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The Diary of El Che

Little Brothers 'Getback' Review

After thoroughly reviewing Little Brother's latest album GETBACK, you know Rhymefest (El Che) got to bring you the real on where this album ranks on a scale from 1 to 5; 1 being horrible and 5 being classic.

In the intro song Sirens, Pooh and Phonte find themselves picking up where their frustrations from THE MINSTREL SHOW left off. This is evident in one of Big Pooh's lines:

"Back independent cause to kids I wouldn't cater / Go against the system you in bed with Al Qaeda"

Instantly, my mind starts to think "Uh oh! These niggaz finna start crying about the state of Hip-Hop and render themselves ineffective in being catalysts for its change." However, the group's chemistry, up-do-date wordplay, aggressive tracks and impeccable swag quickly calm some of those fears.

The GETBACK album finds itself faced with a big question mark over it: "Can Little Brother, as a group, survive without 9th Wonder?"

Can Pooh and Phonte put together a cohesive album without one producer guiding its path? One thing is for sure: the synchronization of this album flows a little better than I expected. The beats all coexist without making the album sound mundane. One of my concerns, though, was the song Breakin My Heart featuring Lil Wayne and produced by 9th Wonder. At least, before I heard it. I was like, "Awwww, here these niggaz go: another rapper with another Lil Wayne feature. How unique." However, Phonte rises to the occasion by making sense out of a man's infidelity with his verse:

"And in my day I had to turn a blind eye to cheatin / But I ain't never had to wear no black eyes from beatings"

And by staying on subject, it even forced Lil Wayne to rap about something: heartbreak.

The album does, however, have its 'skip-over-that-one' moments for me. Songs like Good Clothes and Two Step Blues make me feel a little older than I want to be right now. I mean; hell, Phonte is talking about going to the Elks Lodge to party. Gottdamn, man: how old are you? Not that these songs aren't great songs, but they seem to be tailored for a slightly older audience (gray and sexy).

I wish Mr. Porter could have come through for me with a track like Extrahard because this song really gives Little Brother the power to 'get back' at anybody whoever doubted them. Phonte nails it with the line:

"I'm a grown ass man just call it as I see it / Flow so dumb its borderline genius"

I will say, however, that this album had a tad bit too much singing for me. Singing in the samples, Phonte singing, featured guest singers; some type of singing on almost every song. I know this is music overall so it's necessary, but it's still Hip-Hop. Keep some of that shit raw. The biggest surprise in GETBACK comes from Big Pooh; he easily gets the "Most Improved Rapper of the Year" award. I know its had to be challenging for him being viewed as a background prop to Phonte's charisma. So, on GETBACK, Pooh 'gets back' and shows his ass. Until EL CHE comes out, this is probably one of the best rap purchases you can make. So, run out and get that GETBACK.

Rating: 4.5/5

Purchase GETBACK on iTunes by clicking on the following link: Little Brother - Getback

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