What we learned from Big Boi’s interview with Kid Cudi
At 51, Big Boi is in a reflective stage of life.
The Outkast legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee shared as much in an interview with rapper Kid Cudi.
“The small things in life bring me joy,” Antwan Patton (his legal name) professed on the latest episode of the “Big Bro with Kid Cudi” podcast.
The conversation was recorded before Kid Cudi kicked off his Rebel Ragers tour, which features Big Boi and had its Atlanta stop at Lakewood Ampitheatre on Wednesday. Cudi’s podcast debuted in April. In addition to Big Boi, Kylie Jenner, Jenna Ortega, Kel Mitchell, Wiz Khalifa and Adam Scott have all been guests.
It’s one of Big Boi’s longest interviews since appearing on “Conversate with Killer Mike” in November, just days before Outkast was inducted into the Rock Hall. From his memories of making classic albums such as “Southernplayasticadillacmuzik” and “Stankonia,” to his relationship with André 3000, the emcee kept it candid.
Here are a few takeaways from Big Boi’s interview with Kid Cudi.
His thoughts on ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’
OutKast’s 1994 album is etched in hip-hop and Southern rap lore, considered one of the greatest debuts ever. As Big Boi tells it, the record’s success was a group effort.
“It was, like, a Dungeon Family album,” he said. “You had all the members of the Dungeon Family on one record. Everybody contributed something.”
It was a true opportunity.
“This was our first shot being on a major label, and we if made it, everybody going to get a chance,” he said.
Why ‘Aquemini’ worked so well
With 1996’s “ATLiens” the group started carving out their own production niche with producer Mr. DJ as Earthtone III. Two years later, “Aquemini” was Earthtone III owning the creative process, resulting in the songs “Rosa Parks,” “Da Art of Storytellin’ (Pt. 1),” and “SpottieOttieDopaliscious.”
What Big Boi recalls was a “super experimental record” that finds its inspiration in individuality.
“It was about just really showcasing you and the evolution of you and you’re your person to the world,” he said.
It was fueled by the synergy between he and his partner-in-rhyme André 3000.
“We’re brothers, so we just played off each other. It’s the yin and yang, peanut butter, jelly,” he recalled.
His relationship with André 3000
When asked about the key to his musical connection with André 3000 (whose legal name is André Benjamin) and their current relationship, Big Boi got nostalgic. He said their bond goes back to being teenagers, when Big Boi’s mom wouldn’t sign off on his LaFace record deal till he graduated from high school.
“It was fate,” he said of their meeting.
“That’s my brother. Love him. We just get a chance to enjoy life now.”
‘Stankonia’ and the end of the world
Discussing OutKast’s fourth album, Big Boi jokes that everyone was afraid “the world was ‘bout to end” thanks to paranoia over Y2K.
After the success of “Aquemini,” Outkast hit the road. Traveling and embracing music outside their hometown comfort zone was their muse.
“Songs like ‘B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)’ (are) inspired by us being able to leave Georgia, travel the world and just see how big the world was, and what the world was doing, and it influenced our music,” he said.
Cudi and Big Boi working on a joint project
Several times over the course of the interview, Kid Cudi suggested he and Big Boi should finally make a joint project.
“I really would love for us by the end of tour to have like a EP or something,” Kid Cudi said.
Most notably, the two collaborated on 2012’s “She Hates Me,” a song from Big Boi’s second solo album, “Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors.”
Toward the end of their podcast chat, Kid Cudi doubled down on the idea.
“Putting our heads together and coming up with something. Man, we could really make something f------ special,” he added, noting the two are working on a single Kid Cudi initially sent Big Boi to feature on.
Big Boi’s response: “From scratch, we’re going to do some more.”
‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ idea
Outkast’s 2003 double album featured Big Boi and André 3000 on separate records packaged together.
The idea initially came from DJ Greg Street, Big Boi said. The latter spent his time recording at Stankonia Studios. André was mostly recording at his home studio.
“We were still working together but in different spaces,” Big Boi said.
“It was just, you know, I guess dissecting the group, like, OK let me give you a closer look into this guy and this guy. And it worked,” he said. “The fans loved it, man.”
Winning album of the year at the Grammys
Big Boi was asked about “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” winning album of the year at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2004, the first time a rap group won the award.
“It was like between that and getting in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It’s like you checked all the boxes in music, you won everything, sold all the records, and now you can do whatever you want to do,” he said.
“It’s like there’s nothing left to prove. Right now it’s all about your passion for the music. You’re doing it because you want to create and you want to give.”
Outkast inspired Kid Cudi
“Day ‘n’ Nite” is the 2008 song that served as Kid Cudi’s breakthrough into mainstream. The rapper said listening to Outkast led him down a path of experimentation.
“That was all because I was inspired by you guys and other artists, like-minded artists that were trying to push the boundaries,” he told Big Boi.
Outkast’s fashion choices
Few groups have been credited with affecting style in hip-hop more than Outkast. Over their careers, Braves jerseys, ski boots, turbans, fur coats and jumpsuits have all been fair game.
Without ever discussing their looks ahead of time, Big Boi and André 3000 were almost telekinetically linked in style.
“What was the coolest thing about me and my partner is we would never plan the outfits, but when we show up, the colors match,” Big Boi recalled.
That came from both artists channeling their personalities.
“It was about having your own personal touch along with a sense of street fashion, too,” he said.
About the Author
Gavin Godfrey is an editor and Team Lead for UATL, the AJC's Black culture franchise. He's an award-winning writer and editor from Atlanta who's covered everything from OutKast to the water boys. Before joining the AJC, Gavin worked for Capital B Atlanta, CNN, and Creative Loafing.