#2: Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

In many ways, Big Boi's long delayed album Sir Lucious Left Foot represents the state of modern hip-hop in it's current retrofuturism movement as it is attempted to be molded by the record label forces that be. Big Boi's album had become as famous as Dr. Dre's Detox for it's seemingly never ending delays. But while listening to this album there is one question that pops into one's mind: Who in there right mind would delay the release of this album?




Big Boi has often been thought of as the other guy in Outkast, and when many heard that his solo album was finally going to see the light of day, many were skeptical. It was possible to think of Andre without Big Boi but impossible to think of Big Boi without Andre. It's now fair to say that there is no 'other member' in Outkast as Big Boi has proven that he was more than a passenger in creating Outkast's funked out southern beats that have come to define the Atlanta duo. That same sound that defined Outkast is in full force on Sir Lucious Left Foot.

However, to say this album was just a throwback to the Outkast days would be missing the other half of it's greatness. On songs like 'Follow Us', Big Boi succeeds where many have failed in creating a hip-hop song crossed with a dash of indie rock as Vonnegut makes a guest appearance. But the theme of this album is there is always more, and while the unbelievable sound of this album is enough to wow the listener, the lyrics are what elevate it to the next level.

Big Boi celebrates the past while reminding us all that he is still one of the best rappers in the present. He plays the part of street connoisseur, conscious rapper, disgruntled veteran, and the sweet talker. What it all combines to make is one of the most refreshing albums in hip-hop. It is neither revolutionary nor formulaic. It has the songs that are clearly meant for mainstream play (like Shutterbug and Tangerine), but they still have a certain twist that Big Boi throws in to make them a little more unique, whether it's the thumping bass on Tangerine or the funked out Shutterbug. It's just one of the best albums of the year, choke full of great songs from start to finish, that never seems to get boring to listen to. And all from one of the most unappreciated artist in hip-hop.

Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty