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.
Lovin' It
Little Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got the number down right here, I'm looking at it
I couldn't believe she would do me like that be
I just don't understand it dog, can't understand it
Ladies and gentleman,
Wanna welcome y'all back to "The Minstrel Show"
Thank y'all for tuning in; y'all keep watching a lotta the station
And it feels so beautiful
Performing at black face tonight!
It's my nigga, Joe Scudda
Coming up a little bit later on in the show
I just wanna thank y'all for just tuning in
It's like this yo...
Yo, when 'Te pulls his verses out
Promoters pull their purses out
That, money for a purchase out
The charge card that they swipe for the worst amounts
'Cause this is business, not personal
Thought I would switch my personnel
Like Big Doe and Big Pooh would be the first to bounce
But y'all, niggaz is boring me, y'all never gon' change
And please, join a sorority, go step your game up
Y'all boys ain't ready for damage, you need extra planning
You in the game, but you off-size and gotta extra man
And I'm the coach doing your reprimanding
I got a team to run, boy respect my standards
And when I'm on the mic y'all should expect the grandest
Showing lyricism ever let 'em know who your man is
It's Phonte (a ch- a ch- a ch- a check it now)
[Chorus:]
Don't stop, can't stop, yes I wanna
(So gutter)
Can't stop, won't stop, yes I wanna
(Little Brother)
Don't stop, can't stop, yes I wanna
(And all across the world, the fly ladies and girls, tell me they lovin' it)
Can't stop, won't stop, yes I wanna
Don't stop, can't stop, yes I wanna
(East Coast say they lovin' it)
Can't stop, won't stop, yes I wanna
(Midwest say they lovin' it)
Don't stop, can't stop, yes I wanna
(All worlds say they lovin' it)
Can't stop, won't stop, yes I wanna
Its rapper Big Poo!
I got a prob' with, niggaz speaking gossip
Talkin' bout what you know, nothing it is nonsense
That's a Bronson, Charlie take precaution
Get you sold on the block, no not an auction
Dearly departin'
I'm not a G, but I move like they move
With a head full of smarts man
Here these niggaz go rambling
'Cause they don't know about the business we be handling (But let em know!)
Constant hits keep em scrambling
Till the stores, till the shelves dismantlin' (And?)
And what's that joint ninth sampling?
Pooh and 'Te on the mic, them bastards them, (Damn!)
And your women, we attractin' them
And if you ever wanna know what's happening
We tell 'em
[Chorus:]
It's Joe Scudda!
I wake up every morning, holding my dick
Going through life like I know I'm the shit, ya ain't fucking with me
So why try? Why go that route?
Why take that street? You can't take that heat?
Man your whole flow weak, we will take that beat
Put our own words on it, we will make that street
To the crowds and the masses, and all I ask is
Don't settle for the average, rap cabbage-
Heads; yeah you heard what I said, we the best here
'Cause our worst days be better than your best years
We your worst fears
So get up, get out, and get somethin'
Man, its only getting worse here
Joe Scudda, little brother, man we family
And we here forever so understand me
[Chorus: Fade to End]
The song "Lovin' It" by Little Brother feat. Joe Scudda is a commentary on the music industry and the struggles of being an artist. The intro to the song implies that the artists are performing in blackface, which is a reference to the history of blackface minstrel shows and the exploitation of black culture for entertainment. The first verse is rapped by Phonte, who talks about the business side of the industry, emphasizing that it's not personal, and that money is the bottom line. He also takes a jab at other rappers who aren't as skilled or prepared as him, stating that they need to step up their game. The chorus repeats the phrase "Don't stop, can't stop," which seems to suggest that the artists are determined to keep going no matter what obstacles they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh we get started up one more time
We're starting again
I got the number down right here, I'm looking at it
I have the number in front of me
I couldn't believe she would do me like that be
I was surprised she would treat me badly
I just don't understand it dog, can't understand it
I don't understand what is happening
Thank y'all for tuning in; y'all keep watching a lotta the station
Thanks for watching the station
But y'all touring us right now
But you're watching us perform live at the Minstrel Show
And it feels so beautiful
It feels great to perform
Performing at black face tonight!
Performing tonight with my friend Joe Scudda
Promoters pull their purses out
Promoters offer to pay a lot of money
The charge card that they swipe for the worst amounts
They use their credit card to pay for more than what they can afford
Like Big Doe and Big Pooh would be the first to bounce
They think we will leave like other artists have done
Y'all boys ain't ready for damage, you need extra planning
You're not prepared for the competition, you need more preparation
I got a team to run, boy respect my standards
I'm in charge, so follow my rules
Showing lyricism ever let 'em know who your man is
I'm showing off my skills on the mic, letting everyone know I'm talented
Can't stop, won't stop, yes I wanna
I'm unstoppable, I'm determined to keep going
And all across the world, the fly ladies and girls, tell me they lovin' it
Women everywhere are enjoying our music
Midwest say they lovin' it
People in the Midwest enjoy our music
All worlds say they lovin' it
People all over the world love our music
Going through life like I know I'm the shit, ya ain't fucking with me
I have confidence and I'm not going to let anyone bring me down
Why try? Why go that route?
Why bother trying something you're not good at?
Why take that street? You can't take that heat?
Why bother taking a difficult path if you can't handle it?
Man your whole flow weak, we will take that beat
Your rap skills aren't strong enough, we'll make it better
Put our own words on it, we will make that street
We'll add our own lyrics to the beat and make it better
So get up, get out, and get somethin'
Get up and do something productive
Man, its only getting worse here
Things are only getting worse
Joe Scudda, little brother, man we family
Joe Scudda and I are like family
And we here forever so understand me
We'll be here forever, so listen to what I'm saying
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOSEPH GRIFFITH, PATRICK DOUTHIT, PHONTE COLEMAN, ROGER JOYCE, T RANDAZZO, THOMAS JONES, VICTORIA PIKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@antben1832
It's December 27th 2023 ... And this joint still the shit
@KoTM25681
Little Brother was like the last hiphop group that tried to bring hiphop back to it's roots. I will forever respect them for that and they will forever be one of my favorite hiphop groups of all time...
@alltheworldswonders4926
Damn straight
@emanatingf
what about Clearsoulforces they're advancing Hip-Hop right now they're like a mix of LB and Pharcyde with mad ill chemistry.
@DLaveaux
100%
@MichaVelli1983
Real talk
@shuifeng1333
Agreed!!!!! 💯
@rose4mvp2012
They got me in trouble in 3rd grade lmao. We had free time on the computer and I didn't know googling "The Minstrel Show" was a crime in school. She reacted like I searched up "big black booty thunder clapping " or "Buffie The Body" something wild like that. I tried to explain to my teacher that it was an album but she wasn't having that. Dad almost whooped my ass but he looked it up and saw the album and was "oh". He went out and bought it for me too. Good times. Good times.
@desdevliventertainment.9738
Jared Banks that’s Amazing My Brotha👏🏾👏🏾😂😂🙏🏾
@coloradoluvinit
Great story!!!