Big Boi Honored With His Own Day In City of Atlanta

Outkast’s own Big Boi received one of the highest honors the city of Atlanta can offer—getting a day named after him on August 11, the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, The Atlanta Voice reports.

Big Boi was honored at Spaceman ATL, located on the rooftop of the Hyatt Centric in Buckhead. Joined by his mother Rowena Patton, Big Boi took to the stage where representatives from the Atlanta City Council celebrated him with proclamations, commendations, and more.

Atlanta City Councilmen Michael Julian Bond, Antonio Lewis, and Byron Amos presented Big Boi with honors, including a proclamation from Fulton County and a declaration that turned August 11 into “Big Boi Day” across all 15 cities within the county.

“We had the first Outkast day back in the ’90s in the atrium of City Hall. Outkast hosted over 200 senior citizens that day,” Bond said. “They have always been in the community and have always given back to Atlanta.”

“We, the members of the Fulton County Commission, hereby declare this day as Big Boi Day in all of Fulton County,” Bond announced.

Prior to the declaration, State Representative Yasmin Neal was the first to present the “Kryptonite” rapper with a commendation from the House of Representatives followed by Georgia State Representative Park Cannon, who honored the rap veteran as an Outstanding Georgia Citizen with a proclamation from the Secretary of State.

The first Black mayor of Jonesboro, mayor Dr. Donya L. Sartor, Ph.D., topped off the accolades with a letter of accommodation from her office.

“I’m so honored, because in 1992, my first year of teaching was at Tri-Cities High School, when you were a senior. I hailed from College Park and now I’m a mayor and look at you standing right next to me,” Sartor said.

Big Boi thanked his mother and shared some insight into his upbringing in Georgia.

“My mama is my rock. She made it possible. She wouldn’t sign my record deal even though me and Dre (Andre 3000) had gone platinum,” he said.

“Many of you don’t know this, but we stayed in the Motel 6 on Campbellton Road during my whole time in middle school,” he added. “My mama was going to work and going to school. She still made sure I got my education before we could sign a deal.”