Little Brother was a hip hop group from Durham, North Carolina, USA that co… Read Full Bio ↴Little Brother was a hip hop group from Durham, North Carolina, USA that consisted of rappers Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh, and DJ/producer 9th Wonder (from 2001 to 2007).
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.
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.
We Got Now
Little Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Ye-yeah, one more time, one last number
Chaundon, where you at, nigga?
It's the future right here, man
We startin' it right now, let's get it goin', Big Pooh, uh
My attitude real shitty, temper short
My mind cluttered like the streets of New York
I ain't tryin' to take a "L" 'cause I casually fought
This shit, real serious not casual sport
Let time fly by as I pen these thoughts
And I'm speedin' through life wit my car in park
And even in the day sometimes it's dark
And that cloud hoverin' low is not the worst part
Second guessin' yourself, tryin' to remain sharp
See niggas blowin' up, who ain't got yo, spark, uh
And that alone is a burden to carry
Either you'll get strong or you'll get buried
And rap keep plenty room in the cemetery
Pull out your Blackberry's, change yo itineraries
I mean you could be the shit today
Then tomorrow wake up, fame blown away
And homey, on the real, ain't nothin' you can say
That's why I work hard now, got later to lay
In the sands on the beach, mixin' drinks wit Belvy
The world gon' remember my name, motherfuckers
Now they heard some of yo' songs and peeped you from the side
And watched yo videos and seen the car you drive
Chill and we know what to expect, my nigga
Done seen it all before, I ain't impressed, my nigga
But they heard some of our songs and peeped us from the side
And came out to the shows and seen us on the grind
Chill and this is how we get down, motherfuckers
We don't care who got next, this is now, motherfuckers
I tried to work with niggas, don't wanna jerk them niggas
But everybody runnin' around thinkin' they murderers
Gave birth to niggas and when I burp them niggas
The spit up old lines that I fed to them earlier
And this is what the state of hip-hop is like
I'm thinkin', "Damn, this cannot be right"
And I agree that everybody's a biter but if you Xerox the style
Then that's infringin' on my copy, right?
It's the bottom of the 9th with no extra innings
And we all in the game tryin' to collect our pennants
And from the old school, I'm a direct descendant
And y'all can feel it at the end of each and every sentence
'Cause underground rap is just incense and gimmicks
An image, they phone in for ten cents a minute
I knew that since I entered, the rap game, my style
Would have niggas takin' it back but what about now?
I think about the youth and how their minds are so closed
'Cause now "Rap City" look like "Video Soul"
And that's a sad state of affairs but no need to despair
'Cause we the next ones that's takin' it there, ya know
Now they heard some of yo songs and peeped you from the side
And watched yo videos and seen the car you drive
Chill and we know what to expect, my nigga
Done seen it all before, I ain't impressed, my nigga
But they heard some of our songs and peeped us from the side
And came out to the shows and seen us on the grind
Chill and this is how we get down, motherfuckers
We don't care who got next, this is now, motherfuckers
A note to my opponents, yeah, I got now
And I always got next 'cause I seize every moment
I'm an opportunist with ambition, keep an eye
On that number one spot before it wind up missin'
And the heart of this being is the art of MC-in'
I feel I'm God with the flow 'cause people started believin'
Huh, so what I'm cocky, who gon' stop me?
Twist hoes, leave 'em knock knead, smile for paparazzi
This is how I get down, got a crib in every hood
So I'm always the hottest nigga in town
Hate it or love it, who fuckin' with our music?
Yeah, y'all niggas are the shit when it comes to bowel movements
Pooh showed and proved it, can't sleep on his game
'Te converted all the currency with foreign exchange
Up next to rock the booth is a rapper named Chaundon
The Bronx Borough President with "No Excuses"
Doubtin' me is foolish, don't ask who produced this
Knowin' damn well only 9th can do this, huh
It's no secret, Lyor even know
When me and Little Brother flow, it's guaranteed another video
Now they heard some of yo songs and peeped you from the side
And watched yo videos and seen the car you drive
Chill and we know what to expect, my nigga
Done seen it all before, I ain't impressed, my nigga
But they heard some of our songs and peeped us from the side
And came out to the shows and seen us on the grind
Chill and this is how we get down, motherfuckers
We don't care who got next, this is now, motherfuckers
On behalf of myself, Phonte, Big Pooh and 9th Wonder
And the whole cast of 'The Minstrel Show'
I wanna thank y'all for watchin' this shit
I ain't gon' front, only reason I took this job
'Cause I need the money, I don't need, yo, I ain't gon' front
I don't give a fuck if UBN pull the plug on me, dawg, I-I gotta be real
Y'all really wanna know how I feel about 'The Minstrel Show'?
Y'all really wanna know how I feel about UBN?
These goddamn crackers get on my motherfuck
Chaundon, where you at, nigga?
It's the future right here, man
We startin' it right now, let's get it goin', Big Pooh, uh
My attitude real shitty, temper short
My mind cluttered like the streets of New York
I ain't tryin' to take a "L" 'cause I casually fought
Let time fly by as I pen these thoughts
And I'm speedin' through life wit my car in park
And even in the day sometimes it's dark
And that cloud hoverin' low is not the worst part
Second guessin' yourself, tryin' to remain sharp
See niggas blowin' up, who ain't got yo, spark, uh
And that alone is a burden to carry
Either you'll get strong or you'll get buried
And rap keep plenty room in the cemetery
Pull out your Blackberry's, change yo itineraries
I mean you could be the shit today
Then tomorrow wake up, fame blown away
And homey, on the real, ain't nothin' you can say
That's why I work hard now, got later to lay
In the sands on the beach, mixin' drinks wit Belvy
The world gon' remember my name, motherfuckers
Now they heard some of yo' songs and peeped you from the side
And watched yo videos and seen the car you drive
Chill and we know what to expect, my nigga
Done seen it all before, I ain't impressed, my nigga
But they heard some of our songs and peeped us from the side
And came out to the shows and seen us on the grind
Chill and this is how we get down, motherfuckers
We don't care who got next, this is now, motherfuckers
I tried to work with niggas, don't wanna jerk them niggas
But everybody runnin' around thinkin' they murderers
Gave birth to niggas and when I burp them niggas
The spit up old lines that I fed to them earlier
And this is what the state of hip-hop is like
I'm thinkin', "Damn, this cannot be right"
And I agree that everybody's a biter but if you Xerox the style
Then that's infringin' on my copy, right?
It's the bottom of the 9th with no extra innings
And we all in the game tryin' to collect our pennants
And from the old school, I'm a direct descendant
And y'all can feel it at the end of each and every sentence
'Cause underground rap is just incense and gimmicks
An image, they phone in for ten cents a minute
I knew that since I entered, the rap game, my style
Would have niggas takin' it back but what about now?
I think about the youth and how their minds are so closed
'Cause now "Rap City" look like "Video Soul"
And that's a sad state of affairs but no need to despair
'Cause we the next ones that's takin' it there, ya know
Now they heard some of yo songs and peeped you from the side
And watched yo videos and seen the car you drive
Chill and we know what to expect, my nigga
Done seen it all before, I ain't impressed, my nigga
But they heard some of our songs and peeped us from the side
And came out to the shows and seen us on the grind
Chill and this is how we get down, motherfuckers
We don't care who got next, this is now, motherfuckers
A note to my opponents, yeah, I got now
And I always got next 'cause I seize every moment
I'm an opportunist with ambition, keep an eye
On that number one spot before it wind up missin'
And the heart of this being is the art of MC-in'
I feel I'm God with the flow 'cause people started believin'
Huh, so what I'm cocky, who gon' stop me?
Twist hoes, leave 'em knock knead, smile for paparazzi
This is how I get down, got a crib in every hood
So I'm always the hottest nigga in town
Hate it or love it, who fuckin' with our music?
Yeah, y'all niggas are the shit when it comes to bowel movements
Pooh showed and proved it, can't sleep on his game
'Te converted all the currency with foreign exchange
Up next to rock the booth is a rapper named Chaundon
The Bronx Borough President with "No Excuses"
Doubtin' me is foolish, don't ask who produced this
Knowin' damn well only 9th can do this, huh
It's no secret, Lyor even know
When me and Little Brother flow, it's guaranteed another video
Now they heard some of yo songs and peeped you from the side
And watched yo videos and seen the car you drive
Chill and we know what to expect, my nigga
Done seen it all before, I ain't impressed, my nigga
But they heard some of our songs and peeped us from the side
And came out to the shows and seen us on the grind
Chill and this is how we get down, motherfuckers
We don't care who got next, this is now, motherfuckers
On behalf of myself, Phonte, Big Pooh and 9th Wonder
And the whole cast of 'The Minstrel Show'
I wanna thank y'all for watchin' this shit
I ain't gon' front, only reason I took this job
'Cause I need the money, I don't need, yo, I ain't gon' front
I don't give a fuck if UBN pull the plug on me, dawg, I-I gotta be real
Y'all really wanna know how I feel about 'The Minstrel Show'?
Y'all really wanna know how I feel about UBN?
These goddamn crackers get on my motherfuck
The song "We Got Now" by Little Brother featuring Chaundon is a reflection on the current state of hip hop and the challenges faced by underground rappers. The lyrics speak to the difficulties of staying true to oneself while trying to make it in the rap game. The opening bars reveal a sense of frustration with an industry that values image over substance. The artist is aware of the burden that comes with trying to stand out and having to constantly prove oneself. The song is a call to other rappers to keep pushing, stay true to themselves and work hard to be remembered.
The lyrics also touch on the issue of biting in the rap game. The artist expresses frustration with other rappers using their style and taking credit for their work. He comments on the state of hip hop, which he perceives to be more focused on image than substance. Despite this, the artist also celebrates the power of his flow and his ability to move people with his music.
Little Brother and Chaundon successfully convey a message of hope through their lyrics. They assert that they are not just playing for now, but that they are playing for the future. While they acknowledge the challenges of the game, they are not deterred. They claim that music is their art and that they are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.
In conclusion, "We Got Now" is a song that speaks to the issues facing underground rappers in the rap industry. The lyrics are a powerful reminder to stay true to oneself and focus on what truly matters. The artist paints a picture of the rap game as a challenging environment where one must fight to be heard. However, the song encourages other rappers to persevere, work hard, and focus on the future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: F. ST. OMER, P. COLEMAN, P. DOUTHIT, T. JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Random Commenter
Chaundon’s verse is one of the greatest rap verses of all time
Random Commenter
@THE ROOB PODCAST Videocast yessir you know he always brings the heat when he hops on the mic
THE ROOB PODCAST Videocast
I agree 💯
Mo W
This shit still beats. Brings back sooooo many memories man oh man. What a good feeling.
THE ROOB PODCAST Videocast
"I'm an opportunist with ambition" real ish ✊🏿
Waekeedrick Staten
Agreed. Sheesh.
Wes T
Still don't understand how they let scudda hang around
Why Trash Earth
The Arthur Verocai sample still blows my mind everytime I hear it.
This is the song I shall play when I exit offstage after an amazing accomplishment.
Shake 1
Just heard the original. Didn't even know the sample was a person harmonizing. Dope!
winnyjstew
probably one of my favorite Phonte verses of all time