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.
Welcome to the Minstrel Show
Little Brother Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"U Black Niggas Network, Channel 94"
"Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill"
We'd like to welcome you to everything there is to know
This is our life, this is our music, it's our Minstrel Show
We'd like to welcome you to everything there is to know
This is our life, this is our music, it's our Minstrel Show
It's "The Minstrel Show," starring Phonte!
Rapper Big Pooh! 9th Wonder y'all!
Roy Lee and the 4th Tritonian band!
Musical guest Percy Miracles, and your host Chris Hardwick!
This is our life, this is our music, it's our Minstrel Show
Hey everybody I'm your host Chris Hardwick
LET'S START THE SHOW!
The lyrics to Little Brother feat. Yahzarah's song "Welcome To The Minstrel Show" are a commentary on the state of mainstream hip-hop and its pervasive use of negative stereotypes to sell records. The opening lines of the song reference the "U Black Niggas Network" and a specific channel number, indicating that the listener is tuning in to a television show or radio station that is dedicated to showcasing black artists. The use of the word "minstrel" in the title of the song is deliberate, as it calls to mind the racist entertainment tradition of blackface minstrelsy, in which white performers would caricature black people for the entertainment of white audiences.
The lyrics go on to suggest that the artists themselves are aware of the problematic nature of their own work, but feel trapped by the expectations of the industry and the demands of a predominantly white audience. The use of Chris Hardwick as a host is also significant, as he is a white comedian and television personality who would be seen as an outsider to the predominantly black hip-hop community. By placing him in the role of host, the artists are drawing attention to the cultural appropriation that takes place when non-black people profit off of black culture.
Overall, "Welcome To The Minstrel Show" is a powerful critique of the hip-hop industry and the ways in which it perpetuates racism and cultural exploitation. By using the language and imagery of minstrelsy, the artists are forcing listeners to confront head-on the racism that continues to underlie much of our popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
You are watching - U, Beeeee, Nnnnnnnnnnnn
You are currently viewing the U Black Niggas Network, Channel 94, specific to the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area.
We'd like to welcome you to everything there is to know
We want to extend a warm greeting to you and provide you with all the information and experiences we can offer.
This is our life, this is our music, it's our Minstrel Show
Our performances showcase and reflect our lives and musical styles, presented in a manner comparable to a minstrel show.
It's "The Minstrel Show," starring Phonte!
Our show is appropriately named "The Minstrel Show" and features Phonte as the main act.
Rapper Big Pooh! 9th Wonder y'all!
Additionally, we have Rapper Big Pooh and 9th Wonder performing for you all.
Roy Lee and the 4th Tritonian band!
The Roy Lee and the 4th Tritonian band will also be participating in our show.
Musical guest Percy Miracles, and your host Chris Hardwick!
As musical guests, you can look forward to hearing Percy Miracles and being hosted by Chris Hardwick.
Hey everybody I'm your host Chris Hardwick
I am Chris Hardwick, and I am your host for this show.
LET'S START THE SHOW!
With all performers and guests announced and in attendance, it is finally time to begin the entertainment for the evening.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARNOLD DARNELL INGRAM, JAMES JR. MITCHELL, MARVIN L. WILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind