i've been sleeping on this group for far too long, but Little Brother has been killin' it. Comprised of MCs Phonte Coleman, Big Pooh, and producer 9th Wonder, LB is one of those hip-hop crews that cuts through all of the subgenres we like to place the music in. they have a great underground following, but it's not as if they're against everything that's happening above the surface within mainstream circles. 9th Wonder's production has blessed many albums. in addition to the work he does for LB, it was more than likely the work for Jay-Z that really got his name out there, plus he's even done stuff for Destiny's Child. for me, it was his work on "Church" for De La Soul's The Grind Date that got me open. my introduction to LB occurred through a side project called The Foreign Exchange released last summer on BBE. it was a collaboration between Phonte and Nicolay of the Justus League - absolutely beautiful album. once i heard that, i knew i had to catch up with LB. i heard a few selections from their Chitlin' Circuit mixtape that were pretty good.

today is the release date of Little Brother's major label debut The Minstrel Show on Atlantic Records. one of the singles, "Lovin' It" feat. Joe Scudda, has been permanently etched into my brain. 9th Wonder flips a sample from a Stylistics song for the track - just gorgeous. there's a video for it, but you won't see it on BET: reportedly, they think the video's "too intelligent" for their audience. whatever. support these brothers...they represent the hip-hop nation lovely.