Iconic North Carolina rap duo Little Brother returned final month with their first new work in 4 years within the type of “Want Me Effectively/Glory Glory.” The duo of Phonte and Large Pooh cue up sterling soul beats from Deonis Prepare dinner and Conductor Williams, providing up stellar rhymes constructed round philosophical inquiries and dazzling one liners in equal measure.
Rapping is mostly a teen’s recreation, however Phonte and Pooh are sharper than ever on the mini-EP, which is a part of the rationale why Little Brother got here out of semi-hiatus within the first place. In a press release, Phonte defined, “We wished to bless our followers with new music to point out them we’re not leaning on nostalgia. After 20 years within the recreation, we’re nonetheless hungry and actively working to enhance our craft.” Whereas the duo lean into the signature beats and heady lyrics which have made them one in every of rap’s most celebrated teams for 20 years, the seek for development and enchancment stays paramount. Added Large Pooh, “We hear and see the requests for brand spanking new music. We felt it was time. Time to point out our minds are nonetheless sharp and we’re solely getting sharper.”
Whereas the double a-side of “Want Me Effectively” and “Glory Glory” could not attain the peaks they hit when the group was a trio alongside producer ninth Surprise, the 2 beats Little Brother chosen from Prepare dinner and Conductor do greater than a serviceable job. “Want Me Effectively” kicks off with a warped vocal chop and a funk-inspired bassline that spotlight the drum’s splashing cymbals and snapping snare hits.
Phonte kicks issues off, instantly littering the observe with a lot of intelligent references, asides, and cultural nods. He spits, “Want me properly or name me Ishmael/ Croquettes and grits, n***a, that is that fish scale/ That is that dispelled rumor that we not energetic/ My man mentioned, ‘Te, come and get your plaque.” Ten seconds in and we have already got allusions to Moby Dick, Ghostface Killah, and the lore of Little Brother. Pooh takes issues a step additional, fascinating the duo into Christian theology, rapping “Two units of footprints laid out on the seaside.” After I get to heaven let’s pray I’m blessed with bars from Phonte and Pooh.
“Glory Glory” is equally worthy of examine, with the duo as soon as once more selecting to spit over a wickedly blunted soul beat conjured up by the Griselda affiliate. Pooh will get issues happening observe two, spitting, “Glory glory, standing on the shoulders of giants/ Robert Horry, a little bit of historical past/ Bitter n****s bore me, all praises due/ I used to be rocking to Kane, my brother rocked ’caine too.” It’s been awhile since we’ve heard a Large Shot Bob reference, however go away it to Little Brother to maintain early 2000s NBA position gamers within the cultural zeitgeist.
Every thing Little Brother touches stays contemporary, and right here’s hoping these two new joints are solely an appetizer and never dessert.
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