9TH WONDER LEAVES LITTLE BROTHER

North Carolina-based rap trio Little Brother is now a duo. Group producer and deejay 9th Wonder has left the group due to a nonexistent relationship with Atlantic Records’ A&R and creative differences within the group. The split was amicable and the two remaining members — Big Pooh and Phonte — are working on their third album, Get Back, which will feature production from the Alchemist, Just Blaze, and DJ Premier.

According to the group’s management, they’re unhappy with Atlantic Records and Get Back will most likely be their last release for the label.

“With us it’s just pretty much talking about our lives you know what I’m sayin’? Mistakes that we’ve made as far as in the record business. Mistakes that we’ve made in our personal lives. You know maybe dealing with you know our families, you know our children. You know just the day to day grind of being a hip hop artist like trying to show people a real view of what it means to be a hip hop artists and not this kind of glamorized view that you get on MTV Cribs or whatever. Show people that this really work you know what I’m saying’?”

Little Brother released their debut album, The Listening, in 2003. They released their sophomore album, The Minstrel Show, on Atlantic Records in 2005.

The group explained that their music is inspired by the real life struggle of being rappers. Phonte explained,