Check It!: Week of July 10-16

Big Boi’s New Business

Atlanta rapper Big Boi joins many of his colleagues who have started clothing lines with his own foray into the business—socks. The self-proclaimed “sock king” has been spotted with some pretty interesting socks before, such as when he wore a pair with tiny capes attached to a Nike event.

Big Boi is working with fashion label Crooks & Castles, which has announced the line Crooks x Big Boi will be out soon. Crooks & Castles has previously worked with rapper French Montana on a clothing line.

Hopefully the socks will be out just in time for Big Boi’s newest solo album, “Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors,” set to be released Nov. 13. It will feature Kid Cudi and a track with Big K.R.I.T. and UGK, and will precede the solo album from Big Boi’s Outkast partner, Andre 3000.

Andre 3000 as Jimi Hendrix

Speaking of Andre 3000, the new Jimi Hendrix biopic starring the Atlanta rapper is looking for a creative way to get around a sort of big problem—its makers don’t have the rights to any of Hendrix’s music. Experience Hendrix, the company founded by Hendrix’s father that controls his music, is on a mission to protect the legendary artist’s name. Since it wasn’t involved in the production of the movie, the film, All is By My Side, won’t get to use the music.

The movie, directed by John Ridley, will include interviews and archival materials to tell Hendrix’s story during the mid-60s. Production has already started in Ireland.

All is By My Side will sidestep the rights issue by featuring covers by Andre 3000 of covers that Jimi Hendrix would have performed. The loophole allows songs like The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” Muddy Waters’ “Mannish Boy,” and Elvis’ “Hound Dog” to be included in the film.

Sister Hazel Headlines BB&T Atlanta Open Concert

The BB&T Atlanta Open starts at Atlantic Station this Saturday, July 14, and the tournament is celebrating by teaming up with radio station 99X for the First Serve Concert to kick off the event. Alt-rock group Sister Hazel is headlining the concert, which runs from 5:45 to 10:30 Saturday night. Local bluegrass and folk six-piece Seven Handle Circus and Atlanta Southern rock band Ponderosa will open. Tickets are $15 and free for kids under 10.

Get tickets here

Check It! Pick of the Week

Because we usually release Check It on Mondays, we thought we’d go ahead and tell you about a concert you can’t miss next Monday, July 16. Psychedelic rock band Surfer Blood is in town at the Masquerade, fresh from finishing its second album (and by fresh, we’re talking about a week ago). The band’s first album “Astro Coast,” released in early 2010 helped it breakout in the indie scene, gaining rave reviews by NPR and Pitchfork.

Surfer Blood is currently touring behind Death Cab for Cutie, but will be headlining the Masquerade show. Local acts Sleep Dance and Gold Plated Gold will open.

Get tickets here