The Outkast saga continues as we’re reminded daily that we shouldn’t expect any new music from the southern pair. See, as music lovers everyone got all excited about the possibility of a reunion when Big Boi added his verse to Frank Ocean‘s “Pink Matter.” Then there was talk about an added Big Boi verse on T.I.‘s “Sorry” that already featured Andre 3000. An educated guess led us all to believe that the logical next step was an actual Outkast song that we’ve waited for for six long years. But nope. 3 Stacks had to go kill our dreams with the statement on “what this is … and what it isn’t.” Read more…

Vice’s Noisey saved Christmas by wrangling the great Big Boi – or, as he’ll tell you: aka Sir Lucious L Left Foot aka Daddy Fat Sax aka Hot Tub Tony aka Sylvester the Unskippable aka One Half Of The Mighty Outkast — into reading Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the full edition, for children and adults and rap fans with internet access and nine or so minutes to spare the world wide.

Being the adept rapper that he is, Big Boi moved easily through the particularly tongue-twisty bits (“snarl with a sneer that tomorrow’s Christmas, it’s practically here”), but did get thrown off his game for a second when a stray car horn blared from the streets into his cute little Christmas scene. Once Christmas was saved — in the story, and with his reading, he offered a warm, ATLien greeting: “I would like to wish you and yours a very happy holidays — or, seasons skeetings from the one and only Big Boi.” Read more…

Earlier this month, Big Boi suggested to the Village Voice that his long time partner in crime Andre 3000‘s absence on his upcoming album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, due out December 11th, was a matter of priority — the no good, very bad news: “He had to do some Gillette shit. No for real.” — before calling his comments back and calling for an end to all questions Outkast related. The two ATLiens insist things are good between them, and with past label drama settled they are free to make music together as they please; but unfortunately, for one reason another and to the great dismay of Outkast-stans far and wide, they aren’t. But they are both still making music, and both had something new to share yesterday: Big Boi, his banging hometown anthem “In The A;” and as for Andre, his much-anticipated feature on T.I.‘s “Sorry.” It’s not a new Outkast song exactly, but if played in quick succession, these two songs might be of some consolation to yearning fans.

Let’s listen:

It’s a grey Tuesday afternoon here in New York, and Big Boi‘s got us dancing anyways. The first official single from his Sir Lucious Left Foot follow-up, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors dropped last night, and like the best from that first solo effort, it’s world-shaking and wise all the same. “Mama Told Me” rides high on an 80′s-inspired  Casio key and kick drum beat. A seasoned rapper and effortless in his swag, the self-proclaimed “Tom Petty heartbreaker, living legend, rap scholar, art major” drops his verses like it’s nothing and let’s the party come to him.

And so former Destiny’s Child Kelly Rowland picks up at the hook, singing oh-so-sweetly about all the sage advice passed on from her momma — “be careful how you play your cards,” “be true to yourself and you’ll go far,” and “try not to break too many hearts.” Big Boi originally had originally tapped Swedish pop group Little Dragon for that part for an artier vibe. Kelly’s got a little glam in her voice, and it gives the song a nice and bright gloss.

In addition to Kelly’s part here, Phantogram‘s Sarah Barthel, Kid Cudi and A$AP Rocky will be featured elsewhere on Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, which is due out November 13 — just in time to add a little groove to your holiday season.

Big Boi & Kelly Rowland Bounce On “Mama Told Me” [Idolator]