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.
Delusional
Little Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Intro: Oddisee]
Man, Tay.. Bout time y'all came out as y'all man
I told you Georgia Ave., they be POPPIN' shawty
You don't e'en know, be a rack of broads out this joint from high
Ykahmsayin?
They bring 'em from all over, ykahmsayin? And good wit that bop
It ain't a thang huh man, let's go..
[Phonte:]
Uh, she got that thang about her
The type of thang that make a nigga wanna sang about her
And when he sang, the whole crowd sang along about her
And when he get off the stage, he gon kick off his A's and tell his mom about her
So single and carefree, all the ballas willing to pay like a hairpiece
But she don't want no drama 'bout her
Cause when she get a man, that nigga understand
He walkin through the mall wit his arm around her
I used to see her in the back of my mind, all the various times
And be like, "Damn, mama!"; even my grandfather
Say you was the marryin kind, not conceited
She just act stuck-up, to we not the fuck-ups
Cause to her it's more important, like the old folks say
"Boy it's more than courtin' when the seasons change
Then you need to change, and she be your umbrella in the freezin rain"
Now do your thang, mama
[Chorus: Phonte singing]
The, way you walk
The, way you're talkin to me
Got me de-luuuuuusional
(Just want you to know you're, very special)
The, way you walk
The, way you're talkin to me
Got me de-luuuuuusional
(And I wanna sing a song about youuuuuu)
[Rapper Big Pooh:]
You talkin good young'n
I mean I'm hearin all the things like you talkin somethin
I mean I'm hearin what you sayin and the things you wantin
Sayin I could give 'em to you, ain't no need in frontin'
You was stuck on the image, you ain't seen me comin
Work hard for everything, you don't see me stuntin
Pooh a whole runt here that won't catch me ?buttin?
I said all that to really say this young'n
You're worth more than a dime
See you everyday but it's not enough time
I'm a wordsmith, couldn't find the right lines
Beauty's skin deep, call the goods behind the blinds
Point them other niggaz to the back of the line
Now I'm thinkin change, couple carats in your future
Glass window-stained, at the summertime spot where the couples hang
Gettin ahead of myself, girl do ya thang
Gon do ya thang, gon do it..
[Chorus]
[Oddisee:]
Where it said looks don't matter turned a blind eye to beauty
A thin waistline and a giant wide booty
Lemme keep it conscious, I'm diggin on a cutie
Who's doin sumthin to me, not a floozy wit da NA-AHH
Back on that ig'nant, forget Miss Amurrican
The universe spittin this here for Miss Thickness
So D.C. - so polite and chocolate-dury
Young'n on The Ave., got me sites the goddess…
[Phonte: singing]
She's the one, you call on when you need a friend (need a friend)
And EVERY-body wants to know her naaaaaame
When you're down and out, she let you hold a twenty to Friday
(Every first day from tennnn)
Miss Sexy Girl, just want you to come my way, ohhhh-hhh, yeah
[Chorus]
The song "Delusional" by Little Brother featuring Oddisee is about the power that a woman has over a man, how a woman's beauty and character can create an illusion that leaves a man delusional. Phonte, the first rapper, starts by describing a woman who has the kind of beauty that makes a man want to sing and write love songs about her. However, she does not want any drama, and when she finds a man, he has to understand that he is walking around with "his arm around her." Rapper Big Pooh comes in, telling the girl that she is worth more than a dime and that she needs to do her thing, and he will do his part to make sure she gets what she deserves. In the last verse, Oddisee talks about a woman's beauty and how it is important to appreciate it while also commenting that it takes more than looks to create a lasting relationship.
The song has a soulful, smooth R&B style that complements its reflective, introspective lyrics. Little Brother is known for its soulful take on hip hop and has been cited as an influence on rappers such as Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. The song is part of their album "The Minstrel Show," which explores themes of race and cultural identity in America.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, Tay.. Bout time y'all came out as y'all man
Oddisee is excited that Little Brother has revealed themselves and started making music again.
You don't e'en know, be a rack of broads out this joint from high
There are a lot of girls in the place, and they are all looking good.
And when he sang, the whole crowd sang along about her
When a guy sings about her, everyone supports him because she is perfect.
She just act stuck-up, to we not the fuck-ups
She tries to look unapproachable so that only worthwhile people come to her.
Then you need to change, and she be your umbrella in the freezin rain
When things get tough, she will be there to protect you and keep you safe.
You're worth more than a dime
She is not just valuable, but priceless.
Beauty's skin deep, call the goods behind the blinds
True beauty is more than just physical appearances; it's about the hidden qualities and inner depth.
Young'n on The Ave., got me sites the goddess
There's a beautiful girl on Georgia Avenue that has caught Oddisee's attention.
She's the one, you call on when you need a friend (need a friend)
She is a reliable friend who will always be there to support and help you.
When you're down and out, she let you hold a twenty to Friday
She is generous and will help you out financially if you ever need it.
Miss Sexy Girl, just want you to come my way
Oddisee wants that sexy girl to notice and like him.
The, way you walk
The, way you're talkin to me
Got me de-luuuuuusional
(Just want you to know you're, very special)
The way she walks and talks makes him feel like he's lost in a dream and thinks she is super special.
And I wanna sing a song about youuuuuu
He wants to express his love and sing a song dedicated to her.
Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.