With influences that range from the expressive boom bap of A Tribe — Called Quest to the rugged back and forth chemistry of EPMD, Little — Brother's members, Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh, have become — essential names in hip-ho... more »p circles worldwide.
Little Brother released their debut album, The Listening, in 2003 to
widespread critical acclaim. After receiving props from hip-hop
luminaries such as Pete Rock and DJ Premier, and touring nationally
and internationally with the likes of Hieroglyphics and The Roots,
Little Brother then released their sophomore effort, The Minstrel
Show, in 2005 to a mass of critical praise and media controversy.
Little Brother released their third album, Getback, in the fall of 2007
with great anticipation, with this being their first without producer 9th
Wonder. The group then went on to release retail versions of two
stellar mixtapes, Separate But Equal and And Justus For All, in 2008
for the fans who wanted the songs free of DJ drops and scratches.
After a three year hiatus, Little Brother returns with their 4th and final
album, Leftback. Featuring guest appearances by fellow Hall Of
Justus members, Chaundon, Darien Brockington, and Jozeemo, as
well as Trunk North and Median. Production credits include Denaun
Porter, Symbolyc One, Jbizness, Zo!, with a bulk of the production by
longtime collaborator Khrysis. Hall Of Justus is the movement!« less
With influences that range from the expressive boom bap of A Tribe
Called Quest to the rugged back and forth chemistry of EPMD, Little
Brother's members, Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh, have become
essential names in hip-hop circles worldwide.
Little Brother released their debut album, The Listening, in 2003 to
widespread critical acclaim. After receiving props from hip-hop
luminaries such as Pete Rock and DJ Premier, and touring nationally
and internationally with the likes of Hieroglyphics and The Roots,
Little Brother then released their sophomore effort, The Minstrel
Show, in 2005 to a mass of critical praise and media controversy.
Little Brother released their third album, Getback, in the fall of 2007
with great anticipation, with this being their first without producer 9th
Wonder. The group then went on to release retail versions of two
stellar mixtapes, Separate But Equal and And Justus For All, in 2008
for the fans who wanted the songs free of DJ drops and scratches.
After a three year hiatus, Little Brother returns with their 4th and final
album, Leftback. Featuring guest appearances by fellow Hall Of
Justus members, Chaundon, Darien Brockington, and Jozeemo, as
well as Trunk North and Median. Production credits include Denaun
Porter, Symbolyc One, Jbizness, Zo!, with a bulk of the production by
longtime collaborator Khrysis. Hall Of Justus is the movement!
CD Reviews
Little Brother's last hurrah
Lucky Sevens | Tiger Town, Alabama | 04/21/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When Little Brother released their sophomore album "The Minstrel Show" in 2005, they signed to a major label and was billed as "The group that was going to save hip hop". It seemed is if their troubles were ending, when they were just beginning. First, the album was a lightning rod for controversy at the magazine The Source- where an album review resulted in an editor's resignation. Then, their video for the song "Lovin' It" was allegedly banned from BET for being "Too intelligent for the viewing audience". Lastly, there was turmoil within the group due to the outside attention that was placed on 9th Wonder as a producer which resulted in his departure. As if that wasn't enough, they recorded the follow-up "Getback" only to be told by Atlantic Records that it wasn't commercial enough. So, they devoted their time to their side projects- notably Big Pooh's solo career and Phonte's other group The Foreign Exchange. Although they announced their break-up in early 2010, the final song from "Getback" called "When Everything Is New" all but hinted at the group's demise.
So here is the new album "Leftback", which was originally conceived as an album consisting of remixes and B-sides for material that didn't make "Getback". They scrapped that idea entirely and decided to record a new album as their swan song. Half of the album was produced by Khrysis who also did "Watch Me" from "The Minstrel Show" and "After The Party" from "Getback". The overall mood of this album is obviously "Let's call it a day", as evidenced by the songs "Curtain Call" and "Tigallo For Dolo" in which Phonte clearly states where his priorities lie- he would rather be a singer than a rapper. On "What We Are" Big Pooh plays the role of a commitment phobe involved with a woman that wanted a relationship. Kon Artis of D-12 (under his real name Denaun Porter) produces the song "Second Chances" which finds the duo in a "break up to make up" situation. The three songs that weigh this album down are the remixes to the songs "After The Party" and "Two Step Blues" which were kind of unneccesary and "Before The Night Is Over" sounds bland after a few spins. Overall, it's a good album from Little Brother, but being that it's their last album it seems as if their hearts weren't in it."
Leaving It All Behind...
J. Davenport | 04/20/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Leftback is the ending of something special.. That which is the group of LB. Superstar MC, Phonte and his partner in crime, the often overshadowed Rapper Big Pooh. I've been with these cats since the beginning with 2003's The Listening and I will ride off in the sunset with 2010's Leftback.
The Album is quite solid. Not to the level of the First two projects and I feel it's better overall than Getback.
The Standout song on the track is something I've wanted for Years and PHONTE just killing a beat DOLO. Ironically, the song is called, Phontigallo for Dolo. Amazing.
If you are a fan, it's most def worth copping just to add to your collection and complete the journey with LB.
If you are just hearing about them, start at the beginning.
Good luck to both of them as they move forward.. Phonte with my favorite group in the world, FOREIGN EXCHANGE and Rapper Big Pooh with his stuff.
Appreciate you guys for what you were and what you are."
LeftBack is Crack
J. Ramos | 05/06/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sad to see this as the last album. I got put on to LB when I moved to NC around the Chitlin Circuit 1.5. Good stage shows and material on both features and side projects. Favorite tracks include DOLO and REVENGE.
It's crazy NC doesn't support HOJ fam; it's your own talent! Either way, it's not they are dead so I look forward to more solid hip hop like LeftBack."
Little Brother: Best hip hop group of the past decade!
Stephen A. Plunkett Jr. | 05/03/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you love hip hop, I mean REAL hip hop, you will never be disappointed by Little Brother. They are the only group, the only albums even, where I can play it all the way through and don't need to skip a track because they're all dope. If you see any of their albums in stores, pick them up! They're hard to come by over here on the west coast, so I've picked up about half of their discography through Amazon. They ship pretty quick and you'll be bumpin' some soulful hip hop in no time. Sadly, this is the group's last effort, but I'm sure there are big things in store for Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh."
No need of a 9th
Tony | Charlotte, NC | 04/22/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"seriously, Khrysis showed that Little Brother didn't need 9th Wonder anyways. he had some real nice beats with a Jazzy style in it, very similar to Jay Dee productions, and some Slum Village songs. really enjoyed the album. both the rappers showed there lyrical skills, making this album a big improvement from GetBack. i call it a 5 star."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1