Weekend Jam: Outkast - Benz or Beamer

In anticipation of the Big Boi show in Austin Saturday we have a throwback Outkast joint for you today! From 1995's New Jersey Drive Soundtrack here is "Benz or Beamer". One of our favorite ATLiens jams from back in the day.

You know its vintage Kast when 3000 is rocking the kangol with no shirt and Big Boi is in a Braves hat and a jersey. And oh yeah, ATL just invented the "Bankhead Bounce". Those were the days...

-D. Griff

Album Review: Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot: Son of Chico Dusty

Its been a long time since we had some Outkast in our lives. I say that because the Idlewild Movie Soundtrack was years ago and not technically a group album. We were long overdue for some southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik and Big Boi's first solo LP definitely served up a plate full. Delay after delay keep us eagerly waiting for quite a while. Boi's former label Jive Records had this project first but never released it due to creative differences and commercial concerns. So, Big Boi jumped ship to Def Jam so his voice could be heard.

Antwan "Andre" Pattton aka Big Boi shines bright in his first solo effort, Sir Lucious Left Foot: Son of Chico Dusty. The album starts off with "Daddy Fat Sax" which definitely sets the tone for the entire record. Big Boi brags of being lyrically superior to any other while making sure everyone knows the current hip hop artists are not his equal. Track after track Big Boi makes those remarks astoundingly clear. Standout records like "Tangerine", "General Patton", "Turn Me On", and the lead single "Shutterbugg", all have the signature Outkast sound (mainly because Big Boi lent his talents to the production) we have grown to love. Outkast has always been the best at mixing futuristic sounds with funk. The track "For Ya Sorrows" featuring funklord himself George Clinton and Too Short reminds me of the Outkast gems from the 1990's that made us fall in love with the ATLiens to begin with.

The consistency of this album is the most impressive thing to me. Just about any song on this album could be a potential single. No filler tracks. Big Boi loaded the album with features which was to be expected considering he has been working on the project for 4 years. However, the one cameo we were all looking forward to was notably absent. Unfortunately Jive records would not clear two INCREDIBLE tracks featuring partner in rhyme Andre 3000, "Royal Flush" and "Lookin 4 Ya". If those two songs make the record I say its perfect. For now I just say its the best hip hop record of 2010 thus far. Trust me when I say this will be one of the most slept on records of the next 5 years. I don't think anyone really knows how good this record is. The sound is so progressive and innovative while the lyricism is beyond stellar. Big Boi, good work sir.

4.7/5.0

-D. Griff

The Sartorialist

...Where the fly get inspiration.


So if you read GQ Magazine, then you've probably seen Scott Schuman's work. He's been covering (street) fashion photography for 5 years on his blog, thesartorialist.com; as well as for GQ. With 15 years of experienve in the fashion industry, he closed the doors to his showroom and decided to grab his camera & shoot everyday people on the streets of New York that he noticed had a flare for indivualised fashion.

Schuman shoots from a designer's perspective; looking for colors, pattern mixing, proportions, and genre variations. He doesnt judge the entire outfit as good or bad, but rather at its potential for inspiration. In the 5 years he's been posting to his blog, he has parlayed that into a monthly column for GQ, recurring spots on style.com, and even a guest speaker on international fashion industry panels.

I personally know that whenever i see his photos in GQ, i always do double takes. Its as if im seeing the people on the street firsthand. Everyday folks that dont really look like celebritites at all, but simply stand out because they look incredibly well put together. You;ll be surprised how inspiring it is. Even from a non-fashion perspective they are just intriguing to look at.
And i cant spend too much time on the website because it makes me want to dig through my closet and start mixing wild new outfits from the old stale crap sitting around, haha which wouldnt be a bad thing if i had some new ish up in there, but I DONT. So then i go out shopping which leads to trouble, ya feel me? LOL anyway, Scott just finished a book that is being released this month compiled of his favorite pictures from the site archives titled (surprise!!):" The Sartorialist". Its definately going on my list of (usually) random books to pic up next time I'm at B&N. On a related note, im also getting the itch to head back to NY, lol
-Steven

edit: I was unsure about the legalities of posting his picks directly on here, but the post feels so naked without something, so i took a couple screen shots. You may recognize the guy in the first pic. The story behind it is completely random too! lol small world..