JOB losses, gas prices, the health care crisis: these aren’t the usual agenda items for a mainstream hip-hop single. But they all play a role in “Sumthin’s Gotta Give,” from the forthcoming solo album by Big Boi of OutKast. And they aren’t the only issues raised.

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The album — “Sir Luscious Leftfoot ... Son of Chico Dusty” (LaFace/Zomba), due out next month — strikes a self-conscious balance among mind, body and soul. It has aspirations beyond the dance floor, though it has strong commercial ambitions too.

 

“Since Day 1 being in OutKast me and Dre didn’t want to seem preachy,” Big Boi said in a recent interview.

 

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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/arts/music/07chin.html?ref=music