Before we get to the topic (I feel like I always have an announcement before the actual blog lol), there has been an update from a blog previously posted. Most of you have probably heard by now, but for those that are catching up on the weekend news, Kid Cudi has officially made an announcement that he is not retiring. Comparing himself to Spiderman in the sense of dealing with issues in his personal life, his career and job has been fine. He said he came to the realization that the people needed him and he needed the people. So, thankfully, we won't loose a bright future to the stresses of the industry. I'm just as thankful because the changing of the mind happened to soon for it to even be a publicity stunt. Let's just hope that no other talented artists go through this. Also, I know it has been a while, Miles Brandon has finally released his second mixtape, The Life and Love of Miles Brandon, so you guys can download that for FREE at http://www.zshare.net/download/5735158322208e89/ . Support those young people that still really care about the music and being creative.

Now, on to more exciting news. Recently, Big Boi held an interview with Rolling Stone and discussed his solo album as well as a new Outkast album. He said that he has completed the album and that right now it is slated for a summer release. He says that all the issues surrounding him releasing the album have to deal with issues surronding the label. Since Arista dissolved it's roster and Jive has taken over Big Boi's contract, there have apparently been some unresolved problems pertaining to the album. However, it seems as though the album will still come out in the coming months (let's just keep our fingers crossed).

Not only that, but Big Boi also made mention that he has been working on song with Andre 3000 and that they would be working on the project 100% after Andre finishes work on his solo album! He claimed that there have already been beats that he and Dre were setting to the side soley for the Outkast album and that he was in the studio with Andre about two weeks ago. It looks like everything is finally coming together again. You can find the whole interview at www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/03/20/big-boi-talks-solo-album-future-of-outkast-after-rowdy-sxsw-gig/ .

This is great news from all angles, especially with all of the gossip and speculation going around. Of course there were the rumors that Outkast had split up, which I never thought were true, but I sure didn't know if/when they would be coming out with another album together (and when I say together I don't mean solo albums being sold together, I mean both of them rhyming toghether on every track). Andre 3000 had also mentioned at the end of the year last year that he had been working on a project, but little to none of that had been heard, so I was beginning to wonder about that, too. I'm just glad that all of that has been cleared up and I can at least look forward to it sometime in the furture. I just don't want to have to wait three years for it.

Of all the great hip hop groups, I have to say that Outkast is my favorite. They have always gone above and beyond what anybody else is doing. They always find ways to be creative and, unlike many rappers, they only contine to get better with time. Andre 3000 has been featured on many songs as of late, and has killed them all. I really loved his verse on "What A Job" by Devin the Dude. And of course "Royal Flush" went back to the Aquemini days with both members of Outkast on there as well as Raekwon. Not to mention the single with Mary J. Blige that Big Boi dropped was pretty hot. Let's hope that they can get all the logistical stuff out the way so that they can continue to just put out great music, because I know that people are waiting for it.

That's it for me. I wanted to leave yall with some Outkast videos, but they got all their stuff sewed up on youtube, and seeing as though I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them in concert, there's no way for me to display any videos at this time. However, I will leave you with one of my favorite, if not my favorite Outkast song,"Deep."  Any thoughts on Big Boi's interview. Do you think the album will come out soon. Where do you place Outkast amongst the greatest groups in hip hop (perhaps that's another blog in-and-of itself, we'll see). Comment or email me at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.