HipHopDX: You say you made mistakes like they made mistakes. What mistakes do you think you made that you’re going to change?

Phonte:  I think with Minstrel Show, I think we could have…I don’t know, man. We should have done more to get ourselves out visually. I mean, the music’s the music. The music’s going to stand the test and it’s going to be what it’s going to be. But if people don’t see you, then they can’t relate. But with the video not being played like that, maybe we should have taken some money and pressed up a DVD just to get ourselves out there visually. That’s 1 of the things we could have done.

HipHopDX: I know you guys want to keep the guest stars a secret, but you gotta give us something. Who can we expect to see on Get Back?

Phonte: Well, of course we got 9th doing tracks (as of today there is only one 9th beat). But this will be the album where we’re going to reach out to more producers than usual because we’re going for expanding the palate. You know what I’m saying. This time we reached out to Just Blaze so [We’re] probably going to do something with him. Primo surprisingly reached out to us. That was crazy! Um…Right now we’re looking at Denaun Porter from D12 doing some shit. Um…Nottz from Virginia. Still keeping it Hip-Hop and still doing us. You ain’t gonna hear us rapping over Snap Music or whatever…(Laughs) We’re still doing us but just expanding and adding a little more color to the palate this time around.

HipHopDX: Now, you know when OutKast dropped Idlewild, everybody was talking about their supposed break up. So, now that you mention 9th will take a back seat to let other producers rock on LB’s albums, you know the media’s going to go nuts with Little Brother break up rumors. We’ll let you dispel those rumors before they even start…

Phonte: Yeah, yeah…Little Brother’s still a group. It’s still us, but it’s just for this record-we wanted to branch out and try out some new stuff. 9th understands that and he’s going to bring in something new to the table with his production, hopefully. Everybody grows and expands but it’s still a unit. But I know the internet’s going to be running wild with ‘Them n-ggas breakin’ up. 9th don’t tour with them.’ Cats going to be sayin’ whatever they wanna say. That’s cool with me. Just keep tuning the fuck in..(Laughs)

I think Getback is gonna be the litmus test for who our true supporters are.  This record is gonna separate those who truly love Little Brother's music from those who are in love with the IDEA of what they think Little Brother is and judging from the little I've been reading on various message boards and chat rooms, there's already some people ready to write us off without hearing one note of the new music. So much for a 'devoted fanbase,' eh? Continued on page 4 »