By Len Vinas
Dec 12, 2007 - 11:11 PM

The last time anyone heard from underground hip hop group Little Brother, the North Carolina-based duo was entrenched in a minor controversy when many alleged that BET refused to air the group’s music video for “Lovin’ It,” the first single off their 2005 album The Minstrel Show, because it was “too intelligent” for BET’s target audience. Both sides have not publicly discussed the rumor. Despite the dissention and two-year absence from the hip hop scene, LB returns with their 2007 album, Get Back.

In a scene where hip hop artists make it rain on ho’s while doing the superman on them, it’s nice to know that to make a hot record, you don’t have to degrade women. Instead of putting females down, Little Brother stays positive by keeping your head bobbing with ill beats while offering insights on people trying to step their game up, take care of their families, pay bills, deal with love/heart break and follow their dreams.

One of the hottest tracks on this album is a song titled “Breakin’ My Heart.” Not only is the beat banging with background handclaps and a “Don’t go breaking my heart" vocal sample, but the lyrics delve into the truths of romantic relationships. Phonte, one half of Little Brother, discusses the temptations of cheating but doesn’t want that to break his relationship with his significant other. Being without his love would only break his heart. The joint also features one of the top emcees in the game, Lil’ Wayne.

Every guy who tried to get at a female but failed because his game is wack can relate to “Step it up” featuring Dion. This song inspires fellas everywhere to step up their money, clothing and dating game. The song has a mellow chorus and sounds like a Neptunes produced beat.

Other notable tracks are “That Aint Love” featuring Jozeemo, “Dreams,” “Can’t Win for Losing,” and “Extrahard.” These are some standout joints but the entire album, from top to bottom, is hot.

While Little Brother remains a predominately underground act, it is hard to deny that these fools are in the mainstream consciousness of hip hop fanatics. LB does not need BET or any other mainstream networks to get recognized because true fans and hip hop heads already show them mad love. They maybe called the little brother’s of hip hop, but their music is most definitely bigger than a lot of brothers out there.

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Len Vinas is a senior at San Francisco State University where he writes for [X]press Magazine. He also interns at XBox Magazine and dances to Justin Timberlake songs in the dark. People know him as "Mr. This Is Why I'm Hot."