Big Boi of Outkast has just put out his first solo album called “Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty” through Def Jam records. Technically this is his first solo offering and he did not disappoint. The album boasts an eclectic roster of artists from Jaime Foxx to funk legend George Clinton to newcomer rapper Yelawolf. Other features on the album includes T.I, Gucci Mane, B.O.B, Too Short, Sleepy Brown and more. Notably absent from the feature list is Big Boi’s long time partner and friend Andre 3000. With politics as usual the record label wouldn’t clear a Andre 3000 feature but the song has leaked onto the internet anyway and its called, “Looking For You.” As always the production on this album is crazy and sounds like nothing else out today. Some of the producers include Scott Storch who did the lead single ,”Shutterbug”, Salaam Remi, Lil Jon, of course Organized Noise and Andre 3000 himself produced a track as well.

After switching labels from Jive to Def Jam the album has finally dropped and it is a very solid album. Over the past few months a few tracks have leaked including the Too Short and George Clinton song called,”For Yo Sorrows” which is one of the best songs in years. Another track that leaked is the Gucci Mane featured, “Shine Blockas”. It seems pretty obvious Gucci Mane paid respect to a legend and stepped up his bars on this song. The lead single is called”Shutter Bug” which has gotten a lot of love from radio and T.V. (It was on the season opener of the show, “Entourage”). The single “Shutterbug” was actually recorded two years ago when Big Boi was still signed to Jive. To hear that makes me like the song even more because it really shows that Big Boi is ahead of his time or an outcast of today’s hip-hop music. There are fifteen tracks with some minor skits mixed in and the only thing missing is the Andre 3000 feature.  

The content on the album varies from politics, (“Who you voting for Republican or Democrat? It doesn’t really matter cause that’s how they sold the last one”) to these so called new age DJ’s who don’t really DJ on “Go DJ” featuring newcomer Yelawolf. While some tracks are just ok like the Khujo Goodie from Goodie Mob and T.I assisted track called, “Tangerine”. Other songs really stand out like the upbeat “Night, Night” which features B.O.B and Joi. This song shows that Big Boi is still at the top of his game as far as production (He co-produced it) and lyrically as well when he says, “I know you love me cause a hater loves to hate/you need me like a junkie needs a razor blade and a plate I’m dope).  Sir Luscious Left Foot really does coverage different topics and it has everything from down south bounce to slow 80’s type songs.

What really separates Big Boi from the competition is the structure of his songs which really has none. While most rappers follow the same format of intro, three 16 bar verses and two 8 bar choruses Big Boi does his own thing. With every song being different it keeps you entertained for the whole album. Big Boi’s use of singers even for a four bar chorus can make a good song sound even better. Big Boi is so creative it is almost like he should be producing albums for other artists as well. Usually I would be critical of an album with so many guest appearances because rappers usually use them as a crutch. Big Boi doesn’t use his guest appearance as a crutch but more so as another instrument on the track.

Overall I would give this album 4.5 out 5. While it is a very good album some of the songs are a let down. While the songs that leaked months ago are still good it takes away from the album that 4 of the songs have been out for so long. This is a definite must album for any Outkast fans and I would recommend it to any hip-hop fan in general.