Way before Zilla gave me a hand to write for Getback Army, I was just a hip-hop head stuck in awe listening to The Listening and The Chittlin' Circuit. Who knew it would produce the same results after listening to The Minstrel Show, Getback, Leftback, and all of the other records they have. Many people always give comparisons to who's the best in the group and I always dismiss the list and I'll tell you why with a statement of my own:
Previously: Video: Little Brother - "Curtain Call"
Rapper Big Pooh is the warrior of the group. He's the type of brave emcee who comes out swinging with a huge axe, causing a bloody mess with those foolishly standing in his way. Phonte, however, is the ninja of the group. The bold and cunning type who hangs upside down behind you and snaps your neck before you even know it. As for the former member, 9th Wonder was the Grandmaster, or should I say Yoda, of the group. Giving his wisdom and intellect through hard-hitting beats for the ninja and warrior to spit over. So those with the comparisons of "Who betta?!" in the group can get outta here with that. You can't compare chicken with beef and say which one has a better tasting pork, right?
With that said, I know a list like this is overdue and honestly, I wanted to release this after Little Brother release their "24" video. But this was too much for me to contain by itself, so I gotta show y'all this three part list of Woody Black's 30 Best Little Brother Songs of ALL TIME!!! {*cue Kanye*}. If you disagree and/or got beef with me putting one song on and criminally missing the other, holla @ me on the comments! Otherwise, peep the list. Oh, and here are some rules of my LB list:
1. It gotta be a Little Brother song. If I put the songs that are "featuring Little Brother," then this list would've increased to at least fifty 'leven.
2. Songs gotta feature both Rapper Big Pooh and Phonte.
3. Most of the songs are official, so I won't have to worry too much about white labels and bootleg joints. But these songs are the official cuts.
4. I forgot what I had for #4, but let's get on with the list, shall we? We shall.
#30
Little Brother
"Curtain Call"
Leftback
Prod. Khrysis
Yeah, it's a tad bit ironic that I'm using their swan song as the beginning of this list. But why not? Taking this Tarantino approach has gotten me to appreciate the end of the beginning while cherishing the beginning of the end.
#29
Little Brother (feat. Skyzoo and Chaundon)
"Speed Racin'"
Separate But Equal
Prod. 9th Wonder
I'll call this one of the dopest posse cuts of this time. Four emcees virtually unknown from the radio's view ripping the mic with nothing fake added to their repertoire. It's a shame too, because Chaundon T-Pain'd many careers and ternt rappers to sangas. I ain't know why they ain't hired him as their publicist.
#28
Little Brother
"Feelin' Alright"
The Chitlin Circuit Mixtape
Prod. ???
I'm guessin it's 9th Wonder who did this one but this track is truly silly like manilli. They're one of the few to make a track that's silly and serious at the same time and remain not ignorant while being ig'nant. The latter's job is done by the late great Percy Miracles (R.I.P.) as Tay and Pooh gives listeners that boom-bap good feelin' hip-hop.
#27
Little Brother (feat. Tone Trezure)
"System"
Getback (UK/Japan release)
Prod. Mr. Porter
A track like this one shows that Mr. Porter isn't some forgetable dude from a band called D12. This beat is underrated, the lyrics are underrated, Tone Trezure is underrated, everything about this song is under-hyped. Pooh and Tay brings one of the realest quotes you ever heard when it comes to battlin' addictions and even things I myself went through if truth be told. They hit it "deep in the heart" f'real!
#26
Little Brother
"Altitudes (Flyin' High)"
The Chitlin Circuit Mixtape
Prod. 9th Wonder
Whoever said the 'fun' in hip-hop is dead must've been listening to too much of emo-thug rap. I bet these dudes don't even have a pilot's license, but I'll ride on the plane they're flying just to hear them rockin' rhymes over the intercom. Who'da thought the airport could be so entertaining. When you feel like goin' on a trip, dial the number of the LB Airlines and they'll fly you anywhere you like.
25.
Little Brother (feat. Torae)
"24"
Leftback
Prod. Khrysis
Yeah, I almost put that one on #24 to fit the title and pretend like it's an eerie coincidence. Add a classic Jackson 5 sample, along with KRS-One's "WOOP! WOOP!" and three emcees dropping 24 - Kiefer Sutherland, you'll get hardcore hip-hop that no one can deny. If you do, then cue the 12th bar of Phonte's verse.
#24
Little Brother (feat. Dion)
"Step it Up"
Getback
Prod. Hi-Tek
Little Brother and Hi-Tek, can it be? Be it can and they came to step it up like they grown mans. Honestly, I'll say this is one of the overlooked LB track (well, real talk, which track isn't?!) of their catalog. However, those of y'all who are sick and tired of hearing your girl saying how sick and tired she is of hearing you say "I'ma make the neighbors know my name" (No stab to Trey Songz, talented cat! But you ain't Songz, my dude), press play on this song and let the LB give you rules on how to ma-tour (the grown way of pronouncing "mature").
#23
Little Brother (feat. Carlitta Durand)
"Life of the Party"
Solders of Fortune
Prod. Nottz
It's the cow's milk, it's bee's knees (Does bees even have knees anyway? If so, what makes them so special?). Honestly, I was thinking this song was going to blow them up all over the radio and MTV and 106 & Park and alladat. THis song had everything going for them at that time, but they missed an accompanying dance that came with the "ha-ha" part. Maybe, Carlitta Durand shoulda saing about shaking her everlasting Gobstopper 'cause laffy taffy was already used. And Nottz' beats coulda been just a lil' simplistic. Probably shoulda had bees buzzing in tune to make the world gain notice. Aw well, this song still remains bumpin' as I crank my Barry B. Benson all the way on the danceflo' whenever this song is played.
#22
Little Brother (feat. Carlitta Durand)
"After the Party"
Getback
Prod. Khrysis
Like a fella who used too much Just for Men on his hair, there comes a time where a party would have to die down (Get it? ...dye down? Aw, forget it!). Many people come to a party to have a good time and mingle and all. But there are also many folks who come to find a cure for their loneliness that they feel is eating them away on the inside. ...and most of the time it's at least about 3/4 of the folks going in the club. After the party's over, what's next? Find what you're looking for or have you become more lost than when you came in? This song is what you'll hear haring this song guaranteed. It ain't all hype when you get in the club - Williams. Shouts to BGDB.
#21.
Little Brother
"Shake It"
The Chitlin Circuit Mixtape
Prod. 9th Wonder
If they did a "During the Party" track, I'll pick this one as it. Never had grindin' on the dancefloor with Buffie the Body sounded so tasteful as this joint right here. I also give this song props because it introduced many new audiences to Little Brother by accident while playing Saint's Row.
PART II & PART III COMING SOON!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment