Outkast while southern rappers has always pushed the envelope when it comes to using different styles and sounds. On their double album it’s no different. While Dre goes to one extreme (a very good one indeed, check out The Love Below review) Big Boi goes with stays what most would think is your typical Outkast complete with talk about Cadillacs, Women and having a good time. But when you look closer you see that in this album Boi also talks about more like Politics and the 2000 election, the war in Iraq and being a father of two and what that is like. While Big Boi isn’t diverting from makes him great he also is expanding his topics and that along with what we all know and love about Outkast makes Speakerboxxx a very good album.

The “Intro” cut by Cutmaster Swift leads you into the frenzy of music called “Ghettomusick”, which sounds like something from a fast and furious car chase. Produced by Andre, the track has a rushing beat than comes to a stop aided by Patti Labelle line from her hit “Love, Need & Want You”. The keyboard and organ are used to create a collaboration of sound sure to make you head move. Big Boi tells people about his skills and also about people who don’t come correct in the rap game.

Big Boi tells people to have a good time and live it up while you can in “Unhappy”. The chorus says: “might as well have fun ‘cause your happiness is done when your goose is cooked!” Despite the things that may set you back and give you frustration you must keep a positive attitude cause there are so many things that we can be thankful for.

“ Bowtie” brings Jazze Pha and Sleepy Brown to the mix as Big Boi talks about his feeling of invincibility when he’s in his bowtie, shoes sparkling and he’s riding in his Cadillac. Whether it’s dealing with the females in the club or in the streets the message is clear: Don’t mess with the man when he’s sharp, he’s sure to pull a couple of ladies to the place of his choice.

Of course “The Way You Move” is the first single off the album and Big Boi breaks down what Dre was doing and most importantly what makes him go crazy when a woman moves down the street or the club. From those hips to the lips and especially the… well you get the picture. This song has been bumping on the small screen and on the radio for a while. If you saw the video you know why it did so well, one name to remember: Ki Toy Johnson. One word: Damn!

“ The Rooster” is about that relationship that is getting old and one minor thing leads to an arguments. With so many things on his plate it’s hard for Big Boi to keep it together. He wakes up on the sofa with his family gone and wondering what went wrong. The beat produced by Carl Mo features a strong horn sound and the bass and guitar lend that strong bottom line. The stories he tells are ones all can relate to because they deal with misconception and miscommunication.

Killer Mike joined his brethren in “Bust”, a murky track produced by Big Boi himself. I sounds like a song you would hear around Halloween along with a tight electric guitar playing a rock and roll flavor tune. While talking about hustling and it consequences Boi does his think of course but Killer Mike is quietly one of the best from the south. His voice is easily recognizable and also shows more versatility than just punchlines like “My waistline hold a 4-pound Beretta, I’ll shoe lace your face just to learn you better”.

“ War” asks questions and gives answers when it comes to the current world environment. Produced by Mr. D.J. this song has two parts one when Boi is coming at MC’s who tell tales and the rest of the song is talking about the government, the people and the “reasons” for this war. Listen carefully; this song poses questions we should all be thinking about.

“ Church” produced by Andre tells people to keep the faith to a churchy beat. Big Boi talks about being broke, getting stopped by the cops, losing your ways and even you job. The chorus has a choir singing in the background and the keyboard is lovely.

“ Tomb of the Boom” features relative newcomers Konkrete with Goodie Mob’s Big Gipp and ATL neighbor Ludacris. The beat will make you pop your collar in the car with the drums bumping throughout the song. Ludacris brings that flava that we know and love: They don’t believe I will stab them in the abdomen, from College Park, Georgia, to College Park, Maryland”. The song talks about everything in the hood from cops following minorities to women.

“ The Knowing” talks about when you knowingly do something that may be wrong but you do it cause it may the fast or convenient think not thinking about the long-term consequences and where your pride is headed. Bringing up examples of hustling drugs or your body Boi drops lines like: “Fast cash should be the last resort so make it last for the risk you took, trick you shook your ass for some hundred dollar heels and a designer bag, now that’s ass backwards”.

Jay-z and Killer Mike join Big Boi for “Flip-Flop Rock” a collaborative effort not worth the wax but definitely worth the money it will generate. While all do their individual things and the song is hot, you want more Jay-Z for his name being on the track. He does the chorus and a fast paced last verse but it isn’t anything classic. The song is a nice effort with an Atliens album feel to it. The best part of the song is when it breaks down to the piano keys playing. The guitar used is also great in the track.

“ Reset” with Khujo Goodie and Cee-Lo takes you on a journey with a beat that reminds you of Aquemini and one of its tracks: “Liberation”. A beautiful voice courtesy of Debra Killings asks you to: “Start over again”. The simple keyboard use and production by Big Boi gives the track a very therapeutic feel. It makes you think of what happen in your day or in you life. No matter what happens everything happens for reason so there is no reason to fret just move on!

“ Last Call” brings Big Boi together with the Kings of Crunk: Lil Jon and the Eastside Boyz, Aquemini Records artist Slimm Calhoun and Mello. The Andre 3000 produced track is for the club and just tells the dudes on the wall to leave if you aren’t trying to get crazy and the pretty ladies to step up in their directions! Of course you can hear Lil Jon voice in the background yelling as usual. You could definitely hear this track in the club!

The album while more in the Outkast mode than Dre’s album does show Big Boi as more than a tag team partner. His diversity in lyric and flow style helps him travel through the different beats on the LP and his production skills are duly noted as he produced or co-produced eight tracks on the album. This isn’t a classic but when you listen to your Outkast albums you won’t hesitate to throw this on as well. With beats and topics for everyone this album was definitely worth his time and effort. If the unfortunate happened and Outkast never played together again this would be a great beginning for the man named Antwan Patton b.k.a. Big Boi! While he had some help in production and with guest appearances he never took a back seat to his help and proved he could get deep on his solo joints.

I’ll give it 4 globes.

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