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. Phily-EagleFan
    Oct 15, 2003
    10
    This double album is on another level and if you can't feel it you don't know what music is!! Just spread for me!!!!
  2. alexk
    Oct 15, 2003
    10
    what more can i say.....ICE COLD
  3. BrianW
    Oct 14, 2003
    7
    I have mixed feelings on the album. Didn't like Dre's CD much
  4. BoydB
    Oct 14, 2003
    10
    this album is there 2nd best next to there 1st one.... i did not think it could be done and they did it.....
  5. ShaneseJ.
    Oct 13, 2003
    10
    This album is HOT!! Andre' 3000 & Big Boi have been making music for a while, and I haven't heard nothing like this from them...they're full of suprises! This album will most likely be voted album of the year. They BOTH did their thing...but personally, I like Andre's solo album out of the two. Most won't understand it but it takes people who listen and don't This album is HOT!! Andre' 3000 & Big Boi have been making music for a while, and I haven't heard nothing like this from them...they're full of suprises! This album will most likely be voted album of the year. They BOTH did their thing...but personally, I like Andre's solo album out of the two. Most won't understand it but it takes people who listen and don't judge often to really comprehend. Pure Genius!!!… Expand
  6. DavidCharlesB.
    Oct 12, 2003
    10
    Excellent album by OutKast, Better than Stankonia, but not as good as Atliens, but then again Atliens is the best album ever. Just buy this and enjoy it.
  7. AsafoS
    Oct 12, 2003
    10
    This album is incredible. Both artists continue Outkast's hard-paved legacy. One thing remains evident...they are perfect complements to one another musically, and would be longer lived as a group.
  8. CJMcIntosh
    Oct 11, 2003
    10
    Awesome. These guys are so cool it's insane.
  9. LourdesR
    Oct 10, 2003
    10
    I think im in love again. Stank you, Smelly much.
  10. BenD
    Oct 8, 2003
    9
    This album is deck. Keep up the good work, brothers
  11. 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.
  12. ChristopheH
    Oct 8, 2003
    9
    Big Boi and André, you guys rule! This is fun from start to end!!!
  13. DominiqueJ
    Oct 7, 2003
    10
    One of the best and most creative I have heard in years. This is one of the rare albums that critics and fans enjoy.
  14. GeorgeMichael
    Oct 6, 2003
    10
    AMAZING! ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!
  15. Julian
    Oct 5, 2003
    10
    Wow...the love below is the SHIT!
  16. BrandonS.
    Oct 5, 2003
    10
    This is awesome, these are a couple of incredible albums. I thought Stankonia was good, but this tops it. "The love below" is better than speakerboxxx.
  17. ShaunP
    Oct 5, 2003
    10
    Pure Hip-Hop!!! Both albums tell the story of Hip-hop and where it's heading. It's a great break from the cookie cutter garbadge out now!!!
  18. 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.
  19. RussW
    Oct 2, 2003
    10
    One of the best albums this year!
  20. GlenC
    Oct 1, 2003
    10
    Both CDs are excelent, they havent even left my cd player since i purchaced them!
  21. 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.
  22. 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).
  23. AdamC
    Sep 29, 2003
    2
    I give it a 2 because it only has 2 songs worth a listen and both will be singles, save your money. At first this cd is very strange, after listening to it SEVERAL times trying to like it, I have managed to salvage only 2 maybe 3 songs worthy of air-play. Album of the yeah....doubt it, i rank it down there with DMX grand champ. These guys need to be together to survive. Better luck next time.
  24. agentf
    Sep 29, 2003
    10
    Either cd could be candidate for album of the year, though short on tracks featuring both dre and big boi. This is really two excellent solo albums... dre's cd is very likely to be misunderstood and unappreciated by some.....but it is nothing short of genius!!!!!
  25. 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.
  26. epr_paradox
    Sep 28, 2003
    10
    andre 3000's love below is some of the most original music released in this decade. together with speakerboxxx this 2 disk set stands as a much needed burst in hip hop evolution.
  27. 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.
  28. DCipher_7
    Sep 27, 2003
    10
    Outkast has once again raised the bar for artist in the hiphop industry. Big Boi reclaims his stand as one of the top mcs in the industry when he rips thru a variety of different tracks from crunk, to southernfunkdafied on his solo shot. Andre3000 has litterally done the equivalent to reinventing the wheel in the industry by single handedly becoming the protocol for every artist in every Outkast has once again raised the bar for artist in the hiphop industry. Big Boi reclaims his stand as one of the top mcs in the industry when he rips thru a variety of different tracks from crunk, to southernfunkdafied on his solo shot. Andre3000 has litterally done the equivalent to reinventing the wheel in the industry by single handedly becoming the protocol for every artist in every genre. One word to describe his album...WOE! … Expand
  29. AndreN
    Sep 27, 2003
    10
    Please get these cds, they're absolutely amazing. They have become the soundtrack of my life.
  30. carlos
    Sep 27, 2003
    10
    this album is insane and couragous it better get album of the year
  31. justinj
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    Unbelievable. Both of these discs completely blow me away. Dre and Big continue to push the envelope and find new outlets for their creative genius. BUY IT NOW!
  32. JaredB
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    Phat, ill, and everything else inbetween, a true collaboration of talents. Allowing the personalities of each to shine in one beautiful jewelry case is my heaven! Thank you Outkast for breaking your second release into my top 10 albums of all time. Aquemni, meet SpeakerboxxTheLoveBelow.
  33. KdogKdog
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    Best hip-hop album I ever heard and I've heard 'em all. Very unique and different. Whatever I'm feeling at the time, I just put that CD on. awesome.
  34. ByroniusPunk
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    I don't like most hip-hop, and I especially dislike the cutesy-poo (or alternately thug b.s.) skits that come between songs. OutKast is truly in a class of its own. The skits are on point, as is the rest of the double CD set. This is a masterpiece...Probably the best of 2003.
  35. StrugglinForever
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    The CD combined is TIGHT. The Love Below is just what music needs right now (Something different). I'm tired of hearing the Hip Hop and R&B blend (Rappers trying to sing over a R&B hook). Outkast separated the two. With Big Boi covering the Hip Hop and Dre with his melodic CD.
  36. lewisalex
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    love adre3000's cd, but big bois is garbage. what they need to do is stay together and keep putting out the hits.
  37. adamk
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    Best album in 20 years
  38. natashas
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    i love the cd especially dre's because he has a lot of nice beats and words in his songs. the love below makes you wanna love somebody and speakerboxxx just makes you wanna go out and party somewhere also the lil interlude with his song is very nice his son sounds real cute!
  39. stevenh
    Sep 26, 2003
    10
    outkast has again shown why they have been on top of there game as a group since 94, and all the hating groups need to stop with the break up rumors
  40. TavaresS
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    If I could give it a 20 I would. Both CDs are innovative and creative. Definitely album of the year and raises the bar for music across all genres. The re-evolution is upon us!
  41. kaydee
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    This is by far the best Outkast album ever. READ MY TEXTThis album will sell 10 million copies by the end of the year.
  42. JavierD
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    They done did it again! And now double the fun.. Spekerboxxx totaly goes far beyond what any raper is even thinking about these days. My fav track so far On SBXXX has to be Unhappy. As for Andre (Ice Cold) 3000, He creates a new sound all together . Just call is Sophistifunk. If i had to pick my fav track on "The love below " it has to be spread. I cought them in the morning on Regis and They done did it again! And now double the fun.. Spekerboxxx totaly goes far beyond what any raper is even thinking about these days. My fav track so far On SBXXX has to be Unhappy. As for Andre (Ice Cold) 3000, He creates a new sound all together . Just call is Sophistifunk. If i had to pick my fav track on "The love below " it has to be spread. I cought them in the morning on Regis and Kelly(break out your biskits and jelly!!) Them Arista cats are good!!! … Expand
  43. MrsDre3000
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    Perfect!!! Big Boi is still bangin and Andre 3000 is so talented I practically cried listening to him.
  44. 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!
  45. daver
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    about 40 tracks. over 2 hours of listening pleasure. each song hits another unique topic and takes the listener to another train of thought all together. i think some people are afraid to tell the truth that they like the solo debuts from this duo because if there are too many critics saying its a masterpiece, outkast could stay this way. hell, if they continue to make music this great, i about 40 tracks. over 2 hours of listening pleasure. each song hits another unique topic and takes the listener to another train of thought all together. i think some people are afraid to tell the truth that they like the solo debuts from this duo because if there are too many critics saying its a masterpiece, outkast could stay this way. hell, if they continue to make music this great, i won't mind.… Expand
  46. Jeff
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    Few commercial artists around take as many risks as this album does. Buy this CD now...thank me later.
  47. GReg
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    slick as a curl, smooth as a pearl
  48. hardCoreizdaman
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    so damn stanky!
  49. Listner
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    Ill admit when i first hey ya I was like what the hell but i kept listening to both cds and i think this is the best album i bought by far it.
  50. AaronB
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    I will have to say I was disappointed when I heard Andre wouldn't be rapping on this upcoming album, but now that i have been listening I am in love with this cd. Big Boi brings more of the same Outkast goodness while Dre takes a leap and I think his stuff is incredable. This album is so original for a hip-hop album that no wonder they keep gettting nominated for awards.
  51. EnriqueG
    Sep 25, 2003
    10
    Masterpiece is the word.this is the real hiphop no bling bling just real hip hop
  52. AdamM
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Outkast continue to flip it better than any group in the game. Continuing to diversify as their careers lengthen, they're sure to impress us for years to come. Dope underground shit: Viktor Vaughn - Vaudeville Villain
  53. PoundsKbfunk
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Q magazine writes, "The Love Below isn't really hip hop at all", but so what if it not hip hop-it's better than hip hop-it's music!! Album of the year! Hands down!
  54. AshS
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    I give this album a Super 10. Outkasts' style and and content are ever changing. Anyone whose tired of all the same ideas and concepts that are going on today can appreciate the diversity brought to the table by this flawless duo. The album is diverse and touches every emotion and feeling inside my body. It takes me on a journey to seek out the many sides and personas of the group. I give this album a Super 10. Outkasts' style and and content are ever changing. Anyone whose tired of all the same ideas and concepts that are going on today can appreciate the diversity brought to the table by this flawless duo. The album is diverse and touches every emotion and feeling inside my body. It takes me on a journey to seek out the many sides and personas of the group. Anytime an artist can let their fans in like that it must be appreciated. … Expand
  55. kenm
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Perfect. @ unique and totally different cd's that are the two best hi hop cd's of the year by themselve's. Outkast has outdone itself again.
  56. gabrielh
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    i love this album cause here we have two individuals who do not let egos get in the way and it is completely different tone from what other artist have to say. They do not fear in trying new things and we need more groups such as Outkast who are willing to experiment with sound and talk about things we can relate too. Gabo Mad Ciphas
  57. TimW
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    not as solid as stankonia, but bigger, bolder and more matured. Outkast is definately pushing the envelope in a genre that's grown stale. There are only a few musicians/bands out there right now who are able to be both commercial and experimental, Outkast is successful in both arenas!
  58. RichardE
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    I think these cds,with out a shadow of a doubt, are two of the brilliant cd' of our generation. I think our kid's kids will listen to the cds in 25 years and say.......DAMN, Ahead of thier time.
  59. ArisM
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Bout' time for something different and the boyz are on point as usual. Love the diversity.
  60. DRob
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    OutKast continues to raise the bar for other so-called "hip-hop artists". Music is SUPPOSED to be ever-evolving while keeping it's true roots. They hardly ever sample songs and their message is the same on both individual albums to a trained ear...wake up and spread love. Heed #8/Speakerboxxx and #14/Love Below- same message, different messenger. They did it again....
  61. Ashekyssss
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    its hot!
  62. CoreyW
    Sep 23, 2003
    9
    Sophistifunk - is this what we are supposed to call it? I do believe so. Number of people shot and drugs taken in this album? Zero. So it doesn't fit the "mold" that's been placed on "Rap" by the big Record Labels who refuse to sign great acts and instead promote former drug runners and gangsters... Outkast blows everything out there in the big poppy prefab world and delivers a Sophistifunk - is this what we are supposed to call it? I do believe so. Number of people shot and drugs taken in this album? Zero. So it doesn't fit the "mold" that's been placed on "Rap" by the big Record Labels who refuse to sign great acts and instead promote former drug runners and gangsters... Outkast blows everything out there in the big poppy prefab world and delivers a very fine-tuned and genre-busting CD. Great album, enough said. E-Zines like Stylus shouldn't be counted in the whole of the Metacritic rating system, they obviously listen to too much 50 Cent and The Neptunes (which would make anyone sane enough not to be swayed by Pharell's bank account throw up), not enough "real rap."… Expand
  63. ChrisC
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    This album has got to be tha best of all tha outkast collection. If you've never heard outkast pick this album up... Believe me ya'll thank me latta
  64. JasonC
    Sep 22, 2003
    10
    This particular cd far surpassed anything that had ever been attempted to be created. The love below is the decades best most intresting album. Me being from the south, Huntsville, Alabama i am proud to play this cd anywhere i go. Not to be forgotten Big Boi's Speakerboxxx shows why outkast, cee lo green, and ludacris are the tightest lyracist out. Frankly put these guys is (off the brain).
  65. amboselia
    Sep 21, 2003
    10
    uncut black soul of the past...not some water down what rapper think white people want to here b.s......they ( meaning outkast) wont have to worry about people making comparsion to other albums cos they aint much to compare it too. they sound like no rap group in history you cant play these songs out its impossble .....this is probably the only music period they has caught up to the uncut black soul of the past...not some water down what rapper think white people want to here b.s......they ( meaning outkast) wont have to worry about people making comparsion to other albums cos they aint much to compare it too. they sound like no rap group in history you cant play these songs out its impossble .....this is probably the only music period they has caught up to the present times ...all these dead beat singers do is bite off old beats and sing song about what ever white people want fancy cars fancy women and a lot of money....any way it makes proud to be black when i here music like this.....cant no white cat come behind them and copy because they have no rhthem big up outkast one love black power … Expand
  66. AndrewD
    Sep 19, 2003
    10
    Top album of the year so far. Best hip hop double album to come out EVER ( even considering 2Pac & Notorious BIG)!
  67. AbramB
    Sep 18, 2003
    10
    This album is weird as hell at first...keep listening. PLEASE. This albums takes a keen year to understand it. Keep listening to it over and over again. It may be too overwhelming at first, but once you listen through it a few times you'll love it.
  68. oler
    Sep 18, 2003
    10
    album of the year. no doubt.
  69. LeeF
    Sep 18, 2003
    10
    My god this album is heavenly. Perfect....
  70. AlexC-Smith
    Sep 17, 2003
    10
    cd of the year. waaaaahhh
  71. Tomast
    Sep 17, 2003
    10
    Ingenious. Dre`s part "Love Below" would itself be best album of the year.
  72. NealS
    Sep 12, 2003
    10
    Great album, the first disk continues the 'outkast' feeling. The 2nd CD is excellent in it's own way. It explores a lot of untouched areas by hip-hop artist. When i noticed the track with Norah Jones (Take Off Your Cool), I was shocked. Great purchase.
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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
See all critic reviews »