Being associated with greatness is never easy. Once reaching a pinnacle, there’s always pressure from the outside to duplicate success. That pressure often conflicts with an inner struggle to leave the past and search for new ways to obtain the same or similar level of greatness.
Big Boi is at an interesting stage of his career. As a member of OutKast, he took home music’s most coveted awards, sold millions of records and touched fans around the globe. But he and Andre 3000 haven’t recorded an album together in seven years and fans have no idea when there will be a reunion. Big Boi knows that the show must go on.
After releasing his first solo album, he returns with his latest effort Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Similar to each OutKast album, sonically, it stands on its own and gives fans a new reason to respect Big Boi’s mastery of hip-hop.
Each OutKast album has a unique artistic cover. What was the meaning behind the new cover?
It shows a collage of colors to make one picture which is my face. With the music, it showcases what the music looks like. It’s a collage of ideas to make one idea work. It shows how I stitch the songs together. I guy name Justin created the piece.
If you can recall the first time going to the studio as a teen to recording this new album, how does it compare?
The first album was produced solely by Organized Noize. We started producing on our second record. On this album, I produced or co-produced every song on this album. The first time is like being in elementary school. You find ways to progress the more you’re there. And when you finally get a chance to release an album, it’s like obtaining a degree. Every album is like a new degree. I remain a student to the craft and stay on it.
Songs have a great way to enhance your mood. I want you to breakdown a few songs from the new album. Which song will get the party started in the club?
If you want to turn up before going to the club or at the club, you should play “In The A.” That will definitely get your blood pumping.
If you want to mellow out, which songs should you play?
If you’re trying to set the mood or chill, you have “Tremendous Damage” and you have “Descending” which is somber and laid back. The entire album is an experience. It’s an hour and seventeen minutes worth of music. You can put it on repeat and rap back around with it.
What’s your favorite lyric on the album?
On “In the A,” I rap, “From the birthplace of MLK, where everything ain’t okay but KKK, I’m more Malcolm than Martin, come get some, be a target, standing in the kitchen with the AK, AK A, the chopper.” That lyric means we come in peace, but we won’t be disrespected. It’s still the dirty south, it’s still Confederate flags down here. Racism is still alive. you have to live your life and be good to people.
You first came into the rap game as a teen, but we have all seen you grow into a responsible parent. Why is it important to be that example for hip-hop?
I’ve always been a hands-on parent. If you’re a man with a daughter, the first man that she will love is her father. Being a father, that shows your daughter how a man is supposed to treat her. You have to be there. If you’re going to lay down to have them, you have to be there.
Listen to “She Hates Me”
