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.
Rise And Fall
Little Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rapper Big Pooh:
Cold as the cold in the wintertime
Slow rhyme, when I rhyme, no beginner I'm
City walk when they said tryna make a dime
They don't ask for too much, just a little shine
A little time on the grind tryin' get that gwop
Now you back rehabilitated punching the clock
Old neighbourhood witnessin your man in the drop
Got the drop on that nigga, said he runnin' the block
Graduated from the greens to servin' up rock
So you plot and you think and you sin on the plan
On some ski mask shit but that's your man
I'm sayin', you tryna push reasons to the front
And put a block on that other shit you want
But the streets keep callin your name
A nine to five slave to the rhythm ain't bringin' you fame
So it's back to the game, round up a little gang
Set it up to stick your mayne but he stick you first, goodbye
I've seen 'em rise, seen 'em fall
Seen 'em come, seen 'em go, seen 'em all
Seen stars with they name on the wall
Till the money get tight and the limelight stall
Rapper Big Pooh:
3AM in the backseat leanin
Thinkin' bout all the things I seen man
Phonte:
Remember, before niggas was on the bandwagon
I fell asleep to the sound of hand cannons
Leavin' holes in souls the size of Grand Canyons
Late night, Spindle Street with my man Brendan
Fast-forward twelve years, now we grandstandin
Because I maintainin, without man tannin
And it made me an animal
But I need another quarter before the catalogue
I could dumb down and rap for bitches and alcohol
But I'm too loud and too proud to tap dance for these crackers dog
So, won't be no Gregory Hyman
When Te get hostile he spit gospel like he in the whiners
And right now he into findin
A new platform for the rhymes that I arrange
And new ideas for the lines that I exchange
'Cause I can't be a laughin' stock homie, that'd be a cryin shame
All I need is six bars and an intro
'Cause I relate to these beats like we was kinfolks
And the flow so fresh like lentils
And this is all real talk, that's for your info
Cause that's where I been yo, ho
Phonte:
3AM in the backseat leanin
Thinkin' bout all the things I seen man
AZ:
Grindin, timin, motherfucker
Rep up, stepped up motherfucker
So quiet, coulda crept on the sucker
From behind and blew the breath out the buster
But instead held my head like a hustler
Parked up to get the sound of the muffler
Heard a clown buyed his pounds, bein fluffier
Tellin' niggas outa town they be luckier
It get sad when the hood had enough of ya
Broke niggas buck at ya, poke you in ya jugular
But when you high you feel niggas can't fuck witcha
I'm surprised the nigga still had customers
Shut my eyes and inhaled my smoke
Tryna decide should I let him slide, but nope
He broke ties when he spoke his lies
Tellin' spies that he hope I die so my reply is
To keep it real, I hope he can fly
'Cause I'm a send him to them open skies
AZ:
3AM in the backseat leanin
Thinkin' bout all the things I've seen man
The song "Rise and Fall" is a story of three rappers who have seen the highs and lows of the music industry. The lyrics are divided into three verses, and each one is narrated by a different rapper. The first verse is sung by Rapper Big Pooh, who talks about the struggles of making it big while also trying to avoid getting caught up in the street life. He stresses the importance of making the right choices and staying away from negative influences. The chorus talks about how he has seen people rise and fall in the industry and how fame and money can be fleeting.
The second verse is performed by Phonte, who talks about how he has managed to maintain his success without compromising his values. He refuses to "dumb down" his lyrics for the sake of popularity and describes himself as a "laughing stock" if he were to do so. This verse is a statement about the importance of staying true to one's artistic vision and not getting lost in the pursuit of fame and money.
The third and final verse is delivered by AZ and is a tale of revenge. He talks about how he got "the drop" on someone who betrayed him and how he could have easily killed him but chose to spare him instead. This verse is about the temptation of revenge and the importance of making the right choices even in difficult situations.
Overall, "Rise and Fall" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of fame, money, and street life. It is a reminder that success is not just about making it big but also about maintaining one's integrity and staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Cold as the cold in the wintertime
I am distancing myself like the cold weather
Slow rhyme, when I rhyme, no beginner I'm
I may take my time but I am not a novice
City walk when they said tryna make a dime
I walk around the city trying to earn some money
They don't ask for too much, just a little shine
People just want a little bit of attention and recognition
A little time on the grind tryin' get that gwop
I am working hard to make money and achieve success
Wasn't worth eight years for your first time pop
Getting caught and serving time for your first crime is never worth it
Now you back rehabilitated punching the clock
After serving time, you are now a reformed person working an honest job
Old neighbourhood witnessin your man in the drop
The people from your old neighborhood see you riding in a fancy car
Got the drop on that nigga, said he runnin' the block
You have information on someone who's claiming to run the neighborhood
Graduated from the greens to servin' up rock
You have moved on from selling weed to selling cocaine
So you plot and you think and you sin on the plan
You scheme and strategize to execute a plan
On some ski mask shit but that's your man
You plan to commit a crime while wearing a ski mask but the target is someone you know
I'm sayin', you tryna push reasons to the front
You are trying to justify your actions to yourself
And put a block on that other shit you want
You are trying to suppress your true desires for the sake of the plan
But the streets keep callin your name
You are being pulled by the temptation and allure of the streets
A nine to five slave to the rhythm ain't bringin' you fame
Working a regular job won't bring you the fame and recognition you crave
So it's back to the game, round up a little gang
You decide to return to criminal activity and gather a small group of accomplices
Set it up to stick your mayne but he stick you first, goodbye
Your plan to rob your acquaintance backfires and he outsmarts you, resulting in your demise
I've seen 'em rise, seen 'em fall
I have witnessed people rise to success and fall from grace
Seen 'em come, seen 'em go, seen 'em all
I have seen people come and go and their stories are all the same
Seen stars with they name on the wall
I have seen celebrities with their names on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Till the money get tight and the limelight stall
Their success fades away when they face financial struggles and their fame loses its shine
Remember, before niggas was on the bandwagon
I remember when people were not fans of a certain trend or phenomenon
I fell asleep to the sound of hand cannons
I used to hear gunshots outside my window and it would lull me to sleep
Leavin' holes in souls the size of Grand Canyons
The gunshots resulted in devastated souls and communities
Late night, Spindle Street with my man Brendan
I used to hang out with a friend named Brendan on Spindle Street at night
Fast-forward twelve years, now we grandstandin
Years have passed and now we are both successful
Because I maintainin, without man tannin
I stayed true to myself and did not change to fit in with others
And it made me an animal
My perseverance and tenacity turned me into a fierce competitor
But I need another quarter before the catalogue
I need more resources to create my next body of work
I could dumb down and rap for bitches and alcohol
I could lower my standards and make music just to please certain audiences
But I'm too loud and too proud to tap dance for these crackers dog
I refuse to compromise my artistic integrity and pander to the mainstream
So, won't be no Gregory Hyman
I will not become a subservient and submissive performer like Gregory Hines
When Te get hostile he spit gospel like he in the whiners
When I am angry, I express myself truthfully like I am preaching to a congregation
And right now he into findin
Currently, I am focused on exploring new ideas and concepts
A new platform for the rhymes that I arrange
I want to find a new audience to appreciate my unique style of music
'Cause I can't be a laughin' stock homie, that'd be a cryin shame
I do not want to become a joke or a failure because it would be embarrassing and disappointing
All I need is six bars and an intro
I can make a powerful statement with just a few lines and a brief introduction
'Cause I relate to these beats like we was kinfolks
I have a strong connection to the music and can relate to it like it is a family member
And the flow so fresh like lentils
My style is innovative and refreshing like a new dish of lentils
And this is all real talk, that's for your info
Everything I am saying is genuine and truthful
Grindin, timin, motherfucker
I am working hard and waiting for the right opportunities
Rep up, stepped up motherfucker
I am representing myself and have improved in every way
So quiet, coulda crept on the sucker
I am being silent and secretive, could have easily taken advantage of someone
From behind and blew the breath out the buster
I could have attacked and killed someone from behind
But instead held my head like a hustler
I acted with wisdom and restraint like a skilled hustler
Parked up to get the sound of the muffler
I parked my car to hear the sound of a car's muffler
Heard a clown buyed his pounds, bein fluffier
I overheard someone bragging about buying drugs that are not pure
Tellin' niggas outa town they be luckier
He is recommending that out-of-town people buy these inferior drugs
It get sad when the hood had enough of ya
It is a sad situation when people from the neighborhood turn on you
Broke niggas buck at ya, poke you in ya jugular
People who are poor and jealous may try to attack and harm you
But when you high you feel niggas can't fuck witcha
When you are under the influence, you may feel invincible and immune to harm
I'm surprised the nigga still had customers
Despite selling inferior drugs, he still has customers which surprises me
Shut my eyes and inhaled my smoke
I closed my eyes and took a drag from my cigarette
Tryna decide should I let him slide, but nope
I am debating whether to ignore the man's bad business practices or not
He broke ties when he spoke his lies
He showed his true character when he lied to others
Tellin' spies that he hope I die so my reply is
He told others that he wishes harm on me, so I have a response
To keep it real, I hope he can fly
I wish he could fly away and leave me alone
'Cause I'm a send him to them open skies
Because I will deal with him and make him leave on his own
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mrchewylemonhead
This joint Popped up on my favorite streaming service and Phonte is absolutely BEASTED on this shit!
@MarvMay
You always beast out on the beats you have involvement in production on. Apparently, Phonte arranged this track.
@kireality
LB Fam always delivers! A stand out of this album.
@badgerden7080
It was through this song that I discovered Little Brother. Best music discovery I ever made.
@tonygastearl6909
Little Brother & Azilla dropped a classic
@WisdomInfinite-we2bj
I can relate to this song very poetically and omonessllly. 🤫
@malikacolbert2878
Dopeness
@tomaszwroblewski5681
Rise and fall and then Animal... Who feels it like i do?
@devinetime8821
🔥🔥🔥👑
@psaumes2
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥