My iPod #233: Big Boi - Daddy Fat Sax

"Daddy Fat Sax" is the second track from Big Boi's debut solo album "Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty", released back in 2010.

Took me quite a while to listen to the album. Don't know why. "Shutterbugg" was released as the first single from it, and I liked that. I still do. It's funky. The album got good reviews too, being cited as one of the best hip-hop albums to be released in the new decade. That was before Mr. West released "Dark Fantasy" though and received 10/10 ratings and five stars from every critic or website to exist.

But it was in 2012 (during the opening ceremony of the London Olympics if I remember correctly) that I thought I might as well listen to it. That ceremony went on for ages anyway.

The rapper announces himself to the world ("It is I, the B-I-G, the B-O-I") before telling the listener on how he has persevered, looked at the bigger picture, and maintained his game that fellow rappers fathom on his awesomeness. Scratches by the DJ Cutmaster Swiff slide in the song title during the chorus along with samples from "Xplosion", a song from "Stankonia". It all told us that Big Boi was certainly doing fine and that OutKast was still a part of him, even though he and André hadn't been together for four years at that point.

Boasting is a theme that occurs throughout the album. It shows right in the last line of the preceding introduction, but it's from this track and onwards that Big Boi never lets up. And that's good. Being half of one of hip hop's most respected groups, I would imagine life is swell. I think he's allowed to brag; he does it with such effortless flow too. My goodness.

My iPod #62 & #63: Paul & Linda McCartney - The Back Seat of My Car/Big Boi - Back Up Plan

Right. I have some explaining to do.

Yesterday I went out with friends to watch "Man of Steel", the new Superman movie. I was out for a long time, I couldn't put out my post and for that, I apologise to the small number of people who actually view this blog.

To be honest the film wasn't that good; I don't see what all the fuss is about.

Today, I bring a special two-in-one post. Only to make up for yesterday though, don't be expecting anything more.

"Ram" is the second album released by Paul McCartney after The Beatles split in 1970. However, it was credited to both he and his wife Linda, and therefore doesn't really count as a solo album.

"Ram" is one of the happiest albums I've listened to. Whereas "McCartney", his first album, was more of a collection of old songs he had written whilst he was still in The Beatles, "Ram" on the other hand gave off a sense of freedom and also a sense of closure. Paul had 'found his love awake and waiting to be' and was ready to take things head on.

"The Back Seat of My Car" is the final track on the album, and probably the most emotional. Love is a theme that runs throughout, but this is when it reaches its peak.

The story in the song is pretty simple. The couple have dreams of getting away 'along the highway' to 'Mexico City' but prefer making out in the back seat of a car unbeknownst to the girl's father who is always nagging at them. Awww. How romantic is that?

Sure, the story is short and sweet. The actual composition is beautifully performed, with calming and soothing vocals by Paul and slight changes in tempo here and there culminating in an audience participation section and a rocking outro make it perfect for the album closer.

Also, the song contains what is probably the best vocal delivered by McCartney. Ever.

I can't describe it very well, just listen to it; you'll get what I mean.

John Lennon thought this was one out of several songs on the album on "Ram" that was aimed at him and Yoko, it isn't, but you can hear his thoughts about it if you search for it on YouTube.

Big Boi - Back Up Plan

Put that bitch in smash mode.

Ooh, another closing track from an album.

"Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty" was Big Boi's debut in 2010. I wrote a bit about it in my previous Big Boi post, but all you need to know is that it was released and a lot of people liked it.

It has a completely opposite message compared to Paul McCartney. This time around, Big Boi's been cheated on or dumped or whatever, and the relationship has ended. But what does he do? He only picks himself up, dusts himself off and moves on to a new one. That being his 'back up plan'.

That is pretty much all I can say about the song. Big Boi basically tells the story of the relationship in the song, so again listen to it. It's a confident closer, I enjoy it. What could go wrong?

I hope that makes up for everything.

Until tomorrow.

Jamie.

My iPod #47: Big Boi - Apple of My Eye

Yeeeah. Antwan André Patton (The Only One) aka Daddy Fat Sax aka Sir Lucious Left Foot aka Big Boi in the hizz-ouse.

I'm only joking.

You all know him as one half of the influential hip-hop group, OutKast, along with André 3000.

OutKast released their most recent album, 'Idlewild', in 2006 which received positive reviews. The film it was released alongside, however, did not fare so well. After enjoyable single releases such as 'Morris Brown' and 'Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me)', OutKast faded away but it was okay, because they only faded away to record their next album, right?

WRONG. Since 2006, no new material has been released under the OutKast name. André has featured on various songs here and there but hasn't released any solo albums. We still love him though. He's so classy. Have you seen that Gillette advert? Mmm-mmm-mmm.

Big Boi stepped up to the plate and unveiled his debut 'Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty' to the world in 2010, which got everybody worried because they were still waiting for the new OutKast album, but was eventually recognised to be one of the best hip hop albums of that year. Then My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy came out, and everyone was less hyped about Lucious.

I downloaded 'Left Foot' in summer last year, and I found it rather enjoyable. The beats were huge, Big Boi's lyrics and flow were on par, full to the brim with hubris. Big Boi was at the top of his game, and if he wasn't getting enough respect already I would assume that he only received more after such a confident debut.

The album became one of my favourites, hip-hop wise, and it got me wondering when he would release his sophomore. As I said, I listened to the full album two years after it was released so something would have been coming soon.

It came as a surprise to me. In December 2012, I go onto Spotify to listen to an album and there under 'WHAT'S NEW', I see it:

BIG BOI - VICIOUS LIES AND DANGEROUS RUMORS

I am British, so 'rumours' without the 'o' looks quite weird but it's fine.

"Ooh! Let's listen."

So I did. Annnnnd it was good. 'Apple of My Eye' was the song that really caught my attention. Booming bass, the lyrical delivery, the chorus is an ear worm if there ever was one. I know he released 'Mama Told Me' as the first official single, maybe just because of Kelly Rowland's appearance and because it is probably the song most suited for radio play from the album. Despite this, 'Apple of My Eye' could have been that first single. It's got everything you want, a great song with only Big Boi at the reins and the soulful chorus. I would have chosen it as my first single, I'm just saying.

Overall, 'Vicious Lies' wasn't as positively greeted as 'Left Foot' was upon its release. I feel the same way too. I don't know what it is. It's hard to explain. Maybe you can have a listen to both albums, and comment on how you feel about them.

Until next time.

Jamie.