“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving band of MCs and DJs is neglected. The 2018 contest consists of seven rounds, NCAA basketball-tournament style, leading to a Top 32, then the Sweet 16 and so on, until one winner is determined. For each battle, two groups are pitted against one another with a ballot to decide which one advances to the next round. Though there will be an enormous amount of debate in comments, on social media, in barbershops and text messages, which we encourage, only votes cast in the official ballot (below) count.

The next battle is between two southern Hip-Hop duos that worked together as well as strongly helped put their cities on the Rap map. OutKast competes against 8Ball & MJG in a mainstream vs. underground grudge match. Which pairing makes it to Round 2? Your vote punches the ticket.

OutKast

Even a dozen years since their last project, OutKast maintains legendary respect with Heads. André 3000 and Big Boi introduced Hip-Hop to a lot of attributes to southern living. Once they had the industry’s attention, the Decatur duo dropped the Cadillac in gear and took listeners to the cutting edge of creativity, style, and originality. Number one albums and Grammy Awards followed by a versatile group that could be bookish and pimp-inspired, as well as rhyme slow and incredibly fast. Although the Idlewild soundtrack remains the last ‘Kast project, ‘Dre and Daddy Fat Sax have teamed up for a la carte songs and features since 2006 to keep their discography fresh and make fans want that ol’ thing back. Moreover, this pair kicked in the door for Goodie Mob, Killer Mike, Cool Breeze, and a whole family of unique creatives. The South always had something to say, and as far as Hip-Hop groups from anyplace, OutKast may have said it best.

8Ball & MJG

For almost 35 years, Memphis’ 8Ball & MJG have been “Tenn toes down” for one another. On Tony Draper’s Suave House Records, Ball n’ G made albums that commercially bested high-profile peers, such as 1995’s On Top Of The World and 1999’s In Our Lifetime. After more than 15 years of “Space Age Pimpin'” on wax, the group’s prestige and innovative sound attracted Puff Daddy to sign them for a successful stint on Bad Boy South, and later, T.I.’s Grand Hustle. The two Ridgeway Middle School classmates have stayed under the mainstream radar while earning ironclad respect. Premro Smith and Marlon Jermaine Goodwin have been scarce in releasing songs since the mid-2010s. However, this squad already proved itself in three different decades, and the prospects of more music still shine brightly.

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So who is the better Hip-Hop group? Make sure you vote above.