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.
Light it Up
Little Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Dion] You make me step my game up!
[Rapper Big Pooh]
Shit, cause women come, women go
Until we all mature we ain't really tryin' to grow
With the girl we seein' we ain't really tryin though
Got a little older, had to spend a little dough
Kept somethin' in the pocket just in case I had to show
Shorties how I did it when I took 'em to the sto'
Took a few to the mo', lot'll vouch for that
Nigga bounce to the fact things I did was dumb
I account all of that to bein' young
Got a little age, got some understandin'
The older women get the more concerned with companion-ship
It took me a while to get to this point
I don't expect all of y'all to understand this shit
Read between the bass snares and kick
Everybody gettin' judged by who they standin' with, f'real
[Chorus: Dion]
You make me step my game up, game up
Step my game up yeah step my game up
You make me step my game up, game up
Step my game up yeah, my game up
You make me step my game up...
[Phonte]
She said we should go out on a date
I said that's cool you can come to my house
She said nigga please! Do better than that
Why the fuck I wanna come over and chill on yo' couch?
I laughed cause it seemed she had me all figured out
And my game ain't work like it did befo'
Dem are days long gone, cause once they get grown
These hoes ain't impressed by Applebees no mo'
Gotta dig a little deeper for that PF change, for PF Chang's
And if you can't afford it
You can still do thangs to show you ain't on no dumb shit
Take her to a gallery, museum or some shit
Thank God for you and all the crew that you run with
Givin' new meaning to the blind date
You so offi-shall, but a nigga can't attract Crist-al
With a Boone's Farm mindstate, knahmsayin?
[Chorus]
[Dion]
The game up, step my game up, yeah step my game up
You make me step my game up, yeah game up
Step my game up, yeah, my game up
You make me step my game up
[Outro]
Uhh, ay listen baby
(You make a nigga wanna go to the store and get some wine for you)
'Member when you got your first apartment, you used to have chicks over
What was the #1 line you used to always use
When you wanted to get 'em naked?
(Baby do you want a massage?)
That's it, hehehe, can't do it no mo', let's step it up man
The song "Step It Up" by Little Brother featuring Dion is a reminder to men to improve their game when it comes to dating. It encourages men to level up their relationship skills, which includes taking women on dates that are more than just chilling on the couch. Rapper Big Pooh reflects on his past experiences with women and acknowledges that he did not always prioritize true companionship in his relationships. However, as he got older, he recognized the importance of quality time with women and started to take dating more seriously. Phonte agrees with Big Pooh and adds that women are no longer impressed with simple and cheap date ideas, like Applebee's, and that men must be willing to make more of an effort to show that they are serious about building a relationship. Overall, the song encourages men to step up their game and be more mindful and attentive in their dating lives.
The song was released in 2005 as part of the album "The Minstrel Show" by Little Brother.
Line by Line Meaning
Shit, cause women come, women go
Women come and go, implying that it may be difficult to maintain a long-term relationship.
Until we all mature we ain't really tryin' to grow
Until people mature, they are not necessarily trying to develop into better versions of themselves.
With the girl we seein' we ain't really tryin though
When guys are casually dating someone, there is no real effort being put in to improve the relationship or each other.
Try and beat it up fast on the living room flo'
Trying to have sex quickly on the living room floor without any real connection, effort, or intimacy.
Got a little older, had to spend a little dough
As people mature, they may need to spend more money and make more of an effort to show someone they care.
Kept somethin' in the pocket just in case I had to show
Having a backup plan or money set aside in case it is necessary to prove oneself or impress someone.
Shorties how I did it when I took 'em to the sto'
Showing off by taking people to stores or other places where the money is spent to impress them.
Took a few to the mo', lot'll vouch for that
Taking people to movies, with many people able to attest to his behavior and the way he tried to impress them.
Nigga bounce to the fact things I did was dumb
Realizing that some of the things he did in the past to try to impress women were not wise or intelligent choices.
I account all of that to bein' young
Acknowledging that his previous actions were due to the immaturity and impulsiveness of youth.
The older women get the more concerned with companion-ship
As women become more mature, they are more interested in developing a meaningful connection with someone rather than just being impressed by material possessions.
It took me a while to get to this point
Admitting that it has taken him some time to truly understand what it takes to impress and maintain a relationship with someone.
I don't expect all of y'all to understand this shit
Not expecting everyone to understand the complexities of relationships and how to maintain them.
Read between the bass snares and kick
Looking deeper and interpreting the meaning behind the music and lyrics.
Everybody gettin' judged by who they standin' with, f'real
People are often judged by the company they keep, so it is important to surround oneself with the right people.
She said we should go out on a date
The woman suggested they go on a date.
I said that's cool you can come to my house
The rapper suggests that they should hang out at his house.
She said nigga please! Do better than that
The woman dismisses the rapper's suggestion, indicating he needs to put in more effort.
Why the fuck I wanna come over and chill on yo' couch?
Asking a rhetorical question about why someone would want to spend time with another person under boring or unimpressive circumstances.
I laughed cause it seemed she had me all figured out
The rapper laughs because the woman seems to understand him and his attitudes toward relationships.
And my game ain't work like it did befo'
The rapper's previous tactics for impressing women do not work anymore.
Dem are days long gone, cause once they get grown
The days of shallow and materialistic relationships are long gone, as women become more mature.
These hoes ain't impressed by Applebees no mo'
Material items like Applebees are no longer impressive to women.
Gotta dig a little deeper for that PF change, for PF Chang's
Effort and investment are needed to impress women, so looking for something more meaningful and rewarding than a cheap dinner is necessary.
And if you can't afford it
If someone cannot afford an extravagant date, they can show effort and creativity in other ways.
You can still do thangs to show you ain't on no dumb shit
Being creative and thoughtful can still show effort and understanding, even if there is not a lot of money to spend.
Take her to a gallery, museum or some shit
Going to a gallery, museum or finding another alternative to an expensive date that still shows creativity and thoughtfulness.
Thank God for you and all the crew that you run with
Being thankful for his friends who also help set the tone for meaningful relationships.
Givin' new meaning to the blind date
Changing the traditional and shallow idea of a blind date to one where people get to know each other on a deeper level.
You so offi-shall, but a nigga can't attract Crist-al
While he may be trying to put in effort and impress women, he still cannot afford the most expensive things.
With a Boone's Farm mindstate, knahmsayin?
Describing a cheap and low-class mindset, which is not desirable in a relationship.
Uhh, ay listen baby
Addressing the woman directly to explain his thoughts and feelings on relationships.
(You make a nigga wanna go to the store and get some wine for you)
The woman inspires the rapper to put in effort and do more to impress her.
'Member when you got your first apartment, you used to have chicks over
Reminiscing about the days when he was younger and used to have casual hookups.
What was the #1 line you used to always use
Asking what line he used to use to impress women in the past.
When you wanted to get 'em naked?
Remembering the line he used to say when he just wanted to have sex with someone.
(Baby do you want a massage?)
The line he used to use to imply that he wanted something sexual.
That's it, hehehe, can't do it no mo'
Realizing that those tactics are no longer sufficient and that he needs to put in more effort and show a genuine desire to connect with someone.
Let's step it up man
Advising others to put in more effort and show a genuine desire to connect with someone in order to impress them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DERIC MICHEAL ANGELETTIE, MICHAEL JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind