Big Boi

Big Boi
Name	Big Boi
Caption	Big Boi performing
Birth name	Antwan André Patton
Birth date	February 1, 1975
Birth place	Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, Southern hip hop, funk, soul
Occupation	Rapper, songwriter, record producer, actor, entrepreneur
Years active	1992–present
Labels	LaFace, Arista, Sony, Epic, Purple Ribbon, Def Jam
Associated acts	OutKast, André 3000, Goodie Mob, Sleepy Brown, Organized Noize, Killer Mike

Big Boi Antwan André Patton, known professionally as Big Boi, is an American rapper, songwriter, producer, actor, and entrepreneur. Rising to prominence as one half of the Atlanta hip hop duo OutKast, he has also established a solo career and diverse business interests. Patton's work spans recording, film, fashion, and philanthropy, making him a prominent figure in Southern hip hop and popular culture.

Early life and education

Patton was born in Savannah and raised in the Bankhead neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Westlake High School (Atlanta), where he met peers who would later be influential in Atlanta music circles, and later enrolled at Georgia State University before focusing on music. Growing up, he was exposed to the cultural environments of Savannah, Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, and the broader Southeastern United States, connecting him to scenes tied to labels like LaFace Records and collectives such as Organized Noize.

Career with OutKast

In the early 1990s Patton formed OutKast with André 3000, emerging from the Atlanta hip hop community alongside contemporaries like Goodie Mob, Rasheeda, and producers associated with LaFace Records. OutKast's debut, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, released on LaFace Records, established links to executives like L.A. Reid and Babyface. The duo's subsequent albums—ATLiens, Aquemini, Stankonia—connected them with producers and artists including Organized Noize, Sleepy Brown, CeeLo Green, T.I., and Killer Mike. OutKast achieved mainstream breakthroughs with singles that charted on Billboard Hot 100 and earned recognition at major ceremonies like the Grammy Awards, performing at festivals such as Lollapalooza and touring with acts like Jay-Z and Eminem. The group's double album, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, showcased Patton's Speakerboxxx persona alongside André 3000's The Love Below, producing hits like "The Way You Move" and "Hey Ya!" and winning multiple Grammy Awards including Album of the Year. OutKast's influence reached film soundtracks, collaborations with directors like Spike Lee and placements in franchises associated with Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, while members pursued individual projects connected to labels like Epic Records and Arista Records.

Solo career and collaborations

After OutKast's hiatus, Patton launched a solo career with projects released through imprints such as Purple Ribbon Records and distributed by major companies like Sony Music Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings. His solo albums featured collaborations with artists including T.I., Lil Wayne, Pharrell Williams, Andre 3000, Killer Mike, B.o.B, Kid Cudi, Janelle Monáe, and producers from the Neptunes, DJ Premier, and Organized Noize. Patton also worked with international acts and producers tied to XL Recordings and Warner Music Group for remixes and festival appearances at Coachella and Glastonbury Festival. He collaborated on tracks with artists represented by labels like Universal Music Group and appeared on television programs aired by networks including MTV, BET, and NBC.

Musical style and influences

Patton's musical approach blends Southern hip hop, funk, soul, and elements of R&B and rock, drawing inspiration from artists and institutions such as James Brown, Prince (musician), George Clinton, Parliament-Funkadelic, Sly Stone, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Curtis Mayfield, and producers like Rick Rubin. His flow, cadences, and storytelling reflect the Atlanta scene connected to venues like The Masquerade (Atlanta), radio stations including V-103 (Atlanta), and influential Atlanta artists such as OutKast contemporaries, Goodie Mob, YoungBloodZ, and Trick Daddy. Patton has cited inspiration from musical movements tied to Motown Records, Stax Records, and the broader funk and soul traditions, while his production aesthetic intersects with hip hop innovators like DJ Premier, Dr. Dre, The Neptunes, and Kanye West.

Acting and business ventures

Patton has appeared in films and television projects associated with studios like Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures, collaborating with directors and actors including John Singleton, Forest Whitaker, Samuel L. Jackson, and Quentin Tarantino in ancillary roles and soundtrack contributions. Entrepreneurially, he has launched ventures in fashion, partnerships with brands such as Adidas, Puma, and boutique labels linked to Pharrell Williams's enterprises, and investments connected to Atlanta startups and hospitality projects near institutions like Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Patton has engaged in music publishing arrangements with companies like ASCAP and BMI, licensing deals with streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and visual media placements on networks like HBO and Netflix.

Personal life and advocacy

Patton maintains ties to Atlanta and Savannah communities, supporting local organizations and educational initiatives tied to institutions such as Georgia State University and Morehouse College. He has participated in charitable efforts alongside figures like Usher (musician), Beyoncé Knowles foundations, and civic leaders from City of Atlanta mayoral administrations. Patton has spoken on issues affecting artists, intellectual property, and cultural preservation in forums hosted by organizations including Recording Academy and panels at SXSW and TEDxAtlanta. His advocacy intersects with criminal justice and community development groups related to Southern Poverty Law Center-adjacent causes and local nonprofits.

Awards and legacy

Patton's career with OutKast and as a solo artist has earned him awards and nominations from institutions including the Grammy Awards, BET Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and inductions into local halls and tributes in Atlanta cultural institutions. OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below and other projects influenced generations of artists across labels like Def Jam, Cash Money Records, Top Dawg Entertainment, and Young Money Entertainment, impacting musicians such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, J. Cole, Childish Gambino, Killer Mike, Anderson .Paak, Future (rapper), and Migos. Patton's legacy is preserved in museum exhibitions, retrospectives at venues like the High Museum of Art and archival collections at universities including Emory University and Georgia State University, cementing his role in the development of Southern hip hop and American popular music.

Category:American rappers Category:Musicians from Atlanta