BIG BOI PERFORMING IN ATLANTA ON THE KIN SPOT TOUR

In the golden era of Outkast's rise to prominence, which was marked by the arrival of 1998's Aquemini, Andre 3000 (André Benjamin) and Big Boi (Antwan Patton) were virtually interchangeable characters. (The album's title was a hybrid of their astrological signs). Likewise, the mash-up of Big Boi's focused but playful work ethic and Andre's Bowie-esque flair resulted in a funky and psychedelic hip-hop phenomenon that was truly greater than the sum of its parts. But in the wake of the global superstar status that came with 2000's Stankonia, the dynamic shifted. Andre became the media darling with a smooth growl, taking on bit roles in Hollywood films, while Big Boi stayed closer to home, churning out true school G-funk jams while fostering a stable of hip-hop up and comers with his Virgin Records imprint, Purple Ribbon Entertainment. Since 2007, the rumor mill has been grinding away with talk of Outkast's forthcoming album, the group's inevitable split, not to mention Big Boi's difficulties negotiating with his label over the release of his solo debut, Sir Lucious Left Foot, the Son of Chico Dusty. Songs from that project have leaked here and there, but last week, the official release of "Shutterbug" offered firm proof that Sir Lucious Left Foot is about to step up.

On Thursday night, Big Boi along with DJ Cutmaster Swiff and fellow MC Black-Owned C-Bone, took the stage at the Yaraab Shrine Temple on Atlanta's Ponce de Leon Avenue for a stop on the Kin Spot Tour (Jay Electronica and the blue-eyed Alabama MC Yelawolf are also along for the ride). Much of Big Boi's set consisted of a medley of Outkast crowd-pleasers, touching on "Bombs Over Baghdad (B.O.B.)," "Skew It on the Bar-B," and "Ms. Jackson." But the crowd roared loudest when he launched into "Shutterbug." I caught up with Big Boi for a quick talk just minutes before he stepped out onto the stage.

CHAD RADFORD: What did you have in mind when you were going into the new album, Sir Lucious Leftfoot? How has it evolved over time?

BIG BOI:  My goal every time I make a record is just to make the funkiest, the best music I could possibly make, both lyrically, and music-wise. The music that I make is built on layers upon layers of musical ideas. I want to keep it fun and fresh to where listeners won't get everything from just one listen. They can go back to it months, weeks, or even years later and hear something that they didn't ever hear before. That's what it's all about. The record is a treasure chest of knowledge and grooves. I wanted to make something that's timeless, something that doesn't play out too quick. You know what I'm sayin'?

RADFORD: Is it a concept album?

BIG BOI: It's not really concept album–and it never was meant to be–but I would say it's a more mature side of me. It's a stand-alone album where I put my best foot forward. I think of myself as a soul-funk crusader, and whenever I leave room, I'm going to leave imprints upon it. You're gonna feel me even after I left, and even before I get there you're gonna know it's me coming, because you're going to feel some of the jammenest music that you're going to hear anywhere, and that's what it's all about.