phonte Archives

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of August 2013 (Audio Playlist)

August may well go down as the hottest month of the year (literally and musically) when all is said and done. It will no doubt be remembered as the month Kendrick Lamar set the Hip-Hop world aflame with 1 verse and woke up the Hip-Hop Nation. In addition to Big... Read more

September 2, 2013 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Foreign Exchange – Call It Home / Pity

In less than a month, one of the groups that started online—and got more organic than most of their peers who met in the flesh lives on. Foreign Exchange's Love In Flying Colors comes September 24. Phonte and Nicolay dropped off a two-fer single, in "Call It Home" and "Pity."... Read more

August 27, 2013 Audio, Fresh

Rapsody – Jedi Code ft Phonte & Jay Electronica

I had to sit down for this one. Seriously. It's not knee-jerk early-edition hyperbole for me to deem this my favorite collaboration of 2013. In the order of appearance, Phonte calls back to Minstrel Show Phonte, not to say that he hasn't had lethal bars since then, but this cocky... Read more

August 20, 2013 Audio, Fresh

The Foreign Exchange – Love in Flying Colors (Artwork + Tracklist)

The Foreign Exchange (aka Phonte & Nicolay) have a new album that is slated to hit stores on 9/24. You can take a look at the artwork and tracklist below. Related: The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is (Audio) Here's the tracklist: 01. If I Knew Then 02.... Read more

July 27, 2013 Food for Thought

Bird – Still Shine ft Little Brother & Notes to Self

Damn I needed this in my life today!!! New music from Little Brother and it is BANGIN'. Check out Still Shine by Bird featuring Little Brother & Notes to Self. Related: Phonte and 9th Wonder interview on The Come Up Show (Audio)... Read more

June 5, 2013 Audio

Zo! – Count to Five ft Phonte & Gwen Bunn (Video)

Here's some soul music from an artist named Zo! who gets some vocals from Phonte (in Foreign Exchange mode). Check out the video for Count to Five, also featuring Gwen Bunn. Related: The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is (Audio)... Read more

May 29, 2013 Video

The Foreign Exchange – So What If It Is

Here's a brand new joint from Phonte and Nicolay (also known as The Foreign Exchange...). The song features Phonte singing over a house track and is dope for vibing out. Check out So What If It Is. Related: Here’s a mixtape the features 70 Phonte tracks in 78 minutes... Read more

January 28, 2013 Audio

AFH: Best Hip-Hop Mixtapes of 2012

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December 22, 2012 Featured-homepage, Mixes

Phonte – Never at a Loss for Words: The Guest Verses (Mixtape)

Phonte fans stand up! Here's a dope mixtape from OkayPlayer and Bama Love Soul that has compiled the best of Phonte's featured verses on one collection. You can listen to and download all of Phonte - Never at a Loss for Words: The Guest Verses below. Related: Phonte – Gonna... Read more

November 19, 2012 Audio, Mixes

JR&PH7 – Goodbye ft Median & Phonte

New Tigallo, new Tigallo, new Tigallo. It's always a good day when Phonte lets a new verse loose. Check out JR&PH7's Goodbye featuring Median & Phonte. Related: Phonte – Gonna Be a Beautiful Night ft Carlitta Durand (Audio)... Read more

November 6, 2012 Audio

Robert Glasper – Letter to Hermione ft Bilal & Black Milk + Afro Blue ft Erykah Badu & Phonte

Here are 2 more dope tracks from Robert Glasper's Black Radio Rediscovered EP. First is Letter to Hermione featuring Bilal and Black Milk. Next is Afro Blue featuring Erykah Badu and Phonte (Prod. 9th Wonder. Check out both below. Related: Robert Glasper - Black Radio (Remix) ft Yasiin Bey (Prod.... Read more

October 5, 2012 Audio

Here’s our playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of September. You can listen to the entire compilation below (Audio)

Before we get too deep into October, let's take a look back at some of the music that dropped in September. Here's a playlist of some of the Best Hip-Hop of September. You'll hear music from Pharoahe Monch, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Freddie Gibbs, Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean, Jeah... Read more

October 5, 2012 Audio, Playlists

Phonte – Gonna Be a Beautiful Night ft Carlitta Durand

Phonte's Charity Starts at Home album keeps on giving. Here's the latest video from the project. Check out Gonna Be a Beautiful Night featuring Carlitta Durand. Related: Big Sant – Rap Ni**a ft King Mez, Tito Lopez & Phonte (Audio)... Read more

September 24, 2012 Video

Big Sant – Rap Ni**a ft King Mez, Tito Lopez & Phonte

Here's a tough new joint from Big Sant who makes a strong statement about the lyrical dexterity of MCs from the South. To help in his cause, he recruited one of the best to ever do it (in any region), the one and only Phonte. Check out Rap Ni**a featuring... Read more

September 19, 2012 Audio

Phonte – Eternally ft Median (Video)

New Tigallo, new Tigallo, new Tigallo. Here's a new video from Phonte's Charity Starts at Home album. Check out Eternally featuring Median and produced by 9th Wonder. Related: Phonte - The Life of Kings featuring Big K.R.I.T. & Evidence (Video)... Read more

July 23, 2012 Video

9th Wonder and Phonte perform Lovin’ It in Brazil (Video)

Wow. This is beautiful on a few levels. Check out the love the fans in Brazil gave 9th Wonder & Phonte while they performed Lovin' It. The video quality is pretty "turrible" but it's beautiful to see the fellas together on stage again and hearing the crowd sing the chorus... Read more

June 24, 2012 Video

Phonte – The Life of Kings ft Big K.R.I.T. & Evidence (Video)

I needed this in my life today. New Tigallo, New Tigallo, New Tigallo. Well...not exactly a new song but it is a new video from Phonte. Check out The Life of Kings featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Evidence, with 9th Wonder on the boards. Phonte's super slept on Charity Starts at... Read more

April 25, 2012 Video

Phonte and 9th Wonder interview on The Come Up Show (Audio)

Here's an interview of 9th Wonder and Phonte by The Come Up Show. 9th talks about being a professor, his legacy and more. Phonte talks about not selling out, his moral compass and more. Real talk from some real legends. Listen to the whole interview below. Related: Playlist of music... Read more

April 23, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought

Slum Village – The Dirty Slums (Mixtape)

Here's a new mixtape from the newly configured Slum Village, hosted by Mick Boogie. A dope song featuring De La Soul dropped last week. That song and others with the likes of Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh (unfortunately not on the same song) and Black Milk are included on the mixtape.... Read more

March 27, 2012 Audio, Mixes

9th Wonder discusses reuniting with Phonte (Video)

Here's a dope interview of 9th Wonder by 2DBZ where he discusses his reunion with Phonte and how their split allowed them to grow as artists and men. Check it out below. Previously: Phonte - The Good Fight (Video) (Prod. 9th Wonder) http://vimeo.com/38956473... Read more

March 22, 2012 Video

Phonte – The Good Fight (Video)

Here's a new video from Phonte's criminally slept on Charity Start At Home album. Check out The Good Fight (produced by 9th Wonder). Also, click here to check out our mix of the most underrated MCs, which includes Phonte. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH9vR_iJOqU&feature=player_embedded... Read more

February 9, 2012 Video

Phonte – Dance in the Reign (Video)

New Tigallo, new Tigallo, new Tigallo. Phonte is one of the dopest and most underrated MCs EVER. Here's a new video from his Charity Starts at Home album. Check out Dance in the Reign. If you missed it, check out our mix of the most underrated MCs here. Also, click... Read more

January 5, 2012 Video

Check out our 175+ song playlist of the best hip-hop 2011 had to offer (in chronological order). You’ll hear music from Kendrick Lamar, DJ Quik, Pete Rock and Smiff N Wessun, XV, Action Bronson, Common, Curren$y, The Roots, Saigon, Bumpy Knuckles, Big K.R.I.T., Bun B, Asher Roth, Phonte, Reks, Raekwon, Stalley, Pusha T, Wale, Zion I, Smoke DZA, Busta Rhymes, J. Cole, Jean Grae, Statik Selektah, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Yelawolf, Pharoahe Monch and far too many other great artists to name.

The music speaks for itself. Press play and let it ride or click here to see the playlist and pick your own order. Either way, enjoy the good notes of 2011.... Read more

December 31, 2011 Audio, Food for Thought, Playlists, Video

The Roots – One Time ft Phonte & Dice Raw

New music from The Roots with Phonte?? Nuff said. Check out One Time (stream only). undun drops on 12/6.... Read more

November 28, 2011 Audio

Super Tuesday is here. New albums from J. Cole, Evidence, Phonte and 9th Wonder are in stores now.

Links to buy each album are below, as well as a mini-playlist featuring songs from each album. Click here for J. Cole's Cole World: The Sideline Story. Click here for Evidence's Cats & Dogs. Click here for Phonte's Charity Starts at Home. Click here for 9th Wonder's The Wonder Years.... Read more

September 27, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Phonte – The Life of Kings ft Evidence & Big K.R.I.T.

Phonte, Evidence and Big K.R.I.T. on one soulful track. Nuff said. Check out The Life of Kings. Phonte's new album, Charity Starts at Home, hits stores on 9/27. Click here to download.... Read more

September 20, 2011 Audio

Here’s some new Phonte produced by 9th Wonder. You know what it is. Check out The Good Fight.

Phonte's new album, Charity Starts at Home drops on 9/27, the same release date as new albums from J. Cole, 9th Wonder and Evidence. It's going to be a super Tuesday for hip-hop. Click here to download. ... Read more

September 18, 2011 Audio

Here’s a new 9th Wonder joint that brings some of that 80s funk, along with a vocoder (not to be confused with autotune), and features by Terrace Martin and Phonte. You’ll also find a link to a 9th Wonder-inspired playlist. Check out One Night.

Need more 9th Wonder in your life? Here's a joint that brings some of that 80s funk, along with a vocoder (not to be confused with autotune). Oh, and it features Terrace Martin and Phonte. Check out One Night. If you missed 9th Wonder's No Pretending featuring Raekwon and Big... Read more

September 7, 2011 Audio, The Bridge

New 9th Wonder featuring Phonte and Median. Nuff said. Check out Band Practice Pt. II below.

9th Wonder has a new album, The Wonder Years, dropping on 9/27. Until then, here's a new song from him featuring Phonte and Median. Check out Band Practice Pt. II. Click here to download.... Read more

September 1, 2011 Audio

New Phonte featuring Elzhi and produced by 9th Wonder…Nuff said.. Check out Not Here Anymore.

Click here to download.... Read more

August 24, 2011 Audio

Trackademicks – Chill ft Freddie Gibbs & Phonte + Eric Roberson – Picture Perfect ft Phonte

Here are 2 smoothed out new joints each featuring the one and only Phonte rhyming (not singing). First is Chill by Trackademicks ft Freddie Gibbs and Phonte. Click here to download Chill. And, if you liked what you heard, you can download Trackademicks new Fresh Coastin' EP here. Next is... Read more

August 18, 2011 Audio, Mixes

Oddisee – 101 (Free Album)

Oddisee released 101, a strong debut album on Mello Music Group, in 2008. The production was tight, the rhymes were solid and it had features from J-Live, Jean Grae, Rapper Big Pooh and several from Phonte (spittin’). They've decided to release the album for free and you can listen to... Read more

August 6, 2011 Audio

Here is a mix of the most underrated MCs of all time, according to YOU. You’ll find music from Black Thought, Phonte, Lauryn Hill, J-Live, Big Daddy Kane, Pharoahe Monch, Ras Kass, Big Pun, AZ, Devin the Dude, Big L, MF Doom, Guru, Blu, Kool G. Rap, Elzhi, Jean Grae, Ghostface Killah, Mos Def, Redman, Talib Kweli, MC Lyte, Common and more.

We asked. You answered. Check it out.... Read more

July 30, 2011 Audio

The videos from Pharoahe Monch’s W.A.R. album have been on the same level as the tracks–top notch.

They are shot elegantly and come with compelling stories. Black Hand Side ft Styles P & Phonte is the latest. Check it out. Also, if you missed it, check out the short film Pharoahe did for Clap (One Day).... Read more

June 8, 2011 Video

Focus’ free album is here. With songs featuring Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh, Nottz and more, what’s not to like?

Listen to the whole album, Music of the Misinterpreted, and download it below. Music of the Misinterpreted by Focus...... Read more

May 11, 2011 Audio, Mixes

What’s better than a new song from Phonte? A new song and a new video from Phonte…

Check out Focus' song Uh! ft Phonte and the latest video from The Foreign Exchange's Authenticity album, The Last Fall. Here's Uh! UH! feat. Phonte by Focus... And, here's the video for The Last Fall: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PanDa2DZ3g&feature=player_embedded... Read more

May 2, 2011 Audio, Video

It’s a great day for Little Brother fans. Here’s an incredible interview of Phonte sharing his thoughts on 9th Wonder and a new joint from Rapper Big Pooh.

The interview is from a forthcoming documentary on 9th Wonder called The Wonder Year. Phonte talks about their friendship, 9th Wonder's ear for music, their future in music and much more. Check it out. http://vimeo.com/21349706 Click here for the new joint from Rapper Big Pooh ft Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul.... Read more

April 4, 2011 Video

Quietly, a lot of good hip-hop has dropped (or leaked) over the last few months. Here are a couple of playlists with some of the better joints. On this one, you’ll find Pusha T, J. Cole, Kidz in the Hall, Rapper Big Pooh, Phonte, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Chuuwee, Pharoahe Monch and others.

It has more meditative, darker beats--think 9th Wonder-type music. Click here for the second playlist.... Read more

March 26, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Rapper Big Pooh got his shine earlier. Now it’s 9th Wonder and Phonte’s turn.

Check out Lil B's Base For Your Face ft Jean Grae and Phonte (RHYMING) and produced by 9th Wonder. Throw in an old Public Enemy sample and it = Fire. Click here to download. Wanna here that PE original? HERE IT IS...BAM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyR09SP9qdA And, if you missed Rapper Big Pooh's... Read more

March 9, 2011 Audio, The Bridge, Video

Pharoahe Monch, Styles P and Phonte…get ready for Black Hand Side.

This is vintage--hot track #2 from Pharoahe Monch's upcoming W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) album. Don't get TOO excited about Phonte though. He's singing, not rapping but he sounds good. Click here to download.... Read more

March 3, 2011 Audio

Speaking of solo joints, here’s some new heat from Rapper Big Pooh.

Phonte and 9th Wonder have been getting a fair amount of shine as of late. It's good to see the big man back in the game too. The song is called Freebasin'. Click here to download. If you missed this early Phonte and 9th Wonder jam (their first) it is... Read more

March 1, 2011 Audio

King Mez and Khrysis have been dropping some hot joints lately. Here’s the whole mixtape, The King’s Khrysis.

Technically, it's a FreEP...whatever you call it, it's definitely worth the space on your hard drive. There's even a song with the mighty Phonte. Listen to the whole album and download below: Download Mixtape... Read more

February 28, 2011 Audio, Mixes

This week’s playlist was inspired by those lost Little Brother gems that dropped earlier in the week. It draws heavily on that deep, melodic 9th Wonder sound.

It draws heavily on that deep, melodic 9th Wonder sound, as well as his muse Pete Rock and others. You'll find some J-Live, Jay-Z (courtesy of 9th), Nicolay & Kay, The Foreign Exchange and lots of Little Brother (esp. from the Chittlin Circuit era). This one is for the love.... Read more

February 11, 2011 Playlists

Need more Phonte in your life? How about the first track he ever did with 9th Wonder? The song is called Paper Lines. Good golly.

Phonte just might be the most underrated rapper ever. Click here to download.... Read more

February 10, 2011 Audio

Just when I thought I was done…they pulled me right back in! Here’s an unrelased song from Phonte. It’s aptly called Blessings. Enjoy.

This one is from back in the day so you know it bumps. Click here to download.... Read more

February 8, 2011 Audio

Phonte (formerly of Little Brother) and Nicolay continue to push the boundaries of hip-hop as The Foreign Exchange. This is their story.

The Foreign Exchange have dropped 2 stellar albums, but the 2 men comprising the group have kept a relatively low profile. Here's what they have to say about the group that grew from side project to full-time gig: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEadPp2DcUU&feature=player_embedded ...and here are some of their best songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnqX9mRDxyI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy2RjQvBeL4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ELR-W7BKs... Read more

October 14, 2010 Audio, Video

If the names Phonte and Nicolay mean anything to you then you know how The Foreign Exchange gets down. If not here's some chill out rap.

Check out the latest single from The Foreign Exchange called Maybe She'll think of me. Little Brother may be gone, but the brother Phonte rocks on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fKMYvoSM5Q Click here to download.... Read more

September 2, 2010 Audio

Meditations on Hip-Hop, Vol. Too

Think of this as hip-hop for chilling, sitting back and relaxing or just marinating. It’s hip-hop for a rainy day. Just hit play, sit back and let it ride. Tracklist is below. Kick it to the Beat – J-Live The Lights – Nicolay & Kay Do You Think About Me... Read more

June 13, 2010 Audio, Playlists, Video