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

With over 15 million albums sold and 16 years experience in the rap/hip-hop world, Antwan “Big Boi” Patton always seems to be underappreciated. Ask almost anyone to mention some of the best rappers in the game today, and very few will mention Big Boi.  As the other half of one of the best hip-hop groups of all-time, Big Boi has always been the Scottie Pippen to Andre 3000’s Michael Jordan.  After going through nearly three years of issues including the problems faced with his former label Jive Records, Big Boi has delivered us a fun, loose, and diverse album, which is sure to give him the respect he unquestionably deserves. It’s your court, Pippen.     

• Lyrics/Delivery – Big Boi has such an effortless flow for the complex way he delivers his rhymes. Big Boi delivers lines such as “But if you freaking, I'm speaking clean as a whistle / This'll be the last official offer before dismissal” with such a sharp tongue and offbeat rhythm; yet, it feels slick and smooth. His attention to vocal timbre and cadence is unparalleled. One moment, he’s clashing with the beat; the next, he’s behind it. Yet, it feels so right. His vocal rhythms are so unpredictable; it feels more as if the beat is bouncing back and forth with him. His delivery is undoubtedly unrivaled. He is easily able to outshine guests such as T.I., Gucci Mane, and Yelawolf and still remain the star of the album. Despite all of genres this album spans, this ATL hustler still sounds right at home.
• Diversity – Musically, this is easily one of the most diverse rap albums I have ever heard. Big Boi combines his Southern-fried rap skills with a plethora of genres, creating an eclectic set of songs. This album oozes with 80s synth textures and lead lines. Songs such as “Shutterbugg” (feat. Cutty) creatively use these synths and talkbox to create a pure rap-funk jam.. Big Boi uses a sample of “Vieni, o guerriero vindice” performed by Giorgio Tozzi and other orchestral strings on “General Patton" to declare his rap statement. Other genres heard throughout the album include rock, electro, and dubstep.
• Production – There Is an extensive list of producers on this record, ranging from Organized Noize to Scott Storch. These producers (with the direction of Big Boi) provide the perfect backdrop for Big Boi to unleash. Songs such as “Follow Us” (feat. Vonnegutt) and “Shine Blockas” (feat. Gucci Mane) are added with exceptional textures to elevate each guest member’s performance. They are able to give songs such as “General Patton” an added punch to give it an epic sound. Each phenomenal sample was cleverly chosen to make Left Foot as varied as it is.
• Energy – There’s a particular charm and energy heard in each song off of Sir Lucious Left Foot that gives the album it’s party-anthem vibe. These songs are all club bangers sure to get any party started.

• Skits – Most of Sir Lucious Left Foot is full of killer beats, rhymes, hooks, etc., tracks, some of the skits get old after repeated listens (with the exception of the “Hey Josh, you know about the David Blaine” joke…it never gets old). The skits are included after/before certain songs, it they are unavoidable. It is irritating to have to listen to each skit, but the rest of album makes it worth it.
• Needs More Dre – The only contribution from Andre 3000 is on the mixing board for “You Ain’t No DJ.” Due to conflicts with Jive Records, Big Boi was unable to add the gem “Lookin’ For You” (featuring Andre 3000 and Sleepy Brown) to the album. Check out the video above though (you’ll thank me later). Despite Dre’s absence, Big Boi delivers one of (if not the best) rap albums of the year

1. Feel Me (Intro) – A nice intro filled with whistling, piano, talkbox, and funky guitar to set mood for what is about happen next. It serves its purpose nicely. 5/5
2. Daddy Fat Sax – Big Boi comes strong, spitting some great lines spanning from rap game to politics. Great use of synths to create a rich, layered sound. 5/5
3. Turns Me On (feat. Sleepy Brown and Joi) – A sensual keyboard with some soft vocals from Sleepy and Joi. Some more great delivery and lyrical content from the Son of Chico Dusty. 5/5
4. Follow Us (feat. Vonnegutt) - Another catchy song more exceptional use of synths to make Vonnegutt’s chorus really stand out. 4/5
5. Shutterbugg (feat. Cutty) – This was one of my summer jams. I love the sample created from Soul II Soul’s “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me?)” and parts of David Frank’s “You Are in My Systen.” A great 80s synth-funk feel. 5/5
6. General Patton – As I mentioned earlier the sample of “Vieni” is pure genius. Once the beat comes in, Big Boi leads the march. Truly epic. 5/5
7. Tangerine (feat. T.I. and Khujo Goodie) – Great tribal beats and various guitar riffs set the tone for a real booty-shaker. A good verse by T.I. 4/5
8. You Ain’t No DJ (feat. Yelawolf) – A great beat provided by Andre 3000 that sounds like electronic glass. Not a big fan of Yelawolf, but it still works out. There’s a skit afterwards with Jamie Foxx that is funny a few times, but it gets old after a few listens. 4/5
9. Hustle Blood (feat. Jamie Foxx) – Jamie Foxx slows things down, creating a seductive ballad. Very catchy. 5/5
10. Be Still (feat. Janelle Monae) – Starts off with a funny skit, and then goes into a nice little intro provided by the lovely Janelle Monae. Wish Monae was used better on the track. Good use of synths and effects to create an otherworldly sound. Another annoying skit at the end. 3/5
11. Fo Yo Sorrows (feat. George Clinton, Too Short and Sam Chris) – Some interesting electronic blips, textures, and rhythms help create a spacey, dubstep song. Clinton’s appearance is awesome in its own right. 5/5
12. Night Night (feat. B.o.B. and Joi) – Some more good electronics and use of horns help elevate a fairly weak song. Big Boi has some more good flow but I’m not really impressed with B.o.B. and Joi’s appearance. 3/5
13. Shine Blockas (feat. Gucci Mane) – I am not a big fan of Gucci Mane, but he fits very nicely with the sample of Harold Melvin’s and the Blue Notes “I Miss You Part I and II.” Big Boi brings it as usual on this soulful jam. 5/5
14. The Train, Pt. 2 (Sir Lucious Left Foot Saves the Day (feat. Sam Chris) – Another catchy and spacey tune with some electro/dubstep elements. 4/5
15. Back Up Plan – Open’s up with the catchy line “Boo, I got a back up plan to the back up plan to back up my back up plan” and smoothly rolls from there. Big Boi gives another strong performance. A great album closer. 5/5

Big Boi has given us a wonderful album able to stack up with any of OutKast’s previous work. Whether you love good rap/ hip/hop or just want music for a party, this is just what you wanted. Big Boi is Pippen no more. 

Overall Grade 4.5/5