Performing on albums from Outkast and the Goodie Mob and then going on tour with them would be a dream come true for most up-and-coming artists. For the Dungeon Family's Backbone, this very experience prepared him for his debut album, Concrete Law, which is scheduled for a June 19 release.
The Atlanta rapper, who appeared on "We Luv Deez Hoez," from Outkast's triple platinum Stankonia album, wasn't in a rush to release his own collection, which is anchored by the single "5-Deuce, 4-Tre." "It's nothing that I feel antsy about," says the man also known as Mr. Fat Face 100. Nonetheless, he doesn't mind that it is finally his time in the forefront. "Finally, somebody has seen that it's time for me to happen," he said. "Not that I'm a superstar or anything like that, but I definitely have enough musical talent to carry that title." Production from usual Dungeon Family suspects Organized Noize and Earthtone 3 propels Concrete Law, which also features beatwork from Lucky Calhoun, individual members of the Goodie Mob and Mark Twain from the Attic Crew, among others.
Like much of Goodie Mob's material, Backbone's album focuses on political commentary informed by the experience of being a young black male raised in the racially charged South.
"We being black men from the ages of 16 to 25, most of us don't understand that the game [of life in America] is set up to destroy us, literally," he said. "If you're going to be out in the streets, like they say when you're little, look both ways before you cross so you don't get hit. You've got to respect this game before you get in it. You've got to be cautious and read the street signs. I want to go into the depths of the community and reach the youngest of the Gs. I want them to realize that the game is a set-up and we're losing." This type of insight may seem out of place for listeners who only gave "We Luv Deez Hoez" a cursory listen. Backbone points out that his verse didn't match the potentially derogatory tone of the cut's title.
"There's a little science behind 'We Luv Deez Hoez,'" he said. "If you listen to the chorus, it's like we're being sarcastic about it. If you listen to my lyrics, I'm really telling [the girl] how much I appreciate her. I'm not degrading her at all. I've got a mother, grandmother, a sister and a wife. You don't have to do all this to be beautiful. You can do it all naturally." Born and bred in the S.W.A.T.S. section of Atlanta, Backbone connected with the other members of the Dungeon Family about 11 years ago. Led by producers Organized Noize and rap crews Outkast and Goodie Mob, the Georgia-based collective ushered in the modern day version of Southern hip-hop with the 1993 release of Outkast's "Player's Ball" single.
Since then, Backbone has worked with Outkast on their third and fourth albums, as well as with Goodie Mob on their second and third releases. He toured with the Mob in support of their Still Standing album in 1998, which took him overseas. Earlier this year, Backbone was a featured performer on the Outkast-fronted Stank Love Tour.
Even though he is just now releasing his own material, Backbone says he was just waiting for his turn in the spotlight.
"People always ask me why I didn't come out back in the day," he said. "It wasn't my decision. It's just all about time and God knew when the time was right to do this."
