Looking back on OutKast’s “B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad),” which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, it’s natural to assume it was made as a response to the war in Iraq—but in reality, the song came out before George W. Bush had even been elected president. More than a critique of America’s intervention in the Middle East, the track was, eerily, a prophecy of what was to come. It was also a groundbreaking artistic achievement—a rap song that blended elements of electronic music, gospel, drum and bass, and rock in a way that somehow worked, thanks to the musical genius of André 3000 and Big Boi.
Part radio hit, part club banger, and part political protest song, “B.O.B” is a piece of music unlike any other, with a backstory that’s almost unbelievable. For a look at how and why “B.O.B.” got made—along with a breakdown of its lasting cultural impact—check out the video below.
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You can purchase the reissue of OutKast’s Stankonia on vinyl here, and stream the deluxe edition of the album, featuring previously unreleased recordings, on the streaming service of your choice.
