EvolutionHipHop : Featured Artists : Little Brother

Little Brother hails from Durham, North Carolina. Original members Rapper Big Pooh, Phonte and 9th Wonder formed the group around 1999. Anchored by production from the now legendary 9th Wonder, Phonte and Pooh fashioned their lyrical talents into smoothed out soulful grooves and vivid storytelling. Little Brother is part of the collective in North Carolina known as The Justus League.

In 2003, Little Brother released their first album The Listening on ABB Records. Notable songs include "For You", "Whatever You Say" and "Speed" (which also was their first video). In 2004, they appeared on the Okayplayer True Notes Vol. I album with the tracks "Shake It" and "On and On". With increased visibility, Little Brother signed with Atlantic Records. In 2005, The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 was released. This mixtape featured many b-sides, unreleased tracks and three remixes from The Listening.

In 2005, they released The Minstrel Show, a humorous, yet very socially scathing commentary on the rap music industry landscape in the 2000s. This album produced the classics "Lovin It" featuring Justus League member Joe Scudda, "Slow It Down" featuring Darien Brockington, and "The Becoming". While the album was critically acclaimed by many notable publications and media, the record sales were disappointing. The now well known story about Little Brother is how BET refused to play their videos because the music was "too intelligent". However, it was clear that Little Brother was an influential force in the industry from a musical perspective. 9th Wonder became the hottest producer out there working with everyone from Mary J. Blige to Murs. He also remixed the Nas album God's Son renaming the remixed version God's Stepson.

Unfortunately, the struggles with Atlantic came as both good news and bad for Little Brother fans. First, they broke off their relationship with the label. Then, in early 2007, Little Brother announced that 9th was leaving the group. MCs Phonte and Pooh enlisted a slew of producers and put out the free downloadable mixtape And Justus For All with Ohio-based DJ Mick Boogie in Feb. 2007. This album allowed Rapper Big Pooh and Phonte to shine even more as lyricists. The best tracks include "The Pressure", "Delusional" featuring Oddisee, "Bring It On" featuring Ray Cash, "Fan Mail" featuring Joe Scudda (produced by DJ Babu) and "Cross That Line" featuring Kardinal Offishall (produced by 9th).

The group's 3rd studio album, Getback, was released on October 23, 2007. LB released the And Justus For All album which features many of the tracks from the free mixtape of the same name plus 5 new songs in June 2008.

Rapper Big Pooh released his latest solo album Delightful Bars (North American Pie Version) on May 5, 2009. Phonte and Foreign Exchange partner Nicolay released Leave It All Behind in Oct. 2008 to much critical acclaim.

Unfortunately for Little Brother fans, the group's run was about to end. Little Brother released their final album Leftback on April 20, 2010. The album featured production by Khrysis, King Karnov, Denaun Porter, Young RJ, Zo! & J.Bizness. "Curtain Call" was appropriately the first single. Other notable tracks include "Tigallo For Dolo", "So Cold" f. Chaundon & "24 Bars" f. Torae.

While the group known as Little Brother may be done, 9th Wonder, Rapper Big Pooh & Phonte continue to produce incredible hip-hop/soul music. 9th Wonder's IWWMG/Jamla label has been releasing work by artists Rapsody, Sean Boog, Thee Tom Hardy, Halo & many more. Phonte is releasing his first solo album on September 27, 2011 entitled Charity Starts At Home. He continues to tour with his group Foreign Exchange. Rapper Big Pooh released Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 1: For Members Only on April 5, 2011. Rapper Big Pooh has solo album due later in 2011.
-Dogmatic

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