Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
by Outkast
  • Record Label: La Face
  • Release Date: Sep 23, 2003
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 401 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 356 out of 401
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 401
  3. Negative: 22 out of 401

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  1. EmersonD
    Sep 28, 2003
    10
    Arguable flaws, truly visionary, I would really rate them separately as Speakerboxxx 9 and The Love Below 10, but putting them together Andre brings up the average just enough. Best rap group ever, and not an easy thing to admit either.
  2. icecold
    Nov 2, 2004
    10
    No one has ever done it , two of the greatest cd's packages together? It like a two for one lapdance! CLASSIC.
  3. dougd
    Feb 12, 2004
    10
    Outkasts is tight but what is the deal with all the pianno music on the Love below,but i like Hey ya ,and the way u move, so gotta give it up soooo. i gavem a 10
  4. jamikaw
    Apr 11, 2004
    10
    i think it rocks it would have 2 b the best cd i really like the song roses and prototype. OutKast rocks
  5. jimf
    Jun 17, 2004
    10
    GREATEST ALBUM EVER
  6. EthanK
    Nov 23, 2005
    10
    **** rolling stone magazine. this album is genius.
  7. JuliaW
    Nov 7, 2005
    10
    Soooooooooo good
  8. ksnizzle
    Nov 11, 2003
    10
    Totally unique and untouchable. Outkast has two minds that work together as one, or in this case two cds that are like no other in the game. That is why they continue to be the best in the game. They are not afraid to do what they feel. Classical, if you don't like it, then you can't appreciate good musick.
  9. BigWorm
    Nov 17, 2003
    10
    OFF THE HOOK. The lyrics and the level of thought behind them are unmatched, in todays hip-hop culture. Many people will not be able to relate, if they only listen once, or separate what they hear from what they think (your mind and ears should work together, when listening to these albums). I was a little thrown off, initially. But, after further indulgance, I can't seem to stop OFF THE HOOK. The lyrics and the level of thought behind them are unmatched, in todays hip-hop culture. Many people will not be able to relate, if they only listen once, or separate what they hear from what they think (your mind and ears should work together, when listening to these albums). I was a little thrown off, initially. But, after further indulgance, I can't seem to stop listening. I've been listening to These brothers (from another mother), since their first release. They haven't let me down yet.… Expand
  10. HourKittt
    Dec 24, 2003
    10
    This album restored my faith in hip hop. It's simple as that. I got scared that everything would turn in to eminem&co-style shit. Until two dope boyz came back and made my day. May their future be a bright one. Praise be.
  11. KiriC
    Nov 24, 2005
    10
    WTF is with all the people that didn't give this album 10!This is by far one of the biggest leaps in hip-hop/rap history. sheer originality explodes from every song, i would say it is up there with stankonia by far.
  12. briang
    Nov 25, 2005
    10
    One of the most creative, open-minded albums ever composed. Freedom of expression reigns to the point of laughablility, yet the intelligence and depth of thought goes far beyond anything comical. It's painfully insightful about todays life in love.
  13. DanielJ
    Dec 14, 2005
    10
    Speakboxxx is the best hip hop album ever...bar none! The Love Below is strange but still entertaining.
  14. dijavantewow
    Oct 17, 2010
    10
    I can't believe people gave this album negative reviews. It is obviously in the top five for best hip hop of the decade, and probably in the top 20 for best overall in the decade. Andre 3000 is a great producer, and I love the way he mixes hip hop, soul, poetry, and jazz into the music he makes. 2 cds are better than 1. Great job.
  15. Ravenous
    Nov 21, 2010
    10
    While Speakerboxxx is certainly a strong hip hop record, The Love Below is without a doubt the most innovative r&b album in years, and is perhaps the best album of any style of music for the entire decade 2000-2009. Pure musical genius.
  16. BIGMAN22
    Mar 7, 2016
    10
    this album is awesome. love the production and music themes. Outkast knows how to craft good music. this one is up there with their past works. straight classic.
  17. yoshimon3
    Aug 31, 2016
    10
    I don't know how they did it, but they crafted the greatest hip hop double album of all time, and one of the greatest works of art, period. 40 tracks and no filler. Artistry at its finest.
  18. SuchiB14
    Oct 4, 2018
    10
    Outkast with yet another classic album. This is an awesome project, even Andre's R&B approached CD was better than I would have expected. However, I reckon that Speakerboxx tops The Love Below; Big Boi was on point and had some of the best verses I've heard from himself in his career (nothing will top his verses on Ms. Jackson and ATliens though). This album isn't Outkast's best but ****Outkast with yet another classic album. This is an awesome project, even Andre's R&B approached CD was better than I would have expected. However, I reckon that Speakerboxx tops The Love Below; Big Boi was on point and had some of the best verses I've heard from himself in his career (nothing will top his verses on Ms. Jackson and ATliens though). This album isn't Outkast's best but **** it is good, Big Boi and Andre deserve all the credit they recieve for this classic. 10/10… Expand
  19. ChristopheH
    Oct 8, 2003
    9
    Big Boi and André, you guys rule! This is fun from start to end!!!
  20. leah
    Oct 14, 2004
    9
    this was a great cd i loved the love below but was not a big fan of speakerboxxxx but was still great
  21. NathanM
    Nov 2, 2003
    9
    Close To Perfection...The Album Of The Year, Hands Down. Take Off Your Cool!
  22. someoneanotherlastchicken
    Oct 8, 2003
    9
    great cd. Speakerboxxx gets an 8.5, while The Love Below gets at 10, so I comprimised with a 9.
  23. jason
    Sep 29, 2003
    9
    Big Boi's cd is just a great hip-hop album, with great track after great track. It's true that Andre's disc is weird. But it's also true that with each listen it gets better and better. These two cds make the perfect combination.
  24. AndrewC
    Sep 30, 2003
    9
    Not as good as Stankonia or Aquemini, but still outstanding. The only thing that hurts the discs are that dre's songs are very repititious and big boi taints his work with rappers that aren't up to par with himself (ludacris).
  25. AdamCHater
    Oct 15, 2003
    9
    Adam C is smoking the artificial Bob Marley forreal. The Love Below.
  26. JosephL
    Oct 2, 2003
    9
    2 thumbs up!!! This is the best cd out this year. I've always been an outkast fan and this time they have out done themselves. Keep it Big Boi and 'Dre.
  27. BenD
    Oct 8, 2003
    9
    This album is deck. Keep up the good work, brothers
  28. NigelC
    Sep 25, 2003
    9
    The only reason i didn't give it a ten is because i haven't figured out what the hell "The Love Below" is!
  29. sanjuandemarco
    Sep 30, 2003
    9
    this album is fastastically superb. outkastcadillacmuzik at its best. the love below is the funkiest to date....and speakerboxxx is hip hop on acid. buy the album. drink. swish. swallow.
  30. JesusQ
    Jan 5, 2004
    9
    Close to 10. Great record. Loved every minute of it except the weird talking skits between tracks. All hip-hop albums do that now. Makes it hard to listen to...having to skip bs stuff. I cannot get enough of this right now. Dre is awesome. And all of you who say he is going too far from hip hop remember another man who was good but went too far away from his roots....he went on to do some Close to 10. Great record. Loved every minute of it except the weird talking skits between tracks. All hip-hop albums do that now. Makes it hard to listen to...having to skip bs stuff. I cannot get enough of this right now. Dre is awesome. And all of you who say he is going too far from hip hop remember another man who was good but went too far away from his roots....he went on to do some good things. His name os Jesus. … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Album of 2003
5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2003
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Apr 17, 2012
    100
    OutKast's duo have made a cohesive statement that not only cries at the boundaries of rap music but vaults over them to a place where the music sounds like neon colors and the only rule is that you must free your mind. Your ears will follow.
    Read full review
  2. Mojo
    90
    The genius of past Outkast isn't diluted or diminished across these disks, rather it's doubled, expanded and explored. [Sep 2003, p.99]
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    80
    Speakerboxxx--by itself the album of the year--makes the failings of The Love Below all the more evident.
    Read full review
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