School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Big Boi

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Big Boi's real name is Antwan André Patton. He was born in 1975 in Savannah, Georgia, and as a teenager moved to Atlanta, to an aunt. His grandmother sent him and his brothers and sisters to the shop to buy singles, and an uncle played him all kinds of music, such as that of Kate Bush, his favourite artist. At Tri-Cities High School, a school for the arts and performing arts, he met André Benjamin, the later André 3000.

Music and breakthrough

In 1992 the two formed OutKast and signed with LaFace Records in Atlanta. The duo made six albums and scored hits such as Ms. Jackson, So Fresh, So Clean, Roses and Elevators (Me & You). In 2003 the double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below appeared, on which each member made a half of his own. On Speakerboxxx Big Boi stayed close to the sound of earlier OutKast records: fast, agile raps over funky, Southern beats. His single The Way You Move, with the singer Sleepy Brown, knocked André 3000's Hey Ya! off the top spot in America.

Influence

After OutKast he began a solo career. Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (2010) was praised by critics for its inventive sound. Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors (2012) and Boomiverse (2017) followed. With OutKast, Big Boi showed that Atlanta and the American South had a distinctive, strong voice in hip hop. In 2025 he was inducted with OutKast into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to The Way You Move. Notice Big Boi's fast, rhythmic raps in the verses and Sleepy Brown's sung chorus, which gives the song a soulful and danceable character.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists