phonte Archives

Rapper Big Pooh Releases A Phonte Collabo He Held For 7 Years & Explains Why (Audio)

The saga of Little Brother appears to be a complicated one. 9th Wonder exited shortly after The Minstrel Show. He appeared on one song from The Getback. Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh carried on with the Justus League in tow. In the 2010s, Phonte and 9th worked together, and soon... Read more

August 2, 2017 Audio

Phonte Raps About How Both Men & Women Are Losing The Battle Of The Sexes (Audio)

As 2017 marches towards its midpoint, Phonte has not released much music. The MC/singer gave us plenty to work with, care of the stellar Tigallerro collaboration in '16, with Eric Roberson. Between albums, Tay has made some crucial feature appearances. Strong Arm Steady's "Best Of Times," The Roots' "The Day,"... Read more

June 5, 2017 Audio

Mickey Factz & Phonte Prove Some MCs Actually Love Their Women (Audio)

Nowadays, to listen to Hip-Hop one would think that most male MCs hate women. Misogyny in lyricism is so prevalent as to not even raise an eyebrow. Also, seemingly no rapper has his own girlfriend, as all you hear about is what they're going to do to "your girl." Ironically,... Read more

October 22, 2016 Audio

Questlove & Phonte Have An Incredibly Honest Conversation About Surviving The Pitfalls Of Fame

Questlove and Phonte have each enjoyed tremendous success in their careers, both of them emanating from the worlds of underground Hip-Hop to mainstream success. The former is a multiple Grammy-winning cultural icon and Tonight Show bandleader, while the latter is a Grammy nominee who has managed to earn critical acclaim... Read more

October 13, 2016 Fresh

Dante Ross Wanted To Make O.D.B. & Method Man “The Next Run-D.M.C.”

In the canon of Hip-Hop music, Dante Ross may be what we now know as "the plug." From De La Soul to Missy Elliott, MF DOOM to Digital Underground, Lil Dicky to Brand Nubian, Dante has discovered some of Hip-Hop's most respected artists. Beyond simply the exploration, Ross has thrived... Read more

September 23, 2016 Fresh

Hip-Hop Stood Tall In July. Here’s Some Of The Best Of The Month (Audio Playlist)

July was a tense and complicated month. The killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile by police, both captured on film, led to national protests, heated discourse and some misguided shootings of police officers, presumably in retaliation. Political conventions held by the Democratic and Republican parties further divided the nation... Read more

August 2, 2016 Audio

Don’t Go Thru the Night Without Listening to This Joint From Phonte & Eric Roberson (Audio)

Every once in a while, a lowkey collaboration comes along that results in the kind of music that rejuvenates and reignites. Generally speaking, the promo leading up to frequent collaborators Phonte and Eric Roberson's 10-track Tigallerro happened in whispers, but the music on the LP speaks volumes (and then some).... Read more

July 27, 2016 Audio

The World Needs Love. Phonte & Eric Roberson Make Music To Go With It. (Audio)

In a week marred by violence, all may be asking, "Where is the love right now?" Phonte is an artist who has masterfully reflected on the confusion and pains of the world. This time, 'Te simply provides a welcome reminder of what it takes to heal, to rebuild, and to... Read more

July 8, 2016 Audio

Remember When Little Brother & Black Star Picked Up Where Native Tongues Left Off? (Audio)

In the late 80s and early 90s, Native Tongues, the collective led by De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, and consisting of members like Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Black Sheep, Monie Love and more, began a movement that would last well into the 2000s. Beyond the musical legacy... Read more

June 23, 2016 Do Remember

Phonte & 9th Wonder Reunite On A Robert Glasper Tribute To Miles Davis (Audio)

Robert Glasper's interpretive Miles Davis tribute Everything's Beautiful is just under two months away. The May 27 album already unveiled its first single, the Bilal-featuring "Ghetto Walkin'." Now, "Violets" applies elements of Miles' 1959 Kind Of Blue ("Blue In Green") and delightfully bends it to fit Phonte's narrative in "Violets."... Read more

April 1, 2016 Audio

Phonte Explains Why Big Daddy Kane Is The Reason He Became An MC (Audio)

Phonte is the latest guest on The Cipher Show Podcast. For episode #146, the Greensboro, North Carolina native MC/singer spoke about the evolution of his career. A founder of Little Brother and Foreign Exchange, "Tigallo" had an hour-and-a-half discussion with Shawn Setaro on topics ranging from his "Percy Miracles" character,... Read more

March 15, 2016 Audio

Phonte’s New Solo Album Is Just The Next Step In His Already Incredible Career.

Phonte Coleman has taken on many roles in his nearly 20-year career, including founding member of both Little Brother and the Foreign Exchange. Relatively quiet on the solo front, the North Carolina singer and MC hasn't released his own album since 2011's Charity Starts at Home, but he has just announced... Read more

February 24, 2016 News

Vh1’s The Breaks Will Expand Into Full Series

Last month (January 4), Vh1 premiered a made-for-TV movie The Breaks. Partially based on Dan Charnas' book, The Big Payback, the series starred Hip-Hop artists ranging from Method Man to Phonte, Torae to Prince Paul, among others. The leading roles belonged to R&B sensation Mack Wilds, as well as Afton... Read more

February 16, 2016 News, TV/Film

Phonte & Torae Go From “The Breaks” To Breaking Down A Beat (Video)

One month after battling (in character) during Vh1's The Breaks, Torae and Phonte release their video single as a team. From Tor's just-released Entitled album, this song takes two veteran MCs who have been able to show versatility in the present, while making music that connects with Hip-Hop's past. Six... Read more

February 10, 2016 Video

Little Brother’s The Listening vs. Slum Village’s Fantastic, Vol. 2. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

December 23, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of November 2015 In One Playlist (Audio)

As the year winds to a close, the good music shows no signs of slowing down. November brought great Hip-Hop from start to finish. Here's a playlist that features the best the month had to offer. You'll hear tracks featuring Nas, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, KRS-One, Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, Logic,... Read more

December 1, 2015 Mixes

DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9″‘s Long Awaited Collaboration w/ DOOM & Phonte Is Here (Audio)

The first lyrics you hear on "Highs & Lows" are very fitting to the situation, as Royce Da 5'9" sings "hey there music world, you've been keeping 'em waiting." As the group PRhyme, Royce and DJ Premier announced almost a year ago that they would be releasing a deluxe edition... Read more

November 24, 2015 Audio

If “Netflix & Chill” Has An Anthem, Foreign Exchange Made It (Video)

With temperatures dropping, holiday season kicking in, there is often a tug of war between staying in and going out. Phonte, Nicolay, Zo! and Foreign Exchange know this. Their Tales From The Land Of Milk And Honey single "Body" is all about dropping the plans, and picking up some activities... Read more

October 29, 2015 Video

Little Brother Has 1990s Roots. Revisit The First Phonte & 9th Wonder Recording (Audio)

Last month, Little Brother's sophomore studio album, The Minstrel Show celebrated its 10th anniversary. While the game-changing Durham, North Carolina Hip-Hop trio is not currently touring or recording as a unit, Phonte, 9th Wonder, Rapper Big Pooh, and other former Justus League affiliates all reflected to Watch Loud on the... Read more

October 15, 2015 Do Remember

Phonte & Like Join Madlib, Blu & MED For A Head-Nodding Groove (Audio)

Historically, when Phonte links with Madlib, some amazing audio moments result. 2010's "Best Of Times" collabo with Strong Arm Steady on a Madlib track yielded a video single that still endures. Five years later, 'Tigalo links with 'Lib, care of the Oxnard, California MC/producer/DJ's trio with Blu and MED. Pac... Read more

October 14, 2015 Audio

The DJ Premier & DOOM Collaboration Is Almost Here & Black Thought Is Joining the PRhyme Party

DJ Premier, Royce Da 5'9" and Adrian Younge's PRhyme collaboration is the gift that keeps on giving. The album, which featured vocals by Royce and production by Preemo, using samples of Younge's music, was released to critical acclaim near the end of 2014. It featured guest verses from Common, Jay... Read more

October 7, 2015 News

On Its 10 Year Anniversary, Little Brother Remember The Minstrel Show With New Perspective

According to many Hip-Hop Heads, one of the most complete, cohesive Rap albums of the 2000s is Little Brother's The Minstrel Show. Released by Atlantic Records, the LP is a bittersweet moment for its makers and its legions of fans. Ten years ago yesterday (September 13, 2005), 9th Wonder, Phonte,... Read more

September 14, 2015 Throwback

JR & PH7 Are Beatmakers for Some of Hip-Hop’s Most Respected MCs. Hear Why (EP Stream / Video) (EP Stream / Video)

Cologne, Germany production duo JR & PH7 has amassed a career that includes an extensive list of collaborators, from Sean Price to King Mez, Phonte to Freeway. From Europe, this combined force of beat-makers has been a driving ambassador of the talent abroad. Already in 2015, JR & PH7 teamed... Read more

September 2, 2015 Fresh, Video

The Foreign Exchange Report Back from Love’s Promised Land with their Latest LP (Album Stream)

It's been been more than ten years since the Foreign Exchange began sharing their brand of musical fusion with the world, and now the duo is gearing up to release Tales From the Land of Milk and Honey. Phonte and Nicolay began their artistic partnership with 2004's Connected and have... Read more

August 13, 2015 Audio

Foreign Exchange Turn The Work Space Into A Party Place (Video)

Later this month, Foreign Exchange will release their sixth album, Tales From The Land Of Milk And Honey (August 21). For the premier video, "Asking For A Friend," Phonte, Nicolay and company awaken the monotony of corporate life. With a House-tinged beat, the infectious hi-hats seduce an office floor to... Read more

August 4, 2015 Audio, Video

Foreign Exchange Announces Sixth Album & It’s Coming Really Soon

A step removed from 2013's Love In Flying Colors, Foreign Exchange has announced their sixth album. On August 21, Phonte and Nicolay will release Tales From The Land Of Milk And Honey. This release, presumably on their own +FE Music imprint, follows 11 years of material, garnering Grammy nominations and appearances on the... Read more

July 8, 2015 News

Phonte & Nicolay Unveil A New Collaboration Beyond The Foreign Exchange Sound (Audio)

Phonte and Nicolay's Foreign Exchange have defied genre. While the pair's serendipitously digital debut, Connected, basked in some Hip-Hop roots, F.E. would later circle the realms of R&B, Pop, and Soul. The journey has been a successful one, marked by acclaimed tours, and Grammy nominations for the independent duo. From Nic's... Read more

May 19, 2015 Audio

Rapper Big Pooh Releases His Finest Music Since Little Brother (Album Stream)

Rapper Big Pooh has had a host of quality releases since his days with vaunted group Little Brother with Phonte and 9th Wonder. From 2005's Sleepers to his entire Fat Boy Fresh series, Pooh has stayed working. However, his recent union with Apollo Brown has produced some of the best... Read more

March 24, 2015 Audio

Oddisee, Apollo Brown & More Show Off Their Persona On New Compilation (Album Stream)

Today (March 10), indie record label Mello Music Group is releasing their annual compilation album, Persona. Celebrating eight years of being in business, Mello Music Group has prided themselves on their focus on artist development, and Persona is meant to show how the label has grown and developed over the... Read more

March 10, 2015 Audio

Pharoahe Monch Delivers Some Valentine’s Day Love with a Compilation Album (Audio Stream)

Pharoahe Monch has delivered a Hip-Hop Valentine's Day present in the form of a compilation album. Lost in Translation is a 12-song project featuring all-star contributions from Jill Scott, Robert Glasper, Will.I.Am, Justin Timberlake, Phonte and more. According to Pharoahe's Bandcamp page, ""Lost In Translation" is a collection of previously... Read more

February 14, 2015 Audio

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of January 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The beginning of the year often brings a smorgasbord of new music, and this past January was no exception. Here's a playlist of some of the best tracks released, including music from Joey Bada$$, Lupe Fiasco, Action Bronson, Big Daddy Kane, Grand Puba, The Diplomats, Scarface, Eightball & MJG, Master... Read more

February 3, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Mos Def vs. Phonte…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

January 30, 2015 Fresh

Phonte & Oddisee Channel Pain Into Beautiful Art, Reacting To The World Today (Audio)

In the wake of the 2014 murders of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, and so many other Black men at the hands of law enforcement, there was a large outcry for artists to react, reflect, and somehow find the words we, the people, could not. Those expressions are indeed... Read more

January 13, 2015 Audio

Phonte, DJ Premier & Royce Da 5’9″ Geek Out About Rap, Memories & Battles (Video)

Structure isn't everything in Hip-Hop interviews. Sometimes organic, natural, nonrestrictive discussions go a heck of a lot farther. In their ongoing PRhyme media campaign, DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9" get an unlikely guest in Phonte. The Stashed orchestrates a casual discussion about a number of things with these three... Read more

December 29, 2014 Fresh, Video

9th Wonder Says Without Phonte, There Is No Drake (Audio)

During A3C week earlier this month, 9th Wonder served as Reggie Osse's latest guest for a live taping of The Combat Jack Show. Per usual, the conversation spanned the career of the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina producer/DJ/sometimes-MC. However, there are certainly some impromptu side discussions and points made that make this... Read more

October 20, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Fresh

Finding the GOAT: Phonte vs. Malice…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

September 28, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Foreign Exchange Goes Above The Clouds In Dreams Are Made For Two (Video)

From Love In Flying Colors (released one year ago this week), Foreign Exchange showcases their Carlita Durand assisted single, "Dreams Are Made For Two." As the song has been to the album, the moment is warm, euphonic, and tender. So what better setting than the mountaintops for Phonte and Carlita... Read more

September 22, 2014 Fresh, Video

Salute to Little Brother’s Phonte & 9th Wonder Who Will Be Honored by Their College

Shout out to Little Brother's Phonte and 9th Wonder who will be honored by their alma mater, North Carolina Central University, as part of their Forty Under Forty Awards Gala. It's great to see Hip-Hop Scholars recognized as such. North Carolina Central University had this to say about the Gala:... Read more

August 30, 2014 Fresh

The Roots’ Longtime Manager & Producer Rich Nichols Passes Away

With his name in the liners as far back as Illadelph Halflife, producer Richard Nichols was an integral part of The Roots. Producer, executive, and manager, Nichols was never credited as a member of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hip-Hop band, but was highly involved in their studio work and even transition... Read more

July 17, 2014 Fresh

This Week in Video Brought Visuals of Jay Z & Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Phonte, Crooked I & More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought lots of variety, ranging from Jay Electronica & Jay Z's first live performance of "We Made It," to a scaled down acoustic set by Phonte and his Foreign Exchange crew. Here's a video playlist of some of the best including a freestyle from Elzhi, Peter... Read more

July 13, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Here’s an Amazing Stripped Down Concert Session From The Foreign Exchange (Video)

Though Phonte was introduced to the world as part of the iconic underground group Little Brother, 2014 marks his 10th year as a part of The Foreign Exchange, which also includes Nicolay and now Zo! The Foreign Exchange trio gave an amazing stripped down performance of "On A Day Like... Read more

July 9, 2014 Video

NBA Bans L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling For Life, Hip-Hop Artists React

Earlier today, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced a lifetime ban sanctioned against 30-plus-year owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling. The streamed and televised press conference took place following a week where racist remarks from Sterling during a phone-called were leaked to website TMZ.com. Additionally, Sterling will be forced... Read more

April 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Playlist of Some of the Best Hip-Hop to Drop in January 2014 (Audio)

Before we get too deep into February, here's a look back at some of the best Hip-Hop to drop in January 2014. After a slow start, we got new music from Phonte, Talib Kweli, Elzhi, Schoolboy Q, Yasiin Bey (pka Mos Def), Phife, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, Pete Rock, Astro,... Read more

February 3, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

The Week in Video Brought Out the Best in Kendrick Lamar, Redman’s Crib, New Phonte & More (Video Playlist)

This week was dominated by Grammy coverage, and there were some clear highlights like the Kendrick Lamar/Imagine Dragons mashup, but there were also several other gems that might have gotten lost in the swirl. Here's a video playlist of some of the best visual programming of the week. You'll find... Read more

February 1, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

The Foreign Exchange Camp’s Visuals Are Really Uplifting Lately. Check Better (Video)

Phonte and Nicolay have been making captivating music (from Internet to in person) for a decade now. However, the group and affiliates with so much musical and social personality is really shining in video form lately. After Zo!'s "We Are On The Move" video (which featured 'Tay and Eric Roberson)... Read more

January 28, 2014 Fresh, Video

Talib Kweli, Phonte & Elzhi Come Together For Some Fly Wordplay On A Khrysis Beat (Audio)

In 2000s, some of the most elite MCs have come from three crews that run in the same circles. Reflection Eternal's Talib Kweli, Little Brother's Phonte, and Slum Village's Elzhi have all successfully built identities outside of the groups they came up in. Years later, after a bunch of overlapping... Read more

January 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Zo!, Phonte & Eric Roberson Make An Early Bid For Feel-Great Song/Video Of 2014

Back in 2008, Zo! and Phonte breathed new life into songs by Human League, Toto, and others, on their hilariously-packaged, limited-edition '80s cover album. Over five years later, the Foreign Exchange comrades bring that same charisma and pizazz (this time with associate Eric Roberson) into Zo!'s ManMade album. The trio... Read more

January 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

The Foreign Exchange – Right After Midnight

Here's some food for the soul from The Foreign Exchange (Phonte & Nicolay). Check out Right After Midnight. Their new album Love in Flying Colors is in stores now. Related: Foreign Exchange – Call It Home (Video)... Read more

September 26, 2013 Audio

RJD2 – Temperamental ft Phonte

DJ/Producer RJD2 is readying a new project. Last week, he released a song with J-Live and this week he lets one fly with Phonte (singing, not rapping). Check out Temperamental. Related: RJD2 – Her Majesty’s Socialist Request (Candy Panther Remix) ft J-Live (Audio)... Read more

September 16, 2013 Audio

Foreign Exchange – Call It Home (Video)

Following the two-sided single late last month, Phonte and Nicolay drop the visuals to "Call It Home." F.E. again succeeds at another visual essay that matches the song beautifully—without the need to star the musicians. Love In Flying Colors blossoms on September 24. Related: Foreign Exchange – Call It Home... Read more

September 8, 2013 Fresh, Video