atl invasion : big boi + killer mike running the roseland

Although Three Stacks just released a cover of Amy Winehouse ("Back to Black," in which he splits time with Beyoncé, for The Great Gatsby soundtrack), it's unlikely his musical output is going to increase any more than the smattering of songs he's infrequently released over the last five or so years.

Meanwhile, the other half of Outkast—Big Boi—dropped his second solo album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, six months ago, a release that saw him mashing genres by collaborating with rising rappers (A$AP Rocky, B.o.B., Kid Cudi), longtime ATL homies (Ludacris, Sleepy Brown, T.I., Killer Mike), and indie darlings (Phantogram, Little Dragon, Wavves). While not as universally solid as his debut, the maximalist effort that blends indie rock (like production by Phantogram on "Objectum Sexuality"), Dirty South rap (the bumping "In The A"), and soulful, electronic funk (provided by guest Kelly Rowland on "Mama Told Me"), and proves Big Boi is still the master of the hook.

Compatriot and recurrent collaborator Killer Mike also released his sixth record in 2012, the critically acclaimed R.A.P. Music (an acronym for Rebellious African People), that was co-produced by El-P. (Since, the two have officially formed a group, Run The Jewels, together, and a free, self-titled LP will be out on Fool's Gold in June.) While the powerful, political album already has a sequel planned (with El-P again) for 2014 (as does part four of his Pledge series), there's another record you should be ecstatic about.

Big Boi on the mainstage at Seattle’s Bumbershoot in 2011. Photo by Alex Crick.

Prior to the official release of VLDR, Big Boi revealed that he already had another 10 songs recorded for a third solo album. And in the months leading up to VLDR, he spread some rumors of his own posting two fully realized tracks typical of his style ("Gossip" with southern guests UGK and Big K.R.I.T. and the explicitly erotic "She Said OK" featuring Theophilus London and Tre Luce), neither of which appeared on the record.

As demonstrated by the aforementioned, it seems both of these artists look to be entering a prolific stage in their careers.

So, is that what you should be you excited for? Nope.

It's the big news the two drop on Shoes For Running mixtape (below) in advance of their joint tour. In the intro to "A.D.I.D.A.S.," Killer Mike tells us to enjoy this mixtape "while me and Big Boi get a whole brand new album ready for y'all. That's right, me and Big Boi. Album. Heads are exploding now."



And during his freestyle to the beat from 50 Cent's "Wanksta" on the final track, Daddy Fat Sax adds, "We got a brand new record coming out—two CDs, not one." Boom.

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big boi’s only nw stop is up north

The creative people at Seattle’s City Arts Magazine have put together an impressive, first-year festival for this weekend, and although almost all of the national acts–like She & Him, Belle & Sebastian, Gogol Bordello, Foals and more–stop through Oregon before or after their time up north, one notable act completely left our state off his current tour.

That man would be the million-monikered godfather of speedballin’ ATL rap.

Mister Antwan André Patton, one half of earth-shattering duo OutKast, graces Seattle’s Showbox SoDo stage on Saturday, October 23rd as a thirty-five-year-old solo artist with a “grown-man persona” who has now proven, with the release of his debut solo album (even though we all had no doubts), that he is one of the freshest and most innovative voices in hip-hop today, even when he’s alone.

Daddy Fat Sax aka General Patton aka Sir Lucious Left Foot aka Billy Ocean aka Francis the Savannah Chitlin Pimp aka Big Boi fought the label and won, finally releasing his solo debut, Sir Lucious Left Foot… Son of Chico Dusty, after more than a year of contractual struggles with Jive Records before dropping the album in July on Def Jam. But for months and months preceding the album’s release, Big Boi hyped up the hip-hop world leaking tracks and videos for “Shine Blockas” featuring Gucci Mane, “Fo Yo Sorrows” featuring George Clinton, Too $hort and Sam Chris, “Royal Flush” featuring Andre 3000 and Raekwon (which didn’t make the album cut), and the album’s first single “Shutterbugg” featuring Cutty (below).

And since the album’s release there’s been more video-flash with the Vonnegutt featured “Follow Us” and “You Ain’t No DJ” featuring Yelawolf. Still dripping with his Dirty South style from bounce to 808-driven basslines, Big Boi has infused more indie rock (Vonnegutt), dubstep, grunge rock guitars (“Tangerine”), space funk synths, and the lovely contrast of dirty interludes with a sexy soulful voice like Janelle Monáe (“Be Still”).

The only thing missing from his debut solo release? Notably the voice of Andre 3000. He did collaborate with his old partner in crime...

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ladies, ladies, ladies

New favorites. Nice work ladies.