It happens every month at some point in my life. Without fail, I go on an Outkast craze for a day or two. Through their entire discography, they have never had a release that was anything less than spectacular in my eyes. Style changed over the years, from the early O.G. releases such as Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik and ATLiens to the incredibly diverse fusion of genres in albums such as Stankonia, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, and Idlewild. Throughout these musical facelifts, quality was never an issue. This is because two of the best emcees to touch a mic decided to keep it 100 for every single one of their productions. The group is critically acclaimed, and consistently listed as one of the best duos in hip-hop history. They’ve been bathed in praise and showered in Grammies. But despite all this, I want to say that one of Outkast’s members is underrated.
Yeah, you heard me right.
Think about what has occurred since Outkast’s unfortunate (and hopefully temporary) Hollywood Divorce. Who, as a solo artist, has garnered nearly all the attention, accolades, and guest features? Three Stacks became the new version of Ludacris – the southern rapper who killed everybody’s remix. And he certainly has, from DJ UNK to John Legend to Beyonce to Young Jeezy to Lloyd, among others. Big Boi had some himself, to include Fantasia, Sleepy Brown, and Janelle Monae. But let’s face it, ‘Dre definitely had more burn in the spotlight.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t take away from the great Andre 3000. He is without a doubt one of the best and most unique to grace the mic in my eyes. His lyrical delivery and creativity have made him a magnet for praise. He is a very profound and multi-dimensional artist. Prototype and Spread are among a group of songs off of The Love Below that have permanent spots on my iPod. But what about GhettoMusick, Unhappy, and Church? This is Stockton and Malone, not Jordan and Pippen.
Those who overlook Big Boi on the list of best emcees in the game are sadly remiss. Here’s my perspective. Name another artist with Big Boi’s combination of verbal dexterity and lyrical prowess. There’s a few who might rap faster. In terms of mainstream, Twista and Busta Rhymes come to mind. But when’s the last time you heard them cover an issue deeper than parties or women with that sharp delivery? For an example go back and listen to the majority of Aquemini. Or Bombs Over Baghdad, in which Big Boi and Dre compare the Iraq Campaign of the 1990’s with the lack of longevity in the music industry.
Also, consider how wide spread his influence is. Way You Move was so major that even Earth, Wind, & Fire had to team up with Kenny G to remic i Then peep how his clever anecdotes manage to make child support, a very mundane and repetitive subject in the hip-hop world, fresh again. General Patton can smooth it out, with songs such as Can’t Wait and Spottieottiedopaliscious, and get gully with the roughest of ‘em in tracks such as Benz or Beemer and You Ain’t No DJ. These are just a few examples of the diverse gifts that distinguish the street-savvy half of Outkast from almost anyone.
One of Big Boi’s biggest talents might also be his curse. He makes the rhymes he drop seem so effortless and carefree that one might take for granted just how difficult it is to say what he says in the manner that he does. Out of the two parts that make up Outkast, Big Boi has a less diverse array of genres, and typically less anthemic songs. But to stop there with the comparison is criminal ignorance of the complex, brilliant, and proudly ATLien mind that is Antwan André Patton.
Yeah, you heard me right.
Think about what has occurred since Outkast’s unfortunate (and hopefully temporary) Hollywood Divorce. Who, as a solo artist, has garnered nearly all the attention, accolades, and guest features? Three Stacks became the new version of Ludacris – the southern rapper who killed everybody’s remix. And he certainly has, from DJ UNK to John Legend to Beyonce to Young Jeezy to Lloyd, among others. Big Boi had some himself, to include Fantasia, Sleepy Brown, and Janelle Monae. But let’s face it, ‘Dre definitely had more burn in the spotlight.
Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t take away from the great Andre 3000. He is without a doubt one of the best and most unique to grace the mic in my eyes. His lyrical delivery and creativity have made him a magnet for praise. He is a very profound and multi-dimensional artist. Prototype and Spread are among a group of songs off of The Love Below that have permanent spots on my iPod. But what about GhettoMusick, Unhappy, and Church? This is Stockton and Malone, not Jordan and Pippen.
Those who overlook Big Boi on the list of best emcees in the game are sadly remiss. Here’s my perspective. Name another artist with Big Boi’s combination of verbal dexterity and lyrical prowess. There’s a few who might rap faster. In terms of mainstream, Twista and Busta Rhymes come to mind. But when’s the last time you heard them cover an issue deeper than parties or women with that sharp delivery? For an example go back and listen to the majority of Aquemini. Or Bombs Over Baghdad, in which Big Boi and Dre compare the Iraq Campaign of the 1990’s with the lack of longevity in the music industry.
Also, consider how wide spread his influence is. Way You Move was so major that even Earth, Wind, & Fire had to team up with Kenny G to remic i Then peep how his clever anecdotes manage to make child support, a very mundane and repetitive subject in the hip-hop world, fresh again. General Patton can smooth it out, with songs such as Can’t Wait and Spottieottiedopaliscious, and get gully with the roughest of ‘em in tracks such as Benz or Beemer and You Ain’t No DJ. These are just a few examples of the diverse gifts that distinguish the street-savvy half of Outkast from almost anyone.
One of Big Boi’s biggest talents might also be his curse. He makes the rhymes he drop seem so effortless and carefree that one might take for granted just how difficult it is to say what he says in the manner that he does. Out of the two parts that make up Outkast, Big Boi has a less diverse array of genres, and typically less anthemic songs. But to stop there with the comparison is criminal ignorance of the complex, brilliant, and proudly ATLien mind that is Antwan André Patton.
I dig this, I totally agree, Big Boi definitely is dope.
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