Outkast has been in the game beyond a
decade now. Over the years, they have released five critically
acclaimed LPs, including 2003's "Speakerboxx / The Love Below",
which featured a complete solo disc from both members. Around
the release of their third LP, 1998's "Aquemini", Dre
and Big Boi decided to expand on their names with their very own
recording label - Titled Aquemini. They introduced the world to
two of Atlanta's greatest emcees in Slimm Calhoun (2000's "Skinny")
and Killer Mike (2003's "Monster"). They also introduced
the world to Sleepy Brown. With Dre moving closer and closer to
the big screens of Hollywood, Big Boi has now decided to cut and
end all dealings with the title Aquemini.
Enter Purple Ribbon. Referring to the history
of dog breeding, and with Big Boi being heavily into breeding
dogs, the label has been renamed Purple Ribbon Records. Already
boasting rapper Slimm Calhoun and Bubba Sparxxx, he expanded,
to now also feature fellow ATLiens Konkrete, who have been featured
on many of Outkast's prior tracks. Also featured on the label
is r&b singer Scar, and Bubba Sparxxx, who is best known for
his previous two albums with Timbaland's Beat Club Records. With
such a diverse setting, Big Boi is now ready to show the world
what they can do as a unit. Everyone has their own respective
following, and they all have what it takes for superstardom. We
had a chance to catch up with Big Boi to talk about the future
and what's to come over the next few months. Clearly, these guys
are a family unit, and together, they're set to take over the
rap game once and for all.
What's poppin yo ?
Big Boi: Yeah man, the dope game ain't
the same no more. First off, you made such a big name of Aquemini.
Why did you opt to change the name to Purple
Ribbon?
Big Boi: That's because it's no longer
an Outkast thang. It's my own label. I wanted to rename it Purple
Ribbon. They got to know the history behind it, you know, when
you breed dogs. It's like three generations of Purple Ribbons.
My artists got history and lineage behind them.
So besides Bubba Sparxxx, Killer Mike,
Konkrete, and Scar, who do you have on the label?
Big Boi: Sleepy Brown, and my sole pretty
girl Jonell.
Now what happened with Slimm Calhoun? Is
he still rolling with you guys?
Big Boi: Yeah, he is, but he's just on
hiatus, getting his music together. I saw him yesterday actually.
You do so much work on the side with Goodie Mob, and you guys
have been so close throughout your careers.
Had there ever been a thought to bringing
them to your label and work at bringing them back to the success
of their heyday?
Big Boi: Yep, I thought about it. Ok, because
like many of the fans, I miss the old days when everybody was
rolling together in a tight clique.
Big Boi: Yeah, that's what I'm about to
do right now. Everybody's doing their own things, but the door
is always open.
So the first release is Killer Mike?
Big Boi: Yes, on August 30th. What's things
looking like for Outkast? I know you were finishing up your movie
"My Life In Idlewood".
When is that set to hit?
Big Boi: Naw, that's just a temporary title.
We finished up the soundtrack, so we're trying to get the movie
out by the end of the year.
Are you planning to expand your acting
career further by doing more movies?
Big Boi: Oh no, I'm still going to be doing
movies. I've had a lot of offers, but every film I do, I want
it to mean something.
It seems like everytime you see an artist
running their own label, their artists never get the exposure
that they truly deserve. On the contrary, Killer Mike did exceptionally
well with your backing on his first LP. What was it that you did
to ensure his success?
Big Boi: It really was with him man. He's
got a great personality, he's a dope lyricist, and he's talking
about something. He knows how to get out here and talk to people.
By me and Dre taking him out everywhere we went, you know, he
won a grammy before his first album came out. The first album
went Gold. We just try to keep him grounded. We tell him don't
worry about what you just did, but worry about the future.
You seem to be doing more now than you
were at that time. Do you feel that all of the things you're doing
as an artist and an actor are going to interfere with you running
the label?
Big Boi: Oh no, because I got a tough team
behind me. When I ain't here, they take care of everything. I
get behind the desk sometime, but my heart is on the stage.
So what's going on with you as a solo artist?
Big Boi: I'm working on my next album right
now. It probably won't be out for about three years, but I got
a jump on it already.
You recently did the "Got That Purp"
mixtape. What made you travel that avenue?
Big Boi: It was coming up. Just a way to
hit the streets and let the streets know what's happening. I wanted
to put out some new music, and you don't want to have to wait
on the label to put together a schedule and all, so the mixtape
is just for the streets. We got a good response, so we're about
to put out "Big Boi Presents: Purple Ribbon Allstars-Got
That Purp Vol. II" on September 30th.
Now that will be sold everywhere, or just
online?
Big Boi: Everywhere !
Anything we can look out for from you besides
the label stuff and your movie?
Big Boi: Killer Mike album August 30th!
1st single is "Chrome" featuring myself. Also got Scar,
he's a soul singer on the label. We got a compilation coming out,
and me and him got a song called "You Got Me". A song
called "Kryptonite" features me, Konkrete, and Killer
Mike. That's going to be the second single off the compilation.
Bubba Sparxxx is finishing up his album, and me & Dre just
trying to hammer out this soundtrack.
I've had a chance to get with many of your
artists today, and what I like is that it truly seems like one
big family unit.
Big Boi: That's exactly what it is. You
know, a lot of these catz been down with the Dungeon Family for
a decade or better.
How about a website? Is there one, or is
there one in the works?
Big Boi: Yeah, they building it now man.
My assistant showed me stuff last week, it'll be Purple-Ribbon.com.
It'll be up probably in the next thirty days or so.
Any kind of final comments at all?
Big Boi: Just to all the fans, everybody
out there that supported Big Boi, Outkast, and everything we doing,
we just love yall, and we just going to keep putting our best
foot forward. If it wasn't for them, it wouldn't be no us. So
we going to stay on the grind, and we doing it for them.
www.purple-ribbon.com
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