Columns | Think Big | Big Boi Talks Solo Album

Think Big

Big Boi Talks Solo Album
09:00ET PM October 15, 2009
Contributor: Nadine Graham
A Rocky Williform Company

It seems like everyone wants Big Boi to admit that he and Andre 3000 are no longer a group. He just won't do it though. Big Boi, born Antwan André Patton, can't do it, neither can 3000. The duo has been OutKast since they were both teenagers. The brand is more than a label to them, it's genuinely who they are. But that's not to say that they can't grow within the OutKast name. Based on that line of reasoning, Big Boi has completed a body of work that he's calling a "musical nuclear bomb". Sir Luscious Left Foot: the Son of Chico Dusty will help most fans understand that OutKast isn't growing apart- they're growing up. The LP has the same thumping beats and spitfire lyrics as some of the group's earlier work, while maintaining originality on every track. Not to mention, Dre 3000 is featured on the album more than once. OutKast is still standing, Big just wants you to forget the rumors and say hello to The Son of Chico Dusty.

What does Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty signify within your career?
Basically, it signifies that funk is alive. I know a lot of people have been saying... There've been a lot of things said about 'this' going on and 'that' going on but it's still Dungeon Family for life and OutKast is a group. As one half of the group, I'm just doing my part. The first solo album was SpeakerBoxx, but a lot of people... You know because it was packaged together, they were still confused about what niggas round here do. So this time we put them separately so they know what time it is.

How did you manage to achieve the essence of OutKast although this is a solo album?
I'm part of the group, you know, we both built it, we both love the group and neither of us is bigger than the group. At the same time, everything the group's done we've been there every step of the way, so all of that is in us. We both like to hear new grooves, new melodies, we never like to sound the same on every song. We're just straight lyrical assassins and I think some niggas forgot. Oh well [shrugs].

What made you gravitate towards putting a couple of new artists on the album?
I reached out to guys like B.O.B. and Gucci Mane, the newer guys because I've listened to their music, you know what I'm saying? Those are two guys that I like. I know, I hear I lot of not so good things about Gucci Mane sometimes, but people just don't understand that a real nigga's gonna be a real nigga all day, you know? Sometimes it's not about being the best emcee in the world but if you've got talent, sense of self and confidence it comes through in the music and that's why I did songs with him. B.O.B. is a talented brother as well. I met him a couple years back, he came to the studio, and I hung out with him a couple of times. I was just digging what he was doing. I heard a lot of his music and got him in as well.

How did you connect with Grand Hustle while doing this project?
I was already doing the album before I got on with Grand Hustle. I got with them because I was sort of in a management bind with Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere that run Flavor Unit Management. They were handling both my film and my music careers, I wanted to split it up some and I was thinking, "Who is the dopest manager out here now?" I always see him out in the streets and in the veins doing his thing- Jason Geter. I always saw him and asked him if he wanted to come and be on the management team and Shakim gave his blessing. We brought Jason in and we've been running with it ever since. It's been a good collaboration.

Are you still acting?
Yeah. I'm still doing acting as soon as I put the album out, I've got a gang of scripts at the house, and I'm looking at a lot of TV shows, movies and things like that. I've got about two to three more records that I want to record before I go straight into film but there will be more movie projects.

What do you want fans to get from Chico Dusty?
People been wondering what's been going on with me and Dre and the Kast for the past couple of years, you ain't heard us... This is my life capsule. Just check it out. Enjoy.