Little Brother is a rap duo consisting of Phonte Coleman and Thomas “Big Pooh” Jones. They are part of the larger rap collective called the Justus League. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Little Brother rose to fame in 2003 due to their debut album, The Listening. Considered by some to be an underground classic, The Listening was noted for the smooth, nostalgic samples via producer/group member 9th Wonder and the equally smooth delivery of rappers Big Pooh and Phonte. The group drew numerous comparisons to their recognized forerunners Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul among others. Their second effort, The Minstrel Show, was expected to have much more commercial success after the group signed a deal with Atlantic Records. Despite birthing what is widely considered another classic album, sales didn’t bare out near as well due in part to a lack of promotion from Atlantic. In 2007, LB would part ways with both Atlantic Records as well as group member 9th Wonder almost simultaneously due to differences on where the group would go and how it would sound with both parties. Little Brother returns in Fall of 2007 with their third album Getback.

LB kicks off the Getback Movement with “Sirens” the album’s opening track and thereby bypassing the obligatory “intro” that plagues sooo many hip-hop albums. Sirens is a great opening track because it sets the tone and makes known LB’s stance on issues plaguing hip-hop in 2007 such as the n-word, crime, mysogyny, etc. Take Te’s verse for example:

Like I could stick you up with a mic, Like I could rape you with a verse or use a verse as a knife. Like before Kool Herc everything was alright, Like y’all wasn’t calling Black women hoes before Rapper’s Delight.

As always with Te, you can agree or disagree but either way he makes you think by raising a point over wax that most artists wouldn’t even attempt to address because it doesn’t push discs. Then again, I doubt that 106&Park will be playing LB on their Top 10 regardless.

Next is “Can’t Win For Losing”. First off, super hot beat from Illmind. Lyrically, this is closer to what critics knocked LB for on The Minstrel Show. Phonte and Pooh express some frustration with the industry, fans, fam, and how unstable the whole experience can be for music artists trying to make a name for themselves.

***STAR TRACK***

The star track on this album for most will probably be “Breakin’ My Heart”. Again, the beat is bananas with the foster. Props to 9th Wonder for bringing the fiyah on this track even after he left the group. Plus, Lil’ Wayne’s familiar voice will offer the mainstreamers a bit of comfort in the indie jungle that has been Little Brother.

Skipping down the line to “After the Party”, this track is a good song that addresses the loneliness of chasing the next big party and the endless grind of “chasing” in general..no pun intended. The lead-in is hilarious because Phonte parodies when Jamie Foxx disemboweled comedian Doug Williams at a comedy roast for Emmitt Smith hosted by Shaq. If you haven’t seen it click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_L-gbpKZpo

The other track that may be the best song on the album is “Step It Up”. Crafted by superproducer Hi-Tek the beat is as vintage Teknology as the lyrics hit right at LB’s core audience. Very smooth crooner Dion blends well even though I would’ve personally liked to have heard Darien Brockington.

Overall a really good album that’s easily a strong powerslide into home base away from being an in-the-park homerun. I’m sure hardcore fans will say it’s not The Minstrel Show just like they said Minstel Show wasn’t The Listening. Regardless, this album comes across as a logical step in the evolution of their music. I do feel this album didn’t have the consistency those previous albums had which is why I’d rate this album an A- and not the A+ those other albums were.

I give this album an A- rating.