Little Brother formed in Durham, NC at North Carolina Central University in 1998. The group began as a trio, featuring members Phonte (Phonte Coleman), Big Pooh (Thomas Jones), and producer 9th Wonder (Pat Douthit). They are founding members of the North Carolina hip-hop collective called The Justus League, under the umbrella music group The Hall of Justus.
Their official debut came in August 2001 with their first recording, Speed; the song talks about making it big in the music business while still dealing with the troubles and hardships of life and holding down a full-time job. They continued to work the local scene and were picked up by ABB Records. In 2002, they released the cult hit 7" single Atari 2600, with lyrics centering around video games. In 2003, the group released their first full length album, The Listening. This record boosted the group to higher acclaim, but national recognition came when Jay-Z tapped 9th Wonder for the song Threat, off of his eighth offering The Black Album.
That fall, they opened for the Hieroglyphics crew on their Full Circle national tour. Little Brother’s sophomore album, The Minstrel Show, saw increased success due to their raised popularity. It's theme compares present day rap music and the music industry to the minstrel shows of the late 1800s.
In 2005, Little Brother became embroiled in a short-lived feud, when Young Jeezy's protege Slick Pulla challenged the group to a battle after hearing an interview in which Phonte voiced some disapprovments concerning drug rap and the "snowman mascot". Little Brother did not respond, and instead, Phonte called Slick Pulla and the pair resolved the misunderstanding.
Outside of the group, Phonte collaborated with producer Nicolay as The Foreign Exchange, on Connected. Rapper Big Pooh released a solo album entitled Sleepers. 9th Wonder has produced songs for major artists like De La Soul and Destiny's Child, as well as underground artists such as Sean Price, Hieroglyphics, Splash, and fellow members of The Justus League.
In addition, 9th has produced whole albums for Jean Grae (Jeanius), Murs (Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition), Buckshot (Chemistry) and a remix album of Nas' God's Son entitled God's Stepson. In this way he has helped to facilitate the return of albums done entirely by one MC and one producer, which have seen something of a resurgence (RJD2 and Aceyalone's Magnificent City, the upcoming DJ Premier and Royce da 5'9" joint album). He is also working on a second Buckshot/9th album, to be called The Formula.
In late 2006, Little Brother began recording their third album, and second for Atlantic Records, Getback. However, in a drastic turn of events, the group announced in January, 2007 that they would be parting ways with Atlantic. This move was likely due to the commercial failure of The Minstrel Show, and creative differences over their future material. Big Pooh was quoted as saying "We as a group just felt that it was not in our best interest to remain in a situation where our needs were constantly being overlooked. We didn't have an A&R for The Minstrel Show. We don't have any type of relationship with our current A&R. There are just a lot of internal issues that ended up working against us." Their manager Big Dho added that there were no "ill feelings towards their (Atlantic) company."
More of a surprise to fans was news that the group has also parted ways with their longtime producer 9th Wonder. Although 9th Wonder's role in the group was that of a producer, the group's tours only consisted of the other two members and his contribution to recent Little Brother releases such as Separate But Equal were less than before (although it is worth noting that this release was a mixtape and not an official album). Nonetheless, news that he would be playing a smaller role and contributing less to their third album indicated a divide between the members. Big Pooh stated that the decision was amicable on both sides, saying "This is just a decision that had to be made so all three of us could move forward and continue to provide the world with dope music."
Little Brother formally announced the group's breakup in 2010.
Producer DeAndre Keaton (DJ Flash) who is featured on The Chittlin Circuit 1.5 is the official tour DJ for Little Brother.
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There is also second artist called Little Brother who is based in Brighton, Sussex. Using guitars, keyboard and a range of other instruments, little brother creates a unique alternative 'electronic' sound
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There is a third artist called Little Brother
Little Brother is the Acoustic Emo project of Newcastle-based singer/songwriter John Floreani (Trophy Eyes).
Drawing inspiration from the stylistic sensibilities of Daniel Johnson, Owen and Right Away, Great Captain!, Little Brother is an exploration of love, loss and heartache.
The project’s debut 6 track EP, 'Terrace' will be released late 2014.
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There is a fourth artist called Little Brother
Little Brother is a lo-fi singer/songwriter project, who released their first album ('Green for a While') on 18th August 2022.
Cross That Line Remix
Little Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mick Boogie, waddup??
Justus League, WADDUP??
KARDINAL! (OH!)
Konvict, Black Jays! UH!
{?}, knowwhatI'msayin?
Cadillac, T-Dot {?} due out my niggaz!
Let's GO!!
[Photne - Intro]
It's Little Brother (uh-huh!)
Phonte, Big Pooh, 9th Wonder (heheheh..)
This how we doin it (Jeah!! Show 'em what's goin on, my nig)
Letï's get it goin, check it out
[Phonte]
They never shoulda told me to rhyme on this
Get real, LB and ---- form unholy alliances
Solely for the purpose of rhyming is - recommended
You keep your eye on this
cause, I am this MC wit an iron fist
that, hammers out each style that I've invented
Hammers out each flows that I've presented
A solider for my squad like I enlisted
HOJ still swingin the guillotine
from here to the Philippines, it's just as I intended
Muh'fuckers still say dey ain't feelin me
You niggaz is killin me, it's just as I envisioned
And just as I have bended my flow over this track like contortionist
I ain't even gotta drop no more bars for this
Better dodge the draft, you don't want no war with this, c'mon!
[Chorus 2X: Phonte]
It goes, rock the party, rock-rock the party, rock
I see you niggaz tryna cross that line
Don't stop the party, stop-stop the party, rock
But I ain't finna let you steal my shine
[Kardinal Offishall]
Yo, I am now who's with an iron fist
I am one of the last standing true ly-ricist
Look in my irises, all of my words insist
on bein consistent, I hope that you fine wit dis
Whether you signed to backpack and I'm killin all of you
wack-winding, flowin off-time and weak-minded - (never mind)
My mind sprays like AKs' and Lebanon (BBBBBBBBRRRR!!!)
Speech is mad colorful like ice cream and Benetton
Fuck up a nigga real QUICK!! - and that's the shit I'm on
Take out EMCEEEEEEES!!! - Once-A-Day like a vit-amon
CHEA!! A rap vitamin, my circle stays tighter than
a virgin on birth control - I'm like a leviathan
When {?} to put the trite and they {?} MOTIF!!
Iï've been declared a world THREAT - when 9th Wonder's on the BEAT!
(CHEA!!!) Phonte, Big Pooh, and the Justus League
A lotta rappers soudin like they put crack in dey weed
BLACK JAYS!!
[Chorus 2X: Phonte, Kardinal Offishall]
It goes, rock the party, rock-rock the party, rock
CHEA! I see you niggaz tryna cross that line
Donï't stop the party, stop-stop the party, rock
Yea, and I'll be damned if you steal my shine, c'mon!
[Rapper Big Pooh]
(BIG POOH!!) You in the presence of one of the greats
Ask niggaz from state to state, they say "Rapper"
I'm in the midst of your hoes chit-chatter
Glassjaw niggaz get shattered; I'm not flattered
Fried-chicken niggaz get battered
then laced with a {?} to served on a platter, HOT!
Right here if you want it or not
Got a mean 16 that came off the top
Ain't have no dough, walked off the lot
Came back next week and cop, I got some old shit
So when I go to the lab, I let my soul spit
I'm light years in front of my foes
My Chi-Town niggaz be like, "Pooh, you so cold"
In H-Town, they be like "Poobie gettin th'owed"
Wool parka trench straight down to the flo'
We the Trillest muh'fuckers in the South, yee ain't kno?!
[Chorus 2X: Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh]
It goes, rock the party, rock-rock the party, rock
I see you niggaz tryna cross that line
Don't stop the party, stop-stop the party, rock
But I ain't bout to let you steal my shine
The Cross That Line Remix by Little Brother features Phonte, Big Pooh, and Kardinal Offishall. The song begins with Kardinal Offishall giving shout-outs to the people involved while Phonte provides the hook. Phonte begins his verse stating that he has an iron fist and lays out each style that he has invented. He compares himself to a soldier and keeps swinging his guillotine. He mentions that people don't fully support him, but he continues to produce creative lyrics. He warns people to dodge the draft and not to mess with him.
In the chorus, Phonte repeats that he won't let anyone steal his shine. Kardinal Offishall then jumps in and claims that he too has an iron fist and that he's one of the last standing true lyricists. He says he's consistent and can make even a weak track sound good, he's like a rap vitamin, and can take out any emcee. He boasts about his lyrics calling them very colorful like ice cream and Benetton.
Big Pooh finishes the song with a verse about how he's considered great by people across the states, and he's light years ahead of his foes. He mentions his Chi-town and Houston people and how they appreciate his music. He adds that he's one of the most genuine rap musicians in the South.
Overall, the song is about the artists showing off their creativity, strength, and how no one can steal their shine.
Line by Line Meaning
Mick Boogie, waddup??
Greetings to Mick Boogie
Justus League, WADDUP??
Greetings to Justus League
KARDINAL! (OH!)
Kardinal Offishall introduces himself
Konvict, Black Jays! UH!
A shoutout to Konvict and Black Jays
{?}, knowwhatI'msayin?
Unknown statement
Cadillac, T-Dot {?} due out my niggaz!
A reference to Cadillac and T-Dot
It's Little Brother (uh-huh!)
The introduction of the group Little Brother
Phonte, Big Pooh, 9th Wonder (heheheh..)
Introducing the members of Little Brother
This how we doin it (Jeah!! Show 'em what's goin on, my nig)
Confident introduction to the song
They never shoulda told me to rhyme on this
This song was a mistake to challenge me on
Get real, LB and ---- form unholy alliances
Little Brother and an unknown ally are creating something great
Solely for the purpose of rhyming is - recommended
We are here to rhyme and we are good at it
You keep your eye on this
Keep watching me
cause, I am this MC wit an iron fist
I am a confident MC
that, hammers out each style that I've invented
I create my own style and execute it well
Hammers out each flows that I've presented
I create unique flows for each song
A solider for my squad like I enlisted
I am dedicated to my team and will fight for them
HOJ still swingin the guillotine
The Hall of Justus is still cutting down competition
from here to the Philippines, it's just as I intended
My music's reach is global and just as I planned
Muh'fuckers still say dey ain't feelin me
Haters still don't appreciate me
You niggaz is killin me, it's just as I envisioned
Haters are doing what I knew they would
And just as I have bended my flow over this track like contortionist
My flow on this track is flexible and unique
I ain't even gotta drop no more bars for this
I have already shown that I am elite
Better dodge the draft, you don't want no war with this, c'mon!
You don't want to battle me
It goes, rock the party, rock-rock the party, rock
Let's party and have a good time
I see you niggaz tryna cross that line
Some people are trying to challenge me
Don't stop the party, stop-stop the party, rock
Keep the party going and have fun
But I ain't finna let you steal my shine
I will not let anyone take my spotlight
Yo, I am now who's with an iron fist
Kardinal Offishall is now confident and strong
I am one of the last standing true ly-ricist
Kardinal Offishall is a true lyricist and is standing out
Look in my irises, all of my words insist
Kardinal Offishall is intense and his words demand attention
on bein consistent, I hope that you fine wit dis
Kardinal Offishall prides himself on consistency
Whether you signed to backpack and I'm killin all of you
Kardinal Offishall does not discriminate and will battle anyone
wack-winding, flowin off-time and weak-minded - (never mind)
He's not interested in people with weak flows or mindsets
My mind sprays like AKs' and Lebanon (BBBBBBBBRRRR!!!)
Kardinal Offishall's mind is explosive and powerful
Speech is mad colorful like ice cream and Benetton
Kardinal Offishall's speech is vibrant and unique
Fuck up a nigga real QUICK!! - and that's the shit I'm on
He's not afraid to destroy his competition
Take out EMCEEEEEEES!!! - Once-A-Day like a vit-amon
He's not afraid to battle anyone
CHEA!! A rap vitamin, my circle stays tighter than
Kardinal Offishall and his crew are united and strong
a virgin on birth control - I'm like a leviathan
Kardinal Offishall is dominant and powerful
When {?} to put the trite and they {?} MOTIF!!
Unknown statement
Iï've been declared a world THREAT - when 9th Wonder's on the BEAT!
Kardinal Offishall is a major threat when 9th Wonder is producing for him
(CHEA!!!) Phonte, Big Pooh, and the Justus League
Shoutout to Little Brother and Justus League
A lotta rappers soudin like they put crack in dey weed
A lot of rappers sound bad
It goes, rock the party, rock-rock the party, rock
Let's party and have a good time
CHEA! I see you niggaz tryna cross that line
Some people are trying to challenge him
Donï't stop the party, stop-stop the party, rock
Keep the party going and have fun
Yea, and I'll be damned if you steal my shine, c'mon!
He will not let anyone take his spotlight
You in the presence of one of the greats
Rapper Big Pooh is great
Ask niggaz from state to state, they say 'Rapper'
People respect Rapper Big Pooh's skills from all over the U.S.
I'm in the midst of your hoes chit-chatter
He's surrounded by people talking
Glassjaw niggaz get shattered; I'm not flattered
He easily defeats weak rappers
Fried-chicken niggaz get battered
He destroys bad rappers
then laced with a {?} to served on a platter, HOT!
Unknown statement
Right here if you want it or not
He is not afraid to challenge anyone
Got a mean 16 that came off the top
He has a powerful 16 bars
Ain't have no dough, walked off the lot
He didn't have money but made it work
Came back next week and cop, I got some old shit
He returned the next week to buy what he needed
So when I go to the lab, I let my soul spit
He creates music from the heart
I'm light years in front of my foes
He is far ahead of his competition
My Chi-Town niggaz be like, 'Pooh, you so cold'
People from his hometown recognize his skills
In H-Town, they be like 'Poobie gettin th'owed'
People from Houston appreciate him
Wool parka trench straight down to the flo'
He has a unique, stylish coat
We the Trillest muh'fuckers in the South, yee ain't kno?!
He is part of the realest group in the South and people should know that
Contributed by Allison M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.