S. Samuel
Former Little Brother group members 9th Wonder and Phonte have placed their differences aside to reunite after a four-year quarrel between them.
On Sunday (January 2), Phonte announced his reconciliation with the renowned producer.
“Took 4 years, 2 plates of food and 6 hrs. of convo, but we squashed it. #brotherhood,” Phonte tweeted. “I appreciate the love for me and @9thwondermusic, but us mending our rift had nothing to do with music and everything to do with manhood…We may collaborate in time, but this is not the start of a LB reunion as neither of us have interest in doing so. Sorry to disappoint. Our friendship began as Phonte Coleman and Patrick Douthit long before a ‘LB’ or ‘9th Wonder’ existed. This was about rebuilding that bond. So in closing, happy new year to all our supporters past and present. Feels great to start the year on a positive note. One love.” (Phonte’s Twitter)
Last March, Phonte and Wonder’s issues became publicized during their heated Twitter feud over the release of previously unreleased track.
Phonte unearthed this Little Brother gem earlier on Twitter, “Star.” This was the last song LB recorded as a trio (Phonte, Big Pooh, and 9th Wonder). “This was recorded back in ’05-06 at Young Guru‘s crib sometime after the release of Minstrel Show. This was intended for Leftback as an iTunes bonus track but we just got word today that @9thwondermusic doesn’t want us to use it for whatever reason, and that’s fine.” After Phonte revealed the song’s backstory, 9th Wonder tweeted the following response: “Let people talk bro…only if they knew the REAL story.” Phonte fired back, “Well, tell your side of it or shut the f*ck up.” (The Rap Up)
As Little Brother, the trio of artists, including Big Pooh, remained together until four years ago.
Alongside Big Pooh, the trio released two albums under the name Little Brother. 9th Wonder left the North Carolina group in 2007. The remaining duo would record 2 more albums before splitting in April 2010. The feud between Phonte and 9th Wonder broke out on Twitter over an unreleased-track titled “Star,” in March of last year. (The Source)
Last spring, Rhymefest talked to SOHH about Little Brother becoming a duo.
“I’ve talked to Little Brother about their ‘break-up.’ At the end of the day, they’re both my brothers and it’s just that they realize they’ve done as much as they can do with the Little Brother run. It’s like, to me, they have to go off and explore different avenues and transitions of them as artists and as men. Little Brother is like a child that’s ready to leave the house. It don’t mean “Ah man, it’s over!” People thought 9th Wonder leaving Little Brother was a moment where they had to say, ‘Oh man, they’re done.’ And then they came out with so many dope albums after that. So now, they have to figure out who they are as individuals. And at the end of the day, you never know. How many times did Michael Jordan retire? [laughs] And then they find that their life experiences can bring them back together but regardless, I totally understand what they’re doing because I’m getting ready to go through a transition myself.” (SOHH)
Check out Little Brother’s “Star” below:
