Hmm…  It seems like we’ve been down this road many times before in Hip-Hop/Rap. Rap group “X” releases several albums that receive acclaim and praise from critics and fans alike, troubles surface in the group that can’t be resolved, group breaks up much to the dismay of loyal fans. A Tribe Called Quest, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, N.W.A., Fugees, Hot Boys, EPMD are some groups that have previously traveled this road. While some have been able to put aside their differences and reunite, many group breakups have been permanent with no signs of a reunion in sight. Unfortunately the latter seems to be the case for North Carolina Hip-Hop/Rap group Little Brother who have announced Leftback as the final album of their extensive catalog. While this came as a shock to most in the industry and was a substantial blow to their diehard fans, it can’t be said that it wasn’t seen coming. After the disbandment of producer 9th Wonder from the group following their 2005 album The Minstrel Show, it had to be a sign to listeners that things weren’t sitting right within the Little Brother camp and things might be awry. With their 2007 album Getback only seeing one production contribution from 9th Wonder and the group heading in a different direction sonically, it was pretty much concluded that Phonte and Big Pooh had parted ways with their former producer. After all of this we finally arrive at Little Brother’s grand exit from the rap game with their last album entitled Leftback. After three studio albums and several mixtapes, Little Brother sets to write the final chapter of a storied career of a group that has seen its fair share of hardships and triumphs. Let’s embark on the final journey of a group that we hate to see go. 
 

      After listening through the 13 tracks you get a conclusive feel as a listener that this really is the end of Little Brother (no Diplomats styled reunion) and now we, as listeners must look to solo and collaborative works for new material from Phonte and Big Pooh. Much like when I saw the final track listing for the album sans any production from 9thWonder, I still feel the same and would have liked to hear at least one authentic Little Brother song on the final album from the original trio. But much like the Getback album, Little Brother as a group doesn’t suffer from the absence of 9th Wonder and have ultimately moved on and proved that 9th isn’t necessity for them anymore. Producers like Khrysis, S1 & Caleb, Young R.J., and Denaun Porter prove to be more than suitable in filling the void left by 9th Wonder. This album feels much like a continuation of Getback than an entirely new album. Gone are the more organic sounding and soul sampled beats of The Listening and The Minstrel Show, and a more mature sound reigns on this album. This album has its share of both hits and misses, but the good edges the bad overall.  

      I wouldn’t call Leftback Little Brother’s best album, but an album that sits well in the catalog and shows a group still effective as ever. But just as how Mr. Douthit has moved on from the group to achieve bigger accomplishments like producing for superstar artists (Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, etc.) and become a Grammy award winning producer, Phonte and Big Pooh will move on from their humble beginnings to even bigger things. Phone has already seen this from his work with Nicolay as Foreign Exchange and Pooh has the potential to take his solo career to the next level. Even though this isn’t what fans every wanted with a group like Little Brother who seemed like the last credible rap group outside of the 90’s era, fans shouldn’t look at this as the end but as the last chapter for a new beginning. Phone and Big Pooh will still be making quality music in the industry that fans can support and be proud of while being able to smile and tell future generations about a Hip-Hop/Rap group that defined their generation and stayed true to themselves even when labeled “Too Intelligent”. With Leftback, Little Brother has left us with another album to add to the collection (The Listening, The Minstrel Show, Getback) that we can always go back and visit to rekindle memories. 

      All good things must come to an end. This is the case with the duo (once trio) and hip-hop legends Little Brother. It’s sad to see them go, but I know all of us here will be looking forward to their solo careers as they grow as artists. It was cool to be a fan of a Carolina movement that had nothing to do with taking off shirts and spinning them around like helicopters. When they came out in 2001 with the Listening, they were a breath of fresh air. 9 years later, Rapper Big Pooh and Phonte give use their last gift to us. Sorry I sound like someone just died. They made good music and it sucks to see Ying and Yang just split up. Let’s just hope they go out with a bang. 

      TRACK LISTING

      1. Curtain Call (Prod. By Khrysis)

      2. Table For Two Feat. Jozeemo & Yahzarah (Prod. By Khrysis)

      3. Tigallo For Dolo (Prod. By Khrysis)

      4. Revenge Feat. Truck North & Median (Prod. By Khrysis)

      5. So Cold Feat. Chaundon (Prod. By King Karnov)

      6. Second Chances Feat. Bilal & Darien Brockington (Prod. By Denaun  Porter)

      7. Go Off Go On (Prod. By Khrysis)

      8. What We Are Feat. Quiana (Prod. By Young R.J.)

      9. After The Party Feat. Carlitta Durand (S1 and Caleb’s Who Shot JR Ewing  Remix) (Prod. By S1 and  Caleb)

      10. Two Step Blues Feat. Darien Brockington (Zo’s Purple Suit With The  Matching Gators Remix, Prod. By Zo)

      11. Get Enough Pt. 2 Feat. Khrysis (Prod. By Khrysis)

      12. Before The Night Is Over (Prod. By J.Bizness)

      13. 24 Feat. Torae (Prod. By Khrysis)