North Carolina duo Little Brother are still hustling after 20 years, and they’re continuing to make it everyone’s problem. Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh’s chemistry comes from their dueling approaches—Phonte with dazzling pop culture references, Pooh with measured and forceful bars that could flatten a brick. On “Glory Glory,” one of two new singles surprise dropped yesterday, that dynamic remains electrifying. Over an uncharacteristically smooth beat from Missouri producer Conductor Williams, Pooh and Phonte cooly stake claim to their legacy. Pooh reminisces on days listening to rap while his brother sold drugs (“I was rocking to [Big Daddy] Kane, my brother rocked ‘caine too”) and admonishes rappers who get complacent in their old age. Phonte spews acid at fickle music industry execs and people coming for their crown: “Just ‘cause you ain’t write it down, that don’t make you Hova.” Little Brother aren’t comfortable resting on their laurels; they’d rather keep growing.
