In a night that felt like a triumphant homecoming for the city’s soul, OutKast — the visionary hip-hop duo of André “3000” Benjamin and Antwan “Big Boi” Patton — was officially enshrined in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
The induction, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and streamed live on Disney+, celebrated the Atlanta natives’ genre-defying innovation, raw lyricism, and unapologetic Southern swagger that put the A-Town on the global map.
Outkast Inducted Into Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame
Fellow Atlanta-bred star Donald Glover, known as Childish Gambino, did the honors of inducting the pair, delivering an emotional speech that captured their seismic influence.
“I saw you with the whole world in your hands,” Glover said, his voice thick with admiration for the duo who inspired generations of artists, including himself.
He capped it off with a heartfelt declaration: “Outkast, I love you,” underscoring the deep-rooted Atlanta pride that pulsed through the evening.
The ceremony’s tribute performance was a full-circle moment for the Dungeon Family collective, with Atlanta heavyweights like Killer Mike and Janelle Monáe joining forces onstage. Monáe, beaming with energy, declared, “Outkast, so dope,” before launching into a medley of hits that had the crowd — and viewers back home — waving their hands like they just didn’t care.
Killer Mike echoed Glover’s sentiment, reflecting on how OutKast’s boundary-pushing sound reshaped hip-hop: “You saw the whole world in your hands.”
The setlist roared through classics like “Ms. Jackson,” “Hey Ya!” and “The Way You Move,” a sonic love letter to the funky, eclectic vibes that defined OutKast’s nine-album run from 1994’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik to 2006’s genre-bending Idlewild.
Onstage, André 3000 and Big Boi radiated humility amid the glamour. André, ever the introspective poet, paused before speaking: “I don’t know what to say… We don’t know how we got here.”
Big Boi, with his signature charisma, kept it real for the hometown crowd tuning in: “This is special, Atlanta,” he said, thanking the Dungeon Family — the extended crew of East Point and Southwest Atlanta talents that birthed their sound — for the foundation that made it all possible.
“Thank you for the love,” he added, his words landing like a bass drop at a Magic City set.
For Atlantans, this induction isn’t just a pat on the back for two legends; it’s validation of the city’s explosive role in hip-hop’s evolution.
OutKast emerged from the gritty streets of East Point in the early ’90s, blending G-funk grooves with P-Funk flair and unfiltered Southern storytelling at a time when the genre was dominated by coasts.
Albums like ATLiens and Aquemini didn’t just top charts — they redefined cool, earning six Grammys and diamond certification for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
Their influence echoes in today’s trap kings like Future and Young Thug, and even in pop crossovers from artists like Lizzo.
Local reactions poured in fast on social media, with Atlanta Twitter lighting up in celebration. “Atlanta Iconic group Outkast gets inducted into Rock Hall of Fame,” tweeted
Photographer Tony Bigley captured the vibe perfectly: “Man so stoked to see OutKast inducted… they deserve this so much!” complete with a nod to “Roses” lyrics that had fans chiming in with their own bars.
Final Word
OutKast joins a stellar 2025 class that includes Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa, Soundgarden, and The White Stripes, but none carried the weight of Southern hospitality quite like André and Big Boi.
As the duo steps into this elite pantheon, one thing’s clear: From Stankonia to the Hall of Fame, the South got something they tried to say we didn’t — and we been had it.