Rapper/producer Big Boi is a man of many talents. He is one half of OutKast, Hip Hop’s most prolific duo. His film Idlewild (which he and Andre Benjamin both worked on) was bought by Universal Pictures. He has guest appeared on numerous singles from artists like Omarion, Trick Daddy, Missy Elliot and most recently Brooke Valentine’s “Girlfight.” Now he is releasing (through Virgin Records) two albums off his own custom label, Purple Ribbon. The first of the two is Big Boi Presents…Got Purp? Vol. II. The second is Bubba Sparxxx’s new album Space Mountain .
Big Boi Presents…Got Purp? Vol II, is a strong debut. It features rap and R&B stars who already have a name (Killer Mike, Bubba Sparxxx, Goodie Mob, Bun B, Konkrete, just to name a few) as well as ones who are on the up and coming.
The twenty-three tracks (fifteen songs, eight interludes) move together seamlessly. The songs are all well produced and encompass a variety of sounds ranging from straight up hip hop to grimy Southern gangsta to smooth soul and R&B. Tracks like “Dungeon Family Dedication” (featuring Killer Mike) “Claremount Lounge” (featuring Bubba Sparxx and Killer Mike), “Hold On” (featuring Goodie Mob) “808” (featuring Bun B and Big Gee) and the previously released single “Kryptonite” (featuring the Purple Ribbon Allstars) are down and out rap tracks. They are a showcase of the copious amounts of talent that is out there in the Hip Hop community right now.
However the talent doesn’t stop with these songs. The soulful sounds that make up “Me, My Baby and My Cadillac” (featuring Sleepy Brown), “U Got Me” (featuring Scar” and “Lettin Go” (featuring Janelle Monae) add another level to the album. According to SOHH.com, soulful crooner Scar is Big Boi’s “secret weapon.” Scar is also featured on the track “What Is This” along with Cee-Lo. Janelle Monae is also a refreshing new sound. Her tracks are up beat and danceable, which, with a voice like hers, is a powerhouse of a combination. Her voice evokes the soulful sounds of Angie Stone and Jill Scott but maintains a pop sound that is memorable and delightful.
The album, set to be released November 22nd, is a definite must have. Whether for your next party, your next joy ride or just your next fun night at home, this album will get you on your feet and dancing.
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Article comments
1 - Martin Onassis
Whats the point of a review if you cant post a negative one?
I just saw the 'talented' Big Boi on David Letterman, and let me tell you that aint talent. That's some uneducated loser poorly dressed who cant sing, so he grunts over music that a machine can spit out in minutes, with no melody, no song structure, no discernible lyrics, and NO respect for the listening audience. Just because you can make cds doesn't mean they are any good. Outkast works because there is some melody and the frontman has a sense of music history beyond 'the street'. I find it funny how people used to come from the ghetto and produce beauty and now they just produce ugliness, and everyone cheers, except all the people I know who just mutter 'Christ, not again' while noone can criticize RAP because it's 'ethnic culture.'
I know old rap, I used to defend it.
Like most musical genres, it has run its course. Time for something new. As a musician who plays an instrument, I find Rap the sign of utter laziness. James Brown sees it the same way, too, and has said as much. I wonder what Branford Marsalis thinks of Big Boi....talent? yeah, right. Talent for legal robbery, and a talent for having the most narrow vision of the world possible. Big Boi better realize Rap and Hip Hop, whatever the hell the difference, is a total scourge on his own race, but he doesnt care, and thats the whole point.
The reason we havent had punk rock or grunge forced down our throats as long as rap is because that would be a threat to the corporate order. Rap is perfect because it keeps the stupid down, and it promotes raw jungle law. It is utterly heinous that corporations foist it on the public incessantly. The only
good part is that now rural suburban racists get to watch their daughters knocked up by these gangstas. That makes me laugh a good one. Other than, its an utter scourge.
Rap drags the poor down, and it makes them look stupid both. I wonder if Eminem has realized what a joke he is, and he's one of the recent best, which is saying nothing, because rap lost all the edge it used to have. Miss Hipstah - get a real name.
2 - Miss Hipstah
I'm sorry you disagree with my sentiments that Big Boi has talent. But clearly you did not read my review past the first paragraph.
The album is Big Boi's own, yes, but does feature other rappers and singers on it as well. There are tracks where Big Boi does not utter a word. Maybe he does not have talent...but this album does feature some R&B/Soul singers (please note: R&B/Soul SINGERS) who do have talent. Last time I checked, R&B/Soul is not Hip Hop/Rap. There may be some crossovers, but that still does not make them one and the same thing.
I don't disagree with you about how corporations are using rap. I don't disagree with you that certain rappers are "scourges" to their own race. Perhaps Big Boi is one of them (though I wouldn't put OutKast in that category, personally).
However, I don't feel that this album in particular is like most other albums. In that it has given the opportunity for artists whose albums have been put on endless hold by the "industry." Sleepy Brown's album was supposed to come out some time this past year. It has not. Bubba Sparxxx's album was supposed to come out this past October. To the best of my knowledge (and Amazon's) it has not. Instead of putting some of these artists albums out, the "industry" opts to let Eminem (who I agree with you, is a fool) do another album. Instead of releasing something that sounds exactly like everything else out there, Big Boi has released a collection of sounds that it's hard to put a label on, let alone the rap label.
As for my name...I do have a real one. I just choose not to use it when I write, preventing readers who don't like my reviews from using it.
3 - EL KETER BEN TZADIK
James Brown also smokes crack and beats his women. That's the type of person I'm supposed go to when I want cogent artistic criticizm? And as incredible as his production and bandleading from the '60s and '70s was, when was the last time he released a record that was even remotely relevant to anything? "Living In America?" Yeah, and we all know what a jem that was.
As for Branford Marsalis, he loves hip-hop. He's worked with Gang Starr on more than a few occasions. And don't you remember his Buckshot Lefonque projects? He teamed up with some of his favorite hip-hop beatmakers ( including Gang Starr producer DJ Premier, among others ) and basically made a hip-hop record, replete with samples and beats that "a machine spit out" combined with his horn playing.
Perhaps you were talking about that pompous douchebag Winton though and just got your Marsalis's mixed up?
As a hip-hop beatmaker myself, I'd like to see your instrument playing self come over to my house, go through my record collection, fire up the turntables and the sampling appratus and put together something that even approaches listenable... even by the low-low standards you seem to think the hip-hop audience has. When you can do that, then maybe you'll have an argument about the level of artistry or musical worth of our "jungle" rhythms.