Album Review: Big Boi Sir Lucious Left Foot

Seven years ago we could have foreshadowed the split of Outkast from a mile away when Andrew Benjamin 3000 and Antwan Big Boi Patton recorded their independent halves to the double disk set Speakerboxx/The Love Below.  After parting ways with his label Jive Records, being missing in action to the point that it’s annoying for a number of years and a suffering a disappointing movie flop from his film Idlewild, Boi Big has finally released his first solo album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, which will be released on July 6 by Def Jam Records. 

Just as every album that Outkast ever released pulled something original out of the hat but still rooted to a funky, dirty South rap style that no other artist to date has captivated, the deluxe edition of Sir Lucious, which includes two bonus tracks, is no deviation from that style.  It’s rare for a rap album of this nature to be appeal to mainstream audiences but maintaining its rap origins.  We recently saw Atlanta rapper B.o.B. pull this off with his album The Adventures of Bobby Ray, turning a rap record into a completely pop-dominating force.  But now’s it’s Big Boi’s turn. 

So what’s the secret of chart-topping success for a rap record of this nature?  Freaky, freaky collaborations.  As Big Boi has recently been working with other artists on their own records, his album includes stellar cameos from Sleepy Brown, T.I., Janelle Monae, George Clinton, B.o.B., Gucci Mane, Yelawolf and Sam Chris.

The album begins with a prelude “Feel Me,” that while it includes no rapping, it gets us into the grove, eager to hear the rest of the album.  In the track “Daddy Fat Stax,” we get a reintroduction to Big Boi and who he is, which is necessary since it’s been a while since we’ve heard him. “Follow Us” is a catchy funk track including wacky synthesized sounds and a capella rapping to close, and other tracks like “General Patton” include anthem-like gospels setting rap lyrics to intense, opera-esque beats.  The first single from the album “Shutterbug” is the real essence of the album, easily the most radio-friendly song of the 17, and obviously a good choice for a first single.  A club-friendly song “Tangerine,” which features T.I. & Khujo is my favorite track on the record due to it catchy, repetitive dance anthem urging us to “shake it like a tangerine.”  “Be Still” is Janelle Monae’s track, in which she most definitely owes Big Boi, as he collaborated with Monae on her hit song “Tightrope.”  The album concludes with “Back Up Plan,” which is a groovy, attention-grabbing dance tune which he says “no teasing, no whining, just bumping and grinding”…and the perfect ending.

The only disappointing aspects of the album is that Andre 3000 is nowhere to be seen.  This is not by fault, however.  It’s due to technical copyright issues from Jive Records.  Boo.  But the overall verdict?  Good job, Big  Boi, good job.  You’ve got our attention.  This is easily one of the best rap albums of the year.  Track listing is as follows:

1. "Feel Me"
2. "Daddy Fat Sax"
3. "Turns Me On" feat. Sleepy Brown & Joi
4. "Follow Us" feat. Neil Garrard
5. "Shutterbugg" feat. Cutty
6. "General Patton - Bubble Bath Bobby"
7. "Tangerine" feat. T.I. & Khujo Goodie
8. "You Ain't No DJ - King Henry"
9. "Hustle Blood" feat. Jamie Foxx
10. "Be Still" feat. Janelle Monae
11. "Fo Yo Sorrows" feat. George Clinton, Too Short & Sam Chris
12. "Night Night" feat. B.o.B. & Joi
13. "Shine Blockas" feat. Gucci Mane
14. "The Train Pt. 2" feat. Sam Chris
15. "Back Up Plan"
16. "Theme Song"
17. "Shine Blockas Remix"

Image courtesy of Def Jam Records

Katherine Epstein for Citadel Digital © 2010

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