| May the Lord Watch | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 20, 2019 | |||
| Recorded | October 2018 – August 2019 | |||
| Studio | The Autumn Attic The Burlap Place Raleigh, North Carolina | |||
| Length | 37:15 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Producer |
| |||
| Little Brother chronology | ||||
| ||||
May the Lord Watch is the fifth studio album by American hip-hop duo Little Brother. It was released on August 20, 2019 by Imagine Nation Music, For Members Only Records and Empire Distribution. [1]
The album is the duo's first album since 2010's Leftback release. [2]
The album's development secretly began during the previous year of 2018, after Rapper Big Pooh, Phonte and 9th Wonder reunited during September's Art of Cool festival. However, this wasn't made public until shortly after Big Pooh and Phonte announced the group's reunion as a duo in May 2019. [3] Like the previous album Leftback , there was no production input from 9th, who departed the group to embark on a solo career as a producer and label CEO. Instead, the album was primarily produced by longtime collaborators and Soul Council members Nottz and Khrysis. Other producers such as Black Milk, Focus..., Devin Morrison, Blaaq Gold, and even Phonte himself also contributed to the album's production. [4] [5] [6] Sharing continuity with The Minstrel Show , the album's theme continues the running concept of a fictional television network called UBN, which is a satire of stereotypical programs, advertisements, and pop-culture for African-Americans. [7] A notable moment on the album was a skit from Peter Rosenberg announcing the death of Phonte's alter-ego Percy Miracles ( previously appeared on The Minstrel Show album track "Cheatin'"), which served as a tribute to Phife Dawg, and how his death was a significant moment that brought Phonte and Pooh back together. [8]
In multiple interviews and podcasts - including the Premium Pete Show - it was revealed that 9th Wonder was originally supposed to be a part of the reunion album, under its original title Homecoming. The title was changed due to Beyonce releasing Homecoming: The Live Album to coincide with her concert film Homecoming . Phonte and Pooh decided to continue the project without 9th after a series of creative differences, mostly regarding production for the album. [9]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 86/100 [10] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| Exclaim! | 8/10 [12] |
| HipHopDX |  [13] |
| Tom Hull – on the Web | B+ (  ) [14] |
May the Lord Watch was met with universal acclaim reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 86, based on 5 reviews. [10]
Credits adapted from istandard producers [15]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Feel" | Khrysis | 2:43 | |
| 2. | "A Word from the President" | Devin Morrison | Morrison | 0:58 |
| 3. | "Everything" |
| Khrysis | 3:41 |
| 4. | "Right on Time" |
| Nottz | 3:16 |
| 5. | "Black Magic (Make It Better)" |
| Focus... | 2:34 |
| 6. | "Life After Blackface" |
| Zo! | 0:40 |
| 7. | "Goodmorning Sunshine" |
| Focus... | 4:00 |
| 8. | "Dyana Change My Life" |
|
| 0:37 |
| 9. | "What I Came For" |
|
| 3:00 |
| 10. | "Inside the Producer's Studio" | Coleman | Zo! | 1:03 |
| 11. | "Sittin' Alone" |
|
| 3:14 |
| 12. | "Picture This" |
| Black Milk | 3:55 |
| 13. | "Niggas Hollering" |
| Abjo | 0:49 |
| 14. | "All in a Day" |
| King Michael Coy | 3:50 |
| 15. | "Work Through Me" |
|
| 2:57 |
| Total length: | 37:15 | |||
|
|
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [16] | 11 |
Little Brother is an American hip hop duo from Durham, North Carolina that consists of rappers Phonte and Big Pooh. DJ and producer 9th Wonder was an original member of the group but departed in 2007. The group has produced five acclaimed studio albums and six mixtapes. Little Brother is highly regarded among hip hop fans and critics.
Patrick Denard Douthit, better known as 9th Wonder, is an American hip hop producer, record executive, and DJ from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who is also teaching faculty at North Carolina Central University and Duke University, where he collaborates with Professor Mark Anthony Neal.
The Listening is the debut album of North Carolina trio Little Brother. It was released on February 25, 2003, on ABB Records.
The Minstrel Show is the second studio album by hip hop trio Little Brother. It followed the critical success of their 2003 debut, The Listening. The album was highly anticipated and touted as a probable breakthrough for the group, even before its release. The title is a reference to the minstrel shows that were popular in the United States during the 19th century.
Phonte Lyshod Coleman, known mononymously as Phonte, is an American rapper, singer, and producer. He is also a member of Team Supreme, that co-hosts the Questlove Supreme podcast.
Chemistry is the first collaborative studio album by American rapper Buckshot and record producer 9th Wonder. It was released on June 21, 2005 through Duck Down Music as a part of the label's "Triple Threat Campaign", preceded by Sean Price's Monkey Barz and followed by Tek & Steele's Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded. Recording sessions took place at Missie Ann Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina. Production was handled entirely by 9th Wonder, with Buckshot and Drew "Dru-Ha" Friedman serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Keisha Shontelle, Big Pooh, Joe Scudda, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Phonte, Sean Price and Starang Wondah. This album is paralleled by the Black Moon album Alter the Chemistry, which was basically a remix album produced by Da Beatminerz.
Murray's Revenge is the second collaboration album from California rapper Murs and North Carolina producer 9th Wonder.
Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition is the first collaboration album from California rapper Murs and North Carolina producer 9th Wonder. It was released on Definitive Jux on March 23, 2004.
Getback is the third studio album from Little Brother, released on October 23, 2007. Eleven days prior, Phonte leaked the album himself to Okayplayer.com
The following is the discography of American hip hop duo Little Brother.
Dream Merchant Vol. 1 is the first compilation album from producer 9th Wonder, formerly of Little Brother.
The Justus League was a hip hop collective from North Carolina founded in 1999. The collective consists of a total of 15 members (8 emcees, 5 producers, 1 DJ, and 1 consultant aka "Minister of Opinion". The emcees are: Cesar Comanche, Chaundon, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, Median, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Sean Boog, and Edgar Allen Floe. The producers are: 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Son of Yorel, Eccentric, and Big Dho. The DJ is DJ Flash Gordon, and the Consultant/Minister of Opinion is Mike Burvick. Although material isn't released as a collective, each member works actively in the music scene releasing solo albums, running their own record labels, along with other business endeavors.
The Away Team is a hip hop duo consisting of MC Sean Boog and producer Khrysis, both of whom are members of the North Carolina rap collective the Justus League.
In Search of Stoney Jackson is the second studio album by California based hip hop group Strong Arm Steady, released on January 26, 2010 under Stones Throw Records. The album's title is a reference to actor Stoney Jackson. The album, entirely produced by Madlib, features guest appearances from Talib Kweli, Phonte, Fashawn, Evidence, Oh No, Roscoe, Guilty Simpson and a host of underground Los Angeles rappers, as well as former Strong Arm Steady members Planet Asia and Chace Infinite. The rap vocals are mainly performed by Phil Da Agony and Krondon, as Mitchy Slick appears on only two tracks. The album is considered a collaborative album, between Madlib and the L.A. hip hop collective, who chose the beats from 200 potential compositions.
Leftback is the fourth studio album by Little Brother. It was released on April 21, 2010 via Hall of Justus Records.
The Wonder Years is the fourth studio album by American record producer 9th Wonder. It was released on September 27, 2011 through his own label It's a Wonderful World Music Group. Recording sessions took place at Khrysis' Crib, at the Peanut Gallery in Raleigh, North Carolina, at Brightlady Studios, and at Record Plant in Los Angeles. Production was handled entirely by 9th Wonder himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Terrace Martin, Median, Phonte, Actual Proof, Big Remo, Bird & The Midnight Falcons, Blu, Erykah Badu, Fashawn, GQ, Halo, Heather Victoria, Holly Weerd, Kendrick Lamar, Khrysis, King Mez, Mac Miller, Marsha Ambrosius, Masta Killa, MeLa Machinko, Murs, Problem, Raekwon, Rapsody, Skyzoo, Talib Kweli, Tanya Morgan, Thee Tom Hardy and Warren G. The album peaked at number 76 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.
Charity Starts at Home is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Phonte. The album was released on September 27, 2011 via Foreign Exchange Music. Production was handled by 9th Wonder, E. Jones, Fatin "10" Horton, Khrysis, Stro Elliott, Swiff D, Symbolyc One, Zo! and Phonte, who also served as executive producer together with Nicolay. It features guest appearances from Big K.R.I.T., Carlitta Durand, Elzhi, Eric Roberson, Evidence, Jeanne Jolly, Sy Smith, and fellow Justus League member Median.
Marlanna Evans, better known by her stage name Rapsody, is an American rapper. After signing with music producer 9th Wonder's music label It's a Wonderful World Music Group, she released a series of mixtapes and collaborated with Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli. Soon afterwards Rapsody released her debut album The Idea of Beautiful (2012). She would attain further prominence when she was featured on Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly, on the track "Complexion ".
Thomas Louis Jones III, better known by his stage name Big Pooh, is an American rapper, who, along with fellow rap artist Phonte, is a member of the acclaimed North Carolina hip hop group Little Brother. In addition to numerous records and EP's by Little Brother, Pooh released a solo album in 2005 entitled Sleepers to positive critical reception. He has been guest featured on numerous tracks by other artists. Big Pooh also appreciates basketball and has served as a guest writer on a basketball blog.
Everything's Beautiful is an album by American musician Robert Glasper based on Miles Davis' samples. It was released on May 27, 2016, through Blue Note/Legacy/Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place at Anu It! Studio, Brooklyn Recording and the Thingamajig Lab 2 in New York, Klearlight Studios and Precious House Studios in Dallas, the Peanut Gallery and Brightlady Studios in Raleigh, Willow Grove Studios in Australia, State Of The Ark in London, King Creative Studios and Wonderland Studios in Los Angeles, with additional recording at Westlake Recording Studios. Production was handled by 9th Wonder, Anu~Sun, Black Milk, DJ Spinna, Erykah Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Hiatus Kaiyote, Jewels, Paris Strother, Rashad Smith, Robert Glasper, and Steve Berkowitz, who also served as executive producer with Adam Block, Erin Davis, Nicole Hegeman and Vince Wilburn. It features guest appearances from Bilal, Erykah Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Hiatus Kaiyote, Illa J, Laura Mvula, Ledisi, Phonte, Stevie Wonder and We Are King, as well as contributions from bassists Derrick Hodge, Braylon Lacy and Burniss Travis, guitarists Danny Leznoff, Kyle Bolden and John Scofield, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, and keyboardist Joe Zawinul among others.