Today prolific down south rap icon Big Boi shared a little about artistry from his native state and its overall contribution to Hip-hop. He makes an irrefutable point.
The Forming of Outkast
Big Boi is the second counterpart of the ultra-successful fresh and clean rap duo Outkast. In 1992, two of the most creative artists to rise from Atlanta, Georgia, came together to combine their unique talents. A year later, they were signed to Laface Records. By 1994, the entire world was rocking with the duo from ATL. And no one could get enough. Their initial album, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” was an apt representation of the down south flavor, and just like elevators, they kept rising. That album went certified platinum, selling over a million units and winning the 1995 Source Award for Best New Rap of the Year.
Big Boi and Andre 3,000 Dish Southern Hospitality
Andre 3000 and Big Boi had something special. Their eclectic style and impressive lyrical cadence couldn’t be duplicated. And they killed the game. Their subsequent album “ATliens,” which featured hit singles “Elevators” and “Rosa Parks,” was so well-received in 1999 that it was nominated for a Grammy.
“ATliens” was followed by “Stankonia,” which included hit songs “So Fresh, So Clean” and “Ms. Jackson.”
This time they took home two Grammys for their work. And it was well-earned, given that “Stankonia” went quadruple platinum. Impressively, their fourth album “Speakerboxx/The Love Below,” was just as successful as the first three releases. It won three Grammys and went certified diamond. After their fourth success, it was no denying that the masses loved the way they moved.
So, with such record success, if anyone is qualified to speak on artistry in Atlanta, it’s Big Boi.
Big Boi on Atlanta and Hip Hop
Big Boi attributes his love for hip-hop to Run DMC. According to Big Boi in his interview with Hip Hop Made, a drive with his father with the radio-pumping Run DMC served as the spark that lit his creative fire. And when speaking of how the overall artistry that stems from his proving grounds has impacted Hip-hop, he contends it boils down to diversity. In his interview, he named a list of artists who have sprung from the rich soil of Atlanta. As a point of reference, he points out the diverse styles between artists such as Killer Mike and T.I. In the words of the artist,
“A range of different artists hail from Atlanta like Killer Mike and T.I. and it’s those artists like so many others who help Atlanta ,”[keep] it fresh and new. And it’s always been evolving.”
Such is a point wherein no one will deny.
Outkast: First Class
Undoubtedly Atlanta has been resource rich when it has come to hip-hop artists who have broadened the creative scope of lyricism. While Big Boi gives vibrant examples, no one exemplifies his argument more than he and his former collaborator, Andre 3000. What they did for Southern lyricists and hip-hop is remarkable and immeasurable. As Crave the Sound notes,
“Outkast was able to shift the game of what we understood to be Hip-Hop and elevated Southern Hip-Hop to mainstream status.”
For that we salute them.
A Melting Pot
When it comes to hip-hop, representation stems from the four corners of the Earth. And the collective can be best defined as a melting pot of diversification in style and creativity. Undoubtedly, each and every contribution has been essential to the propulsion of the culture and fifty-years of sustainability as an art form. And, with hope, as time passes, the richness that has defined the immersive culture will only continue to expand as more artists come from every part of the world with their own unique flow in style and verse.
There was a time when Hip hop and Hollywood were seen as two separate lanes. The idea was preposterous when hip-hop/rap artists expressed a desire to cross over to Hollywood. Those who dared cross the lane were perceived to be inauthentic and mocked for their inability to choose one route and stick to it. The only movies that featured hip-hop and rap artists taken seriously were those constructed around the art form, such as Wild Style (1982) and Beat Street (1984). As the progression of our material world has proven, one never knows how great something can be until it’s done. And over time, artists have demonstrated that hip hop artist in Hollywood is hardly a joke. Talent is rarely linear. More often, genuine artists possess a multitude of skills.
Top Ten: From Hip-Hop to Hollywood Films
While many hip-hop artists have shown top-caliber skills in acting, others failed miserably, leading many to wonder why hip-hop/rap artists didn’t stay in their lane. However, this is life, and we must take the good with the bad. So here is a list of movies starring hip-hop/rap artists who nailed their performance to those that will forever live in infamy.
#10 Snoop/Method Man Soul Plane
The number ten spot for movies featuring a hip hop/rap artist goes to Soul Plane. Soul Plane was a film that premiered in 2004. The hour and 26-minute comedy about an airline owned and staffed by African Americans featured artists Snoop Dogg and Method Man. Other notable comedians in the industry rounded out the cast. One can argue Snoop played his role to perfection. The Dogg Father did what he did the best play himself. His smooth, laid-back demeanor as Captain Mack was his signature. Snoop has more than learned how to use his persona in Hollywood to his advantage. As Highsnobiety notes,
” Though Snoop has 163 acting credits, most of those appearances can be viewed as extensions of his brand. Often, he plays himself.”
Nevertheless, despite the hilarity, Soul Plane was not Oscar-worthy material, so it rests in the number ten spot.
# 9 Will Smith Wild Wild West
Undoubtedly, Will Smith has become recognized as one of the most versatile in the industry. Will has been a trailblazer in many instances. But for those who do and do not remember, one of Smith’s first serious roles was Six Degrees of Separation (1993). While it was one of the first instances that Will was able to exercise his acting chops on the silver screen, the most memorable of his earlier works was Wild Wild West. The 1999 film departed from his earlier drama and featured him in the lead role. Unfortunately, Wild Wild West was also one of his worst films to date and one he has too regretted. Smith told the Hollywood Reporter in a 2021 interview, “Wild Wild West is a thorn in my side.” Unfortunately, the bubblegum western came off as a farce. However, Smith lived it down and became one of the most prominent hip-hop artists turned actors. Good thing Smith’s entire career wasn’t predicated on this film.
#8 Big Boi & Andre 3000 Idlewild
The number eight spot goes to Idlewild, starring members of Outkast Big Boi and Andre 3000. Idlewild centered on small-town life in the deep south during the era of prohibition. But on a deeper level, the film explored the relationship between two friends traversing that terrain dealing with love, expectations, friends, and the come up from different perspectives. While a low-key movie compared to most, Idlewild allowed Big Boi and Andre to display the full range of their talents, proving that just as on stage, their flare and creativity were suited for more than the sound booth.
# 7 Full Cast Carmen Hip Hopera
Carmen Hip Hopera is one of the lesser known movies; however, it is one of the best revisioning of a classic film starring a predominantly hip-hop cast. Until Carmen Hip Hopera, few films boasted a primary hip-hop cast, let alone used the performer to recreate a classic movie for a wider audience. This film was a 2001 offering directed by Robert Townsend. Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Rah Digga, Wyclef Jean, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Shad Moss (Bow Wow), Beyonce, and Mekhi Phifer made up the cast. Impressively this group of talented performers was able to reshape the story of Carmen into a hip-hop work of art, displaying not only their acting talent but also their musical talent.
#6 Tupac Shakur – Juice
Juice takes the number six spot. This 1992 film is one of the best cultural films to be produced. Tupac Shakur, who played the role of Bishop, a no-nonsense dealer in the 1990s street of New York, proved that rappers could be serious actors. Tupac’s delivery was on point, and his poise was unmatchable. With this performance, it was undeniable that Tupac could effortlessly move through both worlds. Of relative importance was what the film did for the perception of hip-hop overall. As Independent notes,
“Juice was equally crucial for showing how uniquely enmeshed movie and rap stardom could become. “
#5 Kid n Play House Party
House party is hands down a hip-hop cult classic. Hip hop artist Kid n Play did their thing in the 1990 iconic comedy, making it one of the most memorable films. While neither Kid nor Play’s performances were Oscar-worthy, their performances were authentic. The chemistry was unforgettable, with Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, A.J. Johnson, and Robin Harris rounding out the cast. The culture loved it, accepting the film for what it was, an iconic moment in cinematic history celebrating hip-hop on the silver screen. And the acting wasn’t half-bad.
#4 Queen Latifah –Set it Off
Set it Off falls in the top five movies starring a hip-hop artist. Set it off premiered in 1996, and it was fire. Queen Latifah showed the world how it was done. Her performance, along with the performances of the other three leading ladies, was noteworthy. No one could doubt whether each poured their essence into the characters of Stony, Cleo, Frankie, and Tisean because It showed. These women were as authentic and touchable as any. In fact, it was difficult to tell the character apart from the actor. And if it hadn’t been obvious before now, it was plain that Queen had what it takes to make it big in Hollywood. As a testament to her talent, according to Highsnobiety,
“With almost one hundred acting credits and nearly fifty producing credits to her name, Queen Latifah is now a Hollywood titan.”
https://youtu.be/f_cbkxnbiqQ
# 3 Tupac Shakur Poetic Justice
While Tupac has been mentioned before, he again gains mention for his role in the cultural favorite, Poetic Justice. This 1993 John Singleton film wherein Tupac Shakur played the character of Lucky. This film, which premiered only a year after Juice, depicted Pac differently. In Poetic Justice, Tupac played the love interest of none other than Janet Jackson. While he remained rough around the edges, the character of Lucky depicted a man gentler in nature, a vast difference from Bishop. Poetic Justice was demonstrative of Pac’s range. If no one else had proved that rap artists could act, he did.
#2 Ice Cube –Friday
Friday is iconic. Ice Cube and Chris Tucker created a brand of magic on film that can’t be duplicated. This cultural favorite is arguably one of the most quoted films in hip-hop culture. While the film was pure comedy, Cube and Tucker hit every cue. Given what is known of Ice Cube, he is one of the few rap artists other than Tupac and Will Smith who have proven that some hip-hop artists could also dominate Hollywood.
#1 Ice Cube –Boyz N the Hood
The number one movie is none other than Singleton’s classic Boys N The Hood. This 1991 Drama cemented Ice Cube as a noteworthy actor. Cube took his place amongst some of the best in the business Angela Basset, Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, and Cuba Gooding Jr. He demonstrated he was up to the task. And now, according to Highsnobiety, “Ice Cube has over 60 acting credits to his name spanning almost thirty years.” With that in mind, it is more than sure Boyz n The Hood proved that if no other rapper in the business could carry a role, Ice Cube could.
Hip Hop/ Rap Artist in Hollywood Are No Joke
Many more movies spotlight hip hop/rap artists, highlighting their talents beyond the mic. Although this list is nowhere near exhaustive, it is more than enough to confirm that hip-hop artists in Hollywood are legit, even in films that fall lower on the tier. But, of course, proper judgment can only be predicated on individual merit alone.
Sherlita Patton and Outkast member Big Boi, who currently goo through a divorce. Image Source: Jemal Countess, Getty Images.
The relationship between Outkast member Big Boi and his estranged wife, Sherlita Patton, has ended.
TMZ obtained court documents that indicate the Outkast’s Big Boi and the real estate entrepreneur’s divorce was finalized after 20 years of marriage.
A final divorce order came last month after Outkast filed for divorce in April. As stated in his filing, Big Boi asserted that the pair was separated and had begun living separately. There was no hope of reconciliation between them. Keeping things peaceful and avoiding mudslinging helped them reach a speedy settlement.
Bamboo and Jordan are the names of their two children. In another relationship, Boi has a child named Cross. Furthermore, they are both grandparents. The couple’s son Bamboo welcomed a son named Antwan Younes Patton III (Big Boi’s real name is Antwan Patton) in 2021. His children have always made a significant impression on him as an artist.
Bamboo Patton, Sherlita Patton, Big Boi, and Cross Patton. Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage
“I can tell you this when we did ‘Bombs Over Baghdad,’ my little boy went crazy and started breakdancing. I called [Andre 3000] and said, ‘Boy, we got to put this out. This is the one.’ And it was.” Big Boi said.
Sherlita and Outkast Member Filed for Divorce for the First Time?
It may appear that the couple is going through a divorce for the first time. However, this is not the first time the couple has filed for divorce. Sherlita attempted to terminate their marriage in 2013, but the couple reconciled. However, they chose to proceed with the divorce this time.
Big Boi and Sherlita concluded a private postnuptial agreement to divide their assets and debts three years later.
The parties have agreed not to disclose their respective financial information and to reach an agreement that will resolve all outstanding debts. Furthermore, both parties agreed to refrain from threatening each other during the divorce proceedings. The threats include “injury, maltreating, molesting, harassing, harming, or abusing.” Patton and Big Boi have not addressed their divorce publicly.
Major League Soccer is officially teaming up with KAYTRANADA and Big Boi for the MLS All-Star Concert, sponsored by Heineken® on Tuesday, August 24th in Los Angeles at The Torch, located at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Both music figures will headline the show.
This concert serves as an exciting soccer celebration for fans. Moreover, it kicks off their fans’ week experience before the 2021 MLS All-Star Game, presented by Target, on Wednesday, August 25th. The show also features live DJs – including Funk Freaks – a beer garden, and giveaways. Additionally, no matter the age bracket, fans can attend The MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, sponsored by AT&T 5G, at 6 p.m.
All of the concert’s proceeds will go to World Central Kitchen. This non-profit organization uses food to sustain communities and strengthen economies during hardships. World Central Kitchen selflessly gives food to those who are struggling to find fulfilling meals.
“I am a big Atlanta United fan, so I’m excited to be performing at the MLS All-Star Concert presented by Heineken®in Los Angeles in a few weeks,” said Big Boi. “It’s going to be a good time, and I’m pumped to share some of my new music live with my fans.”
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER:
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features 27 clubs throughout the United States and Canada. They also have future expansion teams in St. Louis and Charlotte.
Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster and TheTorch.LA for $15. Doors open at 8 p.m. PT for fans 21 and older.
Big Boi, one half of the legendary OutKast, will be the host at Atlanta’s dopest new Airbnb, the Dungeon. The property is a renowned Hip-Hop holy site.
Despite being a fairly small place, Big Boi really went and decked it out.
The Dungeon is one of the most important landmarks in all of Hip-Hop. This was the home studio for OutKast, Goodie Mob, Organized Noize, and the rest of the Dungeon Family. The impact of this collective is so vast that it is directly responsible for career’s as recent as Future, a second-generation member of the Dungeon Family. In short, it’s a full-on landmark that we’re just lucky enough to have any sort of access to.
Big Boi did a great job turning the somewhat small house into an inviting atmosphere.
The history of the Dungeon is all over, made to inspire the guests and surround them with Atlanta music culture. Among the dope decorations, there’s a fireplace painted with the black-and-white American flag seen on the Stankonia album cover. The bedroom feels like the cover of The Love Below, with deep velvet all around and a giant OutKast sign above the headboard. The rooms range from classy to snazzy, in perfect Atlanta fashion.
Staying at the Dungeon is more than just sleeping over. If within Atlanta city limits, guests can be picked up and brought to the Dungeon via an Escalade, and upon arrival, be virtually greeted by the ATLien himself. Truly, a whole experience!
The bookings are currently only limited to June 29th, July 1st, and July 3rd, each for only $25. The bookings go live on Friday, June 25th, at 1 p.m. ET.
Go on down to the Dungeon and fully immerse yourself in one of the dopest corners of Hip-Hop history. The fantastic decorations will further inspire your love for the music while connecting you deeper to the cultures of both Atlanta and Hip-Hop. Shoutout to Big Boi for continuing to make dreams come true!
T-Pain’s big hit from 2005, “I’m in Love with a Stripper”, started as a joke. In a recent episode of Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, T-Pain made the revelation. The singer said, “My homeboy was tryna save strippers in the club. The song was a joke. I was literally making fun of him.”
The joke paid off. Known as one of T-Pain’s biggest hits, “I’m in Love With a Stripper” climbed to number 5 in the Billboard Hot 100. It’s the song that put T-Pain on the map and made him a household name.
T-Pain
T-Pain Can Thank Big Boi
He also revealed that he recorded the song because Big Boi liked it. In the interview with Tyson, Pain said, “We was just in the studio f*cking around and Big Boi saying it was dope and I said, yep.”
The song was a part of T-Pain’s first solo album, Rappa Ternt Sanga. The Nappy Boy first gained notoriety earlier in 2005 with the release of “I’m Sprung,” which was his first song to hit the Billboard Hot 100. However, “I’m in Love With a Stripper” is still one of his most recognizable hits.
T-Pain is One of the Greats
It goes to show that inspiration can come from anywhere. Hats off to T-Pain for listening to Big Boi and creating a famous club banger from it. So, the fact that T-Pain can turn a joke between friends into a smash hit speaks volumes of his musical talent. Pain has created many hits, and we still hear them in the club today. But, above all, it’s probably the first time that a musician made money from a strip club.
Legendary Atlanta rapper André 3000 has dropped a rare feature on the track “No Cigar” by Goodie Mob. It marks the first time André has appeared on a song in 2020, and his first since Anderson .Paak’s“Come Home” from April of 2019. 3 Stacks is a frequent collaborator with Goodie Mob, having recorded several cuts with them in the past. “No Cigar” was released as part of Goodie Mob’s new Survival Kit album. Notably, André’s former partner in OutKast, Big Boi, appears on the song right after it.
Stream “No Cigar” by Goodie Mob & André 3000 below, and let us know what you think!
After his Big Grams EP collaboration with Phantogram, Outkast ATLien Big Boi aka Sir Lucious Leftfoot returns as he releases his third studio album, Boomiverse, which serves as a follow up from his 2012 sophomore Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors.
Boomiverse features a bevy of all-star guests including appearances from Sleepy Brown, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Janelle Monáe, Run The Jewels’ Killer Mike, who is a featured lyricist on Big Boi’s single “Kill Jill”, Adam Levine, who lends his vocals for “Mic Jack”.
The album is a musical gumbo of hip hop, rap and pop, made in signature Big Boi ATL fashion and it is heard in singles like “Freakonomics” and “All Night”, where it sounds like a rare classic find from one of his prior albums. At the same token, you can also hear how his style has evolved in the tunes, “Chocolate” and “Made Men”.
Usually with music, I can tell if a track is a hit or miss within the first 20 seconds. Boomiverse is definitely a home run. If you are a Big Boi fan, this is a must have for your playlist.
Now all I need in my life is one more Outkast album so I can leave the Earth peacefully.
Boomiverse is out now on Epic Records and is available now for purchase on iTunes and stream on Spotify.
