If you thought the heat was done being delivered for 2020, you are sadly mistaken. With a number of prominent releases thus far, we’re in for another gift from the legendary group Goodie Mob in the form of audio dope. Goodie Mob has come a long way since they stepped on the scene with their first charting single “Cell Therapy” in 1995. In the 25 years since the legendary Atlanta rap quartet debuted the seminal Soul Food LP, that (along with OutKast & their Dungeon Family super clique) helped build the foundation of Atlanta‘s rap dominance. Cee-Lo, Khujo, Big Gipp, and T-Mo are still solid as ever as they return with Survival Kit, their first album together in seven years.
Just in time for Thanksgiving, Goodie Mob delivers a feast that is most certainly fulfilling. If the four members of Goodie Mob, the three producers in Organized Noize, the two representatives of OutKast, and Rube did come together at a Thanksgiving feast, their roles would be clear: André 3000 and Big Boi are the brothers who don’t talk anymore; Khujo and T-Mo are cousins who’re closer than brothers; Organized Noize cook and carve the turkey; Big Rube delivers the blessing; Big Gipp loudly says, “Their eyes are red!” after you and your cousin come back from a walk; and Cee Lo Green is the creepy uncle you hope your mom doesn’t make you hug.
Laced with a riveting 16 records, only three lone features were necessary from the likes of Big Boi, Andre 3000 and the legendary Chuck D. The album was written in part as a response to police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. In a statement, T-Mo said, “Right now, just seeing all of our people on TV marching and protesting and being shot at, bottles and stuff being chucked at the police, people burning down buildings and looting because we’re tired of all of the injustices.”