I haven’t had the time to listen to Big Boi’s entire new album, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, but I did get the chance to listen to the three songs whose features I recognized. I am in love with all three songs that I listened to: “In the a” (feat. T.I. & Ludacris), “She Hates Me” (feat. Kid Cudi), and “Shoes For Running” (feat. B.o.B & Wavves).
1. “In the a” (feat. T.I. & Ludacris)
I really enjoy “In the a” because the hook is slowed down sample of “Shutterbug”, my favorite song from Big Boi’s first album. The organization of the features in this song doesn’t use the predictable pattern some rap songs follow. Big Boi and T.I. both spit fire with flows so fast it’s hard to keep up.
2. “She Hates Me” (feat. Kid Cudi)
In “She Hates Me”, Big Boi uses a unique, dragging flow throughout the majority of the song. At first I didn’t really like his flow on this track, but it really grew on me as I continued to listen to it. Big Boi raps about relationship problems with his wife, brought on by his demanding lifestyle, and Kid Cudi comes in with a booming hook only Mr. Rager can provide.
3. “Shoes For Running” (feat. B.o.B & Wavves)
“Shoes For Running” is my favorite song out of the three. Wavves provides an awesome surf rock hook, and I really enjoyed the traditional rock instrumentation throughout the song. If these three songs provide a good enough representation for the rest of the album, then Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors is definitely worth listening to.
(Bonus Review: Listen to the song “She Said OK”. It has the best hook I’ve ever heard. Ever.)