Big Boi, Killer Mike, Sleepy Brown, Scar, Bubba Sparxxx, Janelle Monae, Goodie Mob, Konkrete - Got Purp?, Vol. 2

3 1/2 stars - it's decent enough to check out

Big Boi Presents...Got Purp? Vol. II (Virgin, 2005)

In between the making of the Idlewild movie and soundtrack/album, OutKast's Big Boi was working on his new Purple Ribbon label (actually, it's the new name of Aquemini Records). Got That Purp was the first mixtape album (good luck trying to find it) and this, Got Purp?, is the second.

Is André 3000 on here? Take a listen to "Dungeon Family Dedication" by Killer Mike: "All I know is Big here/Dré gone, moved on..." Is he not on the album or not in OutKast anymore? Well, we all know the answer to that seeing that OutKast is together promoting Idlewild but back then, something must have been going on with them behind the scenes. Mike goes on to reminiscing on the good ol' days in the DF over the "Aquemini" instrumental while giving props to all of the old fam like Goodie MOb, Witchdoctor, and Big Rube. It's not the best way to kick off an album showcasing new talent because now we're stuck with having to compare them to the older artists.

Fortunately, the new talent holds their ground for the most part. Janelle Monáe isn't the best singer in the world but "Lettin' Go" shows some promise (she should have left Debarge's "Time Will Reveal" alone, though). Scar also does well singing with seasoned vet Cee-Lo on "What is This?" and on his own "U Got Me". The better-known artists drop some heat as well: Bubba Sparxxx's "Claremont Lounge" and Sleepy Brown's "Me, My Baby and My Cadillac" were so good that they also appear on their own albums from this year. Also, it's true that the Goodie MOb got back together but "Hold On" shouldn't be proof: this song is actually from 1995. If you remember OutKast's "Benz or Beamer" from the same year, André said, "Keep on holding on like Goodie Mo'."

To answer the question from earlier, Dré ain't on here but Big Boi isn't on here much, either. This is really an outlet for all of Big's artists. And while none of the songs are really groundbreaking, they do show a sign of things to come. Janelle and Scar already made a big splash on the Idlewild album. -EJR October 14, 2006

3-1/2 stars -- Was there even a volume ONE?

Since OutKast's album Idlewild seemed like it was never going to come out (although now that it IS out, it's getting very heavily mixed reviews), I guess Big Boi had some extra free time to fill. So he got together a bunch of artists (some from his label, some not) and called them the Purple Ribbon All-Stars, who helped him deliver the compilation Got Purp Vol. II.

One surprising thing, though, is that many of the artists on here won't ring a bell to most. I mean, there's nothing wrong with showcasing new talent, but Purple Ribbon Records used to be called Aquemini Records, so you'd expect to find a lot of Dungeon Family-related songs (in Killer Mike's "Dungeon Family Dedication", he asks, "Where that Backbone album at?" which is odd, considering Backbone isn't even on the album). Big Boi himself is hardly even on here; rapping or producing, but the few songs he IS on are pretty solid, like "U Got Me" (with singer Scar) and, of course, "Kryptonite (I'm On It)".

Another highlight is Sleepy Brown's "Me, My Baby and My Cadillac". Also good is Goodie Mob's "Hold On", but what a lot of people don't realize is that it's not the entire Mob reunited; that song is actually from 1995 (it kind of makes me wonder how new that Scar and Cee-Lo song "What Is This" is). But then come a few songs that aren't so memorable. Janelle Monáe's vocals are pretty okay (and that club remix of DeBarge's "Time Will Reveal" should have never happened), and Konkrete's "Ish Ya Drawers" is sorry.

There are also a few cameos that work backwards: whereas Bun-B can't even save "808", Cool Breeze actually outshines Killer Mike and Bubba Sparxxx on "Claremont Lounge" (which is the point where Bubba started to make questionable choruses -- "Ms. Fat Booty", anyone?). The outro also has some singing by someone that sounds like he needs some Pepto-Bismol. Got Purp Vol. II isn't exactly the greatest of compilations, but if you already own everything OutKast/Dungeon Family related, it wouldn't hurt to pick it up.

Anthony Rupert August 28, 2006

Weird

When I heard the song Kryptonite back in 2005, I just knew I had to get that Cd. when I heard the song, I didnt know a thing about Big boi or any of the other guys( except for Killer Mike). This Cd pissed me off, there was way too many interludes and I didnt hear the kind of stuff I was looking for. With all that extra stuff on the CD, its kinda hard to figure out what track your on, and the worst part is, the Cd is PROTECTED, m,eaning you cant put it on itunes or any of that other stuff. There were very few tracks I liked on the CD.

Dungeon family dedication 5/5
Kryptonite 5/5
Me, My baby and my cadillac 1/5
Body Rock 3/5
My Chrome 5/5
U got me 1/5
Clearmont lounge 5/5
Time will reveal 1/5
Hold on 4/5
808 3/5
What is this 5/5
[...] ya drawers 2/5
Lettin go 1/5
Lovin this 2/5

The rest of the songs are stupid interludes, Lil Jon dosent even put that many skits on his CDs! JUst download the songs on itunes (if u can)
April 22, 2006

Dunno bout got purp? but it got 3 stars from me....

I'm not a big Big Boi or Outkast fan at all, but the only reason i got this cd was for "Kryptonite"... and while listening to the cd i found a song that is better then "Kryptonite", called "Claremont Lounge"... That's a really good song, and as a DJ i would love to mix that or blend it... i'd be able to do alot w/ it... Another stand out song would be "Hold On" w/ Goodie Mob.

Wish i could have heard Bubba Sparxxx on more tracks... The cd is good, but don't spend over $12 or $13 on this one... I'm glad i got the cd for free thru my music club...me personally, i wouldn't pay more then maybe $7 for it myself.. April 10, 2006

Camilyan Report

Big Boi has been in the game for over 10 years and within that time he has garnered much respect and creditability. The reputation that he has managed to acquire has elevated him to a Hip-Hop legend. Like all Hip-Hop legends he has extended his range of talent to producer, producing his latest album Got Purp? Vol. 2.

"Kryptonite" is the first single and serves many purposes, an infectious beat, and a reintroduction to Killer Mike, as well as showcase of recruits BlackOwned C-Bone and Rock D. He manages to get a reunion of Goodie Mob and Cee-Lo in "Hold On"; it is the group's hottest track since "Rebuilding," Track 9 from World Party. "Me, My Baby, and My Cadillac" is a hot track featuring the classic sound of Sleepy Brown. He adds R&B newcomers Janelle Monae and Scar, which only enhances to his wide-ranging offerings of music.

This is excellent work by Big Boi, producing an album that has a reminiscent vibe but yet very fresh. Got Purp? Vol. 2 is a perfect compilation disc packed with a roster (Goodie Mob, Bubba Sparxx, Killer Mike and many others) that matches his proficiency. The album has a nice diverse sound much like Big Boi's eclectic resonance.

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March 23, 2006

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