By Daniel Paiz

With May rapidly approaching, that means NaPoWriMo is also reaching its natural conclusion. There have been a lot of poems delivered over the past four weeks or so, broaching numerous topics. Some have been timely and some have been not related to what’s going on lately.

This piece is a tribute of sorts to OutKast. The legendary Atlanta Hip-Hop duo was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 27th, 2025. The hall has recently been adding influential Hip-Hop acts, and that’s very mindful and logical of them. Hip-Hop has not been fully accepted even today when it comes to the music and culture. However, this is another chance to acknowledge just how much these groups impact popular culture and the entire globe.

Let Me Hear Ya Say “O-Yea-Yer”

Well it’s the M-I-crooked letter,

Plumas about to enter,

altitude drying out your gasps for more air,

this time of year

you gotta head down

to the city’s heart, the center,

but as much as I rep my city,

historically there’s no one better,

Big and Dre biggest influences from

shorts time to sweater weather,

deciphering so much with every listen,

that Georgia humidity

makes their words continue to glisten,

repeat to catch little turn of phrases,

displaying expertise without malaise

or want of praise, nothing better.

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Now throw your hands in the air,

31 years later we still wavin’ em without a care,

if you like classic bars and rhymes so timeless,

everybody let me hear you say “O-yea-yer”!