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.
***********
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
***********
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.
***********
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.
Life of the Party Remix
Little Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Girl, whatchu MEAN you don't recognize me!
I'm only the biggest rap star in yo' apartment complex, eh! (Hahaha! )
OH! Uh, uh... and another one
My nigga Nottz on the beat... uh, and another one, c'mon
[Chorus x2: Carlitta Durand]
Everybody stop the presses
'Cause I'm the life of the party
Take a look at me now!
[Phonte:]
Uh, I'm the cow's milk, I'm the bee's knees
I'm the life of the party, you know you see me
And all my team in harmony like the Bee Gees
Our name in bright lights like it's 3D
People stop and stare, "Look what them boys got"
We cain't afford Cris', frontin like we boycott
We on the same page, we all on one accord
Little do they know we all came in one Accord
And them people get sad cause they thank we should be mad
At all them niggaz wit big money and big chains
But the way I see it, as long as I don't blow
Each and ev'ry year, I'll be the next big thang!
Ten years later, niggaz still on the verge
Same gray Nissan sittin on the curb
I know, you was thankin it'd be gettin on my nerves
But maaan, goddamn, this feeling is superb!
It's giving me the urge, to write this
Even though I say it in jest, I'm not jokin in fact
Some niggaz spend they lifetime tryna headline
But it's so much better bein your opening act
So to all of my "Almost Famous" halfway
Superstar niggaz, we gon' rock up there
We bout to get it started, I'm the life of the party
You sheep-ass niggaz can shut the +flock+ up, baaah!
[Chorus x2]
[Rapper Big Pooh:]
It's like, here we go, uh! Then we stopped
"Oh we back on?" Then the album dropped
Release date came, then the album flopped
A stale piece of gum woulda had more pop
So I'm headed right back to the shop
The new Geto Boys, yo +We Can't Be Stopped+
Unless we standin outside at the spot
I hear my record playin but nobody know about, uh
Pooh and Tay, two boys from the South
Who sounds so dope when these words come out!
Standin in the cold, naw I ain't gold
But I'm on the list, now I'm gettin pissed
"Somebody's fired, who organized this?
'Getback' is a pretty cold dish!" Ha!
So we in, went my way to the bar
Had Goose lime juice, baby recognize the star
The she pointed out one to two
And ask me what I do, I'm like, "Yo, you not cute!"
I told her, "Take the look at the suit!
Wish I knew voodoo, I'd pulled a root
On you folk, make you see what I see
That Poobie is a star, he don't need TV"
Then she said she don't even need me
Picked up a drink, switched in the V.I.P., holla!
[Chorus x2]
[Skillz:]
Uh-huh, I'm like, "Girl, I'm the life of the party"
She said, "No you ain't!
If you was a star, my lil' sister see you on 'Fame'"
I leaned over like, "Mama, how you doin today?"
She said, "You ain't famous, boy! Won't you get out the way!"
I'm like, "DAYUM, why it gotta be like that?
Man you gotta know Skillz if you listen to rap"
She said "We listen to Dee, we listen to Jay
I love Lil' Wayne, but the clique say he gay"
Said, "Whatever chu's rock, that's what we were
You ain't Chingy, you ain't Nelly, won't chu go over thurr!"
She said, "I love 50, but I still roll with Game
I like that 'Rap Up' guy, but I don't know his name"
She said, "I love that jam, man that song is HOT!"
I'm like, "That's MY song!" She's like "No it's not!"
Later on I'm on stage and she recognize me
Her hands went up, and I hit her wit a fuckin CD, bam!
The song "Life of the Party Remix" by Little Brother starts with Phonte telling a girl that he's a famous rap star, and he's the life of the party. The song continues with Phonte and other members of the group rapping about how they're making their way up in the music industry. They talk about how they're not making as much money as other big-name artists, but they're still happy to be performing and working towards success. The chorus is a celebration of their accomplishments, with the group claiming that they're the life of the party and everyone should take a look at them now.
The verses of the song are each rapped by a different member of Little Brother. Phonte raps about how he's the cow's milk and bee's knees, making him the life of the party. He goes on to explain how they can't afford Cristal and how they're all on the same page. Rapper Big Pooh raps about how they've faced setbacks, but they're still making their way in the music industry. Skillz raps about a girl who doesn't believe he's famous and how she only listens to big-name artists. He eventually wins her over and hits her with a CD from his performance, proving that he's the life of the party.
Overall, "Life of the Party Remix" is a song about overcoming obstacles and believing in yourself, even when others doubt you. Little Brother raps about their journey to success and how they're the life of the party, despite not being as famous or wealthy as other artists. The song has a fun, upbeat feel and is a celebration of their accomplishments.
Line by Line Meaning
Girl, whatchu MEAN you don't recognize me!
Phonte, a popular rapper, is offended that a girl doesn't recognize him as she is unaware of his fame and huge popularity.
I'm only the biggest rap star in yo' apartment complex, eh! (Hahaha! )
Phonte pokes fun at his own popularity by asserting that he is only famous in a small space "apartment complex" where everyone knows each other.
Everybody stop the presses
Make way for the talk of the town
'Cause I'm the life of the party
Take a look at me now!
Carlitta celebrates her popularity by urging everyone to take note of her status as the life of the party.
Uh, I'm the cow's milk, I'm the bee's knees
I'm the life of the party, you know you see me
Phonte boasts about his pop culture relevance by using the idiomatic expressions "cow's milk" and "bee's knees" to imply his superiority, he claims it is obvious that he is 'the life of the party'.
Our name in bright lights like it's 3D
People stop and stare, "Look what them boys got"
Phonte confidently claims that his team is famous hence their name is in bright lights and people stare in a state of awe.
But the way I see it, as long as I don't blow
Each and ev'ry year, I'll be the next big thang!
Phonte is not bothered about the wealth and material possessions that other famous people have and believes that he will continue making progress yearly and reach the heights of fame he seeks.
Little do they know we all came in one Accord
Phonte points out that despite not having the luxury and status of other famous people still perseveres with his team, and in unity, they will soon join the ranks of already famous people.
Ten years later, niggaz still on the verge
Same gray Nissan sittin on the curb
Phonte reflects on how hard it is to achieve fame as he boasts this ten years later, they still drive the same car, a gray Nissan.
Some niggaz spend they lifetime tryna headline
But it's so much better bein your opening act
Phonte expresses that he prefers less so that when he is eventually famous, people can remember he carved his path patiently.
So to all of my "Almost Famous" halfway
Superstar niggaz, we gon' rock up there
Phonte encourages 'Almost Famous' artists, and emerging talent to keep pushing, and the day will come when they headline a show.
Unless we standin outside at the spot
I hear my record playin but nobody know about, uh
Big Pooh bemoans the challenges of making a name for oneself in the competitive music industry as they hear their songs play, but no one knows who they are.
Who sounds so dope when these words come out!
Big Pooh is proud of his lyrical abilities, and feels he is underrated even though his raps are dope and convey messages.
I'm on the list, now I'm gettin pissed
"Somebody's fired, who organized this?
Big Pooh is annoyed that even though he was on the guest list, it felt like no one had an idea who he was. Hence, he doubts the ability of someone who arranged the party.
"Getback' is a pretty cold dish!" Ha!
Big Pooh remembers his album Getback which he felt was cold because of the lukewarm reception it received.
I'm like, "DAYUM, why it gotta be like that?
Man you gotta know Skillz if you listen to rap"
Skillz complains about how people overlook him as he compares himself to other popular rappers, responding to criticisms with humor.
"We listen to Dee, we listen to Jay
I love Lil' Wayne, but the clique say he gay"
Skillz shows how every individual has diverse preferences and opinions regarding what they consider good music.
"You ain't Chingy, you ain't Nelly, won't chu go over thurr!"
She said, "I love 50, but I still roll with Game"
Skillz' converses with a woman who seems to have a measure of popularity in a club, as she tries to compare him to other rappers like Chingy and Nelly, Skillz insists on sticking to his principles.
I'm like, "That's MY song!" She's like "No it's not!"
Later on I'm on stage and she recognize me
Skillz and the girl he was chatting with at a club earlier on disagree on who owns a particular song that they both love; later in the night, the girl identifies Skillz on stage and expresses excitement at meeting him.
Contributed by Keira O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.