Today’s first two videos are off of 2019’s best album, May The Lord Watch*. Little Brother was coming up in the North Carolina hip-hop scene before my first days at Duke. I’d seen their name around on fliers, but regrettably never really checked them out. I was probably just waiting on the next Alkaline Trio album at that point. After a few more revolutions around the sun, I’ve begun to deeply appreciate their vibe.
The lyrics on this record, along with Phonte’s 2018 solo album, No News is Good News, provide a vivid and sobering perspective of the life, culture, successes, and struggles the men have endured. The verses are bountiful in wordplay and brutal honesty.
As you know by now, I’m an Evidence fan. His inclusion, or lack there of, in today’s third video is what solidified my Phonte fandom. As is told briefly in the “Life of Kings” video, EV happened to miss his flight for the video shoot. None other than Ms. Tigallo, Phonte’s mom, steps up to crush the oddly appropriate verse.
Little Brother “Everything”
I wish the outro on this one weren’t a joke. I’m sure Wendell Pierce and Kenan Thompson would kill it in a movie of the week as Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh, respectively. The M.O.P. sampled “Yeah, yeah, Yeah, yeah” call and response is a great touch as well.
Little Brother “Black Magic (Make it Better)
The video does an amazing job of capturing the energy of the song, the joy of an emerging friendship, and some good laughs, all painted on a familiar Durham canvas.
Good timin’, the importance of, I can’t overstate
Phonte
Drop facts over hot wax like Odelay
Phonte “The Life of Kings”
Phonte, Big K.R.I.T., and Evidence (played by Phonte’s mom) with some feel good raps outside on a sunny day. Life of Kings indeed.
Take some time to dream
Phonte
Peace of mind is a delightful thing
*I had a bunch of reasons, lyrics, references, and imagery to back this claim up, but you know what? Listen for yourself and tell me why it’s not 2019’s album of the year.
