I listened to this one on my way to work this morning and was once again reminded how much I love Outkast. When people argue about the best lyricists ever, Andre 3000 should always come into conversation. This is the fourth verse from the classic single Elevators off of my favorite Outkast album ATLiens. This verse is the perfect combination of story-telling and rhythmic wordplay. Through this mini-story, Andre reminds his fans that he is an average guy just like them.
Verse starts at 2:49.
Got stopped at the mall the other day
Heard a call from the other way
That I just came from, some n*gga was sayin’ something
Talkin’ bout “Hey man, you remember me from school?”
“Naw not really”, but he kept smiling like a clown
Facial expression lookin’ silly
And he kept asking me, “What kind of car you drive? I know you paid
I know y’all got bookoo of hoes from all them songs that y’all done made”
And I replied that I had been going through the same things that he had
True, I’ve got more fans than the average man
But not enough loot to last me to the end of the week
I live by the beat, like you live check-to-check
If you don’t move yo’ feet then I don’t eat, so we like neck-to-neck
Yes we done come a long way like them slim-ass cigarettes
From Virginia, this ain’t gonna stop so we just gonna continue
Go to 2:48 to hear this verse.
theaudiodope 