As one half of hip-hop duo OutKast, Big Boi helped create music that blended jazz, funk, and soul with poetic rhymes and an outlandish fashion sense.
As a member of Purple Ribbon All-Stars he collaborated with rappers like Konkrete, Bubba Sparxxx, Sleepy Brown, and Rock D.
Now, finally, the man born Antwan Andre Patton has created an album all his own - even if 'Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty' doesn't sound all that different from his day job with Andre 3000. The quirky fast-paced rhymes, sonic experimentations, collision of jazzy elements and mellow old school beats, collaborations, and rock flavours are all here.
So the first single, 'Shutterbugg', features Cutty with co-production from hitmaker Scott Storch, while its follow-up 'Follow Us' showcases Vonnegutt with the light sound of the electric guitar. 'Hustle Blood', penned and produced by Sean Garrett, is slow and romantic with Jamie Foxx making a guest appearance, while 'Turns Me On' is positively upbeat.
Other songs that stand out are 'Daddy Fat Sax', 'General Patton' featuring Big Rube, 'Be Still' featuring Janelle Monáe, and 'Back Up Plan.' Throughout, he still includes old-school rapping but has used fresh beats to give the songs a more modern feel.
It's a typically eclectic mix but Big Boi holds it all together with his diary-like lyrics and musings on The United States of America, his upbringing, and the music industry.
Despite taking three years to record, being pushed back multiple times, and moving from one producer to the next, 'Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty' is far better than anybody might have expected.
Not quite on the same level as the recent offerings by Drake and Rick Ross, Big Boi's solo debut offers good competition to anyone releasing a hip-hop album right now.
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