View source for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

{{redirect|The Rooster (song)|the Alice in Chains song|Rooster (song)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}} 
{{Infobox album
| name         = Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
| type         = studio
| artist       = [[Outkast]]
| cover        = Speakerboxxx-The Love Below.png
| border       = yes
| released     = September 23, 2003
| recorded     = 2002–2003
| studio       = * Enterprise ([[Burbank, California|Burbank]]) 
* [[Larrabee Sound Studios|Larrabee]] (Los Angeles) 
* [[Ocean Way Recording|Ocean Way]] (Los Angeles) 
* [[Outkast|Stankonia]] (Atlanta) 
* Tree Sound (Atlanta) 
* ZAC (Atlanta)
| genre        = * [[Southern hip-hop]] 
* [[progressive rap]] 
* [[funk]]
* [[jazz]] 
* [[Pop music|pop]]
* [[progressive soul]]
* [[Psychedelic music|psychedelia]]
| length       = {{duration|h=|m=134|s=49}}
| label        = [[Arista Records|Arista]]
| producer     = * [[André 3000]] 
* [[Big Boi]] 
* [[Carl Mo]] 
* Cutmaster Swiff 
* Dojo5
* [[Mr. DJ]]
| prev_title   = [[Big Boi and Dre Present... Outkast]]
| prev_year    = 2001
| next_title   = [[Idlewild (Outkast album)|Idlewild]]
| next_year    = 2006
| misc         = {{Singles 
 | name        = Speakerboxxx/The Love Below 
 | type        = studio 
 | single1     = [[GhettoMusick]] 
 | single1date = July 15, 2003{{efn|"GhettoMusick" was originally released as a double A-side single with "She Lives in My Lap" on July 15, 2003,<ref name="gmsliml"/> and was the lead single from ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' in the US and the UK.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2003/Music-Week-2003-09-20.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|location=London|page=31|date=September 20, 2003|accessdate=June 8, 2024|via=World Radio History}}</ref> In other countries, it was released as the fourth and final single alongside "Prototype" in November 2004.<ref name="pgm"/>}}
 | single2     = [[Hey Ya!]] 
 | single2date = August 25, 2003 
 | single3     = [[The Way You Move]] 
 | single3date = August 25, 2003 
 | single4     = [[Roses (Outkast song)|Roses]]
 | single4date = March 1, 2004
 | single5     = [[Prototype (song)|Prototype]]
 | single5date = September 27, 2004
}}
}}

'''''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''''' is the fifth studio album by the American [[hip-hop]] duo [[Outkast]]. It was released on September 23, 2003, by [[Arista Records]]. Issued as a [[double album]], its length of over two hours is spread across solo records by [[Big Boi]] and [[André 3000]].

Originally conceived as standalone albums, the members' solo efforts were integrated into a double album under Outkast's name as Arista deemed the decision to release solo albums unsuitable at the time. Big Boi's ''Speakerboxxx'' is a [[Southern hip-hop]] and [[progressive rap]] album influenced by [[Parliament-Funkadelic]], while André 3000's ''The Love Below'' largely departs from hip-hop in favor of [[pop music|pop]], [[funk]], [[jazz]], [[Psychedelic music|psychedelia]], and [[progressive soul]] styles, drawing inspiration from [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]. While ''The Love Below'' was entirely produced by André 3000, ''Speakerboxxx'' featured contributions from André 3000, [[Mr. DJ]], [[Carl Mo]], Cutmaster Swift, and Dojo5, in addition to production by Big Boi. Lyrically, ''Speakerboxxx'' discusses socially conscious themes, such as single parenthood, philosophy, religion, and politics, whereas ''The Love Below'' is centered on complexities related to love and relationships. ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' features a multifaceted array of collaborators, including [[Sleepy Brown]], [[Killer Mike]], [[Ludacris]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Rosario Dawson]], [[Kelis]], and [[Norah Jones]].

''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' received widespread acclaim from [[Music journalism|music critics]], who praised the consistency of Big Boi's ''Speakerboxxx'' and the eclectic musical style of André 3000's ''The Love Below''. Numerous publications proclaimed the album as one of the best records of 2003, placing it atop their year-end listings. A commercial success, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' became Outkast's first number-one album on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with first-week sales of 509,000 units, and went on to be certified [[RIAA certification|diamond]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) in December 2004.{{efn|For multi-disc albums whose total length exceeds 120 minutes, the RIAA counts each disc as a separate unit.<ref name="willman"/> Hence, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' was certified diamond after shipping five million units in the US, rather than the standard 10 million.}} At the [[46th Annual Grammy Awards]] (2004), the album won [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]], becoming only the second hip hop album ever to win the former. It produced five singles, two of which—"[[Hey Ya!]]" and "[[The Way You Move]]"—topped the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], and made Outkast the first duo in the chart's history to replace themselves at the summit. Furthermore, "Hey Ya!" won the [[Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance]]. "[[Roses (Outkast song)|Roses]]" reached the top 10 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 as well, peaking at number nine, while "[[GhettoMusick]]" and "[[Prototype (song)|Prototype]]" failed to achieve substantial success.

Outkast heavily promoted ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' via interviews and televised performances, often separately, as the album was marketed as a consolidation of Big Boi and André 3000's solo records. The strategy elicited intense media speculation over the duo's disbandment, which the members consistently denied. The musical film ''[[Idlewild (film)|Idlewild]]'' was originally slated to accompany the album, but was postponed multiple times before being released in 2006, after which Outkast embarked on an extended hiatus. Consequently, a multitude of critics have recognized ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' as a signal of Outkast's cessation, but nonetheless hailed the album as one of the best recordings of its era. The album has been further credited for reviving the double album concept in hip-hop, as well as for popularizing [[conscious hip-hop]]. Following its RIAA certification update to 13-times platinum in 2023, signifying double-disc units of 6.5 million in the US, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' became the highest-certified rap album of all time. As of September 2023, it has sold over 11 million copies worldwide.

==Recording and production==
Following Outkast's first [[Grammy Award]] win at the [[44th Annual Grammy Awards]] (2002), André 3000 felt urged to do something different from his previous projects and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He was relatively unsuccessful, landing a minor role in ''[[Hollywood Homicide]]'' (2003) and a one-episode appearance in the drama series ''[[The Shield]]''.<ref name="sarig 213"/> He subsequently returned to music, and began developing a solo album different from Outkast's work. The output was a blend of [[Pop music|pop]], [[jazz]] and [[funk]] infused with live instruments, and with a larger emphasis on singing than rapping.<ref name="sarig 213"/> When writing songs, he used a [[microcassette]] recorder in order to "record melodic ideas and lyrics, then build the melody around the lyrics".<ref name="XXL"/> He began recording ''The Love Below'' at his Los Angeles residence, using [[Pro Tools]] software,<ref name="XXL"/> in addition to a drum machine, keyboards and various synthesizers.<ref name="SOS"/> He enjoyed the atmosphere of recording at home instead of a studio, telling ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'': "It didn't start in the studio because if you have a bunch of people around, they're coming from the party and I'm in there singing falsetto... those vibes didn't match." His initial sessions were hampered by his inexperience with Pro Tools and, unaware of how to edit his recordings, he opted to record songs such as "Pink & Blue" entirely in one take.<ref name="XXL"/> Other gear used included an Avalon VT737 SP, as well as AD2055 EQ and AD2044 compressors for his vocals.<ref name="SOS"/>

After creating four to five songs, he informed Big Boi of the project.<ref name="sarig 213">{{harvnb|Sarig|2007|p=213}}</ref> Big Boi had already recorded some songs before André 3000 contacted him, but after their conversation he decided his next project would be ''Speakerboxxx''.<ref name="sarig 213"/> Describing his approach in the studio, Big Boi later commented to ''XXL'': "I had a complete vision of what an album could be that was entirely me, and the idea was just to keep it funky, keep it jamming, it's always bass-heavy. And lyricism, it's all about lyrics, taking pride in your pen and your pad." His favorite song to record was "Unhappy". He spent several days working on its hook before driving to his mother's home and playing the song in her driveway, to which she responded enthusiastically.<ref name="XXL"/> At some point in the recording, the project moved to Outkast's own Stankonia Studios in downtown Atlanta, which had been used to record its namesake ''[[Stankonia]]'' (2000). Studio manager and an engineer John Frye would later recognize that much of the media scrutiny surrounding the album's recording was concerned with André 3000 and Big Boi's working relationship and their decision to record separately. He conceded that both enjoyed working solo and were doing so more frequently, but continued to share and critique each other's works.<ref name=SOS>{{cite news|last=Silva|first=Joe|title=John Frye: Recording Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar04/articles/johnfrye.htm|magazine=[[Sound on Sound]]|access-date=April 23, 2014|date=March 2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424043334/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar04/articles/johnfrye.htm|archive-date=April 24, 2014}}</ref> 

''Speakerboxxx'' and ''The Love Below'' were originally conceived as individual solo efforts. However, Outkast's management deemed the decision unsuitable, as [[Arista Records]] sought to capitalize on the momentum caused by the duo's then-recent Grammy Award victory. In a compromise, André 3000 and Big Boi integrated their solo records into a single [[double album]],<ref name="sarig 213"/> which they envisioned as [[Idlewild (film)|their film]]'s accompanying [[soundtrack album]].<ref name="SOS"/> Production of the film was put on hold, and the album was reconstructed into their fifth studio effort. In order to accurately display the postponed film's plot on audio recordings, background noise such as footsteps and car door slamming were interpolated into the album's tracks.<ref name="XXL"/><ref name="SOS"/> As he finished ''Speakerboxxx'' earlier than André 3000 completed ''The Love Below'', Big Boi grew impatient due to André 3000's prolonged recording process, and once again considered releasing ''Speakerboxxx'' as a standalone solo album.<ref name="wavvy"/> While the entirety of ''Speakerboxxx'' was recorded at the Stankonia Studios, a substantial portion of ''The Love Below'' was also recorded at other locations, such as the [[Larrabee Sound Studios]] and [[Ocean Way Recording]] in Los Angeles, and the Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta.<ref name="liner"/> Frye noted the end of the recording sessions for ''The Love Below'' as particularly stressful for André 3000, whom he described as drained from working at four studios simultaneously.<ref name="SOS"/> In total, an estimated 120 songs were recorded for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''.<ref name="SOS"/> One of the songs which did not make the final track listing was "[[Millionaire (Kelis song)|Millionaire]]", André 3000's second collaboration with [[Kelis]], which was instead included on her third studio album ''[[Tasty (Kelis album)|Tasty]]'' (2003) and subsequently released as a single.<ref name="szatan">{{cite magazine|last=Szatan|first=Gabriel|date=September 24, 2018|url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/41513/1/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-15th-anniversary-retrospective|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is an eccentric, eternal masterpiece|magazine=[[Dazed]]|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}</ref> Meanwhile, the original track listing for ''Speakerboxxx'', published before ''The Love Below'' was completed, included "Oh No", featuring [[Bubba Sparxxx]] and BackBone; "Do Dirty", featuring [[Killer Mike]]; "808", featuring [[Bun B]]; and "Rats & Roaches", a collaborative effort between Big Boi and André 3000.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=August 12, 2003|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3n6jj0/outkast-flip-flop-with-jay-z-rosario-dawson-climbs-in-dres-lap|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415082210/https://www.mtv.com/news/3n6jj0/outkast-flip-flop-with-jay-z-rosario-dawson-climbs-in-dres-lap|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2023|title=Outkast 'Flip Flop' With Jay-Z; Rosario Dawson Climbs In Dre's 'Lap'|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 24, 2024}}</ref>

==Music and lyrics==
''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' is a 135-minute double album comprising a total of 40 tracks, including 11 [[:wikt:interlude|interlude]]s.<ref name="o'brien">{{cite web|last=O'Brien|first=Jon|date=September 22, 2023|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-double-album-hey-ya-20th-anniversary|title=10 Reasons Why Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' Is One Of Rap's Most Influential Double Albums|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|accessdate=March 14, 2024}}</ref> It is a [[concept album]] with the intention of each disc showcasing each member's individual perspective and musical style.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=September 23, 2013|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/e16u98/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-10th-anniversary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127124540/https://www.mtv.com/news/e16u98/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-10th-anniversary|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 27, 2022|title=Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below': Insiders Reveal Story Behind Hip-Hop's Biggest Album|work=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=March 14, 2024}}</ref><ref name="XXL">{{cite magazine|last=Rys|first=Dan|title=OutKast Revisits 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/01/outkast-revisit-speakerboxxx-the-love-below/|access-date=April 23, 2014|magazine=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|issue=151 (October/November 2013)|date=January 23, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226163715/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/01/outkast-revisit-speakerboxxx-the-love-below/|archive-date=February 26, 2014}}</ref> Big Boi's ''Speakerboxxx'' is an experimental [[Southern hip hop]] and [[progressive rap]] record with lyrical themes such as [[single parent]]hood, philosophy, religion, and politics.<ref name="sarig 214">{{harvnb|Sarig|2007|p=214}}</ref><ref name="Hermes"/> Brett Schewitz of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' noted musical influences from [[Parliament-Funkadelic]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Schewitz|first=Brett|date=February 10, 2021|url=https://www.rs500albums.com/300-251/290|title=#290 OutKast, 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' (2003)|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=June 27, 2024}}</ref> while independent critic Roni Sarig observed the emotional range in Big Boi's lyricism as wider on ''Speakerboxxx'' than on its predecessors.<ref name="sarig 214"/> After a "gunshot beat"-paced intro, the disc opens with "[[GhettoMusick]]".<ref name="clifton">{{cite web|last=Clifton|first=Karla|date=June 18, 2022|url=https://karlaclifton666.medium.com/review-290-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-outkast-69cb39deb0b2|title=Review #290: ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'', OutKast|website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]]|accessdate=March 14, 2024}}</ref> The track's eclectic musical style, encompassing [[electroclash]],<ref name="carlin"/> [[Electro (music)|electro-funk]],<ref name="Hermes"/> [[Hip hop music|hip hop]],<ref name="o'brien"/> and [[techno]],<ref name="Cinquemani"/> is juxtaposed with recurring excerpts from [[Patti LaBelle]]'s 1983 song "[[Love, Need and Want You]]", which exhibit LaBelle's vocals against a "lascivious" [[Soul music|soul]] background.<ref name="o'brien"/><ref name="Mulvey"/> Lyrically, it displays Big Boi confronting lackluster contemporary rappers and criticizing the hip hop scene's perceived descent.<ref name="dentler">{{cite journal|last=Dentler|first=Matt|date=October 3, 2003|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2003-10-03/180111/|title=OutKast: ''The Love Below / Speakerboxxx'' Album Review|journal=[[The Austin Chronicle]]|accessdate=March 14, 2024}}</ref> According to Brent DiCrescenzo of ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'', "Unhappy" musically conveys Big Boi effectively asserting himself as simultaneously traditional and perverse.<ref name="DiCrescenzo"/> The [[big band]], horn-driven funk track "Bowtie" was described as reminiscent of [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]] and [[Cotton Club]].<ref name="Ex"/><ref name="DiCrescenzo"/><ref name="Erlewine"/><ref name="Mulvey"/> It lyrically details stylishly dressing for a night out,<ref name="Gill"/> and features [[Sleepy Brown]] and [[Jazze Pha]].<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media|author=Outkast|year=2003|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|type=double CD|publisher=[[Arista Records]]|id=82876-50133-2}}</ref> Brown is also featured on "[[The Way You Move]]", a [[Latin music|Latin]]-influenced [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] song pairing a "Dirty South synth-drum [[Bounce music|bounce]] with a faux [[Phil Collins]] hook".<ref name="Southall"/><ref name="Hermes"/>

[[Mariachi]]-tinged hip hop track "The Rooster" discusses Big Boi's struggles as a single parent,<ref name="o'brien"/><ref name="Mulvey"/> against an instrumentation based on "slippery" horns and loose [[Wah-wah pedal|wah-wah]] guitars.<ref name="Erlewine"/> Killer Mike-assisted collaboration "Bust" blends hip hop with [[nu metal]],<ref name="clifton"/> and lyrically expresses a desire for superirority.<ref name="juon">{{cite web|last=Juon|first=Steve "Flash"|date=September 23, 2003|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/2003/09/outkast-speakerboxxxthe-love-below/|title=OutKast :: ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''|website=RapReviews|accessdate=March 15, 2024}}</ref> On the [[psychedelic soul]] track "War", Big Boi refers to the [[2000 United States presidential election]], [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]], murder of [[Daniel Pearl]], [[Iraq War]], [[Black Panther Party]], and [[Post-9/11]].<ref name="Caramanica"/><ref name="brown">{{cite magazine|last=Brown|first=Ethan|date=September 25, 2003|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/music/pop/reviews/n_9274/|title=Dynamic Duo|magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|accessdate=March 16, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Thompson|first=Paul|date=September 22, 2023|url=https://www.theringer.com/rap/2023/9/22/23884849/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-anniversary|title='In My Mind I Was Already Gone': The Endless End of Outkast|website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]|accessdate=March 15, 2024}}</ref> "Church" is a lyrical critique of [[organized religion]].<ref name="Gill"/> A techno-[[Gospel music|gospel]] song, it has received comparisons to [[Stevie Wonder]]'s 1970s recordings.<ref name="DiCrescenzo"/><ref name="Cinquemani"/> The interlude "Bamboo"&mdash;titled after Big Boi's son, who makes a guest appearance, covering "[[The Whole World]]"&mdash;precedes "Tomb of the Boom".<ref name="fuchs">{{cite web|last=Fuchs|first=Cynthia|date=October 16, 2003|url=https://www.popmatters.com/outkast-speakerboxxx-2496020972.html|title=OutKast: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|magazine=[[PopMatters]]|accessdate=June 10, 2024}}</ref> Both tracks use an identical "bouncy" beat,<ref name="clifton"/> while the latter dismisses rumors about Outkast's disbandment,<ref name="Caramanica"/> and features Konkrete, [[Big Gipp]], and [[Ludacris]].<ref name="liner"/> "Knowing" discusses a prostitute's plight,<ref name="Gill"/> while "Flip Flop Rock" is an ode to [[flip-flops]].<ref name="Lynskey"/> Featuring Killer Mike and [[Jay-Z]], "Flip Flop Rock" is a hip hop track built on a "springy" guitar loop and a "beatific" piano,<ref name="Southall"/> while incorporating scratches and propulsive kickdrums.<ref name="DiCrescenzo"/> "Interlude", a spoken word evaluation of Outkast's history,<ref name="o'brien"/> precedes the percussion-infused "Reset", which features [[Khujo]] and [[CeeLo Green]].<ref name="Hermes"/><ref name="liner"/> Comedian Henry Welch performs the brief interlude "D-Boi",<ref name="o'brien"/> while Slimm Calhoun, [[Lil Jon|Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz]], and Mello appear on "Last Call", a track accentuated with aggressive horns and an eccentric [[theremin]].<ref name="liner"/><ref name="Caramanica"/> ''Speakerboxxx'' closes with a 35-second reprise of "Bowtie", on which Big Boi's vocals are altered with [[helium]].<ref name="o'brien"/>

[[File:Outkast (3619554591) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|André 3000 performing "Hey Ya!" at the [[Tad Gormley Stadium]] in October 2003]]
In contrast with ''Speakerboxxx'', André 3000's ''The Love Below'' was identified as a funk, jazz, pop, [[Psychedelic music|psychedelic]], and [[progressive soul]] record comparable to the music of [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] in critical commentaries.<ref name="sarig 215">{{harvnb|Sarig|2007|p=215}}</ref><ref name="carlin">{{cite magazine|last=Carlin|first=Marcello|date=December 1, 2003|url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/divide-and-rule-19098/|title=Divide and Rule|magazine=[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]|access-date=September 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Tran|first=Caz|date=October 7, 2016|url=https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej/music-reads/features/outkast-speakerboxxx-love-below/102890668|title=Outkast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below was a game-changing double album|publisher=[[Double J (radio station)|Double J]]|accessdate=June 27, 2024|via=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref> The disc's abounding theme is love, specifically [[falling in love]] and [[self-love]]. Sarig suggested that the end of André 3000's relationship with [[Erykah Badu]] influenced much of the lyrical content, which he saw as concerned with the search for true love.<ref name="sarig 213"/> André 3000's vocal performance on the string-driven intro was compared to [[Frank Sinatra]] by Andy Gill of ''[[The Independent]]'',<ref name="Gill"/> while on the [[noise rock]]-[[Lounge music|lounge]] opener "Love Hater",<ref name="Southall"/> it was described as "mock [[Crooner|crooning]]" by [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]].<ref name="Erlewine"/> The interlude "God" finds André 3000 embracing his "horndog" reputation in a prayer, accompanied by an [[acoustic guitar]].<ref name="o'brien"/> "Happy Valentine's Day" introduces his [[alter ego]] Cupid Valentino, a reimagination of [[Cupid]] as a "gun-toting thug".<ref name="Cinquemani"/><ref name="Ex2"/><ref name="juon"/> [[Anal sex]]-themed "Spread" displays trumpets and piano interspersed with a pliant [[bassline]] and scattering [[rimshot]]s.<ref name="Southall"/><ref name="DiCrescenzo"/> Prelude "Where Are My Panties?", featuring Toni Hunter,<ref name="liner"/> insinuates a [[one-night stand]] leading to a romantic relationship.<ref name="Southall"/> The lyrical theme continues on "[[Prototype (song)|Prototype]]",<ref name="reid">{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=September 10, 2003|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/v75pq9/outkast-album-preview-from-the-whole-world-to-the-entire-universe|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208220854/https://www.mtv.com/news/v75pq9/outkast-album-preview-from-the-whole-world-to-the-entire-universe|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2023|title=Outkast Album Preview: From The Whole World To The Entire Universe|work=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=March 16, 2024}}</ref> a funk-[[neo soul]] ballad sung similarly to Prince, Clinton, and [[Sly Stone]].<ref name="o'brien"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.factmag.com/2013/11/06/outkast-top-50/|title=The 50 best OutKast tracks of all time|magazine=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]|date=November 6, 2013|accessdate=March 16, 2024}}</ref> [[Alternative R&B]] track "She Lives in My Lap",<ref name="Southall"/> featuring spoken-word vocals from actress [[Rosario Dawson]],<ref name="wavvy"/> received further comparisons to Prince, as Erlewine compared the song to [[The Revolution (band)|Prince and the Revolution]]'s 1985 B-side "[[Raspberry Beret|She's Always in My Hair]]".<ref name="Erlewine"/>

Acoustic guitar and [[Keyboard bass|synth-bass]]-driven "[[Hey Ya!]]" fuses [[power pop]], traditional soul and electro-funk styles.<ref name="DiCrescenzo"/><ref name="Southall"/><ref name="Erlewine"/> Lyrically an "ass-shaking jam session",<ref name="Ex"/> it introduces André 3000's second alter ego Ice Cold, who instructs the listeners to "shake it like a [[Polaroid SX-70|Polaroid]] picture".<ref name="Ex2"/><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Endelman|first=Michael|date=December 26, 2003|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/12/26/outkasts-andre-3000-gives-one-years-great-performances/|title=Outkast's Andre 3000 gives one of the year's Great Performances|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=March 16, 2024}}</ref> André 3000 described the song as being "pretty much about the state of relationships in the 2000s. It's about some people who stay together in relationships because of tradition, because somebody told them, 'You guys are supposed to stay together.' But you pretty much end up being unhappy for the rest of your life."<ref>{{cite web|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=January 30, 2004|title=Road To The Grammys: The Making Of Outkast's 'Hey Ya!'|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ynm2p0/road-to-the-grammys-the-making-of-outkasts-hey-ya|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804233631/https://www.mtv.com/news/ynm2p0/road-to-the-grammys-the-making-of-outkasts-hey-ya|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 4, 2022|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> "[[Roses (Outkast song)|Roses]]", the sole song on ''The Love Below'' on which Big Boi appears,<ref name="o'brien"/> is a [[Diss (music)|diss track]] directed towards a conceited ex-girlfriend referred to as "Caroline".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fitzgerald|first=Trent|date=August 27, 2020|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/outkast-storytelling-songs/|title=These Striking Stories in OutKast Songs Will Make You Run It Back|magazine=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]|accessdate=March 16, 2024}}</ref> "Pink & Blue" contains samples of [[Aaliyah]]'s 1994 song "[[Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (Aaliyah song)|Age Ain't Nothing but a Number]]" and reverses its lyrical theme, being directed towards an older love interest rather than a younger one.<ref name="Gill"/> A "[[Gothic rock|Goth]]-soul [[Cha-cha-cha (music)|cha-cha]]" track,<ref name="Hermes"/> "Pink & Blue" ends with a brief [[Orchestration|orchestrated]] outro.<ref name="DiCrescenzo"/> While "Love in War" is André 3000's lyrical response to Big Boi's "War",<ref name="Cinquemani"/> the frivolous, [[falsetto]]-sung minimalist electro track "She's Alive" discusses single motherhood.<ref name="Southall"/><ref name="Christgau"/> "Dracula's Wedding" follows André 3000 as a vampire infatuated with another vampire, portrayed by Kelis,<ref name="Hermes"/> but fearing commitment.<ref name="reid"/> "[[My Favorite Things (song)|My Favorite Things]]" is a [[drum and bass]] rendition of the 1959 song of the same title from ''[[The Sound of Music]]''.<ref name="Ex2"/><ref name="Lynskey"/> [[Norah Jones]] is featured on "Take Off Your Cool", a string-driven acoustic jazz-soul track.<ref name="DiCrescenzo"/><ref name="rabin">{{cite web|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|author-link=Nathan Rabin|date=September 30, 2003|url=https://www.avclub.com/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-1798198938|title=OutKast: ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|accessdate=June 11, 2024}}</ref> On "Vibrate", André 3000 uses [[Environmentalism|pro-environmental]] metaphors for [[masturbation]].<ref name="Cinquemani"/> The [[Dub music|dub]]-jazz track is built on muted trumpets and backward drumbeats.<ref name="Gill"/><ref name="Hermes"/> ''The Love Below'' closes with "A Life in the Day of Benjamin André (Incomplete)", described as an "autobiographical epistolary".<ref name="Hermes"/>

==Marketing==
===Imagery===
[[File:Huey Newton, portrait photograph by Blair Stapp.jpg|150px|thumb|right|Cover artwork for Big Boi's ''Speakerboxxx'' was inspired by a 1967 photograph of African American revolutionary [[Huey P. Newton]].]]
For the album cover and accompanying imagery for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'', Big Boi and André 3000 were photographed separately,<ref name="wavvy">{{cite web|author=Mr. Wavvy|date=September 22, 2018|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/making-of-outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below.html|title=The Secret History of Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below:' the Last Truly Great Double Album|website=[[Okayplayer]]|accessdate=June 10, 2024|url-access=registration}}</ref> due to rising creative differences between the two, following prior disagreements over their imagery.<ref name="williams">{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Stereo|date=September 23, 2018|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/when-outkast-ruled-the-world-the-15th-anniversary-of-speakerboxxx-the-love-below|title=When OutKast Ruled the World: The 15th Anniversary of 'Speakerboxxx / The Love Below'|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225163355/https://www.thedailybeast.com/when-outkast-ruled-the-world-the-15th-anniversary-of-speakerboxxx-the-love-below|archivedate=February 25, 2024|accessdate=June 25, 2024}}</ref> Big Boi was photographed by longtime collaborator [[Jonathan Mannion]], while [[Torkil Gudnason]] photographed André 3000. After listening to the entirety of ''Speakerboxxx'', Mannion devised ideas for imagery based on the record's lyrical themes. Meanwhile, Gudnason had a more fashion-oriented approach towards his photo shoot.<ref name="wavvy"/> 

The selected cover for ''Speakerboxxx'' saw Big Boi dressed in a fur coat and baggy jeans, depicting the fictional [[Procuring (prostitution)|procurer]] named Rooster, who frequently appears on the album. He is shown sitting on a [[feather duster]]-decorated [[rattan]] chair, inspired by a photograph of [[Huey P. Newton]] published in ''[[The Black Panther (newspaper)|The Black Panther]]'' dated November 23, 1967.<ref name="wavvy"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Huey Must Be Set Free!|newspaper=[[The Black Panther (newspaper)|The Black Panther]]|volume=1|number=6|location=[[Oakland, California]]|date=November 23, 1967|page=1|issn=0523-7238}}</ref> On the cover of ''The Love Below'', André 3000 is shown posing with a gun and portraying Cupid Valentino, one of his alter egos present on the album.<ref name="juon"/> Brandon Soderberg of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' retrospectively credited André 3000's flamboyant appearance on the artwork for inspiring rappers such as [[Kanye West]], [[Lil B]], and [[Cam'ron]] to embrace more feminine clothing styles, in contrast with rap's "normative masculinity".<ref name="soderberg">{{cite magazine|last=Soderberg|first=Brandon|date=September 24, 2013|url=https://www.spin.com/2013/09/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-andre-3000-big-boi-2003-10-year-anniversary/|title=Separation of Powers: OutKast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,' 10 Years Later|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref>

On CD pressings of ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'', Big Boi's image was used as the front cover, while André 3000's cover was placed in the back.<ref name="liner"/> However, for digital editions and vinyl pressings, the images were juxtaposed into a single cover, with ''Speakerboxxx'' on the left and ''The Love Below'' on the right.<ref name="walmart"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1UsmQ3bpJTyK6ygoOOjG1r|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|publisher=[[Arista Records]]|accessdate=June 10, 2024|via=[[Spotify]]}}</ref> Furthermore, the liner notes were divided into two segments, one for each record, with separate imagery.<ref name="liner"/>

===Release and promotion===
Originally titled ''Outkast Present... Big Boi and Dre''—in reference to Outkast's compilation album ''[[Big Boi and Dre Present... Outkast]]'' (2001)—''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' was scheduled for late May 2003,<ref name="Andre 3000">{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Shaheem|date=March 12, 2003|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/e4cyyu/outkasts-andre-3000-gets-down-with-norah-jones-big-boi-takes-us-to-church|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609151925/https://www.mtv.com/news/e4cyyu/outkasts-andre-3000-gets-down-with-norah-jones-big-boi-takes-us-to-church|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 9, 2024|title=Outkast's Andre 3000 Gets Down With Norah Jones, Big Boi Takes Us To 'Church'|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> before being postponed to August 19.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=June 23, 2003|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/v9om34/outkast-solo-albums-being-turned-into-movie-musical|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608101502/https://www.mtv.com/news/v9om34/outkast-solo-albums-being-turned-into-movie-musical|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 8, 2024|title=Outkast Solo Albums Being Turned Into Movie Musical|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> It was ultimately released on September 23, 2003, by Arista Records.<ref name="billboard"/> As it was marketed as a double album comprising Big Boi and André 3000's solo discs, Outkast also promoted the album individually, arriving separately to [[2003 MTV Video Music Awards]] on August 28 and staging separate performances and interviews. The strategy elicited intense media speculation over their disbandment, which the members consistently denied.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ogunnaike|first=Lola|date=September 7, 2003|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/07/arts/the-new-season-music-outkast-rap-s-odd-couple-gangsta-meets-granola.html|title=Outkast, Rap's Odd Couple: Gangsta Meets Granola|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref> In subsequent months, Outkast appeared on covers of ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|title=OutKast: Big Boi and André 3000 Go Their Separate Ways?|magazine=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|date=September 2003|issn=1063-2085}}</ref> ''[[The Fader]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cruz|first=Mariel|date=November 15, 2021|url=https://www.thefader.com/2021/11/15/cover-story-outkast-2003|title=Cover story: Outkast|magazine=[[The Fader]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=September 26, 2003|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/09/26/speak-devil/|title=Speak of the Devil|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Outkast: Are Dre and Big Boi breaking up?|magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|date=October 2003|issn=1070-4701}}</ref> ''[[Complex Networks|Complex]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Scarano|first=Ross|date=March 21, 2012|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/ross-scarano/gallery-10-years-of-complex-covers|title=Gallery: 10 Years of Complex Covers|magazine=[[Complex Networks|Complex]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> ''Rolling Stone'',<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Binelli|first=Mark|date=March 18, 2004|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/outkast-the-funk-soul-brothers-237508/|title=OutKast: The Funk Soul Brothers|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> and ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Hey Ya! It's Outkast & the 50 Bands That Changed the World|magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]]|number=214|date=May 2004|issn=0955-4955}}</ref> On October 31, 2003, they performed together on ''[[Total Request Live]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=October 31, 2013|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/xwz4dl/outkast-halloween-throwback-thursday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606120324/https://www.mtv.com/news/xwz4dl/outkast-halloween-throwback-thursday|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2024|title=Throwback Thursday: Outkast Bring 'Stankoween' to 'TRL'|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref> before performing on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' the following day,<ref>{{cite episode|author=[[Kelly Ripa|Ripa, Kelly]] (host)|title=Kelly Ripa/Outkast|date=November 1, 2003|series=[[Saturday Night Live]]|season=[[Saturday Night Live (season 29)|29]]|number=4|network=[[NBC]]}}</ref> at the [[American Music Awards of 2003 (November)|2003 American Music Awards]] on November 16,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Susman|first=Gary|date=October 7, 2003|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/10/07/ruben-and-clay-outkast-join-ama-lineup/|title=Ruben and Clay, OutKast join AMA lineup|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> and at the [[VH1]] Big in '03 Awards on November 20.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=October 21, 2003|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/rhbkmy/outkast-pharrell-williams-kid-rock-to-perform-at-vh1-big-in-03-awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606121826/https://www.mtv.com/news/rhbkmy/outkast-pharrell-williams-kid-rock-to-perform-at-vh1-big-in-03-awards|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2024|title=Outkast, Pharrell Williams, Kid Rock To Perform At VH1 Big In '03 Awards|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref>

André 3000's solo performance of "Hey Ya!" at the [[46th Annual Grammy Awards]] on February 8, 2004 ignited controversy, as its imagery was described as "racist" and disrespectful towards [[Native American cultures in the United States|Native American culture]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/cbs-apologizes-outkasts-performance-wbna4264467|title=CBS apologizes for OutKast's performance|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=February 13, 2004|accessdate=June 6, 2024|via=''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]''}}</ref> He subsequently performed the song at the [[2004 Kids' Choice Awards]] on April 3.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/kids-choice-awards-5-4-04/2/|title=Kids' Choice Awards|website=[[CBS News]]|date=April 5, 2004|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> Outkast performed together at the [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards Japan]] on May 23; Big Boi held solo concerts at the Shinkiba Studio Coast in Tokyo the following day,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tower.jp/article/news/2004/05/11/100003066|title=〈MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN〉、OUTKASTの出演が決定|trans-title=Outkast to appear at MTV Video Music Awards Japan|language=ja|location=Japan|publisher=[[Tower Records]]|date=May 11, 2004|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> and at the launch of [[Calvin Klein]]'s fragrance Eternity Moment in New York City on June 3.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 3, 2004|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/zlbyf7/for-the-record-quick-news-on-aaliyah-outkast-madonna-phish-twista-jin-hives-foghat-nickelback-more|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606114824/https://www.mtv.com/news/zlbyf7/for-the-record-quick-news-on-aaliyah-outkast-madonna-phish-twista-jin-hives-foghat-nickelback-more|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 6, 2024|title=For The Record: Quick News On Aaliyah, Outkast, Madonna, Phish, Twista, Jin, Hives, Foghat, Nickelback & More|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> The duo performed "Roses" at the [[BET Awards 2004]] on June 29,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/TheBETAwards/videos/outkast-roses-2004-betawards/230286011872470/|title=Outkast, 'Roses' 2004 #BETAwards|publisher=[[BET]]|date=June 3, 2021|accessdate=June 6, 2024|via=[[Facebook]]}}</ref> and a medley of "The Way You Move", "Hey Ya!", "GhettoMusick" and "Prototype" at the [[2004 MTV Video Music Awards]] on August 29.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=August 29, 2004|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/sj0vc4/outkast-jay-z-win-big-at-vmas-usher-no-doubt-land-multiple-moonmen|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816075903/https://www.mtv.com/news/sj0vc4/outkast-jay-z-win-big-at-vmas-usher-no-doubt-land-multiple-moonmen|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2022|title=Outkast, Jay-Z Win Big At VMAs; Usher, No Doubt Land Multiple Moonmen|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> André 3000 then performed at [[Fashion Rocks]] on September 8,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://nypost.com/2004/09/10/no-duds-here-all-stars-rock-at-fashion-week-gig/|last=Aquilante|first=Dan|date=September 10, 2004|title=No Duds Here – All-Stars Rock at Fashion Week Gig|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> while Big Boi performed "GhettoMusick" with Patti LaBelle at the [[2004 World Music Awards]] on September 15.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/usher-outkast-top-winners-at-world-music-awards-1428656/|title=Usher, OutKast Top Winners At World Music Awards|magazine=Billboard|date=September 16, 2004|accessdate=June 6, 2024}}</ref> In September 2023, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' was reissued on two limited-edition [[Phonograph record|vinyl]] pressings, in commemoration of its 20th anniversary.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2023/09/15/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-20th-anniversary-limited-edition-vinyl/|title=Outkast 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' 20th Anniversary & 'Aquemini' 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Vinyl|publisher=[[Legacy Recordings]]|date=September 15, 2023|accessdate=June 10, 2024}}</ref>

==Singles==
In March 2003, [[MTV News]] reported "Church" and "Prototype" would be simultaneously released as the [[lead single]] from ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'', and would be accompanied by a [[Bryan Barber]]-directed 30-minute short film comprising both songs' music videos; however, those plans never came to fruition.<ref name="Andre 3000"/> Instead, "GhettoMusick" was released as the lead single on July 15, 2003, as a [[A-side and B-side|double A-side single]] with "She Lives in My Lap".<ref name="gmsliml">{{cite AV media|author=Outkast|year=2003|title=GhettoMusick/She Lives in My Lap|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/ghettomusick-us-12--mr0001471780|type=12-inch single|publisher=[[Arista Records]]|id=82876-54249-1}}</ref> However, the promotion of the single was soon halted as Outkast focused on subsequent singles "Hey Ya!" and "The Way You Move",<ref name="moss">{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=August 6, 2003|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/u3j5lb/outkasts-big-boi-shoots-artsy-fartsy-clip-with-magical-hottie-mechanics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208222359/https://www.mtv.com/news/u3j5lb/outkasts-big-boi-shoots-artsy-fartsy-clip-with-magical-hottie-mechanics|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2023|title=Outkast's Big Boi Shoots 'Artsy Fartsy' Clip With Magical Hottie Mechanics|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> hence "GhettoMusick" peaked only at number 93 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]].<ref name="hotr&b">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/Outkast/chart-history/BSI|title=Outkast Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> In select countries, the song was released as the album's double A-side fourth and final single alongside "Prototype" in November 2004.<ref name="pgm"/> Upon its re-release, an accompanying music video for "GhettoMusick" was filmed; directed by Barber, it satirically depicts Big Boi as a "Delivery Boi" for [[FedEx|FedUp]], and features appearances from Patti LaBelle and Lil Jon.<ref>{{cite AV media|author=Outkast|year=2004|title=GhettoMusick|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAgfrE28gpc|type=music video|publisher=[[Arista Records]]|others=[[Bryan Barber]] (director)}}</ref>

"Hey Ya!" and "The Way You Move" were released as the second and third{{efn|Numerous publications, and the members themselves, have referred to "Hey Ya!" and "The Way You Move" as lead singles from ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' due to their immense success.<ref name="breihan">{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2206007/the-number-ones-outkasts-the-way-you-move-feat-sleepy-brown/columns/the-number-ones/|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=November 21, 2022|title=The Number Ones: Outkast's 'The Way You Move' (Feat. Sleepy Brown)|website=[[Stereogum]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Damdridge-Lemco|first=Ben|date=July 11, 2017|url=https://www.thefader.com/2017/07/11/big-boi-story-behind-the-way-you-move|title=How Big Boi Created His Timeless Classic 'The Way You Move'|magazine=[[The Fader]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/08/mroom.outkast/index.html|title=OutKast on a roll|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=February 12, 2004|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> "Hey Ya!" acted as the lead single in all countries except for the US and the UK,<ref name="hmhy"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue716.pdf|title=New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 10th November 2003|magazine=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|The ARIA Report]]|number=716|page=25|date=November 10, 2003|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20031206130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20031207-0000/Issue716.pdf|archive-date=December 6, 2003|access-date=June 24, 2024|via=[[Pandora archive]]}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> while "The Way You Move" was separately released as the second single.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue732.pdf|title=New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 8th March 2004|magazine=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|The ARIA Report]]|number=732|page=26|date=March 8, 2004|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20040406140000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20040407-0000/Issue732.pdf|archive-date=April 6, 2004|access-date=June 24, 2024|via=[[Pandora archive]]}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2004/Music-Week-2004-03-20.pdf|title=Key Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|location=London|page=21|date=March 20, 2004|accessdate=June 24, 2024|via=World Radio History}}</ref>}} singles on August 25, 2003.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2003/RR-2003-08-22.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1518|page=28|date=August 22, 2003|accessdate=June 7, 2024|via=World Radio History}}</ref> "Hey Ya!" was the first to reach the summit on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], where it spent nine consecutive weeks, eight of which "The Way You Move" spent at number two, before reaching the top for one week.<ref name="breihan"/> Thus, Outkast became the first duo in the chart's history to replace itself at the summit.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=May 10, 2013|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/how-do-macklemore-ryan-lewis-compare-with-other-duos-chart-1561350/|title=How Do Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Compare With Other Duos, Chart-Wise?|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> Internationally, "Hey Ya!" reached the top 10 in numerous countries, as well as number one in Australia,<ref name="hmhy">{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Outkast&titel=Hey+Ya!&cat=s|title=Outkast – Hey Ya!|publisher=[[ARIA Charts|ARIA Top 50 Singles]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/outkast/chart-history/cns/|title=Outkast Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> the Czech Republic,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm|title=Rádio 2004|language=cs|publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|ČNS IFPI]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405174648/http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm|archivedate=April 5, 2004|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> Norway, and Sweden,<ref name="hmhy"/> while "The Way You Move" peaked within the top 10 in Australia,<ref name="hmtwym">{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Outkast+feat.+Sleepy+Brown&titel=The+Way+You+Move&cat=s|title=Outkast feat. Sleepy Brown – The Way You Move|publisher=[[ARIA Charts|ARIA Top 50 Singles]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> Croatia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html|title=Top 20|publisher=[[Croatian Radiotelevision]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040405174726/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html|archivedate=April 5, 2004|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> Denmark,<ref name="hmtwym"/> Hungary,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/single-track-top-40-lista/2004/9|title=2004/9. heti Single Top 40 slágerlista|trans-title=2004/week 9 Single Top 40 hit list|language=hu|publisher=[[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> New Zealand,<ref name="hmtwym"/> and the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20040328/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=June 7, 2024}}</ref> At the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, "Hey Ya!" won [[Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance|Best Urban/Alternative Performance]], and was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]].<ref name="grammy">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/outkast/8325|title=OutKast|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> Barber directed both songs' accompanying [[music videos]], which were produced to appear in sequence as a long-form video.<ref>{{cite AV media|author=Outkast|year=2003|title=The Videos|type=DVD|publisher=[[Arista Records]]|id=82876-54643-9}}</ref> "Hey Ya!" shows André 3000 portraying all eight members of the fictional band The Love Below performing to a rapturous crowd in London, to recreate [[The Beatles]]' first [[The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show|appearance on ''The Ed Sullivan Show'']],<ref name="moss"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2205819/the-number-ones-outkasts-hey-ya/columns/the-number-ones/|last=Breihan|first=Tom|date=November 18, 2022|title=The Number Ones: Outkast's 'Hey Ya!'|website=[[Stereogum]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> while "The Way You Move" depicts Big Boi and Sleepy Brown in a garage specializing in Speakerboxxx audio systems, before the setting is transformed into a lavish party.<ref name="moss"/> At the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, "Hey Ya!" won four awards, including [[MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year|Video of the Year]];<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/2004-mtv-video-music-awards-winners-66688/|title=2004 MTV Video Music Awards Winners|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=August 30, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> it had also been nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Music Video|Best Short Form Music Video]] at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards.<ref name="grammy"/>

"Roses" was released as the fourth single from ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' on March 1, 2004.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-02-27.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1544|page=47|date=February 27, 2004|access-date=June 8, 2024}}</ref> It became their third consecutive top-10 single on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number nine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/outkast/chart-history/hsi/|title=Outkast Chart History (Hot 100)|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> The song fared similarly internationally, reaching the top 10 in Australia,<ref name="hmr">{{cite web|url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Outkast&titel=Roses&cat=s|title=Outkast – Roses|publisher=[[ARIA Charts|ARIA Top 50 Singles]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-06-25.pdf|title=CHR/Pop Top 30|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|number=1561|date=June 25, 2004|page=30|accessdate=June 8, 2024|via=World Radio History}}</ref> Ireland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=title&placement=Roses|title=The Irish Charts – Search Results – Roses|publisher=[[Irish Singles Chart]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> New Zealand, Norway,<ref name="hmr"/> and the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20040627/7501/|title=Official Singles Chart Top 100|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> Its accompanying music video, Outkast's sixth consecutive to be directed by Barber, is a contemporary adaptation of the musical ''[[West Side Story (musical)|West Side Story]]'', and depicts the rivalry between two high school crews—The Love Below, led by André 3000, and Speakerboxxx, led by Big Boi—as they battle for fictional Caroline's attention.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=February 18, 2004|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ln22yp/outkast-tell-a-west-side-story-in-upcoming-roses-video|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407063919/https://www.mtv.com/news/ln22yp/outkast-tell-a-west-side-story-in-upcoming-roses-video|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2023|title=Outkast Tell A 'West Side Story' In Upcoming 'Roses' Video|website=[[MTV News]]|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> The video was nominated for [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Video of the Year|The Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video]] at the [[2005 Soul Train Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/19th-annual-soul-train-awards-nominations-64301/|title=19th Annual Soul Train Awards Nominations|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 1, 2005|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref> "Prototype" was released as the fifth and final single from ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' on September 27, 2004,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-09-24.pdf|title=Going for Adds|magazine=[[Radio & Records]]|issue=1574|page=21|date=September 24, 2004|access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref> and was released as a double A-side single with "GhettoMusick" internationally.<ref name="pgm">{{cite web|url=https://www.fnac.com/a1612335/Outkast-Prototype-Ghettomusick-CD-maxi-single|title=Prototype – Ghettomusick|language=fr|location=France|publisher=Arista Records|date=November 8, 2004|accessdate=June 8, 2024|via=[[Fnac]]}}</ref> Like "GhettoMusick", "Prototype" failed to enter the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number 63 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.<ref name="hotr&b"/> The music video for "Prototype" marked André 3000's directorial debut, and depicts him as an extraterrestrial family member, who falls in love with a woman after descending to Earth.<ref>{{cite news|last=Vineyard|first=Jennifer|date=July 26, 2004|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489685/20040726/outkast.jhtml|title=Outkast Tell Otherworldly Love Story In 'Prototype' Clip|website=[[MTV News]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928175309/http://www.mtv.com/news/1489685/outkast-tell-otherworldly-love-story-in-prototype-clip/|archivedate=September 28, 2021|accessdate=June 8, 2024}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
{{Album ratings
| MC = 91/100<ref name="Metacritic"/>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="Erlewine"/>
| rev2 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''
| rev2Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Ex"/>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3Score = A<ref name="Hermes"/>
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Lynskey"/>
| rev5 = ''[[The Independent]]''
| rev5Score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="Gill"/>
| rev6 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
| rev6Score = {{Rating|4|4}}<ref name="Ex2">{{cite news|last=Ex|first=Kris|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-sep-21-ca-ex21-story.html|title=Ride in the whirlwind|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 21, 2003|access-date=July 6, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106000617/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/sep/21/entertainment/ca-ex21|archive-date=January 6, 2011}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[NME]]''
| rev7Score = 8/10<ref name="Mulvey"/>
| rev8 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev8Score = 8.0/10<ref name="DiCrescenzo"/>
| rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Caramanica"/>
| rev10 = ''[[The Village Voice]]''
| rev10Score = A−<ref name="Christgau"/>
}}

''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' was met with widespread critical acclaim. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 91, based on 26 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/speakerboxxxthe-love-below/outkast|title=Reviews for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by Outkast|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=July 9, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729050413/http://www.metacritic.com/music/speakerboxxxthe-love-below/outkast|archive-date=July 29, 2012}}</ref> Reviewing for [[AllMusic]], [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] called both discs "visionary, imaginative listens, providing some of the best music of 2003, regardless of genre".<ref name="Erlewine">{{cite web|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/speakerboxxx-the-love-below-mw0000226528|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – OutKast|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=October 10, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618105925/http://www.allmusic.com/album/speakerboxxx-the-love-below-mw0000226528|archive-date=June 18, 2012}}</ref> He credited ''Speakerboxxx'' with "reclaiming the adventurous spirit of the golden age and pushing it into a new era", while referring to ''The Love Below'' as "the great lost [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] album."<ref name="Erlewine"/> [[Will Hermes]] wrote in ''Entertainment Weekly'' that the album's "ambition flies so far beyond that of anyone doing rap right now (or pop, or rock, or R&B)".<ref name="Hermes">{{cite web|last=Hermes|first=Will|author-link=Will Hermes|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/09/19/speakerboxxxthe-love-below-2/|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|website=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 19, 2003|access-date=August 25, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107061509/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/09/19/speakerboxxxthe-love-below|archive-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> Kris Ex wrote for ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' that the double album "holds an explosion of creativity that couldn't have been contained in just one LP",<ref name="Ex">{{cite journal|last=Ex|first=Kris|url=http://blender.com/reviews/review_1388.html|title=Outkast: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|journal=[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]|location=New York|issue=21|date=November 2003|access-date=July 11, 2016|page=118|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603103958/http://blender.com/reviews/review_1388.html|archive-date=June 3, 2004}}</ref> while writing for ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'': "It's not just that the collection stands so far above much of today's contemporary hip-hop and R&B; but that it surpasses the high level of genre-defying craftsmanship that the duo has cultivated for nearly a decade."<ref name="Ex2"/> ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Dorian Lynskey described both discs as "sublime&nbsp;... hip-hop's ''[[Sign o' the Times]]'' or ''[[The Beatles (album)|The White Album]]'': a career-defining masterpiece of breathtaking ambition".<ref name="Lynskey">{{cite news|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/sep/26/popandrock.shopping5|title=OutKast, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=September 25, 2003|access-date=October 10, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912024004/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/sep/26/popandrock.shopping5|archive-date=September 12, 2014}}</ref> According to Andy Gill of ''The Independent'', ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' set "a new benchmark not just for hip hop, but for pop in general", featuring "so many musical tributaries coursing into both Big Boi's progressive-rap pyrotechnics and Dre's freaky [[jazz-funk]] love odyssey that even their old tag of 'psychedelic hip-hop soul' starts to look restrictive".<ref name="Gill">{{cite news|last=Gill|first=Andy|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-outkast-582030.html|title=Album: Outkast|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|location=London|date=October 3, 2003|access-date=April 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607085650/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-outkast-582030.html|archive-date=June 7, 2009}}</ref> ''[[Stylus Magazine]]''{{'}}s Nick Southall called the album "a series of spectacular moments and memorable events".<ref name="Southall">{{cite web|last=Southall|first=Nick|url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/outkast/speakerboxxx-the-love-below.htm|title=Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – Review|work=[[Stylus Magazine]]|date=September 23, 2003|access-date=October 10, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091002114523/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/outkast/speakerboxxx-the-love-below.htm|archive-date=October 2, 2009}}</ref> John Mulvey of ''[[NME]]'' described its two discs as "two Technicolor explosions of creativity that people will be exploring, analysing and partying to for years".<ref name="Mulvey">{{cite journal|last=Mulvey|first=John|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/outkast/7171|title=Outkast : Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|journal=[[NME]]|location=London|date=September 30, 2003|access-date=November 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929083914/http://www.nme.com/reviews/outkast/7171|url-status=live|archive-date=September 29, 2012}}</ref> Sal Cinquemani from ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' wrote that it is "greater than the sum of its parts, and this kind of expertly crafted pop and deftly executed funk rarely happen at the same time—not since ''Stankonia'', at least."<ref name="Cinquemani">{{cite web|last=Cinquemani|first=Sal|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below|title=OutKast: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|date=September 19, 2003|access-date=July 6, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915100402/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below|archive-date=September 15, 2013}}</ref>

In his review of ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' for ''Rolling Stone'', [[Jon Caramanica]] was less enthusiastic, particularly about André 3000 expressing his "right to be peculiar in a hip-hop context".<ref name="Caramanica">{{cite magazine|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|author-link=Jon Caramanica|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/speakerboxxx-the-love-below-20030924|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|location=New York|date=September 24, 2003|access-date=May 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071104110619/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/outkast/albums/album/290754/review/6068251/speakerboxxxthe_love_below|archive-date=November 4, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Matt Dentler from ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]'' stated that Outkast performed stronger as a duo than individually, explaining: "It's like [[John Lennon|Lennon]] and [[Paul McCartney|McCartney]] solo albums: plenty of solid tunes, but the pen held together is mightier than a solo sword."<ref name="dentler"/> ''Pitchfork''{{'}}s Brent DiCrescenzo wrote that ''The Love Below'' does not sustain "consistent brilliance and emotional complexity throughout" like ''Speakerboxxx''.<ref name="DiCrescenzo">{{cite web|last=DiCrescenzo|first=Brent|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11796-speakerboxxxthe-love-below/|title=OutKast: Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=September 22, 2003|access-date=October 10, 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925160508/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11796-speakerboxxxthe-love-below/|archive-date=September 25, 2009}}</ref> Ethan Brown from ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' shared those sentiments, elaborating: "Big Boi's ''Speakerboxxx'' is bolder—he wants to go where most hip-hoppers fear to tread and take the [[MTV]] audience along with him. It strikes at the essence of what has made OutKast so important to pop: the accessible, democratic nature of its strangeness."<ref name="brown"/> In ''[[The Village Voice]]'', [[Robert Christgau]] said the record could have been "the classic P-Funk rip it ain't quite" had ''Speakerboxxx'' alone been issued with "Roses", "Spread", "Hey Ya!", and "an oddity of [André 3000's] choosing". He nonetheless commended what he described as "commercial ebullience, creative confidence, and wretched excess, blessed excess, impressive excess".<ref name="Christgau">{{cite news|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-10-21/music/rousing-constituencies/|title=Rousing Constituencies|newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]|location=New York|date=October 21, 2003|access-date=June 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525025747/http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-10-21/music/rousing-constituencies/|archive-date=May 25, 2011}}</ref> On the contrary, Matt Harvey of [[BBC]] praised both counterparts, describing ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' as "hilarious and thought provoking, goes on for hours (without ever getting boring) and is the most ambitious piece of pop [of 2003]".<ref>{{cite web|last=Harvey|first=Matt|date=September 29, 2003|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/h5zf/|title=Review of Outkast – ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''|publisher=[[BBC]]|accessdate=June 11, 2024}}</ref> In ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' (2004), Roni Sarig wrote that "for sheer breadth, ambition, and musical vision, there's little doubt ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' is a classic."<ref name="Hoard">{{harvnb|Sarig|2004|pp=610–611}}</ref>

==Accolades==
===Listings===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Listings for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Publication
! scope="col"| List
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="10"| 2003
| [[Associated Press]]
| The Top 10 Albums of 2003
| {{center|2}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|last=Moody|first=Nekesa Mumbi|author-link=Nekesa Mumbi Moody|date=December 22, 2003|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/top-10-albums-2003-wbna3784049|title=The top 10 albums of 2003|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=June 12, 2024|via=''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]''}}</ref>}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| ''[[The A.V. Club]]''
| Keith Phipps' Best Albums of 2003
| {{center|8}}
| rowspan="2"| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|author1=Battaglia, Andy|author2=Modell, Josh|author3=Murray, Noel|author4=Phipps, Keith|author5=[[Nathan Rabin|Rabin, Nathan]]|author6=[[Stephen Thompson (journalist)|Thompson, Stephen]]|date=December 17, 2003|url=https://www.avclub.com/best-albums-of-2003-1798208953|title=Best Albums Of 2003|newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]]|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| [[Nathan Rabin]]'s Best Albums of 2003
| {{center|6}}
|-
| ''[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]]''
| Recordings of the Year
| {{center|6}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/theface.htm#2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216032048/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/theface.htm#2003|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 16, 2006|title=Recordings Of The Year: Albums|magazine=[[The Face (magazine)|The Face]]|accessdate=June 12, 2024|via=Rocklist.net}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[The Morning News (online magazine)|The Morning News]]''
| The Top 10 Albums of 2003
| {{center|4}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Womack|first=Andrew|date=December 15, 2003|url=https://themorningnews.org/article/the-top-10-albums-of-2003|title=The Top 10 Albums of 2003|magazine=[[The Morning News (online magazine)|The Morning News]]|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''NME''
| Albums of the Year
| {{center|8}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/features/2003-2-1045351|title=NME's best albums and tracks of 2003|magazine=[[NME]]|date=October 10, 2016|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''Pitchfork''
| Top 50 Albums of 2003
| {{center|22}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|last=Pemberton|first=Rollie|date=December 30, 2003|url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/5925-top-50-albums-of-2003/?page=5|title=Top 50 Albums of 2003|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|page=5|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''Spin''
| The 40 Best Albums of 2003
| {{center|2}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hermes|first=Will|author-link=Will Hermes|date=December 31, 2003|url=https://www.spin.com/2003/12/40-best-albums-2003/|title=The 40 Best Albums of 2003|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|volume=20|issue=1 (January 2004)|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''The Village Voice''
| [[Pazz & Jop]]
| {{center|1}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|date=February 17, 2004|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres03.php|title=The 2003 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll: Albums|newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]''
| [[Rewind (The Wire)|Rewind]]
| {{center|21}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.thewire.co.uk/issues/charts/2003-rewind|title=2003 Rewind|magazine=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]]|issue=239|date=January 2004|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| 2007
| [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]
| Definitive 200
| {{center|29}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200|title=Definitive 200|publisher=[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410040752/http://www.rockhall.com/pressroom/definitive-200|archivedate=April 10, 2007|accessdate=June 21, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="4"| 2009
| ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence of Sound]]''
| The Top 100 Albums of the 2000s
| {{center|99}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|last=Blackard|first=Cap|date=November 17, 2009|url=https://consequence.net/2009/11/cos-top-of-the-decade-the-albums/|title=The Top 100 Albums of the 2000s|website=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| [[MTV Base (United Kingdom and Ireland)|MTV Base]]
| Greatest Albums Ever
| {{center|31}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|last=Nelson|first=Trevor|display-authors=etal|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channels/mtv-base/chart/greatest-albums-ever|title=Greatest Albums Ever|publisher=[[MTV Base (United Kingdom and Ireland)|MTV Base]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310042354/http://www.mtv.co.uk/channels/mtv-base/chart/greatest-albums-ever|archivedate=March 10, 2009|accessdate=June 21, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Newsweek]]''
| Best Albums of the Decade
| {{center|1}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Walls|first=Seth Colter|url=http://2010.newsweek.com/top-10/best-albums/speakerboxxx-the-love-below-outkast.html|title=Best Albums|magazine=[[Newsweek]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213115049/http://2010.newsweek.com/top-10/best-albums/speakerboxxx-the-love-below-outkast.html|archivedate=December 13, 2009|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''NME''
| The Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade
| {{center|44}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/page/6|title=The Top 100 Greatest Albums Of The Decade|magazine=[[NME]]|date=November 18, 2009|page=6|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120175208/https://www.nme.com/list/the-top-100-greatest-albums-of-the-decade/158049/page/6|archivedate=November 20, 2009|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| 2010
| colspan="2"| ''[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]''
| {{center|–}}
| {{center|<ref>{{harvnb|Sampaio|2010|p=898}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| 2011
| ''Rolling Stone''
| 100 Best Albums of the 2000s
| {{center|34}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-best-albums-of-the-2000s-153375/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-151260/|title=100 Best Albums of the 2000s|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=July 18, 2011|accessdate=June 21, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| 2012
| ''Complex''
| 25 Rap Albums from the Past Decade That Deserve Classic Status
| {{center|–}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Ahmed, Insanul|author2=Baker, Ernest|author3=Isenberg, Daniel|author4=Martin, Andrew|author5=Moore, Jacob|author6=Nostro, Lauren|author7=OrNah|date=December 6, 2012|url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/insanul-ahmed/25-rap-albums-from-the-past-decade-that-deserve-classic-status|title=25 Rap Albums From the Past Decade That Deserve Classic Status|magazine=[[Complex Networks|Complex]]|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| 2013
| ''NME''
| The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
| {{center|183}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Barker|first=Emily|date=October 25, 2013|url=http://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-200-101/324534/1/1|title=The 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time: 200–101|magazine=[[NME]]|page=18|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223061236/http://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-200-101/324534/1/1#18|archivedate=February 23, 2014|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| 2019
| ''The Guardian''
| The 100 Best Albums of the 21st Century
| {{center|23}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite news|author1=Beaumont-Thomas, Ben|author2=Curtin, April|author3=Snapes, Laura|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/13/100-best-albums-of-the-21st-century|title=The 100 best albums of the 21st century|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London|date=September 13, 2019|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2"| 2023
| ''Rolling Stone''
| [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]
| {{center|290}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-albums-of-all-time-1062063/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-2-1062943/|title=The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=December 31, 2023|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|-
| ''[[Uproxx]]''
| The Best Albums of 2003, Ranked (20 Years Later)
| {{center|5}}
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|last=Hyden|first=Steven|date=December 14, 2023|url=https://uproxx.com/indie/best-albums-of-2003-ranked-20-years-later/|title=The Best Albums Of 2003, Ranked (20 Years Later)|website=[[Uproxx]]|accessdate=June 12, 2024}}</ref>}}
|}

===Awards and nominations===
Critically acclaimed, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' was nominated for a myriad of industry awards. At the 46th Annual Grammy Awards on February 8, 2004, it won [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], the most prestigious [[Grammy Award]], and [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]]. Outkast thus became only the second rap artists to win Album of the Year, after [[Lauryn Hill]] in [[41st Annual Grammy Awards|1999]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ellington|first=Andre|date=August 1, 2023|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/outkast-quincy-jones-gift-grammys-wins|title=Big Boi Recalls Unlikely Gift from Quincy Jones After Outkast's 2004 Grammys Success|magazine=[[HipHopDX]]|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref> Geoff Boucher from ''Los Angeles Times'' declared the album "the first pure hip-hop project" to win the award.<ref>{{cite news|last=Boucher|first=Geoff|date=February 9, 2004|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-feb-09-et-boucher9-story.html|title=OutKast Scores a Hip-Hop First|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref> While accepting the Best Rap Album award, André 3000 said: "Thank you", showed a [[V sign|peace sign]], and left the stage. Carena Liptak of [[The Recording Academy]] retrospectively called the acceptance speech "perhaps the shortest" in the history of Grammy Awards.<ref>{{cite web|last=Liptak|first=Carena|date=June 10, 2022|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-best-rap-album-andre-3000-acceptance-speech-video-grammy-rewind|title=Grammy Rewind: Outkast's André 3000 Delivers Perhaps The Shortest Acceptance Speech Ever After Winning A Grammy For Best Rap Album In 2004|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref> ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' also won [[Soul Train Music Award for Best Album of the Year|Best Album of the Year]] at the [[2004 Soul Train Music Awards]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sunjournal.com/2004/03/22/outkast-win-twice-soul-train-awards/|title=OutKast win twice at Soul Train awards|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=March 22, 2004|url-access=registration|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118073052/https://www.sunjournal.com/2004/03/22/outkast-win-twice-soul-train-awards/|archivedate=January 18, 2022|url-status=live|accessdate=June 15, 2024|via=''[[Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)|Sun Journal]]''}}</ref> and [[American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album|Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album]] at the [[American Music Awards of 2004]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/american-music-award-winners-20041116-gdk4bl.html|title=American Music Award winners|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=November 16, 2004|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref> Internationally, ''Speakerboxx/The Love Below'' won [[MTV Video Music Award Japan for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards Japan,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/41g47p/for-the-record-quick-news-on-outkast-paula-abdul-janet-jackson-lamb-of-god-lil-kim-jack-johnson-more|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821020358/https://www.mtv.com/news/41g47p/for-the-record-quick-news-on-outkast-paula-abdul-janet-jackson-lamb-of-god-lil-kim-jack-johnson-more|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 21, 2023|title=For The Record: Quick News On Outkast, Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Lamb Of God, Lil' Kim, Jack Johnson & More|website=[[MTV News]]|date=June 2, 2004|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref> while being nominated for the [[Brit Award for International Album]] in both [[2004 Brit Awards|2004]] and [[2005 Brit Awards|2005]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3389755.stm|title=Brits 2004: The nominations|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=January 12, 2004|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4162591.stm|title=Brits 2005: The winners|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=February 9, 2005|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref> and for [[MTV Europe Music Award for Best Album|Best Album]] at the [[2004 MTV Europe Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4024097.stm|title=MTV Europe Awards 2004: The winners|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=November 18, 2004|accessdate=June 15, 2024}}</ref>

==Commercial performance==
In the US, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' debuted atop the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart dated October 11, 2003, with first-week sales of 509,600 copies.<ref name="leads">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/outkast-leads-nine-new-top-20-chart-entries-68854/|title=OutKast Leads Nine New Top-20 Chart Entries|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 1, 2003|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref> Following three consecutive number-two debuts, the album became Outkast's first number-one on the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref name="bb200"/> and registered their second-highest first-week sales, after ''Stankonia''.<ref name="leads"/> Furthermore, it became their second number-one album on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]].<ref name="rbhh"/> In its second week, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' sold 235,000 additional copies, remaining atop the ''Billboard'' 200,<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Hiatt|first=Brian|date=October 8, 2003|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/10/08/outkast-top-album-sales-chart-again/|title=OutKast top album sales chart again|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref> before descending to number two the following week.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ludacris-scores-first-no-1-album-68646/|title=Ludacris Scores First No. 1 Album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 15, 2003|accessdate=June 20, 2024}}</ref> During its first month, the album sold over one million units.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/aiken-measures-up-at-no-1-68538/|title=Aiken ‘Measures’ Up At No. 1|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 22, 2003|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref> It returned to the summit in its sixth week, having spent the prior three weeks within the top four.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/outkast-pops-back-to-no-1-68328/|title=OutKast Pops Back To No. 1|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=November 5, 2003|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref> During the Christmas week of 2003, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' sold 374,000 copies, rising back to the summit,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/outkast-tops-final-2003-album-chart-67618/|title=OutKast Tops Final 2003 Album Chart|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 31, 2003|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref> where it stayed for three additional weeks throughout January–February 2004.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/outkast-retains-billboard-200-crown-1448663/|title=OutKast Retains ''Billboard'' 200 Crown|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=January 7, 2004|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2004-02-07/|title=''Billboard'' 200|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=February 7, 2004|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref> In total, the album spent seven non-consecutive weeks at number one, and 56 weeks charting.<ref name="bb200"/> On December 3, 2004, the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) certified ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' [[RIAA certification|diamond]], denoting shipments of five million double-disc units in the US.<ref name="riaa"/> By March 2012, the album had sold 5,702,000 copies in the country.<ref name="Last 10 Years">{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/bp/chart-watch-extra-top-albums-last-10-years-181452729.html|title=Chart Watch Extra: Top Albums Of Last 10 Years|last=Grein|first=Paul|publisher=[[Yahoo! Music]]|date=March 16, 2012|access-date=December 29, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161744/https://www.yahoo.com/music/bp/chart-watch-extra-top-albums-last-10-years-181452729.html|archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref> Shortly after the album's 20th anniversary, the RIAA certification was updated to 13-times platinum on September 29, 2023, signifying 13 million [[album-equivalent unit]]s;{{efn|The units comprise [[Record sales|pure album sales]], [[Music download|song download]]s and [[Streaming media|streaming]] equivalents of 6,500,000. For multi-disc albums whose total length exceeds 120 minutes, the RIAA counts each disc as a separate unit,<ref name="willman">{{cite magazine|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=April 18, 1997|url=https://ew.com/article/1997/04/18/riaa-rules-create-misleading-album-sales/|title=RIAA rules create misleading album sales|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=June 18, 2024}}</ref> which doubles the amount of ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' units eligible for a certification.}} ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' thus became the highest-certified rap album of all time.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=LeJarde|first=Arielle Lana|date=October 2, 2023|url=https://www.thefader.com/2023/10/02/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-best-selling-rap-album|title=Outkast's ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' is the best-selling rap album of all time|magazine=[[The Fader]]|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Caraan|first=Sophie|date=October 2, 2023|url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/10/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-13x-platinum-highest-selling-rap-album-aquemini-vinyl-reissue|title=Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' Is Now The Highest-Selling Rap Album in History|publisher=[[Hypebeast (company)|Hypebeast]]|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Abraham|first=Mya|date=October 3, 2023|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-highest-selling-rap-album-1234797901/|title=OutKast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' Becomes Highest-Selling Rap Album In History|magazine=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref>

In Canada, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' debuted at number six on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]] dated October 11, 2003,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2003-10-11/|title=''Billboard'' Canadian Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 11, 2003|accessdate=June 17, 2024}}</ref> and was certified gold by the [[Music Canada|Canadian Recording Industry Association]] (CRIA) in its first week.<ref name="mc"/> It subsequently peaked at number four on the Canadian Albums Chart on February 14, 2004.<ref name="can"/> In the UK, the album was a [[sleeper hit]], debuting at number 44 on the [[UK Albums Chart]] before peaking at number eight in its 16th week,<ref name="uk"/> as well as peaking atop the [[UK R&B Albums Chart]] in its 15th week.<ref name="ukrb"/> It was certified triple platinum by the [[British Phonographic Industry]] (BPI) in July 2023, denoting album-equivalent units of 900,000.<ref name="bpi"/> Across Europe, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' reached the top five in Ireland and Norway,<ref name="ire"/><ref name="nor"/> and number six on the [[European Top 100 Albums]],<ref name="eur"/> while reaching the top 20 in Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.<ref name="nor"/> In June 2004, the [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] (IFPI) certified the album platinum, for sales of one million units in Europe.<ref name="ifpi"/> The album was also a commercial success across Oceania, peaking at numbers nine and three in Australia and New Zealand, respectively,<ref name="aus"/> and being certified double platinum in both countries.<ref name="aria"/><ref name="rmnz"/> According to IFPI, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' was the 11th best-selling album worldwide of 2003.<ref name="ww2003"/> As of September 2023, it has sold over 11 million copies worldwide.<ref name="o'brien"/>

==Legacy==
{{Quote box|width=30%|align=left|quote="''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' ended up a downpayment on a future they couldn't sustain. Previously launched by their ineffable chemistry as MCs, overlapping and interlocking with a slick balance of world-weary caution and gallivanting abandon, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' was, for all its deserved success, the visible end of that dynamic. Upon reaching the top of pop's [[Mount Olympus]], a cruel twist occurred. [[The Whole World|The whole world was finally listening]], but OutKast ran out of things to say."|source=—Gabriel Szatan of ''[[Dazed]]'' reflecting on the aftermath of ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''.<ref name="szatan"/>}}
Despite initial scepticism from both the industry analysts and Arista Records over the performance of ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' due to its double album conceptualization,<ref name="sarig 213"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Sanneh|first=Kelefa|date=October 5, 2003|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/05/arts/when-weird-works-outkast-and-erykah-badu.html|title=When Weird Works: Outkast and Erykah Badu|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=June 25, 2024}}</ref> the album achieved immense commercial and critical success.<ref name="wavvy"/> Jon O'Brien from [[The Recording Academy]] declared it one of the most influential double albums in hip hop, crediting the album for reviving the concept pioneered by [[Tupac Shakur|2Pac]]'s ''[[All Eyez on Me]]'' (1996), [[The Notorious B.I.G.]]'s ''[[Life After Death]]'' (1997), and [[Wu-Tang Clan]]'s ''[[Wu-Tang Forever]]'' (1997). O'Brien further emphasized the influence of ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' on subsequent hip hop double albums, such as ''[[Street's Disciple]]'' (2004) by [[Nas]], [[UGK]]'s ''[[Underground Kingz]]'' (2007), [[Drake (musician)|Drake]]'s ''[[Scorpion (Drake album)|Scorpion]]'' (2018), and [[Kendrick Lamar]]'s ''[[Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers]]'' (2022).<ref name="o'brien"/> Thematically, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' has been credited with propelling [[conscious hip hop]] into the mainstream throughout the mid-2000s, alongside recordings by Kanye West and [[Jadakiss]].<ref name="soderberg"/> Chris DeVille wrote for ''[[Stereogum]]'' that ''The Love Below'' was sonically "an attempt at the kind of funkadelic genre mash [[Janelle Monáe]] successfully pulled off with ''[[The Electric Lady]]'' 10 years later."<ref name="deville">{{cite web|last=DeVille|first=Chris|date=September 23, 2013|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1486201/speakerboxxxthe-love-below-turns-10/reviews/the-anniversary/|title=''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' Turns 10|website=[[Stereogum]]|accessdate=June 25, 2024}}</ref> Gabriel Szatan of ''Dazed'' praised ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' for expanding the horizons of artistic expression within hip hop, elaborating: "For a relatively young and exceedingly creative genre, big league hip hop was also pretty conservative in its accepted conventions in the 90s and early 00s. OutKast permanently stretched those boundaries, showing eccentricity should be cherished. Nowhere was that done more gleefully than on their flawed, frantic yet furiously fun final masterpiece."<ref name="szatan"/> Erika Marie from ''[[HotNewHipHop]]'' commended Outkast's choice of collaborators, which ensured the album to be "a cohesive masterpiece rather than a disjointed collection", adding that the collaborators were vital in creating an "epitome of excellence" in hip hop's history.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marie|first=Erika|date=October 9, 2023|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/720532-outkast-speakerboxxx-the-love-below|title=Outkast's 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below': 2 Decades Of Mastery|work=[[HotNewHipHop]]|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref>

Upon its release, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' was frequently compared to The Beatles' [[The Beatles (album)|1968 eponymous double album]] in critical commentaries,<ref name="Lynskey"/><ref name="o'brien"/> with Outkast labeled the contemporary [[Lennon–McCartney]].<ref name="rabin"/><ref name="soderberg"/> In an analysis of the comparisons for ''Consequence'', Zach Schonfeld wrote that ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' captured the duo's "creative divorcing", drawing a parallel with the conflicts surrounding ''The Beatles'', which arose from the members' pre-disbandment creative differences.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Comaratta, Len|author2=Schonfeld, Zach|date=September 28, 2013|url=https://consequence.net/2013/09/dusting-em-off-outkast-speakerboxxthe-love-below/|title=Dusting 'Em Off: Outkast – Speakerboxx/The Love Below|work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref> Although both he and Big Boi were insistent on denying the intensified rumors of Outkast's disbandment, André 3000 began increasingly expressing his desire to pursue a solo career throughout the promotional cycle for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''. In an interview for ''Blender'', he stated: "In a perfect world, this would be the last OutKast record."<ref name="szatan"/> DeVille called ''Speakerboxxx'' the first indication of Big Boi's ability to record without André 3000, adding: "It's fair to wonder if Big Boi could have ever crossed over to pop and indie audiences without Andr[é] to kick in the door for him. But in terms of producing classic music, it seems like Andr[é] needed Big Boi a lot more than Big Boi needed Andr[é]."<ref name="deville"/> However, Outkast recorded another studio album together—''[[Idlewild (Outkast album)|Idlewild]]'' (2006), which also served as the soundtrack album for their musical film of the same title—before embarking on an extended hiatus in 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Gresko|first=Brian|date=January 16, 2013|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/01/the-revenge-of-speakerboxxx-how-big-boi-flipped-the-outkast-script/267168/|title=The Revenge of 'Speakerboxxx': How Big Boi Flipped the OutKast Script|url-access=subscription|magazine=[[The Atlantic]]|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref> ''Idlewild'' was originally conceived as a visual counterpart to ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'', composed of music videos for the album's tracks.<ref>{{cite news|last=Moss|first=Corey|date=June 23, 2003|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/v9om34/outkast-solo-albums-being-turned-into-movie-musical|title=Outkast Solo Albums Being Turned Into Movie Musical
|website=[[MTV News]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608101502/https://www.mtv.com/news/v9om34/outkast-solo-albums-being-turned-into-movie-musical|archivedate=June 8, 2024|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref> However, it was reconstructed and postponed numerous times before its August 2006 release.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/outkast-54-1319761|title=OutKast reveal new album details|magazine=[[NME]]|date=October 14, 2005|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bonawitz|first=Amy|date=August 25, 2006|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/outkast-gets-idlewild/|title=OutKast Gets 'Idlewild'|work=[[The Early Show]]|accessdate=June 26, 2024|via=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> Regardless, ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below'' tracks "Bowtie", "Rooster", "Take Off Your Cool", "Church", "She Lives in My Lap", and "Vibrate" were still used in ''Idlewild'' as musical numbers.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=[[Idlewild (film)|Idlewild]]|year=2006|type=DVD|publisher=[[HBO Films]], [[Universal Studios Home Entertainment]]|isbn=1-4170-8252-6}}</ref> Preezy Brown of [[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]] described the ''Idlewild'' project as "devoid of the air of excitement and fanfare that surrounded ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''", calling the latter "the duo's last true shining moment under the Outkast banner.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Preezy|date=September 24, 2018|url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2018-09-24/45588/the-5-ingredients-that-made-speakerboxxx-the-love-below-a-cultural-phenomenon|title=The 5 ingredients that made 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' a cultural phenomenon|publisher=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]]|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref>

==Track listing==
{{tracklist
|extra_column = Producer(s)
|headline = ''Speakerboxxx''

|title1 = Intro
|extra1 = Cutmaster Swift
|length1 = 1:29

|title2 = [[GhettoMusick]]
|writer2 = {{hlist|[[André 3000|André Benjamin]]|[[Big Boi|Antwan Patton]]|[[Gamble and Huff|Kenny Gamble]]|[[Bunny Sigler]]}}
|extra2 = [[André 3000]]
|length2 = 3:56

|title3 = Unhappy
|writer3 = {{hlist|Patton|[[Mr. DJ|David Sheats]]}}
|extra3 = [[Mr. DJ]]
|length3 = 3:19

|title4 = Bowtie
|writer4 = {{hlist|Patton|[[Sleepy Brown|Patrick Brown]]|[[Jazze Pha|Phalon Alexander]]}}
|note4 = featuring [[Sleepy Brown]] and [[Jazze Pha]]
|extra4 = [[Big Boi]] 
|length4 = 3:56

|title5 = [[The Way You Move]]
|note5 = featuring Sleepy Brown
|writer5 = {{hlist|Patton|Brown|[[Carl Mo|Carlton Mahone]]}}
|extra5 = {{hlist|[[Carl Mo]]|Big Boi{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
|length5 = 3:54

|title6 = The Rooster
|writer6 = {{hlist|Patton|Mahone|Donnie Mathis}}
|extra6 = {{hlist|Carl Mo|Big Boi{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
|length6 = 3:57

|title7 = Bust
|writer7 = {{hlist|Patton|[[Killer Mike|Michael Render]]|[[Screechy Peach|Myrna Crenshaw]]}}
|note7 = featuring [[Killer Mike]]
|extra7 = Big Boi
|length7 = 3:09

|title8 = War
|writer8 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton|Sheats}}
|extra8 = Mr. DJ
|length8 = 2:43

|title9 = Church
|writer9 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton|Kevin Kendrick|Brown|Crenshaw}}
|extra9 = André 3000
|length9 = 3:27

|title10 = Bamboo
|note10 = Interlude) (featuring Bamboo
|length10 = 2:10

|title11 = Tomb of the Boom
|note11 = featuring Konkrete, [[Big Gipp]], and [[Ludacris]]
|writer11 = {{hlist|Patton|James Patton|[[BlackOwned C-Bone|Cory Andrews]]|[[Supa Nate|Nathaniel Elder]]|[[Big Gipp|Cameron Gipp]]|[[Ludacris|Chris Bridges]]}}
|extra11 = Big Boi
|length11 = 4:46

|title12 = E-Mac
|note12 = Interlude) (featuring E-Mac
|length12 = 0:25

|title13 = Knowing
|writer13 = {{hlist|A. Patton}}
|extra13 = {{hlist|Mr. DJ|Big Boi{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
|length13 = 3:33

|title14 = Flip Flop Rock
|note14 = featuring Killer Mike and [[Jay-Z]]
|writer14 = {{hlist|A. Patton|Render|[[Jay-Z|Shawn Carter]]|Sheats}}
|extra14 = {{hlist|Big Boi|Mr. DJ{{ref|a|[a]}}}}
|length14 = 4:36

|title15 = Interlude
|length15 = 1:15

|title16 = Reset
|note16 = featuring [[Khujo]] and [[CeeLo Green|Cee-Lo]]
|writer16 = {{hlist|A. Patton|[[Khujo|Willie Knighton]]|[[CeeLo Green|Thomas Burton]]}}
|extra16 = Big Boi
|length16 = 4:36

|title17 = D-Boi
|note17 = Interlude) (featuring Henry Welch
|length17 = 0:40

|title18 = Last Call
|note18 = featuring Slimm Calhoun, [[Lil Jon|Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz]], and Mello
|writer18 = {{hlist|A. Patton|Benjamin|Brian Loving|James Hollins}}
|extra18 = André 3000
|length18 = 3:58

|title19 = Bowtie
|note19 = Postlude
|length19 = 0:35

|total_length = 56:26
}}

All tracks on ''The Love Below'' are written by André Benjamin, except where noted. All tracks are produced by André 3000; "Roses" is co-produced by Dojo5.

{{tracklist
| headline = ''The Love Below''
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = The Love Below
| note1 = Intro
| length1 = 1:27
| title2 = Love Hater
| writer2 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Kendrick}}
| length2 = 2:49
| title3 = God
| note3 = Interlude
| length3 = 2:20
| title4 = Happy Valentine's Day
| writer4 = 
| length4 = 5:23
| title5 = Spread
| writer5 = 
| length5 = 3:51
| title6 = Where Are My Panties?
| note6 = Interlude) (featuring Toni Hunter
| length6 = 1:54
| title7 = [[Prototype (song)|Prototype]]
| writer7 = 
| length7 = 5:26
| title8 = She Lives in My Lap
| note8 = featuring [[Rosario Dawson]]
| writer8 = {{hlist|Benjamin|[[Scarface (rapper)|Brad Jordan]]|[[Willie D|Willie Dennis]]|Doug King|[[Isaac Hayes]]|[[Roger Troutman]]|[[Volume 10 (rapper)|Dino Hawkins]]|Eric Vidal|Nick Vidal}}
| length8 = 4:27
| title9 = [[Hey Ya!]]
| writer9 = 
| length9 = 3:55
| title10 = [[Roses (Outkast song)|Roses]]
| writer10 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Patton|Matt Boykin}}
| length10 = 6:09
| title11 = Good Day, Good Sir
| note11 = Interlude) (featuring [[Fonzworth Bentley]]
| length11 = 1:24
| title12 = Behold a Lady
| writer12 = 
| length12 = 4:37
| title13 = Pink & Blue
| writer13 = {{hlist|Benjamin|[[R. Kelly|Robert Kelly]]}}
| length13 = 5:04
| title14 = Love in War
| writer14 = 
| length14 = 3:25
| title15 = She's Alive
| writer15 = {{hlist|Benjamin|Kendrick}}
| length15 = 4:06
| title16 = Dracula's Wedding
| note16 = featuring [[Kelis]]
| writer16 = 
| length16 = 2:32
| title17 = The Letter
| note17 = featuring Qasha Aman
| writer17 = 
| length17 = 0:21
| title18 = [[My Favorite Things (song)|My Favorite Things]]
| writer18 = {{hlist|[[Oscar Hammerstein II]]|[[Richard Rodgers]]}}
| length18 = 5:14
| title19 = Take Off Your Cool
| note19 = featuring [[Norah Jones]]
| writer19 = 
| length19 = 2:38
| title20 = Vibrate
| writer20 = 
| length20 = 6:33
| title21 = A Life in the Day of Benjamin André (Incomplete)
| length21 = 5:11
| total_length = 78:23
}}

'''Notes'''
* {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer
* The original pressings of ''The Love Below'' did not include "The Letter", and "My Favorite Things" was a [[hidden track]]. "Vibrate" did not include its six-second spoken outro, while the ending of "A Life in the Day of Benjamin André (Incomplete)" featured a radio interview instead of a fade-out. The revised edition was released in early 2004, and was made standard for all future pressings and digital editions.

'''Sample credits'''
*"Intro" contains an uncredited sample from an [[Emergency Broadcast System]] announcement by [[Don Pardo]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Forman|first=Bill|date=October 21, 2016|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/deep-10-nirvanas-mtv-unplugged-in-new-york|title=Deep 10: OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|accessdate=June 27, 2024}}</ref>
*"GhettoMusick" contains samples from "[[Love, Need and Want You]]" by [[Patti LaBelle]].
*"She Lives in My Lap" contains samples from "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" by [[Geto Boys]], and "Pistolgrip-Pump" by [[Volume 10 (rapper)|Volume 10]].
*"Pink & Blue" contains samples from "[[Age Ain't Nothing but a Number (Aaliyah song)|Age Ain't Nothing but a Number]]" by [[Aaliyah]], and an uncredited sample from "[[Why Can't We Live Together]]" by [[Timmy Thomas]].<ref name="o'brien"/>
*"My Favorite Things" contains interpolations from [[John Coltrane]]'s [[My Favorite Things (song)|recording of the same title]].

==Personnel==
Credits are adapted from the liner notes of ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''.<ref>{{cite AV media|author=Outkast|year=2004|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|type=double CD reissue|publisher=[[Arista Records]]|id=82876-50133-2}}</ref>

;''Speakerboxxx''
{{div col}}
*[[Big Boi]] – executive producer, lead vocals (all tracks), producer (tracks 4–7, 11, 14, 16), programming (tracks 4, 7, 11, 13, 15), keyboards (tracks 4, 7, 11, 13), background vocals (track 8)
*[[André 3000]] – executive producer, lead vocals (track 2), producer (tracks 2, 9, 18), keyboards (tracks 2, 18), programming (track 18), additional vocals (track 13)
*[[L.A. Reid]] – executive producer
*[[Bernie Grundman]] – [[audio mastering]] (all tracks)
*[[Killer Mike]] – lead vocals (tracks 7, 14)
*Devine Evans – sound design, engineer
*[[Sleepy Brown]] – lead vocals (tracks 9, 11), backgrounds vocals (tracks 2, 3, 6, 7, 14), additional vocals (tracks 4, 5)
*Konkrete – lead vocals (track 11)
*[[Big Gipp]] – lead vocals (track 11)
*[[Ludacris]] – lead vocals (track 11)
*[[Jay Z]] – lead vocals (track 14)
*[[Khujo|Khujo Goodie]] – lead vocals (track 16)
*[[CeeLo Green|Cee-Lo]] – lead vocals (track 16)
*Mello – lead vocals (track 18)
*Slimm Calhoun – lead vocals (track 18)
*Cutmaster Swift – producer (track 1), [[Cut (music)|cuts]] (tracks 6, 14)
*[[Mr. DJ]] – producer (tracks 3, 8, 13, 14)
*Carl Mo – producer (tracks 5, 6)
*[[Jazze Pha]] – additional vocals (track 4)
*[[Lil Jon|Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz]] – additional vocals (track 18)
*[[Screechy Peach|Myrna Crenshaw]] – background vocals (tracks 2, 7–9)
*[[Joi (singer)|Joi]] – background vocals (track 2)
*[[Debra Killings]] – background vocals (tracks 3, 9, 14, 16), bass (tracks 3–6, 8, 9, 14, 18)
*[[Tori Alamaze]] – background vocals (track 4)
*John Frye – [[Sound recording and reproduction|audio recording]], [[audio mixing]] (all tracks)
*Moka Nagatani – audio recording (tracks 2, 4, 13)
*Vincent Alexander – audio recording (tracks 5, 11), recording assistant (track 2)
*Matt Still – audio recording (track 9)
*Chris Carmouche – audio recording (track 11)
*Warren Bletcher – recording assistant (all tracks)
*Marvin "Chanz" Parkman – keyboards (tracks 3, 8, 9, 14, 16), organ (track 2), piano (track 6)
*Kevin Kendrick – keyboards (track 9)
*Donnie Mathis – guitar (tracks 3, 6)
*David Whild – guitar (tracks 4, 7, 8, 14)
*ZaZa – guitar (track 5)
*Preston Crump – bass (track 3)
*Aaron Mills – bass (track 9)
*Victor Alexander – drums (tracks 7, 8)
*Hornz Unlimited – horns (tracks 4–6, 18)
*Rajinder Kala – congos (track 3)
*Regina Davenport – [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]] direction and coordination, production coordinator
*Theresa Wilson – A&R administrator
*Michael "Big Blue" Williams – management
*Joe-Mama Nitzberg – creative direction
*Jeff Schulz – art direction and design
*[[Jonathan Mannion]] – photography
{{div col end}}

;''The Love Below''
{{div col}}
*André 3000 – executive producer, lead vocals (all tracks), producer (all tracks), programming (tracks 1, 9, 12), keyboards (tracks 1, 9, 12), guitar (tracks 4, 7, 8, 18), tenor saxophone (track 8), acoustic guitar (track 9), background vocals (track 19)
*Big Boi – executive producer, lead vocals (track 10; uncredited), background vocals (track 6)
*L.A. Reid – executive producer
*[[Brian "Big Bass" Gardner]] – audio mastering (all tracks)
*[[Kelis]] – lead vocals (track 15)
*[[Norah Jones]] – lead vocals (track 19)
*Killer Mike – background vocals (track 10)
*Sleepy Brown – background vocals (track 19)
*Joi – additional vocals (track 4)
*Myrna Crenshaw – additional vocals (track 4)
*Marianne Lee Stiff – additional vocals (track 7)
*John Frisbee – additional vocals (track 7)
*[[Rosario Dawson]] – additional vocals (track 8)
*Rabeka Tunei – additional vocals (track 9), recording assistant (track 9)
*John Frye – audio recording (all tracks), audio mixing (tracks 10, 14, 17), pre-mixing (tracks 2–8, 10–13, 15, 18, 19)
*Robert "HipHop" Hannon – audio recording (tracks 4, 5, 9)
*Pete Novak – audio recording (tracks 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19), audio mixing (track 15), pre-mixing (tracks 4, 5, 12)
*Matt Still – audio recording (track 7)
*Terrence Cash – audio recording (track 8)
*Reggie Cozier – audio recording (track 13)
*Darrell Thorp – audio recording (track 13)
*Brian Paluralski – audio recording (track 15)
*Padraic Kernin – audio recording (track 18), recording assistant (track 18)
*[[Neal Pogue]] – audio mixing (tracks 2, 7–9, 18, 19)
*Dexter Simmons – audio mixing (tracks 4, 5, 12, 13)
*Warren Bletcher – recording assistant (all tracks)
*Josh Monroy – recording assistant (tracks 4, 5, 9)
*Russell Buelna – recording assistant (tracks 4, 13, 14, 19), mixing assistant (track 15)
*Chris Carmouche – recording assistant (tracks 8, 13)
*Jared Robbins – recording assistant (tracks 9, 15), mixing assistant (track 15)
*Jeff Moses – recording assistant (tracks 12, 14, 17)
*Greg Burns – recording assistant (track 13), mixing assistant (track 13)
*Chris Steffen – recording assistant (track 13), mixing assistant (track 13)
*Donnie Whittemore – mixing assistant (tracks 4, 12, 13)
*Alex Reverberi – mixing assistant (tracks 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 18, 19)
*Malik Albert – mixing assistant (track 8)
*Greg Price – mixing assistant (track 9)
*Sean Tallman – mixing assistant (track 17)
*Kevin Kendrick – keyboards (tracks 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 14, 19), guitar (track 4), piano (track 17)
*Marvin "Chanz" Parkman – keyboards (tracks 8, 19)
*Darryl Smith – guitar (track 2)
*Tomi Martin – guitar (track 8)
*Moffet Morris – upright bass (track 4)
*Kevin Brandon – double bass (tracks 4, 14)
*Kevin Smith – electric bass (track 5)
*Aaron Mills – bass (tracks 7, 8, 17)
*Hornz Unlimited – horns (tracks 2, 14, 19), trumpets (tracks 5, 8)
*Cutmaster Swift – cuts (tracks 5, 8)
*Jef Van Veen – drums (tracks 2, 14)
*[[Benjamin Wright (composer)|Benjamin Wright]] – string arrangement, conductor (track 13)
*Charles Veal – violin, concert master (track 13)
*James Sitterly – violin (track 13)
*Mark Casillas – violin (track 13)
*Gina Kranstadt – violin (track 13)
*Marisa McClead – violin (track 13)
*Mark Cargill – violin (track 13)
*Richard Adkins – violin (track 13)
*Tibor Zelig – violin (track 13)
*Yarda Kettner – violin (track 13)
*Louis Kabok – violin (track 13)
*Patrick Morgan – viola (track 13)
*Robin Ross – viola (track 13)
*Michel Vardone – viola (track 13)
*March Vaj – viola (track 13)
*John Krovaza – cello (track 13)
*Martin Smith – cello (track 13)
*Lisa Chien – cello (track 13)
*Catherine Chan – cello (track 13)
*Kelvin Brandon – contra, bass (track 13)
*Kevin O'Neal – contra, bass (track 13)
*Gary Harris – saxophone (track 17)
*Fulton Yard Unlimited – digital editing (track 14)
*Regina Davenport – A&R direction and coordination, production coordinator
*Theresa Wilson – A&R administrator
*Michael "Big Blue" Williams – management
*Joe-Mama Nitzberg – creative direction
*Jeff Schulz – art direction and design
*[[Torkil Gudnason]] – photography
{{div col end}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2003–2004 weekly chart performance for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! Chart
! Peak<br />position
|-
{{Album chart|Australia|9|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="aus"}}
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Urban Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue800.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20080222222429/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20050720-0000/issue800.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2008|title=ARIA Urban Albums Chart – Week Commencing 27th June 2005|magazine=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|The ARIA Report]]|issue=800|date=June 27, 2005|access-date=April 15, 2023|via=[[Pandora archive]]}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| 2
|-
{{Album chart|Austria|28|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|Flanders|21|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|Wallonia|58|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|BillboardCanada|4|artist=Outkast|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="can"}}
|-
! scope="row"| Canadian R&B Albums ([[Nielsen SoundScan]])<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicCharts/RANDB.html|title=R&B : Top 50|website=[[Jam!]]|date=April 1, 2004|access-date=January 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040407194020/http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicCharts/RANDB.html|archive-date=April 7, 2004}}</ref>
| 3
|-
{{Album chart|Denmark|13|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|Netherlands|15|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
! scope="row"| [[European Top 100 Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="eur">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3A8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA53|title=Hits of the World – Eurocharts – Album|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=116|number=10|date=March 6, 2004|access-date=January 1, 2022|page=53|issn=0006-2510|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
| 6
|-
{{Album chart|Finland|15|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|France|13|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|Germany4|21|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|id=4673|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="ger"}}
|-
{{Album chart|Ireland2|3|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="ire"}}
|-
{{Album chart|Italy|35|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
! scope="row"| Japanese Albums ([[Oricon Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref name="jp">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/32713/products/515083/1/|title=スピーカーボックス～ザ・ラヴ・ビロウ|trans-title=''Speakerbox &ndash; The Love Below''|language=ja|location=Japan|publisher=[[Bertelsmann Music Group]]|date=October 8, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=[[Oricon]]}}</ref>
| 32
|-
{{Album chart|New Zealand|3|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|Norway|4|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="nor"}}
|-
{{Album chart|Poland|35|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|id=190|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|Scotland|9|date=20040125|access-date=June 2, 2021|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|Sweden|11|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|Switzerland|11|artist=Outkast|album=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{Album chart|UK2|8|artist=Outkast|date=20040229|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="uk"}}
|-
{{Album chart|UKR&B|1|artist=Outkast|date=20040111|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="ukrb"}}
|-
{{Album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Outkast|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="bb200"}}
|-
{{Album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Outkast|access-date=May 14, 2018|rowheader=true|refname="rbhh"}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Monthly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2004 monthly chart performance for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! Chart
! Peak<br/>position
|-
! scope="row"| South Korean International Albums ([[Circle Chart|RIAK]])<ref name="riak">{{cite web|url=http://www.riak.or.kr/stat/pop_200402.htm|title=2004.02월 – POP 음반 판매량|trans-title=February 2004 – Pop Album Sales|language=ko|publisher=Recording Industry Association Korea|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050326143419/http://www.riak.or.kr/stat/pop_200402.htm|archivedate=March 26, 2005|accessdate=June 30, 2025}}</ref>
| 17
|}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2003 year-end chart performance for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! Chart
! Position
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/2003-12-31 |title=Top Selling Albums of 2003 |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=June 27, 2021}}</ref>
| 41
|-
! scope="row"| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/83?dspy=2003&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album – År 2003|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 46
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref>{{cite web|title=2003 UK Albums Chart|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2003.pdf|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|via=ChartsPlus|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 132
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2003/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 29
|-
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2003/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2003|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 15
|-
! scope="row"| Worldwide Albums ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|IFPI]])<ref name="ww2003">{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2003.pdf |title=Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2003 |publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081117003117/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2003.pdf |archive-date=November 17, 2008|access-date=June 27, 2021}}</ref>
| 11
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2004 year-end chart performance for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! Chart
! Position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/2004/albums-chart|title=ARIA End of Year Albums Chart 2004|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 28
|-
! scope="row"| Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2004&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten 2004|publisher=Ultratop|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 77
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=2004&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 2004|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 41
|-
! scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-lannee/top-albums-annee/?annee=2004|title=Top de l'année Top Albums 2004|publisher=SNEP|language=fr|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 157
|-
! scope="row"| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2004|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 66
|-
! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/2004-12-31 |title=Top Selling Albums of 2004 |publisher=Recorded Music NZ |access-date=June 27, 2021}}</ref>
| 18
|-
! scope="row"| Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/83?dspy=2004&dspp=1|title=Årslista Album – År 2004|publisher=Sverigetopplistan|language=sv|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 86
|-
! scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC)<ref name="UK Albums Chart – Year-End 2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/end-of-year-artist-albums-chart/20040104/37502/|title=End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2004|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 23
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="bb2004">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2004/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2004|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 2
|-
! scope="row"| US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2004/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2004|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>
| 5
|-
! scope="row"| Worldwide Albums (IFPI)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2004.pdf |title=Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2004 |publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081117003944/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top50-2004.pdf |archive-date=November 17, 2008 |access-date=June 27, 2021}}</ref>
| 25
|}

===Decade-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 2000s decade-end chart performance for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! scope="col"| Chart
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2009/BB-2009-12-19.pdf|title=The Decade in Music - Charts - Top Billboard 200 Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 19, 2009|volume=121|issue=50|page=162|access-date=June 10, 2021|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| 33
|}

===Centurial charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ 21st century chart performance for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! scope="col"| Chart
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-billboard-200-albums-of-the-21st-century/|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums of the 21st Century|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url-access=subscription|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109161554/https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-billboard-200-albums-of-the-21st-century/|archivedate=January 9, 2025|accessdate=June 30, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 78
|}

===All-time charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ All-time chart performance for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! scope="col"| Chart
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-billboard-200-albums/|title=Greatest of All Time ''Billboard'' 200 Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url-access=subscription|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429172509/https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-billboard-200-albums/|archivedate=April 29, 2024|url-status=live|accessdate=June 2, 2024}}</ref>
| 112
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Australia|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2020|relyear=2003|access-date=April 29, 2021|refname="aria"}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Canada|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxx/The Love Below|award=Gold|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=May 29, 2019|refname="mc"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|type=album|award=Platinum|number=2|certyear=2024|relyear=2003|id=14047|access-date=June 27, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=album|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxx|award=Gold|relyear=2003|certyear=2004|access-date=June 4, 2021}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Hungary|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|award=Gold|certyear=2004|relyear=2003|access-date=May 29, 2019}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Japan|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx - The Love Below|award=Gold|certyear=2004|relyear=2003|relmonth=9|certmonth=6|access-date=May 29, 2019|refname="riaj"}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=New Zealand|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|award=Platinum|number=2|id=2004-10-01|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|refname="rmnz"}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Norway|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|award=Gold|certyear=2003|relyear=2003|access-date=May 29, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=South Korea|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|nocert=true|salesamount=3,217|salesref=<ref name="riak"/>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=album|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerbox|award=Gold|relmonth=9|relyear=2003|certyear=2004|access-date=June 4, 2021}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Switzerland|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|award=Gold|certyear=2004|relyear=2003|access-date=May 29, 2019}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxxx/The Love Below|award=Platinum|number=3|certyear=2023|relyear=2003|access-date=July 7, 2023|id=6187-1847-2|refname="bpi"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Speakerboxxx / The Love Below|artist=Outkast|award=Platinum|number=13|multidisc=2|relyear=2003|certyear=2023|access-date=September 29, 2023|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Summary}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Europe|type=album|artist=Outkast|title=Speakerboxx/The Love Below|award=Platinum|relyear=2003|certyear=2004|access-date=November 30, 2021|refname="ifpi"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Worldwide|type=album|nocert=yes|salesamount=11,400,000|salesref=<ref name="o'brien"/>}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
! scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date
! scope="col"| Format(s)
! scope="col"| Label(s)
! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}
|-
! scope="row"| United States
| September 23, 2003
| {{hlist|[[Cassette tape|Cassette]]|[[Double album|double CD]]|[[Phonograph record|vinyl]]}}
| [[Arista Records|Arista]]
| {{center|<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/hey-ya-outkast-reaches-triple-platinum-68327/|title='Hey Ya': OutKast Reaches Triple Platinum|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=November 5, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref><ref name="walmart">{{cite web|url=https://www.walmart.com/ip/Outkast-Speakerboxxx-The-Love-Below-Rap-Hip-Hop-Vinyl/34452534|title=Outkast &ndash; ''Speakerboxxx: The Love Below''|publisher=[[Arista Records]]|date=September 23, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=[[Walmart]]}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| Germany
| rowspan="2"| September 29, 2003
| rowspan="5"| Double CD
| [[Bertelsmann Music Group|BMG]]
| {{center|<ref name="ger"/>}}
|-
! scope="row"| United Kingdom
| Arista
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hmv.com/store/music/cd/speakerboxx-the-love-below|title=''Speakerboxx/The Love Below''|location=UK|publisher=[[Arista Records]]|date=September 29, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=[[HMV]]}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| Japan
| October 8, 2003
| rowspan="3"| BMG
| {{center|<ref name="jp"/>}}
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
| October 13, 2003
| {{center|<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.aria.com.au/issue712.pdf|title=ARIA New Releases Albums &ndash; Week Commencing 13/10/2003|magazine=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|The ARIA Report]]|issue=712|date=October 13, 2003|page=29|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org.au/awa/20080222222435mp_/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20031107-0000/Issue712.pdf|archivedate=November 7, 2003|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=[[Pandora archive]]}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| South Korea
| February 6, 2004
| {{center|<ref name="riak"/>}}
|-
! scope="row"| Europe
| April 7, 2017
| rowspan="2"| Vinyl
| rowspan="2"| [[Sony Music]]
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fnac.com/a10349089/Outkast-Speakerboxxx-The-love-below-Vinyle-album|title=Speakerboxx The love below|language=fr|location=France|publisher=[[Sony Music]]|date=April 7, 2017|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=[[Fnac]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/outkast-speakerboxxx-love-below/hnum/6076839|title=''Speakerboxxx / The Love Below'' (180g)|language=de|location=Germany|publisher=[[Sony Music]]|date=April 7, 2017|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=[[jpc (retailer)|jpc]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hmv.com/store/music/vinyl/speakerboxx-the-love-below|title=''Speakerboxx/The Love Below''|location=UK|publisher=[[Sony Music]]|date=April 7, 2017|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=[[HMV]]}}</ref>}}
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
| April 14, 2017
| {{center|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sanity.com.au/products/2335064/Speakerboxxx--Love-Below|title=''Speakerboxxx / Love Below''|location=Australia|publisher=[[Sony Music]]|date=April 14, 2017|accessdate=June 1, 2024|via=[[Sanity (music store)|Sanity]]}}</ref>}}
|}

==See also==
* [[Outkast discography]]
* [[List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2003|List of ''Billboard'' 200 number-one albums of 2003]]
* [[List of Billboard number-one R&B albums of 2003|List of ''Billboard'' number-one R&B albums of 2003]]
* [[List of Billboard 200 number-one albums of 2004|List of ''Billboard'' 200 number-one albums of 2004]]
* [[List of UK R&B Albums Chart number ones of 2004]]
* [[List of best-selling albums in the United States]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Sampaio|first=Gerard|editor-last=Dimery|editor-first=Robert|title=[[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]]|edition=Revised and Updated|year=2010|publisher=[[Universe Publishing]]|isbn=978-0-7893-2074-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Sarig|first=Roni|title=[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide|The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|editor1-last=Brackett|editor1-first=Nathan|editor1-link=Nathan Brackett|editor2-last=Hoard|editor2-first=Christian|editor2-link=Christian Hoard|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|edition=4th|year=2004|isbn=0-7432-0169-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Sarig|first=Roni|title=Third Coast: OutKast, Timbaland, and How Hip-Hop Became a Southern Thing|year=2007|publisher=[[Da Capo Press]]|isbn=978-0-306-81430-3}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* ''[http://www.discogs.com/OutKast-Speakerboxxx-The-Love-Below/master/26106 Speakerboxxx/The Love Below]'' at [[Discogs]]
* ''[https://www.metacritic.com/music/speakerboxxxthe-love-below Speakerboxxx/The Love Below]'' at [[Metacritic]]

{{OutKast}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for ''Speakerboxxx/The Love Below''
| titlestyle = background: lightblue
| list1 =
{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2000s}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rap Album}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Speakerboxxx The Love Below}}
[[Category:Outkast albums]]
[[Category:2003 albums]]
[[Category:Grammy Award for Album of the Year]]
[[Category:Grammy Award for Best Rap Album]]
[[Category:Arista Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by André 3000]]
[[Category:2000s concept albums]]