OutKast #ATLast opening acts confirmed, plus weeklong ATL celebration

Maurice Garland (left) and Big Gipp at Monday night's #PlaylistParty

UPDATE: Opening acts and special guests for all three OutKast #ATLast shows have finally been confirmed. *See full schedule below the jump.

Welcome to Atlanta, where a party ain't a party till Organized Noize goes head-to-head in a battle of the beats. Last night, Maurice Garland transformed his weekly #PlaylistParty into the original Dungeon as DF members K.P., Backbone, and Big Gipp mixed it up at Department Store on Edgewood Ave. while Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Mr. DJ of OutKast took turns guest DJing with tracks selected straight from their smartphones.

While Garland refereed the battle, Mr. DJ teased the intimate crowd with obscure samples before playing the OutKast hits they resulted in; Wade played a couple of party starters from his young cuz Future, plus an unreleased Andre 3000 song that had the whole crowd stuck; and Ray Murray dropped nothing but classics from old-school Too Short to Das EFX.

It was the perfect pre-game kickoff for a full week of events leading up to the anticipated OutKast ATLast concerts.

Ever since OutKast announced its 20-year anniversary tour at the top of the year, Atlanta has been awaiting the homecoming. First, we begged and pleaded. Then, we drove to Counterpoint like it was East Point. And when ’Kast finally announced a September 26 show for Centennial Olympic Park, we multiplied it times three like water to wine.

Basically, a generation of ATLiens suddenly realized it was our birthday, too. A petition demanding Mayor Reed proclaim Sept. 26 ATLiens Day even made the rounds on the web.

Needless to say, we aren't waiting for hizzoner to ratify our request. In other words, it's officially #OutKastWeek, #DungeonFamilyWeek, and #ATLienDay all day an' day — till Big and Dre drop the mic on Sunday night.

• Courtesy @Nuface Clothing Instagram
• Mr. DJ (left to right), Maurice Garland, Kawan "KP" Prather, Ray Murray (from back), and Rico Wade work the sounds at #PlaylistParty

Whether you have tickets to one of the three big shows or all three, Fri.-Sun., Sept. 26-28, here's a quick rundown of events happening in the city to keep you focused. *Plus, the full lineup of all three OutKast #ATLast shows.

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TUES., SEPT. 23

ATL Live on the Park
$ TBA. 7 p.m-11 p.m.
Park Tavern at Piedmont Park, 500 10th St.

Former LaFace Records exec. Shanti Das attended the 1995 Source Awards with OutKast on the infamous night that Dre said "the South got something to say." Now she helms the ATL Live on the Park music showcase. This one celebrates the pioneers of Atlanta's hip-hop scene with an award ceremony recognizing Organized Noize (Rico Wade, Sleepy Brown and Ray Murray), Kawan “KP” Prather, DJ Toomp, DJ Nabs, DJ Jaycee, DJ Smurf, DJ Jelly, and DJ Searcy. Includes a special performance from Big Gipp (Goodie Mob). Kenny Burns hosts, with sounds from DJ Trauma and house band Quinn and Jukebox.

WED., SEPT. 24
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Joi in concert
$20 advance/$25 day of. Tickets
Doors open 8 p.m./Show starts 9 p.m.
Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St.

Besides being the First Lady of Dungeon Family, Joi is the midwife of Atlanta's eclectic black music and culture scene. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of her debut disc, Pendulum Vibe. When the album, which featured production work from then-relative newcomer Dallas Austin, was released it was credited with causing Madonna to switch her style up. Though based in L.A. for the last couple of years, Joi has been on the road all year backing up OutKast alongside vocalist Keisha Jackson. Look for the Mutron Angels (Joi and Jackson) and Sleepy Brown on stage with the Big and Dre at Centennial Park this weekend.

THURS., SEPT. 25
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Welcome Home OutKast #ATLast Party
$10 advance (tickets)
8 p.m.-1 p.m.
The Basement at the Graveyard, 1245 Glenwood Ave.

’Kast and DF practically spawned Atlanta's current generation of indie-minded hip-hop acts. This event will showcase several of them, with performances from Grip Plyz, Sidestreet Ked, Gilles, Matt De Lereux, ADP, and Jetson The Legend. DJ Mike Mars promises to spin "nothin but Outkast and ATL classics all night long!!"

FRI., SEPT. 26

• PATRICK REDMOND, XLRATOR MEDIA

Jimi: All Is by My Side. Opens in select theaters, starring André Benjamin as Jimi Hendrix. Read CL's interview this week with Andre in preview of the film and OutKast #ATLast shows.

*OutKast #ATLast: Day 1
''2 Chainz, Janelle Monae, and Solange open. With a performance from Bun B during OutKast's set.
Sold out
Gates open 4 p.m. Shows starts 5 p.m.
__Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave.''
Besides being the first day to see OutKast on their home turf in at least a decade, this may also be the only time you'll see 2 Chainz perform in a lineup with Janelle Monae and Solange. Bring yo kids; bring yo wife. It's a family affair, y'all.

SAT., SEPT. 27
*OutKast #ATLast: Day 2
''Raury, Childish Gambino, Kid Cudi open.
Sold out
__Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave.''
The first of the three ticketed OutKast #ATLast shows to actually go on sale, Saturday's concert was the only one with opening acts announced in advance. And it features a pretty forward lineup, including Atlanta newcomer Raury, Stone Mountain comedian/actor/rapper Childish Gambino, and the cut-from-a-different-cloth rapper Kid Cudi.

Organized Noize presents OutKast ATLast Official After Party
Hosted by Rico Wade. Featuring music by Mr. DJ, Kawan "KP" Prather, Ray Murray
$15-$25 (tickets)
595 North, 595 North Ave.

Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik wasn't just OutKast's debut; it was a full-on group album featuring the combined alliance of Organized Noize Productions and the Dungeon Family. So this marks 20 years in the game for the whole crew. As such, the official OutKast #ATLast concert after party following Saturday's show will be hosted by Organized Noize and double as a birthday party for DF's own Big Rube.

SUN., SEPT. 28
*OutKast #ATLast: Day 3
''B.o.B. opens. With performances from Killer Mike, 8 Ball and MJG, Bun B, K Camp, Devin the Dude, Kilo, Big Gipp, and DJ Unk.
Sold out
__Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave.''
If you've been holding out hope for that onstage Dungeon Family reunion, Sunday's show is the closest you'll get. B.o.B. opens followed by "one of the biggest celebrations of Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik ever," according to the press release. It features performances from Killer Mike, 8 Ball and MJG, Bun B, K Camp, Devin the Dude, Kilo, Big Gipp, and DJ Unk. Something tells me some serious bartering just started on Facebook and Craigslist.

On Sunday, B.o.B.’s performance will lead into Outkast’s final night on the hometown stage. The festivities will kick off that evening with one of the biggest celebrations of Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik ever, to include Killer Mike, 8 Ball and MJG, Bun B, K Camp, Devin the Dude, Kilo, Gipp Goodie, and DJ Unk to blow out their Southern Round Up.

Know of any other related events going on this week? Leave a comment and we'll update the post.__

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