Outkast talks new album in 2009

There is a debate of sorts concerning when the last true Outkast album was released. Was it 2006’s Idlewild soundtrack, or does it go all the way back to 2000's Stankonia? And can you really count 2003’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below as an Outkast album since it was just two solo albums packaged together? Gah. It’s time to call the whole thing off, though, because a new Outkast album (keyword: collaborative) will be out in the beginning of 2009.

In an interview with MTV News, Big Boi told the network, “Outkast are stronger than ever,” and laughed about any rumors that the duo had ever gone their separate ways. The pair probably just wanted some time out from their busy musicians’ schedules to pursue other interests: Andre will be coming back into this next album as a fashion designer, and Big Boi will be fresh off his stint with the Atlanta Ballet.

“We got a few songs we already picked out,” Big Boi explained. “We pick the beats first. I drop my [solo album] in July, Dre puts his out [later this year], and we drop that Outkast record at the top of [next] year.”

Oh, okay, so the new album will be out after they each release a…wait, what?! Two solo albums, as well? Yup, both MCs will be releasing a solo album before the end of 2008.

Big Boi’s album, Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, is named after his production company, and its first single is “Royal Flush,” featuring both Andre and Raekwon the Chef. The album will have 13 songs, and also feature a duet with Mary J. Blige on the track “The World Is Too Big.”

Click here for a listen to “Royal Flush,” and mentally prepare yourself for three new albums from your favorite ATLiens in the next year.

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