The iconic duo of Andre 3000 and Big Boi have physically made their mark on their home territory.
Recently, a mural was painted by Atlanta artist, JEKS, on the side of a popular store located in Little Five Points. The store that it is placed on, WISH, is already one of the most popular venues within the city and this new are only amplifies it. The mural features Outkasts’ members in beautiful realistic form and is based on portraits of the two that were taken by hip-hop artist-photographer, Johnathan Mannion.
The mural has already attracted thousands of tourists and has become the new best spot to pose for a picture. JEKS hoped that the mural would bring positive energy into the community, but he was not expecting it to get as much attention as it has thus far.
Outkast has always been proud of their roots and dedicates much of their success to the city that they are from. They are originally from East Point and literally helped to launch Atlanta and the rest of the South into the mega hip-hop hub that it is today. Early in their career, there were many people that doubted the success of the pair.
When they won ‘Best New Rap Group’ at the Source Awards in 1995, Andre 3000 yelled the words that have rung true ever since, “The south got something to say.” Immediately following this speech, the crowd let out an everlasting ‘booo’. However, all of the doubters were proved wrong. Throughout Outkast’s career, they have racked up six Grammy awards and countless others. Their music can still be heard, not just in the South, but all over the world.
This mural is the new stamp that Atlanta needed and deserved. The pair deserves all of the recognition that they get and JEKS created an amazing way to pay ode to some of the best in the rap game.
