29aea1693210a|title=100 Best Rap Albums|magazine=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|issue=100|date=January 1998|page=27}}</ref> In 2000, ''[[Exclaim!]]'' listed the album on their "100 Records That Rocked 100 Issues of ''Exclaim!''" list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid1=386|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030930103224/http://exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid1=386|title=100 Records That Rocked 100 Issues of Exclaim!|work=[[Exclaim!]]|date=October 30, 2000|archive-date=September 30, 2003|access-date=December 21, 2012}}</ref> ''[[Hip Hop Connection]]'' ranked it number six on their list of "The 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995–2005".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995–2005|magazine=[[Hip Hop Connection]]|date=March 2006|issue=198|pages=45–74}}</ref> ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' ranked the album fifth on their list of "The 50 Greatest Sophomore Albums in Hip-Hop History",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/the-50-greatest-sophomore-albums-in-hip-hop-history/outkast-atliens|title=5. OutKast, ''ATLiens'' (1996)|first=Robbie|last=Ettelson|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=January 9, 2013|access-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref> its title 15th on "The 50 Best Rap Album Titles Ever",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/the-50-best-rap-album-titles/atliens|title=15. OutKast, ''ATLiens'' (1996)|first=Alex|last=Gale|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=November 21, 2012|access-date=December 21, 2012}}</ref> and the title track's beat 91st on "The 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Beats of All Time".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/the-100-greatest-hip-hop-beats-of-all-time/outkast-atliens|title=91. OutKast, 'ATLiens' (1996)|first1=Robbie|last1=Ettelson|first2=David|last2=Drake|first3=Insanul|last3=Ahmed|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=November 9, 2012|access-date=January 10, 2013}}</ref> Rappers [[Isaiah Rashad]],<ref name="thefader1">{{cite web|last=Stephenson|first=Will|url=http://www.thefader.com/2013/11/25/gen-f-isaiah-rashad/#/0 |title=GEN F: Isaiah Rashad |work=[[The Fader]] |date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=January 28, 2014}}</ref> [[Wiz Khalifa]] and [[Dom Kennedy]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2011/03/wiz-khalifa-25-favorite-albums/atliens|title=#25. Outkast, ''ATLiens'' (1996)|first=Insanul|last=Ahmed|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=March 29, 2011|access-date=December 20, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/dom-kennedys-25-favorite-albums/outkast-atliens|title=OutKast, ''ATLiens'' (1996)|first=Eric|last=Diep|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=November 20, 2012|access-date=December 20, 2012}}</ref> and DJ Jesse Marco have named ''ATLiens'' as one of their favorite albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/jesse-marcos-30-favorite-albums/outkast-atliens|title=OutKast, ''ATLiens'' (1996)|first=Justin|last=Block|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=November 24, 2012|access-date=December 20, 2012}}</ref>

==Track listing== Track listing and samples compiled from album liner notes.<ref name="Liner Notes">{{cite AV media notes|title=ATLiens|others=OutKast|year=1996|type=CD liner|publisher=[[LaFace Records]]|id=0015133-02}}</ref> All tracks produced by Organized Noize Productions, except where noted. {{Track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = You May Die (Intro) | writer1 = {{hlist|[[Organized Noize]]|[[Joi (singer)|Joi Gilliam]]|[[Screechy Peach|Myrna Crenshaw]]}} | extra1 = | length1 = 1:05

| title2 = Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac) | writer2 = {{hlist|Organized Noize|[[André 3000|André Benjamin]]|[[Big Boi|Antwan Patton]]}} | extra2 = | length2 = 2:46

| title3 = [[ATLiens / Wheelz of Steel|ATLiens]] | writer3 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton}} | extra3 = [[Outkast]] | length3 = 3:50

| title4 = [[ATLiens / Wheelz of Steel|Wheelz of Steel]] | writer4 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton}} | extra4 = Outkast | length4 = 4:03

| title5 = [[Jazzy Belle]] | writer5 = {{hlist|Organized Noize|Benjamin|Patton}} | extra5 = | length5 = 4:12

| title6 = [[Elevators (Me & You)]] | writer6 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton}} | extra6 = Outkast | length6 = 4:25

| title7 = Ova da Wudz | note7 = featuring [[Witchdoctor (rapper)|Witchdoctor]] | writer7 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton|[[Witchdoctor (rapper)|Erin Johnson]]}} | extra7 = Outkast | length7 = 3:48

| title8 = Babylon | writer8 = {{hlist|Organized Noize|Benjamin|Patton|[[Andrea Martin (musician)|Andrea]] and [[Ivan Matias|Ivan]]}} | extra8 = | length8 = 4:24

| title9 = Wailin{{'-}} | writer9 = {{hlist|Organized Noize|Benjamin|Patton}} | extra9 = | length9 = 2:00

| title10 = Mainstream | note10 = featuring [[T-Mo]] and [[Khujo]] | writer10 = {{hlist|Organized Noize|Benjamin|Patton|[[T-Mo|Robert T. Barnett]]|[[Khujo|Willie Knighton]]}} | extra10 = | length10 = 5:18

| title11 = Decatur Psalm | note11 = featuring [[Big Gipp]] and [[Cool Breeze (rapper)|Cool Breeze]] | writer11 = {{hlist|Organized Noize|[[Big Gipp|Cameron Gipp]]|Benjamin|Patton|[[Cool Breeze (rapper)|Frederick Bell]]}} | extra11 = | length11 = 3:58

| title12 = Millennium | writer12 = {{hlist|Organized Noize|Benjamin|Patton}} | extra12 = | length12 = 3:09

| title13 = E.T. (Extraterrestrial) | note13 = featuring Witchdoctor | writer13 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton|Johnson}} | extra13 = Outkast | length13 = 3:07

| title14 = 13th Floor / Growing Old | writer14 = {{hlist|Organized Noize|Marqueze Ethridge|Benjamin|Patton}} | extra14 = | length14 = 6:50

| title15 = Elevators | note15 = ONP 86 Mix | writer15 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton}} | extra15 = | length15 = 4:37 | total_length = 57:23 }}

'''Notes''' * "You May Die (Intro)" features additional vocals by [[Joi (singer)|Joi]], [[Screechy Peach]] and Trina * "Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)" features additional vocals by [[Screechy Peach]] * "Ova Du Wudz" and "E.T. (Extra-Terrestrial) feature additional vocals by [[Witchdoctor (rapper)|EJ Tha Witch Doctor]] * "Babylon" features additional vocals by [[Andrea Martin (musician)|Andrea Martin]] * "Wailin'" features additional vocals by [[CeeLo|Cee-Lo]] of [[Goodie Mob]] * "Mainstream" features additional vocals by [[Khujo]] and [[T-Mo]] of Goodie Mob * "Decatur Psalm" features additional vocals by [[Big Gipp]] of Goodie Mob and [[Cool Breeze (rapper)|Cool Breeze]] * "Millennium" features additional vocals by ShaJuanna Edghill * "13th Floor / Growing Old" features additional vocals by [[Big Rube]] and [[Debra Killings]]

'''Sample credits''' *"You May Die (Intro)" is an interpolation of "[[Summer in the City (song)|Summer in the City]]" performed by [[Quincy Jones]]. *"Two Dope Boyz (In a Cadillac)" contains a sample of "D.E.E.P." performed by Outkast, and "Danger, She's a Stranger" performed by [[The Five Stairsteps]]. *"ATLiens" contains a sample of "Around the World" performed by Attilio Mineo, and "So Tired" performed by [[The Chambers Brothers]]. *"Wheelz of Steel" contains a sample of "Focus III" performed by [[Focus (band)|Focus]], "Saturday Night Style" performed by [[Mikey Dread]]. *"Jazzy Belle" contains a sample of "It's Yours" performed by [[T La Rock]] and [[Jazzy Jay]], and "Prelude" performed by [[Lamont Dozier]]. *"Elevators" contains a sample of "[[Blue Suede Shoes]]" performed by [[Carl Perkins]]. *"Elevators (Me & You) [ONP 86 Mix]" contains a sample of "Come in Out of the Rain" performed by [[Parliament (band)|Parliament]]; the original contains SFX from the video game ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' *"Ova Da Wudz" contain a sample of "Judas" performed by [[Society of Soul]]. *"Babylon" contains a sample of "12 O'Clock" performed by [[Vangelis]]. *"Wailin'" contains a sample of "To the Establishment" performed by Lou Bond. *"Mainstream" contains a sample of "Sesame Street" performed by [[Goodie Mob]] and "Soldier In Our Town" by [[Iron Butterfly]]. *"Decatur Psalm" contains a sample of "Cebu" performed by [[The Commodores]].

==Personnel== Compiled from album liner notes.<ref name="Liner Notes"/>

=== Musicians === {{div col}} ;OutKast * [[Andre 3000]] – vocals * [[Big Boi]] – vocals ;Guests * [[Andrea Martin (musician)|Andrea Martin]] – vocals * [[Big Gipp]] – vocals * [[Big Rube]] – vocals * Carlos Glover – acoustic guitar * [[Cee-Lo Green|Cee-Lo]] – vocals * [[Cool Breeze (rapper)|Cool Breeze]] – vocals * Craig Love – guitar * [[Debra Killings]] – vocals * Dee Simmons – drums * Ed Stroud – guitar * James "Jay" Nicholas – bass * [[Jazzyfatnastees]] – vocals * [[Joi (singer)|Joi]] – vocals * Kenny Wright – keyboard * Kerren Berz – violin * [[Khujo]] – vocals * Marq Jefferson – bass guitar * Martin Terry – guitar * Marvin "Chanz" Parkman – keyboard, organ * [[Mr. DJ]] – scratches * Preston Crump – bass guitar * ShaJuanna Edghill – vocals * Skinny Miracles – piano * [[Sleepy Brown]] – vocals * [[T-Mo]] – Vocals * Tamara Powell – vocals * Tommy Martin – acoustic guitar * Trina Powell – vocals * [[Screechy Peach]] – vocals * [[Witchdoctor (rapper)|Witchdoctor]] – vocals {{div col end}}

=== Production === {{div col}} * Alvin Speights – mixing * Bernasky Wall – engineering * Blake Eiseman – engineering * Brian Frye – engineering * Carlton Batts – mastering * Derrick Williams – engineering * Dexter Simmons – engineering, mixing * Jarvis Blackshear – engineering * John Frye – engineering * John Wydrycs – engineering * Leslie Brathwaite – mixing * Mike Wilson – engineering * [[Neal Pogue]] – mixing * [[Organized Noize]] – drum programming, keyboard programming, mixing, production * [[Outkast]] – drum programming, keyboard programming, mixing, production {{div col end}}

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Chart (1996) !Peak<br />position |- |Canadian Albums (''[[RPM100|RPM]]'')<ref name="RPM">{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=sp19smnjn4io5g2nmhli5tdfo5&q1=outkast&q2=Top+Albums%2FCDs&interval=20|title=Results – RPM – Library and Archives – Top Albums/CDs – Outkast|work=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|access-date=December 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319021325/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=sp19smnjn4io5g2nmhli5tdfo5&q1=outkast&q2=Top+Albums%2FCDs&interval=20|archive-date=March 19, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> |align="center"|16 |- {{album chart|Germany|82|id=6951|artist=Outkast|album=ATLiens|access-date=August 26, 2021|refname=OffizielleTop100}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Outkast|access-date=August 26, 2021|refname=Billboard200}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Outkast|access-date=August 26, 2021}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Chart (1996) !Position |- |US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1996|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|77 |- |US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1996/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1996|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref> |align="center"|19 |} {{col-end}}

==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for ''ATLiens''}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=ATLiens|artist=Outkast|award=Gold|relyear=1996|certyear=2003}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=ATLiens|artist=Outkast|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1996|certyear=2003|refname=RIAA}} {{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==See also== *[[List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 1996|List of ''Billboard'' number-one R&B albums of 1996]]

==References==

===Notes=== {{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography=== * {{cite book|editor-last=Bould|editor-first=Mark|date=March 18, 2009|title=The Routledge Companion to Science Fiction|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=978-0-415-45379-0}} * {{cite book|last=Johnson|first=T. Hasan|chapter=Outkast|editor-last=Hess|editor-first=Mickey|year=2007|title=Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|isbn=978-0-313-33903-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/iconsofhiphopenc0000unse}} * {{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|author-link=Colin Larkin|chapter=Outkast|date=September 1, 2007|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|edition=5th|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|isbn=978-1846098567|title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music}} * {{cite book|last=Nickson|first=Chris|author-link=Chris Nickson|date=September 1, 2004|title=Hey Ya!: The Unauthorized Biography of Outkast|publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers]]|isbn=0-312-33735-3|url=https://archive.org/details/heyyaunauthorize00nick}} * {{cite book|last=Sarig|first=Roni|editor1-last=Brackett|editor1-first=Nathan|editor1-link=Nathan Brackett|editor2-last=Hoard|editor2-first=Christian|date=November 2, 2004|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t9eocwUfoSoC&pg=PA610|chapter=OutKast|access-date=October 9, 2009|title=The New Rolling Stone Album Guide|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|edition=4th|title-link=The Rolling Stone Album Guide}} * {{cite book|editor-last=Sarig|editor-first=Roni|title=Third Coast: OutKast, Timbaland, and How Hip-Hop Became a Southern Thing|publisher=[[Da Capo Press]]|date=May 1, 2007|isbn=978-0-306-81430-3|url=https://archive.org/details/thirdcoastoutkas00sari}} * {{cite book|last=Strong|first=Martin C.|author-link=Martin C. Strong|date=October 21, 2004|title=The Great Rock Discography|chapter=Outkast|publisher=[[Canongate Books|Canongate U.S.]]|edition=7th|isbn=1-84195-615-5}} * {{cite book|last=Strong|first=Martin C.|title=The Essential Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded by More Than 1,200 Artists|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CsooY_e1w8kC&pg=PA797|chapter=Outkast|publisher=Canongate U.S.|year=2006|isbn=1-84195-860-3|edition=8th}} * {{cite book|editor-last=Wang|editor-first=Oliver|title=Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|date=May 1, 2003|isbn=1-55022-561-8}} * {{cite book|last=Westhoff|first=Ben|date=May 1, 2011|title=Dirty South: OutKast, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, and the Southern Rappers Who Reinvented Hip-Hop|publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]]|isbn=978-1-56976-606-4}}

==External links== * {{Discogs master|type=album|25965|ATLiens}} * [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-22-ca-11489-story.html "The Inside Story on Hip-Hop's Outsiders"] by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''

[[Category:1996 albums]] [[Category:Outkast albums]] [[Category:Albums produced by André 3000]] [[Category:Albums produced by Organized Noize]] [[Category:Albums recorded at Chung King Studios]]