Big Boi, one half of the Atlanta-bred hip-hop duo OutKast, finally gets his first proper solo debut with Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. It was three years in the making, and shelved until ultimately released on July 6, 2010. He’s ready to show hip-hop enthusiasts and OutKast fans alike that he cannot be denied. There’s no injection of the trademark creative exuberance of frequent right-hand-man André 3000 (minus his production of the track “You Ain’t No DJ”), but Big Boi fills that void with strong baselines, witty punch lines and a first-string lineup of hip-hop all-stars. The album does a beautiful job teaming the most current musical trends with the psychedelic funk melodies that Big Boi is so known for, like on “The Train Part II,” where brass instruments stream through closing bars while the digitized sounds of internet connections seamlessly interrelate.
Lyrically, the album is monstrous. Big Boi lays claim to the throne in lines like, “I got bigger fish to fry, N— wish I would retire/ cause the pressure I apply every time I bust a rhyme,” featured on “Daddy Fat Sax.” Along with infectious lyrics, the album boasts guest appearances from some of the hottest names in hip-hop. Atlanta’s own T.I. is featured on the track “Tangerine,” Gucci Mane lends a hand on “Shine Blockas” and Diddy’s up-and-coming protege Janelle Monáe sings the hook on the song “Be Still.”
Sir Lucious Left Foot has all the trappings of a grand reveal—it’s clearly Big Boi’s attempt to distinguish himself from the rest of today’s rappers and separate himself from OutKast’s signature sound.
Interested listeners can hear and see more of Big Boi when he performs at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre this Saturday, Aug. 28., with STS9, Disco Biscuits Big Gigantic and John Hughes.
