To many, Big Boi is the ‘other’ member of Outkast, but to me, he is a legendary rapper that created the pimpish persona that several rappers are rapping with today. While he is no rookie to the solo releases, he has been M.I.A. for a while, finally emerging after a 5 year hiatus. On this album, Big Boi looks to get back to his audacious ways, recruiting some of the most vivacious artists out in the industry.

---

TOP 5

 

5. ORDER OF OPERATIONS

There is no feature listed on the album credits for this song, but there is some mysterious kid that sets the tone for this record on the chorus. Dudes carefree style sounds excellent over the hyped up beat to me.

Big Boi came out ready to spit on this track, as he discusses the importance of everyone eating. While I find Big Boi to be a real chill guy, you can tell the topic that is discussed on this song hit a chord with him.

4. IN THE SOUTH

Big Boi, Gucci Mane, and Pimp C might go down as southern legends in terms of outrageous characters.

This is the theme song for a pimp from Mississippi! I can easily see a pimp making a club entrance to this song.

Gucci opens the song up rapping slowly to match the beat. Even though I get this pimpish feel from the song, Gucci is still talking about his gun arsenal (Don’t you just love Gucci?).

Pimp C is on the chorus, and he pretty much provides us with his stretched out southernly animated sound. I feel like it sounds like every single chorus he’s done in his life, but that’s ok cause it is still legendary.

Big Boi comes out spitting hard on this s–t, mixing this slow paced flow with a fast one. Big Boi definitely gives an inspired verse content-wise too, talking about how they doubted the south and now how we all look stupid…. Being an east coaster, I definitely had to raise my hand on that one.

This isn’t quite ‘International Players Anthem’, but it does have that same feel.

3. FREAKANOMICS 

I’m not sure why Big Boi refuses to credit these singers on his songs, but lets just hope none of these features are Roscoe Dash. (Roscoe is known to snitch about s–t like that.)

This is the quirky music that I think Big Boi is pretty underrated in! Back in the days, he relied on the Sleepy Browns of the world to provide this bizarre chorus that he rapped all normal over, and that’s what you get here. I love the energy of this record, and the chemistry for sure.

2. MIC JACK

This song may not be the most hip hop sounding track Big Boi could make, but it is definitely a sound he is capable of excelling at. While the song is dance-inspired, Big Boi doesn’t let it change the way he raps, delivering his bars as nasty as he usually does.

I love me some Adam Levine, and he doesn’t disappoint on this song at all! On his part, Levine gives listeners an exciting little hook that matches the electricity of the beat.

1. KILL JILL

Leave it to Big Boi to create an absolutely hyped up track that is based off an Asian woman singing in the background.

Big Boi, Killer Mike and Jeezy all share the limelight on this song equally, as they each go hard on their respective parts. Killer Mike goes the hardest, reminding us that Donkey Kong can spit flames whenever he wants to.

Something about the choppy style Big Boi is rapping with is so appealing to me nowadays! I swear, sounding like a skipping CD is in now.

This might be one of the better Jeezy choruses to come out in a while! He definitely solidifies this songs greatness.

---

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. DA NEXT DAY (4/5)

2. KILL JILL (5/5)

3. MIC JACK (4.7/5)

4. IN THE SOUTH (4.5/5)

5. ORDER OF OPERATION (4.6/5)

6. ALL NIGHT (4/5)

7. GET WIT IT (3.7/5)

8. OVERTHUNK (

9. CHOCOLATE (3/5)

10. MADE MEN (4.5/5)

11. FREAKANOMICS (4.5/5)

12. FOLLOW DEEZ (4.1/5)

---

OVERALL RATING (7.8/10)

I truly believe the product we call Big Boi is for the people, and on this album he made sure he accommodated every type of fan he had. From song to song, you get a different type of Big Boi – from commercial to hard hitting. I for one think Big Boi is more than capable of being that dynamic, so I have no problem with this approach.

Big Boi has not lost a beat lyrically to me! He still has the flow, lyrical ability, and confidence to put up impressive verses. I was also impressed with the topics he discussed on this album, never leaving us feeling like the material was stagnant.

You know what’s funny? In an industry where everyone sings now, Big Boi doesn’t even try to on this album (actually I take it back, he sings a little on ‘Freakanonmics), meaning he needed help on pretty much every song on this album. Some can call it unfortunate, but I call it staying in your lane.

I’m pretty surprised with the direction that Big Boi took on this album, but nonetheless, it’s still pretty good music.