Review: Big Boi–Sir Lucious Left Foot, The Son of Chico Dusty

Since the 2003 release of “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below,” critics have contrasted Big Boi with OutKast cohort Andre 3000, often exulting Andre’s space-funk flair and discounting Boi’s consistency as less creative.

Things didn’t bode well for the Atlanta emcee’s first solo venture when Jive Records refused to promote “Sir Lucious Left Foot” (dubbed “too artistic”) and forbade Andre’s appearance on the record. The resulting label divorce delayed “Sir Lucious” from putting his left foot forward for two years.

Big Boi transformed the struggle to inspiration for his signature spit-and-tumble delivery. “Tryin’ to block my shine just ain’t gon’ happen so don’t try,” he says on “Shine Blockas,” just before a smooth-as-the-hood-of-a-Cadillac assist from Gucci Mane, one of several new collaborators who invigorate Boi’s production.