Big Boi To Be Honored By East Point For Black History Month

EAST POINT, GA — Grammy Award-winning rapper Antwon “Big Boi” Patton is being honored Wednesday by the City of East Point.

The city, which sits just outside of Atlanta, is recognizing Patton with the 2021 Global Icon Award in a nod to his musical contributions and for elevating East Point as part of the Multi-Platinum group Outkast. The award is inspired by the city’s Black History Month celebration, which will stream Wednesday at 5 p.m. on the city’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

Patton attended Tri-Cities Performing Arts High School in East Point, where he met the other half of Outkast, Andre Benjamin. East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham said Patton and his partner in the duo Outkast, Andre Benjamin, helped to put the city on the map.

“It is an honor and a privilege to celebrate the legacy of Antwon ‘Big Boi’ Patton here in the City of East Point,” Holiday Ingraham said. “His musical contributions have made a lasting impact around the world and put a spotlight on the City of East Point. Big Boi’s success is not only a representation of Black History but of American history as well.”

In addition to musical contributions, Patton gives back to the community by helping at-risk youth through his nonprofit, the Big Kidz Foundation.