On “Not Enough,†a track off Little Brother’s 2005 major label debut The Minstrel Show, Phonte Coleman makes a decisive declaration about his and Thomas “Big Pooh†Jones’ work ethic: “We spent the last year writing rhymes doing shows and chopping records / And traveled all around the world to spread the message / ‘Cause ain’t no rest for the weary when it comes to my team / We only sleep on December the 32nd.â€
Five long years later though, and if you believe the noise, all that’s gone by the wayside. There is no such thing Little Brother anymore. The duo have broken up and moved on just after releasing their fourth full length, 2010’s Leftback. A few months of perspective and a quick glance at the calendar though and Big Pooh and Phonte are back performing together.  The only thing being left back is the drama. Little Brother is doing just fine.
With a loyal crew of collaborators (notably DJ Flash, Christopher “Khrysis” Tyson, and Mischa “Big Dho” Burgess), Big Pooh and Phonte are working as fiercely as ever to churn out the slick, astute old school hip-hop stylings that made them paydirt from the beginning. There’s no telling what the future holds, but in the meantime these men are here to claim the mic. And you can hear them in action this Saturday, September 4th, at the Cat’s Cradle where they’ll be bringing down the house with a little help from Chaundon, Jozeemo, Joe Scudda, Roc C.
And now just five questions for the big men of Little Brother:
1. If Little Brother were a TV show, which would it be?
PHONTE: The Odd Couple
BIG POOH: I’ll agree with Tay, definitely The Odd Couple
2. What’s a typical writing session like?
PHONTE: I generally compose my lyrics on the spot and Pooh usually comes in with his pre-written. Â Sometimes we’ll both go in the studio with nothing and just see what happens; it varies.
3. Describe the dynamic between you two.
PHONTE: Yin and yang. Â From a musical standpoint, I’m (typically) more laid back while Pooh is more in your face; its like the difference between a finesse runner and a fullback. Â But you need both to win the game.
BIG POOH: Definitely yin and yang. I always compare it to putting together a puzzle. Tay likes to take pieces out of the box one by one always glancing at the cover to check his progression while I dump the entire box out and go for it.
4. Who/what might be a few inspirations or influences that might really surprise people?
PHONTE: Queen Latifah is a big inspiration for me. Â I never would have guessed that the same girl who did ‘Wrath Of My Madness’ at 19 would be up for Emmy and Grammy Awards and doing spots for Cover Girl some years later. Â Watching her evolution over the years has been really inspiring for me.
BIG POOH: For me I would say Magic Johnson. His transition after basketball has been unbelievable. To be so passionate about one thing most of your life (basketball) and then to venture into the business world with the same passion and have an enormous amount of success is something I can only pray for.
5. What did you dream of being when you were a kid? (How ’d that turn out?)
PHONTE: I wanted to sing and dance like Michael Jackson and rap like Big Daddy Kane. Â Needless to say, I’m still workin on it.
BIG POOH: I always dreamed I would be a teacher and coach. Some say I’m teaching now.
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Check back next week to see who else will take up the challenge of facing down the five. Be sure to join Little Brother this Saturday night at the Cat’s Cradle. And, by all means, give Phonte and Big Pooh a high five when you see them!