His recent pizza-inspired jingle is just an appetizer for what he's got coming up in 2024. The seasoned MC is set to celebrate the 30th anniversary of OutKast's debut LP Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik this week. Big Boi and André 3000's first studio album was released on April 26, 1994 with songs like the title track, "Player's Ball" and "Git Up, Git Out" featuring Goodie Mob. The album was produced by the late Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown a.k.a Organized Noize. Wade unexpectedly passed away just two weeks shy of the album's anniversary.

Nearly 30 years after OutKast dropped their debut album, Big Boi finds himself fully invested in two upcoming projects. He's currently working with electronic rock duo Phantogram on a second Big Grams album. The 49-year-old rapper is also putting together his next solo album. He previously released his joint album with Sleepy Brown Big Sleepover in 2021, but it's been seven years since he dropped his last solo album Boomiverse.

During our conversation, Big Boi opens up about his partnership with Papa John's, his upcoming tour with Trombone Shorty and sheds light on everything else he's got in the works.

Jan Michaels