27 Oct Rapper Big Pooh – Dirty Pretty Things | Album Review
It's become quite apparent that even in 2011, some years after the Carolina based group Little Brother called it quits, their spirit still remains ever present. Not just because the die-hard fans continue to bump The Listening, The Minstrel Show and the rest of their cult classics but because two thirds of the former trio have released solo albums. 9th Wonder took listeners through a glorious musical journey on The Wonder Years whilst Phonte's working man's album Charity Starts At Home arguably stands as one of the best releases of 2011. So all that remains now is for the heavy hitting Rapper Big Pooh to round off an impressive year for the heralded acts with his awaited release Dirty Pretty Things. Minus Phonte and Wonder, the Virginia born spitter has offered solid mixtapes aplenty, but can his second full length LP push him out of the LB shadow and into a lane of his own?
Even though much time has passed since the split of revered trio Little Brother, one of Hip Hop’s most cherished groups, deep rooted amongst many fans has been an impatient craving for something new from either 9th Wonder, Rapper Big Pooh or the artist in question today; Phonte. Whilst Wonder has given us his Wonder Years and the Foreign Exchange (Phonte’s most recent project) provided some warm, glorious memories of his musical past, the urge for something closer to home was desired by many. So for the Greensboro, North Carolina born lyricist “home” is where he returned; back to the circle of dope beats and dope rhymes for his first solo album. Having spent numerous years sharing the plaudits with his two brothers in rhyme, how would one of Hip Hop’s most revered poets handle an entire project in which it would only be him and his thoughts occupying the recording booth?
If you've been a fan of 9th Wonder, Phonte, Little Brother and/or Foreign Exchange or even a follower of the burgeoning music scene in North Carolina for the past three or four years, then you will not be a stranger to the unique, soulful and powerful vocals of one 
The state of North Carolina has been the home for some of the greatest singers and musicians in the history of music. Nina Simone, Ben E. King, Shirley Caesar, Roberta Flack and George Clinton are just a few artists in a long lineage of incredible, groundbreaking talent. The next in this line is R&B singer/songwriter 
Rapper Big Pooh’s Hip Hop story could have ended sooner if it wasn’t for his tenacity and fervent belief in his ability. Standing tall amidst label issues and the departure of 9th Wonder from Little Brother, Pooh remains a staple name in the cipher of artists reaffirming themselves to the old school flavour of Hip Hop. Venturing out alone for this latest release, The Purple Tape aims to reaffirm his credentials as a solo emcee whilst acknowledging his part in one of Hip Hop’s most heralded acts. 
Flying through London en-route to performing at the Montreaux Jazz Festival, Little Brother are performing in London on Wednesday night at the Jazz Cafe. I get on the phone to Big Pooh who, sounding relaxed, talks to me about the status of Little Brother, why they really split with 9th Wonder - and the fickle nature of the music industry...