Little Brother Joined by J-Live, Rhymfest, at CMJ Showcase

Vibe.com, September 19th, 2005

The North Carolina trio of producer 9th Wonder and emcees Phonte and Big Pooh decidedly chose their stage name, Little Brother, to honor their rap heroes like A Tribe Called Quest and Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. At the group’s first headlining performance since signing to a major label, Atlantic Records, LB proved they just might have enough staying power to be mentioned with their idols one day. Joined by J-Live, Rhymefest, and Ras Kass, the Justus League’s finest performed a rousing set at the CMJ hip-hop showcase on Thursday night.

Rhymefest and Ras Kass both delivered lively sets, with the West Coaster livening the New York crowd with his lyrical acrobatics. Tek and Steele of Smiff ‘N Wessun brought Buck Town to B.B. King’s Grill & Restaurant with a surprise appearance as the duo performed a number of their Brooklyn classics, including “Buck ‘Em Down.” But the capacity crowd, which included esteemed record executives such as Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles, were there to see Little Brother, who recently released their second LP, The Minstrel Show.

Backed on stage by DJ Flash, Phonte and Pooh, along with Joe Scudda, playfully traded verses from both of the group’s albums, as well as performed impromptu freestyle and beat-box sessions. 9th Wonder joined the proceedings halfway through the set, bringing labelmate T.I. with him on stage, and the mostly college crowd to full attention. The King of the South exchanged pounds with ‘Tay and Pooh, co-signing his fellow natives from under the Mason-Dixon line. Phonte, the more vocal of he two rappers, used his time in the limelight to bring attention more serious matters, namely the Hurricane Katrina tragedy and what he felt perceived as the government’s slow response to the natural disaster. “Bill Clinton got impeached for fellatio/ George Bush should have been impeached a few days ago,” he rhymed to standing ovation. Big brother should be proud.

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