The time has come. One of the most acclaimed hip-hop groups of the last decade, the North Carolina duo of Phonte and Big Pooh, better known as Little Brother, are set to release their fourth and final album. They’ve represented the essence of hip-hop with vivid lyrics and fantastic production, but they’ve also seen more than a fair share of ups and downs. Expectations are high for LeftBack and fans don’t want this to come to an end, but after this LB take off to focus on other endeavors.
URB: Did you feel melancholic about working on the release of your final album?
PHONTE: Not at all. We just approached it like we would any other album.
BIG POOH: Working on the last album was like working on anything else we have done. I know we are still going to be working with each other in some capacity and not moving on to careers without music, so as far as recording, it wasn’t weighing heavy on my mind during the recording process.
There are no leftovers in LeftBack, right?
BIG POOH: No leftovers, this is everything. No songs in the stash, nothing.
PHONTE: The only song that was left over from the original Getback sessions was “Second Chances” feat. Bilal. Everything else was done within the last 3-4 months.
Some of your songs have been described as “too intelligent.” Any secret codes in the release date 4.20.10?
BIG POOH: I don’t even know why those songs were labeled as such. We are not talking about the Periodic Table or no shit like that. We just rap, talk about our lives and experiences. If that is considered too intelligent then people need to smarten up.
PHONTE: Nah, not at all. That was just the date that worked for us.
How has your music evolved over four albums?
BIG POOH: Our music has definitely evolved as we have evolved as men. That’s part of growing up. So whereas some of the topics may be reoccurring, the way we approach them are not. Sonically, we look for more as well. We are always looking to improve on the last time, not stay the same. Staying the same is the same as going backwards.
PHONTE: I think over the course of time we’ve started to take ourselves a lot less seriously.
Do you ever feel nostalgic about bursting into the limelight in 2003?
PHONTE: Sometimes, yeah. There’s nothing like your first album; that first feeling of accomplishing something special. It’s really never as good as your first time in a lot of ways.
BIG POOH: I always look back and see how far I have advanced, and at a pretty fast rate. Personally I had no expectations when we did “The Listening.” I just wanted to make music and have fun. Seven-eight years later artist are looking at us like we are their big brothers. It’s a surreal experience.
You seem to have a loyal fan base, is this album for yourself or the fans?
PHONTE: It’s really for the fans. We wanted to walk away knowing that we gave the fans all we had to give. There are no LB “outtakes” or “unreleased vaults” left over. We really put it all out there.
BIG POOH: This last album is more for the fans. We could have easily ended with “Getback” and not put the effort in to go and record the new material but we felt that that would be unfair to those who have supported us since day one. No, it’s not an album like “The Minstrel Show” but it is an album full of “classic” Little Brother.
You guys revived the old school vibes and backpack hip hop, who do you think can carry on that sound after you?
BIG POOH: Just as we followed in the footsteps of Tribe, De La, Geto Boys, NWA, etc. there are plenty artist coming up now. J. Cole, Wale, Pac Div, Tanya Morgan, Drake, B.O.B. etc. It is plenty of talent out there ready to take this thing to new heights.
PHONTE: As far as the old school throwback vibe, I think cats like Wale and Pac Div are really carrying on that tradition.
Are you still going to be active in the Justus League camp?
BIG POOH: I have not personally been active in what was the Justus League for years. After a while everyone kind of branched off to do their own thing. It is still some guys who I keep in touch with from the League but the Justus League isn’t even active right now.
PHONTE: For all intents and purposes, there really is no more Justus League. I’m still good with everybody though—Comanche, Boog, Floe, Median, etc.
Phonte, you are always busy on multiple projects and both singing and rapping like Cee-Lo. Would you consider releasing a solo soul album?
PHONTE: I’ll be releasing a solo album next year with mostly rapping on it, but with singing on it as well.
Have you got any surprises in store for us, Big Pooh?
BIG POOH: I’m working on a collaborative EP with my homey Roc C out of Oxnard, CA. It’s due out this summer. I’m also putting the finishing touches on my next solo album, Dirty Pretty Things. Another thing I am into heavy right now is sports commentary. I have my own blog site I’m building on called PoohOnSports.com and I’m also working with Slam Magazine (slamonline.com) doing some guest blogging for them.
So is this the curtain call for Little Brother?
BIG POOH: This is definitely the curtain call for Little Brother. No fake retirements.
PHONTE: Yes indeed. It’s been a good ride.
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