North Carolina rap group Little Brother is telling their fans not to support the vinyl re-release of their classic sophomore album, The Minstrel Show and their debut album The Listening. Members Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh both spoke out on social media against ABB Records, the label that holds the vinyl rights. Little Brother Not […]
Earlier this week, fans of Little Brother learned that the duo’s sophomore album, The Minstrel Show, would receive a vinyl reissue. The album was released back in 2003 and ABB Records, who currently owns the rights to it, is behind the reissue. Alas, Little Brother’s Phonte and Big Pooh were not pleased with it.
I see ABB Records has decided to put up a repress of The Minstrel Show on vinyl instead of answering for 16 years of non payment on TMS or answering for 18 years of non payment for The Listening. Humbly asking that you not support bad business practices. Thank you for listening.
— Rapper Big Pooh (@RapperBigPooh) September 21, 2021
“I see ABB Records has decided to put up a repress of The Minstrel Show on vinyl instead of answering for 16 years of non payment on TMS or answering for 18 years of non payment for The Listening,” Pooh tweeted. “Humbly asking that you not support bad business practices. Thank you for listening.”
Later on, Phonte responded to the matter in the comments of an Instagram post from FatBeats about the reissue:
Peace Everybody, Phone from @lilbrother_nc here. Hope everybody is safe and healthy.
I’ve done Direct business with Fat Beats many times in the past and they’ve always done right by me, so this post is in no way indicative of their business practices. I hate to see a reputable company get caught in the crossfire, but enough is enough.
ABB Records hasn’t paid us a dime on any of these Listening and Minstrel Show vinyl pressing. We haven’t seen a royalties statement from ABB records since 2004. Until they make things right and do proper business with my brother @rapperbigpooh and I, we are humbly asking all of our fans to not buy any of this sh*t. Thanks for your support.
Dreamville fans have been waiting for Lute’s album Gold Mouf for a longer time than originally anticipated after a global pandemic set back its release last year. In February of 2020, Lute started the hype train rolling with his “GED” video and a related web series, only to see the entire music industry shut down as a result of COVID-19 safety protocols. In the meantime, though, he collected his platinum plaques from the Revenge Of The Dreamers III compilation.
Now, though, the industry is once again humming, venues across the nation have reopened, and Lute finally has a release date for Gold Mouf, the follow-up to his well-received 2017 debut album West1996 Pt. 2: October 4. Today, he revealed the release date and the feature-filled tracklist, which contains nods to both his Dreamville family and his North Carolina roots. Fellow Dreamvillians Ari Lennox, Cozz, and JID appear on three separate tracks, while out-of-town assistance comes in the form of features from BJ The Chicago Kid, Blakk Soul, Devn, Saba, and Westside Boogie.
But North Carolina natives and fans of the sort of soulful throwback hip-hop embodied by much of Dreamville’s roster will likely be most excited to see the pioneering rap group Little Brother included. Considered inspirations to many of today’s top rappers, including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Dreamville’s own J. Cole, the NC-based Little Brother eventually spawned the Grammy-winning efforts of former producer/DJ 9th Wonder and the multi-talented, do-it-all industry expanse of Phonte Coleman. Little Brother recently reunited as a duo featuring Phonte and Big Pooh with the blessing of 9th Wonder, making the occasion one to be truly excited for.
Gold Mouf is due 10/4 via Dreamville. Check out the tracklist below.
