8Ball and MJG

After a split in 1998 to pursue solo careers, legendary southern duo 8Ball and MJG returned in 1999 with an album that is widely considered their crowning achievement. Production is provided, in part, by famed ATL production squad Organized Noize. Their work is bluesy, beautiful and spacey, recalling early Goodie Mob on tracks such as "We Started This." The Atlanta connection is further cemented by guest appearances from Cee-Lo ("Paid Dues") and Outkast ("Throw Your Hands Up"). The album's veneer of afro-futurism will also remind audiences of Andre Benjamin's astro-traveling ambitions -- though who is influencing who is an open question.