5 ways Big Boi is keeping party music alive at ACL Fest

Atlanta royal Big Boi wins on the details.

At Austin City Limits Music Festival, his American Sign Language interpreter wore a Falcons cap Saturday by the Honda stage while losing his mind.

The hype man is distinguished soul crooner Sleepy Brown, who can jump onto evergreen choruses like “The Way You Move” and “So Fresh, So Clean” with unwavering command, and then immediately pantomime dice-rolling as part of a charming dance routine.

And of course, the rapper also known as Daddy Fat Sax (and Hot Tub Tony, Lucius Left Foot, Billy Ocean, other self-appointed monikers) can build his longtime solo set around one of American music’s best catalog. Here are 5 reasons why you should savor the next chance you get to watch Big Boi — even if you’ve seen the OutKast legend in Austin before.

Yeah he’ll perform 10 world-saving OutKast songs..

Half of the “greatest rap duo of all time,” as a pregame message bragged during ACL Fest on Saturday, we should all appreciate the 47-year-old rapper while he’s still match fit. And gosh, does the OutKast stuff endure, from the double-timed raps of opening song “ATLiens” to the sullen “Elevators” to the always-urgent “Ms. Jackson.”

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He’s got this show down to a science.

The DJ can live-scratch with the best of them, and you can count on real gear and records up there recreating the breakdown from “B.O.B.,” Big Boi bragged. The setlist is crafted like a nerdy tribute playlist.

In 2011, Big Boi performed prior to Kanye West at Zilker, and in the subsequent decade, he has taken this revival all over town — the one-year-only Sound on Sound Festival, the University of Texas’ Forty Acres Fest, heck, I watched OutKast turn out the Austin Music Hall in 2001 with opening help from Ludacris. He keeps getting better as a technical performer.

What we got as a result on Saturday was outstanding breathe control, blazing pace and a commitment to craft. In between, he’ll jovially ask everyone, “Are you still having a good time?”

Duh.

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His solo material is better than you remember.

When it came time for “Chico Dusty” songs, many jumped into action and danced along to mildly-successful-at-the-time releases like “Shutterbug.” A decade later, its bass line shook the park.

You will feel at one with man having found your people.

We, too, remember the Purple Ribbon All-Stars, and you are welcome to dance awkwardly here right next to a tall man in a Kenyon Martin jersey. The 2000s are back baby!

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You will be reminded that 'International Players’ Anthem' is a timeless, enduring set-closer.

That howling Willie Hutch sample. The way everyone can sing along to Andre 3000’s opening, a capella verse. Certainly, the crowd paled in comparison to rap rebel Lil Nas X, anchoring festivities across the park. But with apologies to “Old Town Road” or maybe Jazmine Sullivan’s “Pick Up Your Feelings” or Paramore’s recently unretired “Misery Business,” no better-written song will be celebrated live this weekend.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Big Boi keeps party music alive at ACL Fest 2022 in Austin, TX