Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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Big Boi

  • Sir Lucious Left Foot . . . The Son of Chico Dusty [Def Jam, 2010] A-
  • Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors [Def Jam, 2012] *
  • Boomiverse [Epic, 2017] *

See Also:

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Sir Lucious Left Foot . . . The Son of Chico Dusty [Def Jam, 2010]
Last things first: I wish I could never again hear the jocularly misogynist David Blaine skit at the ass end of "General Patton" in my entire life. But it's not tracked, so insofar as the pervasive albeit incoherent musicality of this overrated good album calls me back, it will always be there to waylay me. Granted, so will a succession of enjoyable songs with plenty to offer. But direct comparison to any post-Aquemini OutKast establishes not Andre's superiority--that's ambition and always has been--but the congruence of two timbres and deliveries that resembled each other far more than did the big boys who put them across. I feel the juice of Big Boi's "dark fudge brownie with the nut of your choice" and cheer when he mocks "coke-ayena." But without OutKast's synergy, few of his many good moves are slam dunks. "Like a crocodile walking round with alligator skin"? Couldn't have said it better myself. A-

Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors [Def Jam, 2012]
Claims hip-hop, represents r&b, ends up neither here nor there ("Apple of My Eye," "She Hates Me") *

Boomiverse [Epic, 2017]
Perky new pop record rides articulately rapped leads, favor-banked star power, a stanza for Colin Kaepernick, and refurbished wares from the sexist metaphor store ("Made Man," "Overthunk") *