What is the definition of a great music group? Is it their stature of success, their way to move amongst their peers inside this flaccid industry, to sustain growth with Numbers, Sales, Billboard Chart Scans? Or maybe it can be just the way they make you, as the listener feel. What is music if it doesn’t move you? If it doesn’t get to the depth of signature hip hop where a realm of understanding comes in? So in walks Little Brother.
I remember the first time I heard Little Brother. It was in March of 2003, I was actually sitting in an UConn dormitory. An ex of mine whom I had just met was getting me comfortable to the outskirts of NYC and chose to ease me in by playing some music. “Whatever You Say” came on and as it began, I felt a feeling of amazement. I asked “Who’s this?” and he said Little Brother. “Who?” Not sure of who they were I already knew that I was in love.
Quickly after that I was able to find their album, ‘The Listening’ that had that amazing song on it. And I realized it was a group from North Carolina. Oddly surprised, this album seemed well above it’s time inside of what was to come out of the south but I’d take it and roll with it. Little Brother began to get heavy rotation inside anything that delivered sounds to me and thus my fascination begun.
Two emcees on the mic, CHECK, one phat dj on the set, CHECK! Turntables, mics, speakers and sound checks make up the crew now known as Little Brother. Over the years I’ve been privileged enough to see many different renditions of their shows and I’ve always been pleased. This past summer I flew to Tampa to watch one of my closest friends, Dynasty, open up for them. There is where I made the connection to not only interview them but to also interview their DJ. I wanted to get a more in depth look at what makes up the dynamic mixture of a rap group and what dedication looks like.
Get a better understanding of what the industry looks like from Phonte, what relationships look like inside of being an artist from Pooh, and what a struggle to the top looks like from DJ Flash. These men give their perspectives on each area of a life that is forever moving while making names for themselves inside of Hip Hop. Check back each week inside the month of January to see what the group is up to and where they’re going in future dates. Also catch a new piece the exclusive interview with them here at Jwa’s Starz.
***These interviews were done over this past summer so excuse some of the material if it sounds slightly dated. Due to the economic differences that we as a people have endured and rendered we are now priviledged to have cheaper gas and a black president. Enjoy!***
DJ Flash Interview
Check for DJ Flash by going to www.myspace.com/djflashofjmusicgroup
Pooh Interview
Check for Rapper Big Pooh at www.myspace.com/rapperbigpooh
Phonte Interview
Check for Phonte at www.myspace.com/phontigallo
I hope everyone enjoys what Little Brother will have to offer you with my interviews in the next couple of weeks. Check back here each week for a new part to the interview and to also to find out what's good in their worlds.
Check out http://www.hallofjustus.com/ or www.myspace.com/littlebrother. And if you're looking for some bomb ass music to listen to check for Phonte's playlist at http://www.gordongartrellradio.com/
