Link: Official Little Brother Site
The Inside Pulse:
The story of Little Brother is proof that Hip Hop can still inspire us all. Phonte, Big Pooh and 9th Wonder have been in business as a group since 2001 and have never forgotten their roots or those that came into the game before them. If it seems like everything they’ve released since then has been under your radar, then you’re not looking hard enough. Their music is that rare kind that is uplifting because of its humility. While, say, Kanye West’s cocksure bravado can occasionally compromise his own brilliance, Little Brother has stayed grounded since Speed dropped in the summer of ’01. In 2003, they released The Listening, which was an eclectic collection that played like a tribute to those who influenced them, yet never sounded like pandering. Finally, in 2005, in what is arguably one of the weakest years in commercial rap history, comes The Minstrel Show and an opportunity for Little Brother shake up the industry on their biggest stage to date. They’ve got some big label backing under Atlantic Records and some crazy hype, to spare. And, maybe, just maybe”¦everything’s in place for a classic.
Positives:
The Minstrel Show isn’t just a collection of cuts”¦it’s a concept. Actually, it’s an incredibly executed concept that’s sharply subversive, while remaining accessible to anyone who loves the genre. The autobiographical Beautiful Morning shows that it’s not easy to turn a negative into a positive, but it’s indescribably satisfying when you can. That cut bleeds right into The Becoming, which continues the theme, but with a sharper edge. Speaking of edgy, All For You is a brilliantly bittersweet track highlighting the difficulties that African-American men face with fatherhood. 9th Wonder’s beats lay the foundation for Phonte and Pooh to let loose on almost every track, yet the “message” cuts are never preachy, while the arrogance is never overbearing or obvious. As an aside, you’re not going to ever hear funnier skits than the ones here.
Negatives:
This album is such a departure from the standard Hip Hop fare, that, quite simply, it may not be for everyone. Your mileage may vary, but some might say there’s really nothing here that you can bump from your car speakers to get hyped up with. Obviously, this is nitpicking (and Say It Again would certainly qualify in my car).
Cross-Breed:
Intelligence meets Hip Hop meets three hungry bruthas.
Reason to Buy:
This is your album of the year and, as of this writing, nothing else is even close. Everything from the artwork to the liner notes to the skits to the music all tie together to turn the rap world on its ear.
