Little Brother
The Listening (Orange Marbled)

“The Listening” is the debut album by North Carolina trio Little Brother, released on February 25, 2003, via ABB Records.

The album’s production is helmed by 9th Wonder, whose instrumentals feature chopped and manipulated samples of old soul records, reminiscent of the styles of Pete Rock and DJ Premier. Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh, the group’s MCs, complement these soulful backdrops with tag-team wordplay and insightful raps. Tracks like “Speed” discuss the pressures of maintaining a regular job while navigating life’s challenges, while “Make Me Hot” humorously critiques those who hassle them for beats and studio time. The song “So Fabulous” showcases their talent for doing spot-on impressions of old school MCs.

The overarching theme of “The Listening” is the group’s desire to engage listeners on a deeper level. They express frustration with casual listeners who focus only on the beat and overlook the lyrics and content. Interludes throughout the album are performed by members of a fictional radio station called WJLR (Justus League Radio). The final track, “The Listening,” directly addresses this theme, featuring an abrupt stop and dialogue exchange before restarting, emphasizing their call for more attentive listening.