He can be identified by his rapid delivery and intricate rhymes, a style which has become more distinct since the album ATLiens.
In addition to his OutKast and Dungeon Family work, Big Boi has featured in other artists' songs. His most notable guest appearances were on the 1999 Missy Elliott hit, "All N My Grill," the Youngbloodz' "85 South," and Trick Daddy's 2001 single "In Da Wind."
After four increasingly successful albums as a duo since 1991, André 3000 decided to make a solo album as a side project. Big Boi also produced a solo effort, and the two albums were packaged together as Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in 2003. Big Boi's single from the album, The Way You Move featuring Sleepy Brown, was originally supported by urban radio then crossed over to pop charts. When "The Way You Move" supplanted Hey Ya! as the #1 song on the US pop charts, OutKast achieved the rare honor of a group replacing itself at the top of the charts. The second single from Big Boi's side of the album was Ghetto Musick, which featured André 3000 and a sample from Patti LaBelle's Love, Need & Want You.
Def Jam Records has announced "Sir Lucious Left Foot: the Son of Chico Dusty," a Big Boi solo effort will be released in the summer of 2010.
He released a mixtape/compilation album, "Got Purp? Vol 2," in conjunction with the Purple Ribbon All-Stars in November 2005 on Purple Ribbon Records. The first single from the album was "Kryptonite", which cracked the Billboard Hot 100 and was a hit on hip hop radio.
Big Boi is married to Sherlita Patton, with whom he has two children: a daughter, Jordan, and a son , Bamboo. His oldest son, Antwan Jr., is from a prior relationship. Numerous references to the Patton family are present in Big Boi's rhymes.
His younger brother James raps under the name Lil' Brotha, and is a member of hip hop group Konkrete.
Big Boi and André 3000 star in "Idlewild," a film about music in the Depression-era South. It was released in August 2006.
Big Boi also appeared in season 3 of Nick Cannon's "Wildin' Out," as well as guest starring and appearing as a musical guest on "Chappelle's Show." Besides "Idlewild" he has appeared in T.I.'s movie, "ATL," and starred in "Who's Your Caddy?"
CPU
Big Boi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
And it's you that's on my computer screen
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
The world is yours as soon as you log on
I'm long gone like the dro that's blown in the wind, friend
The fantasy begins and it never ends
We like to role play, throw on some Coldplay
Go get some drugs and alcohol, fuck our whole day
Now we're trapped in the matrix
While Big Brother out here making movies, nigga, don't say shit
And it's you that's on my computer screen
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
And it's you that's on my computer screen
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
The information age (age)
The age of information, but we're still enslave
So let me behave like a coon, bring the goons, go out and sell dope
That's what they shoving down our throat so I choke
And regurgitate truest lyrics I ever wrote, folk
My crew is loc'd out without the bandanas
Yet we keep it cracking like a egg yolk, nigga, that's Atlanta
By way of West Savannah
And it's you that's on my computer screen
Cause it's you that's on my mind
And it's you that's on my computer screen
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
As I scroll through the centrefolds
Wishing that the screen was three-dimensional
I know it doesn't seem too conventional
But it'll do until I get you in the physical
And it's you that's on my computer screen
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
And it's you that's on my computer screen
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
The flash memory that I'll hold is all I know of time
What was waiting all along is all I have to realize
I've got the dial tone
The glowing screen, it means we're not alone
And it's you that's on my computer screen
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
And it's you that's on my computer screen
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
The song "CPU" by Big Boi is an introspective exploration of the ways in which technology has affected our lives, specifically our relationships. The lyrics are filled with references to computers, screens, and the internet, all of which create a parallel with the ways in which we engage with each other. The repeated refrain of "And it's you that's on my computer screen/Cause it's you that's on my mind" reinforces this idea, as it suggests that even though we may be physically distant from one another, we still think about each other constantly because of our interactions online.
The first verse introduces the idea that the virtual world is consuming us, tempting us away from the tangible reality of life. The imagery of being "trapped in the matrix" and "Big Brother making movies" creates the sense that we are being controlled by our technology, and that we're helpless to escape it. The line, "Pretend that this life is but a dream then reality syncs in," shows the contrast between the desire to escape, and the realization that we cannot. The second verse delves deeper into this notion of being enslaved by technology, with mentions of "regurgitating truest lyrics" and "selling dope" as a metaphor for being controlled by societal pressures. The song concludes by acknowledging that, ultimately, we are still seeking real, physical connections with each other, and that technology can only go so far in that regard.
Overall, "CPU" is a commentary on the ways in which technology has changed our relationships, and the conflict we face when trying to reconcile our virtual lives with our "real" lives. While the lyrics are at times bleak, there is an underlying sense of hope that we can still find connections with each other, in spite of the barriers that technology creates.
Line by Line Meaning
And it's you that's on my computer screen
I am constantly thinking about you, and so you're the person I look for whenever I log onto my computer.
'Cause it's you that's on my mind
You occupy my thoughts, and I'm fixated on you all the time.
The world is yours as soon as you log on
The internet offers a boundless world of information and opportunities that we can access just by logging in.
I'm long gone like the dro that's blown in the wind, friend
I'm drifting away into cyberspace, like smoke blown away by the wind.
Pretend that this life is but a dream then reality syncs in
We may try to escape reality by immersing ourselves in our screens, but eventually we have to face real life and its challenges.
The fantasy begins and it never ends
We can create endless fantasies and realities online, which can be both liberating and trapping.
We like to role play, throw on some Coldplay
We enjoy pretending to be someone else online, often while listening to music.
Go get some drugs and alcohol, fuck our whole day
We may use drugs and alcohol to enhance our online experience, but it can also ruin our entire day.
Now we're trapped in the matrix
We have become stuck in a digital world that we may not want to leave or may not be able to exit.
While Big Brother out here making movies, nigga, don't say shit
The government may be watching and controlling what we do online, and we should be cautious about what we say or do.
The information age (age)
We are living in a time when information is more readily available than ever before.
The age of information, but we're still enslave
Despite the wealth of information available, we are still trapped and oppressed in many ways.
So let me behave like a coon, bring the goons, go out and sell dope
We may feel like we have to resort to negative behaviors to survive in a world where we feel oppressed.
That's what they shoving down our throat so I choke
We feel forced to accept and follow negative influences and behaviors that we don't want or believe in.
And regurgitate truest lyrics I ever wrote, folk
We may rebel against negative influences by creating art or sharing our truth through our work.
My crew is loc'd out without the bandanas
We are united and strong, without the need for traditional symbols of gang affiliation.
Yet we keep it cracking like a egg yolk, nigga, that's Atlanta
We keep things lively and exciting, even in the face of adversity, and that's a characteristic of our city.
As I scroll through the centrefolds
As I look through images or videos online, likely of pornography or attractive people.
Wishing that the screen was three-dimensional
We may long to have a more complete and immersive experience online.
I know it doesn't seem too conventional
We are aware that our desires and behaviors online might be seen as unconventional or unacceptable by some.
But it'll do until I get you in the physical
We may be using our time online as a substitute for a real-life connection, but it's not the same as being with the person we desire.
The flash memory that I'll hold is all I know of time
Our memories and experiences online become a part of us and our identity, shaping how we view our past as well as future preferences for technology.
What was waiting all along is all I have to realize
We may realize that what we were seeking online was something that we had within us all along or that we have already encountered before.
I've got the dial tone
We may be constantly connected to technology, waiting for someone or something to interact with us.
The glowing screen, it means we're not alone
Even though we may feel lonely or disconnected in real life, our screens and technology offer a sense of connection and belonging.
Lyrics © ASSET MUSIC PUBLISHING, ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., THIS IS A REY VISION
Written by: ANTWAN PATTON, CHRIS CARMOUCHE, DEMOND ARNESS TONEY, JERON JOSE WARD, JOSH CARTER, SARAH BARTHEL, SHELTON EUGENE OLIVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind