Prepare yourself! We have another solo attempt on our hands! This time, it isn’t some frontman trying to show the world he’s an individual and not part of an entire band. This time, we have one half of the incredibly talented duo, OutKast.
The less eccentric of the two, Big Boi still keeps his OutKast influences alive by exploring different influences and styles. With guest appearances from names such as Janelle Monáe, Jamie Foxx, T.I., B.O.B., Gucci Mane, Vonnegutt and even George Clinton, Sir Lucious Left Foot is a solid album full of catchy hooks, clever lines and that trademark Big Boi flow.
The album’s top highlight and first single is “Shutterbugg” featuring Cutty. With a big fat beat and a voice box, this jam will instantly get you moving. This is the typical party jam you throw on when you’re getting ready to go clubbing; yours truly has done her hair a number of times dancing in the mirror to this song! The chorus features Big Boi’s catchy, “Now party people in the club, it’s time to cut a rug/And throw the deuce up in the sky just for the shutterbugs/I’m double fisting, if you’re empty you can grab a cup/Boy, stop! I’m just playin’, let me back you up” and the soulful “Baby, baby/You’re in my system/Baby, baby/Tell me you’re listenin’.” The catchiness and the big, fat beat will definitely get you moving and is the song of the summer, in my opinion!
Giving the public a look at how influential and known his work has become, Big Boi gets “Grandfather of Funk” George Clinton to make an appearance on the track, “Fo’ Yo’ Sorrows,” which also features Too Short and Sam Chris. With an ominous beat created by a digital bell-type sound, Big Boi’s quick flow coupled with the slow chorus gives the album another great track to move to, but without the same fervor as with “Shutterbugg.”
“Hustle Blood” is a slow jam; one of the most R&B sounding tracks on the album. I didn’t really notice this song at first but it snuck on my hips with every listen! One of those songs that makes you want to just bump and grind with your significant other in some hot sweaty club, Jamie Foxx lends his smooth voice (which sounds even better when harmonized) to the chorus of this song, with Big Boi’s flow slowing down a tad (which is still kinda speedy). The wah-wah’d guitars that whine throughout complete the sound of the sexy song and brings the album to a slow-down, but not in a bad way!
The final track on Sir Lucious Left Foot, “Back Up Plan,” ends the album on a high note. Yet another dance-able jam, this song also merges quick verses with mellow choruses, which seems to be the perfect melody for a “get-this-bitch-stuck-in-your-head” type of effect. It starts off with with the line: “Put that bitch in smash mode,” and that’s exactly what Big Boi does. The song’s hard beat created by what sounds like a hard acoustic replicated on a keyboard compliments the subtle horns well and raunchy lyrics we’re used to when he’s with his partner Andre 3000 makes “No teasing, no whining/Just bumpin’ and grindin’ till we got slimy” yet another chuckle-inducing line.
Sir Lucious Left Foot … The Son of Chico Dusty is definitely a successful solo attempt for Big Boi. He obviously has enough chops to carry his own talent and venture away from the ever-stylish Mr. 3000. One thing I’m not too crazy about, though, are the skits within the album. They seem to come out of nowhere and though they’re funny, they stop the momentum of the album as a whole. Other than that, this album is a fantastic listen. It may have taken some time to grow on me, but the fact of the matter is that it’s here!
Bonus Tracks: “Tangerine” featuring T.I. & Khujo Goodie, “Follow Us” feat. Vonnegutt and “Be Still” featuring Janelle Monáe
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Big Boi’s solo album makes me THAT much more anxious for another Outkast album!