Big Boi Welcomes Us to the World of Luscious Left Foot

During the past couple years, Outkast's Andre 3000 has been making headlines and G.O.A.T. lists (rightfully) by returning to rhyming form. His partner Big Boi never stopped being a consistently excellent MC, but since it's easy to take consistency for granted, recently Big Boi has played Jan Brady to Andre's Marcia. It turns out that's just fine by Big Boi. He says, "I just don't need attention. That's not what I want. I just want people to hear what I'm saying."

Big Boi will get his wish with the release of his first official solo album, Sir Luscious Left Foot ... Son of Chico Dusty, which comes out via La Face/Zomba this fall. It features production from Big Boi himself as well as longtime Outkast collaborators Organized Noize, Scott Storch, and Lil Jon, as well as guest spots from Andre 3000 and Raekwon (on "Royal Flush"), Mary J. Blige (on "Something's Gotta Give"), George Clinton, T.I., and Too $hort.

In a recent phone conversation, I talked to Big Boi about Sir Luscious Left Foot, the writing process, the next Outkast album, and "Big", his show with the Atlanta Ballet. He also shared the not-so-guilty pleasure of listening to Conway Twitty.

Pitchfork: How are you doing?

Big Boi: I'm doing better than excellent. How you doing?

Pitchfork: Very well. Tell me about Sir Luscious Left Foot.

BB: Sir Luscious Left Foot is just the grown version of Big Boi. I started out young-- 15, 16 in the game-- and now I'm older, so I'm your knight in rhyming armor. I got my knighthood and am just, lyrically and musically, as sharp as I want to be right now. So he's fierce about his music and takes it dead seriously. That's why you've got to address him as "Sir" Luscious.

Pitchfork: Are Daddy Fat Sacks or any of your other alter egos on the album?

BB: You also got Daddy Fat Sacks, he's on the album. Also, General Patton's on there as well, but, you know, Luscious is gonna take the forefront this time, just to let 'em know what's going on.

Pitchfork: Do you actually differentiate between these personas?

BB: No, Dre's [Andre 3000 --Ed.] been doing it for years. It's just different personas and different moods, actually, when you feel different ways. It's just different parts of you. I mean, I might be borderline schizophrenic sometimes...

Pitchfork: [Laughs.]

BB: You never know. This is where we're at right now.

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