Big Boi: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Oct. 10, 2018 | Abby O'Neill -- The energy in the room was buoyant and vibrant from the moment they walked in the door. OutKast star Big Boi, Sleepy Brown of the prolific Atlanta production collective Organized Noize, and their eight-member backing band have been working together for 20-plus years, and their chemistry is instantaneous and undeniable.

These guys helped redefine the sound and style of hip-hop in the '90s, incorporating funk and psychedelia while transcending genre boundaries. As half of OutKast — still the only rap group ever to take home Album of the Year at the Grammys — Big Boi continues to thrive as a solo act, riding the charts with last year's Boomiverse and its hit single "All Night."

Big Boi played that infectious, horn-drenched banger at the Tiny Desk, and book-ended it with two of his best-known OutKast songs: "So Fresh, So Clean" from 2000's Stankonia and "The Way You Move" from 2003's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Along the way, he and his stellar supporting players just keep feeding off each other in a set that's bound to leave you smiling.

Personnel
Big Boi (lead vocals), Sleepy Brown (vocals), David Brown (guitar), Preston Crump (bass), Omar Phillips (drums), DJ Cutmaster Swift (turntables), Jason Freeman (trumpet), Jerry Freeman (trumpet), Keisha Williams (backing vocals), Terrance "Scar" Smith (backing vocals)

Set List
"So Fresh, So Clean"
"All Night"
"The Way You Move"

Credits
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Beck Harlan, Maia Stern, Kaylee Domzalski; Production Assistant: Brie Martin; Photo: Cameron Pollack/NPR

[davidmorrison]

Big boi has such a dope cadence to his rhyme structure.

[BrettonKey]

Big Boi is the southern Black Thought... got bars for days and yet often left out of Top conversations. Big Boi still flipping flows and cadences like it flapjacks since 95' to infinity.

[ReducedzL]

Everyone's sitting here talking about 3 stacks like Big Boi wasnt the other half of Outkast. Big Boi is the one performing for the people and us. Stop disrespecting one of the greatest do ever do it.

[Sassyglbeauty]

I hope before I die that OutKast comes together for at least 1 spectacular set! Nothing beats OutKast.

[Cweatherill]

The audio engineering on this is impeccable.

[memelord_yabish]

Why is everyone wearing hoodies? Cuz when Big Boi is on the mic you best to wear your sweater cuz he's cooler than a polar bear's toenails

[poerava]

Big boi tone is clean as hell. Love his flow

[el_b]

Big Boi is just as creative as 3 Stacks. That's important to note !

[alfg]

That intro at 9:05 to “The Way You Move” is on point! Ain’t nothin but a party y’all!

[astheskylarksings]

Big Boi is underrated, mainly because he use so many dang metaphors.. his bars are dripping with entendres

[Nomarandus]

We gotta admit Sleepy Brown is the Nate Dogg of the south

[ntmediadgirl]

Big Boi deserves his own shine!! He’s a dope MC and people always try to downplay him and put him in the shadow of Dre. His solo albums bang and he always holds it down for the south. ❤️

Then Sleepy Brown 😍😍

[teraillesane]

Big Boi has always held his own as one half of Outkast. He definitely knows to engage the audience. One of true pioneers of Southern Hip-Hop.

[venod]

Shouts to Big Boi for staying active for us. Holding down the music in the name of Outkast and the DF!

[skychambers]

Big boi was flawless with the delivery. Didn't miss a beat or word. That's real hip hop. Practiced and perfected.

[cakredi]

I don't know why, when I see this show, I feel the love.. Below.
Stank you. Very much.

[beatsbykana]

also shout out to big boi for always keeping sleepy involved that's a true friend right there

[mercimerc]

The coldest Tiny Desk performance YET. No disrespect to NOBODY but Big Boi smashed THIS.

[RV]

That live bass on The Way You Move sounds 10x better than the studio version.

[Chuuzus]

Big Boi. we need a new Outkast album!!