Smack dab in the middle of the Atlanta summer, we went to Stankonia Studio - home of Outkast and the Dungeon Family - to meet with Rico Wade and Ray Murray, two-thirds of Organized Noize (Sleepy Brown was out of town). They welcomed us with open arms and took some time to recount the story behind five essential Outkast records that they've produced - "Player's Ball", "Git Up Git Out", "2 Dope Boyz In A Cadillac", "Skew It On The Bar-B", and "So Fresh, So Clean”.

Together, the story behind those songs give us a narrative that spans 7 years, from the duo's very first single to the apex of their careers pre-Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. With honest southern charm, humility, and good humor, Rico and Ray gave us some exclusive insight on what most can argue are now the most crucial elements in the foundation of Atlanta hip hop.