Big Boi
Big Boi | |
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![]() Big Boi performing in 2006 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Antwan André Patton |
Also known as |
|
Born | Savannah, Georgia,U.S. | February 1, 1975
Origin | Atlanta,Georgia,U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Discography | |
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels | |
Formerly of | |
Spouse |
Sherlita Patton
(m.2002;div.2022) |
Children | 2 |
Website | bigboi |
Antwan André Patton(born February 1, 1975), known professionally asBig Boi,is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Born inSavannah, Georgiaand raised inAtlanta,he is best known for being one half of theSouthern hip hopduoOutkast,which he formed in 1992 alongside fellow Atlanta-based rapperAndré 3000.
As part of Outkast, the duo's six studio albums were each met with critical and commercial success, spawninghit songsincluding "Ms. Jackson","Roses","So Fresh, So Clean"and"Elevators (Me & You)",among others. Their fifth, adouble albumtitledSpeakerboxxx/The Love Below(2003), won threeGrammy Awardsand contained a solo single performed by Patton: "The Way You Move"(featuringSleepy Brown), which peaked atop theBillboardHot 100and was named the 22nd most successful song of the 2000s decade byBillboard.[2]After the duo split in 2007, he promptly pursued a solo career and signed withDef Jam Recordingsto release his debut studio album,Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty(2010). Met with critical acclaim and commercial success, it peaked at number three on theBillboard200and was followed by his second and third albums,Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors(2012) andBoomiverse(2017)—both of which were met with continued praise and moderate commercial performance.
His spin-off projects include a collaborative recording outfit withPhantogram,with whom he has releasedone extended play(2015). He formed the now-defunct supergroupPurple Ribbon All-Starsin 2004, which includedJanelle Monáe,Bubba Sparxxx,andKiller Mike;the group released two albums until disbanding in 2007.[3]
Early life
[edit]Patton was born and spent the first half of his childhood inSavannah, Georgia,attendingHerschel V. Jenkins High School,[4]before moving toAtlantawith his aunt Renee. He decided to pursue his interest in music atTri-Cities High School,a visual and performing artsmagnet school.
Patton credited his grandmother with getting him interested in music by sending him and his siblings to the store to buy45 records.He further credited his uncle with introducing him to a wider variety of music, specificallyKate Bush,who he has described as his favorite artist.[5][6]
Career
[edit]Outkast
[edit]Patton met André Lauren Benjamin (stage nameAndré 3000) while attending Tri-Cities High School. The two joined forces asOutkastin 1992 and signed with the regionally-based record labelLaFace Recordsas a duo.[7]
Solo career
[edit]After four successful albums, Big Boi and André 3000 chose to make two solo albums, and release it as a double album under the Outkast name, asSpeakerboxxx/The Love Belowin 2003; Big Boi recordedSpeakerboxxx,André 3000 recordedThe Love Below.Speakerboxxxfeatured a style similar to Outkast's previous efforts, whileThe Love Belowexplored a more offbeat territory, with André 3000 mainly singing rather than his usual rapping.
Big Boi released two of his songs as singles. "The Way You Move",featuringSleepy Brown,was originally supported by urban radio, but crossed over to pop charts, where it supplanted André 3000's "Hey Ya!"as the No. 1 song. The second single from Big Boi was" Ghetto Musick ", which featured both members of Outkast and asamplefromPatti LaBelle's "Love, Need and Want You".[citation needed]
In November 2005, Big Boi released a mixtape/compilation album,Got Purp? Vol 2,in conjunction with thePurple Ribbon All-StarsthroughPurple Ribbon Records.The first single from the album was "Kryptonite", which reached 35 on theBillboardHot 100.Outkast was also featured on the song "International Players Anthem (I Choose You)",the first single fromUGK's albumUnderground Kingz.
In 2007, afterIdlewild,the sixth official OutKast duo album, Big Boi announced plans to release a proper solo album.Speakerboxxxhad been seen by many as a solo album (and it effectively was one), but it was still released under the OutKast name, which madeSir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dustyhis first "full-fledged" solo album. The album's first promotional single, "Royal Flush", was released in 2007, and featuredRaekwonand André 3000. Over the next few years the album was delayed many times, but multiple promotional and video singles were released, such as "Shine Blockas" (featuringGucci Mane), "For Yo Sorrows" (featuringGeorge ClintonandToo Short), and "General Patton" (featuringBig Rube). The first official single was "Shutterbugg",featuring Cutty, and the second was" Follow Us ", featuring Vonnegutt. The album was formally released in July 2010. Guest artists included alternative urban singerJanelle Monáe,who went on to be a famed actor and entertainer in her own right, as well asT.I.,B.o.B.,and, on a hook, Big Boi's old Dungeon Family friendKhujo.[8]Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dustywas warmly received by most music critics, earning praise for its inventive sound, varied musical style, and Big Boi's lyricism.[9][10]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Big_Boi_Counterpoint.jpg/300px-Big_Boi_Counterpoint.jpg)
In a July 2010 interview forThe Village Voice,Big Boi revealed that he was working on the follow-up album toSir Lucious Left Foot,entitledVicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors,stating that he was "maybe about six songs into it".[11][12]It was released on November 13, 2012.[13]The first single from the album was "Mama Told Me" featuringKelly Rowland.[14]The album featured guest appearances fromASAP Rocky,Ludacris,T.I.,Little Dragon,Phantogram,Kelly Rowland andB.o.B.[15]
Later in 2012, Big Boi revealed that he had written ten songs for his third studio album. He reiterated his plans for a new studio album in January 2014.[16][17]He was featured on theCatch The Thronemixtape with the song "Mother of Dragons", it was released for free download onSoundCloudbyHBOon March 7, 2014, to promote the fourth season ofGame of Thrones.[18]
Big Boi had signed a management deal with Jordan Feldstein's Career Artist Management in 2014, same year signed a record deal withEpic Records.[19][20]
On April 19, 2017, Big Boi revealed that his third studio album would be titledBoomiverse,and that two singles, "Mic Jack" (featuringAdam Levine) and "Kill Jill" (featuringKiller MikeandJeezy), would be released the following day.[21]The track "All Night"from Boomiverse was used in the 2017 AppleiPhoneX commercial which saw Alana Greszata lip syncing to the song for the "Animojiyourself "feature.[22]
In 2018, Big Boi signed with L.A. Reid and Charles Goldstuck's newfound labelHitco.[23][24]
In 2019, Big Boi performed at theSuper Bowl LIII halftime show.[25]Along with other performers, he was criticized for agreeing to participate despite theU.S. national anthem protestsbyColin Kaepernickand others.[26]
In November 2021, Big Boi announced that he had recorded a song with the British singer-songwriterKate Bush,who Big Boi has repeatedly expressed his admiration for throughout his career.[27]
Acting
[edit]Big Boi appeared as a guest star on seasons 3 and 5 ofNick Cannon'sWild 'n Out,and did so onChappelle's Show,where he peformed his song "The Rooster". In 2006, he branched into feature film acting, appearing inATLandIdlewild,followed by a starring role in 2007'sWho's Your Caddy?He appeared in theLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitepisode "Wildlife",which aired November 18, 2008. Big Boi played hip hop artist Gots Money.[28]Big Boi appeared in an episode of thehorroranthologyweb televisionseriesCreepshow.[29]
Multidisciplinary collaborations
[edit]In 2008, Big Boi began a collaboration on a show with theAtlanta Ballet.The show, titledbig,premiered at theFox Theaterin Atlanta, April 10–13, 2008.[30]The show was performed by Atlanta Ballet dancers, local youth and talent, as choreographed by Lauri Stallings. Music may be performed live onstage during the performance,[31]as it was when the ballet created a live music/dance collaboration with the Indigo Girls.[32]
Personal life
[edit]Patton and his ex-wife Sherlita have one son and one daughter. They divorced in June 2022, citing irreconcilable differences.
Patton is a registeredPit bullandFrench Bulldogbreeder, and owns a 40-acre ranch outside of Atlanta he calls "the Ritz Carlton for Dogs."[33]He is also the owner of two owls named Hootie and Hoodini.[34]
In 2009, together with Janice Faison Ahmed, Patton started Celebrity Trailers, an RV rental company created for professionals in the film, entertainment, and sports industries.[35]
In August 2011, Patton was returning from a cruise when a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement drug dog at thePort of Miamialerted officers. Patton was arrested and charged with illegal possession of the controlled substanceMDMA(in powder form) andViagra.[36]Patton was released from theMiami-Dade Countyjail on a $16,000 bond.[37][38]
In 2013, while performing at the Summer Camp Music Festival, Big Boi did an air kick onstage and hurt his knee. Doctors determined that he tore his patella and did an operation to fix his knee. After the surgery, he had to postpone several tour dates but promised he would be performing again in six weeks.[39]
He appeared as Mayor Atkins in the2018 remakeof the classic 1972 blaxploitation filmSuper Fly.
Patton is a long-time fan ofKate Bushand was her presenter for her induction into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein 2023.[40]
Politics and endorsements
[edit]The City of East Point, Georgia, presented Big Boi with the city's 2021 Global Icon Award and Key to the City for his contribution to the music industry and elevation of the City of East Point.[41]
In an interview withNew York City's Hot 97,Big Boi stated that the day after the2012 United States presidential election,a woman approached him at an airport and congratulated him on "his win last night" (referring toBarack Obamawinning re-election), to which Big Boi responded, "Bitch, I voted forGary Johnson."[42][43][44]In a video interview with theHuffPostin January 2013, he confirmed hislibertarianpolitical ideologies.[44]
In 2006, Big Boi founded the Big Kidz Foundation, a nonprofit organization to help youth in Atlanta.[45]The Foundation's mission is to provide culturally-diverse experiences in the field of humanities while helping create socially-conscious youth. In January 2010, Big Boi and the executive director, Jennifer Shephard Lester, launched the Big Kidz Foundation in Savannah, Georgia. Lester also started the Rene Patton Scholarship, named after Big Boi's late aunt, and the "Saving Lives Through the Arts Campaign."[46]"
In 2010, Big Boi launched his custom Chuck Taylor sneakers with Converse.[47]The shoes feature the title of his Def Jam solo album debut:Sir Lucious Left Footon the left, andSon of Chico Dustyon the right. His Big Boi logo is featured on the tongue of the shoe.
In 2015, Big Boi announced on the Rap Radar Podcast that he supportedBernie Sandersfor President.[48]
Discography
[edit]- Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty(2010)
- Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors(2012)
- Boomiverse(2017)
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | Uncovered: The Series-Outkast | Himself | |
2004 | 20 Funerals | Lucious | |
2004 | The Industry | Himself | |
2006 | ATL | Marcus | |
2006 | Idlewild | Rooster | |
2007 | Who's Your Caddy? | Christopher "C-Note" Hawkins | |
2008 | How 2 Bulid a Rapper | Industry Professional | |
2009 | Kiss and Tail: The Hollywood Jumpoff | Himself | |
2010 | Kings of the Underground: The Dramatic Journey of UGK | Himself | |
2011 | Mr Immortality: The Life and Times of Twista | Himself | |
2012 | CounterPoint Music Festival | Himself | |
2014 | What Is Jai Paul | Himself | |
2016 | The Art of Organized Noize | Himself | |
2017 | Baby Driver | Restaurant Patron #1 | |
2018 | Superfly | Mayor Atkins | |
2018 | The Andre 3000 Documentary | Himself | |
2019 | The Trap | Himself | |
2020 | LA Originals | Himself |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | King of the Hill | Reverend Nealy (voice) | Episode: "Church Hopping" |
2006–2007 | Girlfriends | Himself | 3 episodes |
2008 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Gots Money | Episode: "Wildlife" |
2010 | Freaknik: The Musical | The Preacher | Television film |
2011 | The Cookout 2 | Peanut | Television film |
2012 | The Playlist | Remix Victim – ScreenWerks | Episode: "Instruments of Destruction" |
2012 | Single Ladies | Himself | Episode: "Slave to Love" |
2017 | Star | Himself | Episode: "Next of Kin" |
2017 | Animals | Fox 2 | Episode: "Pigeons" |
2019 | The Bobby DeBarge Story | Berry Gordy | Television film |
2019 | Scream | Police Officer | 2 episodes |
2019 | Creepshow | Pawnbroker | Episode: "All Hallow's Eve/The Man in the Suitcase" |
2020 | Celebrity Family Feud[49] | Himself | Season premiere |
2022 | The Future of | Himself | Episode: "Dogs" |
Video games
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | Def Jam: Icon | Himself (voice) | |
2013 | Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel | Charles "Chuy" Rendall (voice) |
References
[edit]- ^"Outkast's Big Boi and Wife Sherlita Patton Divorce After 20 Years of Marriage: Report".People.June 29, 2022.
- ^"Charts".Billboard.RetrievedMay 25,2017.
- ^"Outkast – Where Are They Now?".HotNewHipHop.December 20, 2023.
- ^"Antwan 'Big Boi' Patton".Flixster. Archived fromthe originalon July 31, 2012.RetrievedApril 28,2012.
- ^"Big Boi talks Kate Bush, Chico Dusty, 'Rap Jedi School', and the timeline for a new OutKast album".Los Angeles Times.September 29, 2010.RetrievedJune 9,2022.
- ^Hogan, Marc (November 23, 2011)."A Short History of Big Boi's Kate Bush Obsession".Spin.RetrievedJune 9,2022.
- ^Andrew Gill (July 20, 2010)."Big Boi does the Wikipedia Files".wbez.org.Chicago Public Radio. Archived fromthe originalon August 25, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 28,2010.
- ^"Big Boi: Boy O Boi!".bluesandsoul.
- ^Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty(2010): Reviews.Metacritic.Retrieved on July 5, 2010.
- ^Dietz, Jason.July's Best New Music.Metacritic. Retrieved on July 29, 2010.
- ^Harvilla, Rob.Big Boi Is Not Too ArtsyArchivedJuly 11, 2010, at theWayback Machine.The Village Voice.Retrieved on July 6, 2010.
- ^"Twitter / BigBoi: Breaking News!!!!! Title of".Twitter.RetrievedDecember 10,2012.
- ^"Big Boi Sets Release Date for Upcoming LP".pastemagazine.Archived fromthe originalon September 24, 2015.RetrievedSeptember 9,2015.
- ^"Big Boi Pushes Album to December, Reveals Cover Art".RetrievedNovember 1,2012.
- ^"Big Boi Reveals Features From" Vicious Lies And Dangerous Rumors "".Archived fromthe originalon November 11, 2012.RetrievedNovember 10,2012.
- ^"Big Boi Reveals He's" Ten Songs Deep "Into His Third Solo LP".November 28, 2012.RetrievedNovember 29,2012.
- ^"OutKast's Big Boi confirms new solo album | News".Nme.Com. January 23, 2014.RetrievedJune 2,2014.
- ^"Big Boi – Mother of Dragons".indieshuffle.RetrievedMarch 10,2014.
- ^"Big Boi Signs New Management Deal: 'We Have a Lot of New Material Coming' (Exclusive)".Billboard. March 21, 2014.RetrievedJune 2,2014.
- ^Paul Cantor (May 10, 2014)."Big Boi Announces New Record Deal | Paul Cantor".HuffPost.RetrievedJune 2,2014.
- ^"Big Boi Announces New Album Boomiverse, New Songs With Adam Levine, Killer Mike, and Jeezy".pitchfork. April 19, 2017.RetrievedApril 19,2017.
- ^Apple iPhone X TV Spot, 'Animoji Yourself' Song by Big Boi.RetrievedAugust 4,2024– via ispot.tv.
- ^Karp, Hannah (March 26, 2018)."L.A. Reid's Hitco Ramps Up With 25 Hires and Handful Of New Acts".Billboard.RetrievedApril 21,2018.
- ^Halperin, Shirley (March 22, 2018)."L.A. Reid's First Post-Sony Signing Is Outkast's Big Boi (EXCLUSIVE) – Variety".Variety.RetrievedApril 21,2018.
- ^Caramanica, Jon (February 3, 2019)."Maroon 5 Barely Leaves a Mark at the Super Bowl Halftime Show".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedFebruary 5,2019.
- ^"Maroon 5 to perform Super Bowl despite controversy".January 14, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 5,2019.
- ^"Big Boi confirms he has recorded a new song with Kate Bush".The Fader. November 15, 2021.RetrievedMay 18,2022.
- ^Big Boi on Law & Order (VIDEO)StraightFromTheA (November 18, 2008)
- ^[1]BloodyDisgusting (June 20, 2019)
- ^"Ballet Performances – Atlanta Ballet Tickets – Atlanta Ballet".Archived fromthe originalon January 31, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 9,2015.
- ^"SPIN: Big Boi Collaborates with Atlanta Ballet".November 2, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon November 2, 2007.
- ^McLendon, Sherri L. (2002)."Indigo Girls Complement Atlanta Dancers. – Atlanta Ballet performs multimedia dance work – dance review".Dance Magazine.Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2012.
- ^Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me (March 14, 2020)."'Wait Wait' For March 14, 2020, With Not My Job Guest Big Boi ".NPR.RetrievedMarch 14,2020.
- ^"Big Boi Wants to Keep His Owls Forever-Ever".RollingStone.November 9, 2019.
- ^"Janice Ahmed owns 'Celebrity Trailers' with business partner Big Boi of OutKast".Rollingout.May 17, 2018.
- ^Antwan "Big Boi" Patton Arrested!StraightfromtheA (August 7, 2011)
- ^"OutKast member Big Boi arrested in Miami on drug charges".Miami Herald.August 7, 2011.RetrievedAugust 7,2011.[dead link]
- ^Campbell, Janie (August 7, 2011)."Outkast's Big Boi Jailed On Drug Charges in Miami".NBC Miami.RetrievedAugust 7,2011.
- ^"Big Boi From Outkast – Total Knee Obliteration... Caught On Tape".TMZ.May 31, 2013.
- ^Minsker, Evan (November 4, 2023)."Read Big Boi's Speech Inducting Kate Bush Into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2023".Pitchfork.RetrievedNovember 4,2023.
- ^"Outkast's Big Boi honored by City of East Point with key to the city, proclamation".11Alive.February 22, 2021.
- ^"Rapper Big Boi: Trashing Obama, praising Gary Johnson · Hammer of Truth".Hammeroftruth. December 13, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon July 28, 2013.RetrievedAugust 8,2013.
- ^"Big Boi's Post-Election Racist Moment:" I Voted for Gary Johnson "– Hit & Run".Reason. December 29, 2012.RetrievedAugust 8,2013.
- ^ab"WATCH: Big Boi Explains He Didn't Vote For Obama".Huffington Post.January 11, 2013.
- ^"The Official Site of Big Boi's Big Kidz Foundation".RetrievedSeptember 9,2015.
- ^"Big Boi's Big Kidz Foundation's 'Celebrity Weekend' kicks off Friday| Savannah Now |".savannahnow.RetrievedMay 26,2010.
- ^"Big Boi Creates Classic Fashion with Converse! Sneaker Honors Star's Unique Style!".UrbLife.August 13, 2010.
- ^"Big Boi Supports Bernie Sanders, Stands by Second Amendment".radio.September 29, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon October 1, 2015.
- ^"2 Chainz Delays 'So Help Me God' Album Release".Rap-Up.September 24, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 25,2020.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Official website
- Big Boidiscography atDiscogs
- Big BoiatIMDb
- 1975 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American rappers
- African-American Christians
- African-American male rappers
- American male rappers
- African-American male singers
- African-American record producers
- American hip hop record producers
- American libertarians
- American male singers
- Christian libertarians
- Dungeon Family members
- Grammy Award winners for rap music
- Musicians from Savannah, Georgia
- Outkast members
- Purple Ribbon All-Stars members
- Rappers from Atlanta
- Southern hip hop musicians
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male video game actors
- African-American male actors