Author: Eric Roddie
I’ve never gotten into conscious rap. For all the talk about how it’s a purer, more intelligent form of hip-hop, emcees like Talib Kweli and Common too often seem like dudes taking themselves just a little too seriously, which is not to say that they don’t have their moments, or that there isn’t garbage in the mainstream. It’s just that the popular-for-a-reason types—Jay-Z, Kanye West, T.I., Lil Wayne et. al.—are just plain more fun to listen to at the end of the day.
So what made me check out backpack hero Little Brother’s Getback, which will officially have bricked when its numbers come in next week? A hot collaboration with Lil Wayne—who’s apparently required to be on every rap album that comes out from now on—didn’t hurt. Reading some reviews of the rap duo’s past work, they also struck me as a more lighthearted “conscious” group—one where musical quality wasn’t overlooked in favor of making a statement. Add the fact that Phonte, one-half of Little Brother, supposedly leaked the album on purpose, and I felt alright down—stealing it before actually buying.
The verdict? Getback‘s a solid, entertaining listen. The production, which comes mostly from some pretty unknown names, leaves something to be desired, but it gets the job done. While Little Brother aren’t some of the greatest rappers around, Phonte pretty much holds it down on the album. While not extremely technically gifted, he has a knack for dropping compelling story-oriented rhymes that have a universal appeal without sounding pretentious. The other half of the duo, the questionably-named Big Pooh, is just kind of there. He’s not awful, but I’m hard-pressed to remember much of his lines.
What’s somewhat ironic about this album is that while it represents the group’s split with former chief producer 9th Wonder, 9th actually has the best beat on the album. “Breakin My Heart” manages to be upbeat without sounding cheesy, and both Phonte and Lil Wayne spit hot verses. “Good Clothes,” meanwhile, is the closest thing this album has to a viable single. With an anthemic horn sample backing them up, Phonte and Pooh drop some lightheartd rhymes about—well, check the title. If you’re worried about it being one of the materialist anthems hip-hop is notorious for, don’t worry—they put their own twist on it.
Even when the album delves into more serious subject matter, it’s not a problem. “Two Step Blues” uses click-clack percussion and jazzy horns to create a great relaxed vibe, and the duo finishes strong with the synthed-out “When Everything Is New,” thanking their fans for sticking with them through their career ups and downs.
Will Getback mark some monumental shift in current rap music? Considering there’s close to no crossover-sounding material here, I’d say no. But at about 50 minutes, it’s a fun, concise listen that’s definitely worth checking out, particularly if you’re looking for something different from the usual in today’s rap climate.
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