Drama Free Edition: November 4, 2008
2005 saw the duo Little Brother release the classic The Minstrel Show, their first on a major label (Atlantic). Following up their overlooked debut The Listening, the album followed a concept of, you guessed it, a minstrel show, hosted on a fictional channel called UBN (a parody of UPN that stands from U Black Niggas Network). However, while the album was great, and easily their best work, the promotion was utter shite! The only shine the album got was when it caused controversy. "Lovin' It" only got recognition when BET refused to play it, which actually got people to check that song out on other channels like MTV2 or MTV Jams. And unfortunately, it was the only single released, as "Slow It Down" was dropped as a single.
Fast forward a few months after The Minstrel Show's release and Little Brother, all of a sudden, releases a new mixtape, Separate But Equal, which was hosted by DJ Drama as a Gangsta Grillz extra. A frequent question was: why was it even hosted by Drama? Considering that he was known for hosting mixtapes from mostly artists like T.I., Jeezy and even Lil Wayne, and not for the type of people that'd be considered "backpack rap". Well, we don't necessarily know the answer, to be honest. The mixtape features 22 tracks on the Gangsta Grillz version (11 new songs, 3 original skits meant for the mixtape, 4 additional skits, 2 individual freestyles from Phonte & Rapper Big Pooh, and the appearances of The Minstrel Show tracks, "Lovin' It" & "Not Enough)", with guest features from Big Treal, Mos Def, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Supastition, Skyzoo & Chaundon.
However, in 2008, the group released the Drama Free Edition (or the No DJ version) of the mixtape. This version features the 14 tracks, with 3 previously-unreleased bonuses, omitting the 4 additional skits (like the Teedra Moses/MySpace one or the opening skit before "Knock Knock"), along with "Lovin' It" and "Not Enough". Well, I have the Drama Free Edition, and that's what we're dealing with today.
So, let's get it in today and start on the mixtape...
1. Knock Knock
Imagine dropping a tape full of all-new music just a few months after your album. Unless you were Lil Wayne at the time (that guy dropped a tape just a week after Tha Carter II), that was a rare thing to happen. Anyway, to open up the mixtape, instead of the usual 9th Wonder, a guy under the name Young Cee provides a nice Dramatics-sampled beat for Phonte & Big Pooh to go back and forth and speak about their position in the game, touching on how they're "critically acclaimed but commercially declined". It's a great introduction that quickly touches on their status as a group, especially after dropping The Minstrel Show, with them expecting 2006 to be their year for them to shine. A very good opening track.
2. Don't Trust 'Em (Skit)
Just a skit...
3. Cross That Line (feat. Big Treal)
Easily one of my favourites on here, as 9th Wonder is finally back on the boards, with LB getting some guy called Big Treal on the track. 9th provides such a dope banging instrumental, while everyone on the track do their thing and delivers, especially Pooh. While both 'Te & Treal were nice on the mic, hearing Pooh felt like the grand finale to the song, had that "this is what you've been waiting for" moment. Damn, he snapped on this track! A standout on the tape.
4. Let It Go (feat. Mos Def)
I remember when I used to bang this tune out last Summer when I went to Spain. Along with "Boondock Saints" and "Speed Racin", this had to be the best song on the mixtape, point blank, period! Mos Def comes on the track to spit a verse, with Phonte & Pooh delivering some great verses. Mos started off nice, and Pooh came in a little aggressive and angry, but Phonte tho! DAAAAAMMMNNN (*Craig & Smokey voices*), he murked that shit. He gets a little aggressive with the bars, declaring once again that 2006 would be his year for him to go hard and kill it (let's be real, 2006 wasn't really his year. If anything, 2005). As for 9th, as usual, he came through and delivered on the boards, creating such a good beat for them to rhyme on. Easily one of the best songs on the mixtape!
5. Can't Let Her
You know that girl you're in a relationship with who keeps bullshitting? You always get into arguments every now and then, and she plans to leave you, but you don't wanna let her go. Not saying that ever happened to me, cos well... I'm single, mate. But that's how Phonte & Big Pooh feel about the rap game, as, on this !llmind-produced standout, they personalize the genre into a girl that has its flaws (such as accepting more hitmakers into the game rather than actual rappers), but they can't leave her/the genre. Pooh starts off fine, explaining the problems he has with hip-hop/the girl. But Phonte actually gets into the song in a more detailed way, ranting about how, although with LB, he was also doing The Foreign Exchange, yet nobody was checking, and also touching on how a lot were influenced by LB. There was a part from his verse that stood out to me: "But that's how it is when you dealin' with the evil/Get a little status and they think you too regal/That's the nature of people/Why you think muh'f***ers like to feed pigeons but try to shoot eagles?" It's a very interesting track, with a great concept to it, and !llmind really gave a smooth and laidback vibe to the track with that beat. Another one of my favourites.
6. The Singing Bums (Skit)
Another skit...
7. Rollin' Out (feat. Supastition)
This time, it's Khrysis on the boards with the heat, as Supastition jumps on the mixtape for a hardcore and lyrical track, that sees 'Te, Pooh & Su show off their lyrical abilities. Su starts off hard AF, with Phonte continuing off in such a great way, but 1nce again, Pooh killed it, having the best verse. with lines like "I don't wanna toot my own horn/But them LB niggas got it going on/Word is Bon(d)-Jovi, on tour so the whole world know me". When the beat was about to fade, I was expecting Pooh to continue no matter what, instead of randomly ranting. Ey, but that was funny tho.
8. Macaroni
Pooh gets a solo and uses it as an opportunity to make a little silly song about how he used to get chicks when he was young, and spit his game at them. It's just a nostalgic song for Pooh to spit about his early days at getting hoes, and Khrysis once again comes through with a sick instrumental. Another fire song.
9. Boondock Saints (feat. L.E.G.A.C.Y. & Chaundon)
Khrysis gets his third beat on here, while Phonte gets with L.E.G.A.C.Y. and Chaundon (aka The EMBASSY), all spitting an full-on lyrical standout, with a 5th Dimension song being looped as the instrumental. L.E.G. started off very well, impressing me with the opening lines: "Came from a bush baby on a quest to run things/Been in pursuit baby since Master P and that 'Uhh' thing". Phonte came through to address a few things, such as how blacks and whites see him in the music industry, and how he doesn't like how smoking and drinking is represented in hip-hop. But Chaundon, CHAUN-FREAKING-DON!!! That man delivered his best verse ever; even better than on "We Got Now". He snapped! With lines like "These rap niggas is plastic/I'm terrorizing cyphers, they can't blame Osama for that shit". That line got me like "OOOOOOOOOOO!". That's how sick his verse was! Lemme calm down, in all seriousness, this song was great, another that showed off the three's lyrical abilities, and they all delivered.
10. Home (feat. Joe Scudda)
Pooh gets another solo, using it as an opportunity to collab with Joe Scudda and talk about how they love home, even if they've been around the world. And no, this is not them rapping on that 9th Wonder instrumental that was on The Listening (although this is a completely different beat, it's actually produced by 9th). Pooh provides two verses about touring and having good times in different countries, but Joe gets a little deep, talking about how you never appreciate home until you're gone, and also talks about how he'd sit alone is his crib for some time. He also manages to thank LB for taking them on with their success, saying that he would be at home doing nothing if it wasn't for them. Nevertheless, it's an introspective song, that has them reminiscing about their home, over a banging and nice beat. Another standout!
11. Horror Movie (Skit)
The third and final skit on the album... FINALLY!!!
12. I Need You (feat. Darien Brockington)
This song is more of a radio-friendly jam, although this was a not-for-sale mixtape. I'm gonna be honest, it's a good getdown track, but I never really cared about it. I think I like it a lot more now though. Anyway, Darien Brockington did well on the hook and even had a singing verse, while 'Te & Pooh did their thing on here. The beat, courtesy of some guy named D.R. is way too groovy, and gives such a nice vibe to it. Such a nice song.
13. Candy (feat. Bun B & Darien Brockington)
On this smooth cut, beat courtesy of the one and only 9th, the legendary Bun B gets on the track with the group and Darien as they make another party track talking about their swagger, Bun starts it off fine, with 'Te talking about how he met a girl. Pooh gives another fire verse, and his flow was too much! WOOOOOO! Another dope track.
14. Speed Racin' (feat. Skyzoo & Chaundon)
The final track on this mixtape is more of an epic posse cut, getting Skyzoo & Chaundon to rap on another of the best tracks on the here. This that type of shit that get you bumping your head like MAAUUUDD!!! All 4 deliver, especially Chaundon. Skyzoo starts off very well, while Phonte still express his thoughts on the rap game, about how most aren't interesting if you ain't the guy who sold drugs or got locked up. And Pooh once again delivers a fire verse. But Chaun came through AGAIN! That ending line actually got me too: "This is that crack, this is that coke/Said a few drug references, now they say I'm dope", OOOOOO!!!! Easily my favourite song on here!
The following are considered previously-unreleased bonus tracks on the Drama Free Edition:
15. Deeper (feat. Dynas)
It's crazy that a bonus track that wasn't even on the actual mixtape is full-on the best song on here. Forget "Speed Racin'" and "Can't Let Her", this one takes the freakin' cake! On this deep cut, LB & Dynas touch on various topics, with the hook from Phonte changing after each rapper delivers their verse. Pooh starts off as he talks about how people turn into has-beens such as a girl called Mia, who went from being a prom queen to messing her life up doing drugs. Dynas continues by touching on religion and his belief in God. Once again, Phonte speaks on the rap game, and how he feels he has to be responsible for making dope and timeless music. All verses stick together very well and 9th's beat is just FIRE!!! It's a very deep and interesting song, and is one with the most replay value for me. Such a standout!
16. Playin' to Lose
This song is just alright. The beat is pretty decent, it just doesn't have that banging or highlight sound that I'd expect for the group. Both 'Te & Pooh deliver very well, but it's one that actually sounds like a bonus rather than an actual song.
17. Passionflower
"Passionflower" has that early LB feel with that smooth and chill instrumental from 9th. This that type of shit I'd hear on The Listening or The Chittlin' Circuit mixtapes. It just has that smooth and bumping sound that I'd hear from their first few projects. Pooh & 'Te still come through with some heat, and Phonte doesn't really talk about the industry and instead touches on hate, his albums with LB, and listening to his mother. It's a very smooth and beautiful song for me to vibe to. Another one of my favourites!
The special thing about Separate But Equal is the fact that it doesn't have a concept the way their 2 earlier albums did (The Listening & The Minstrel Show). It just features the group rapping. No UBN or a WJLR, just straight-up bars. And they really deliver! It was crazy seeing Phonte, Big Pooh & 9th come through with brand-new music just months after having a critically-acclaimed album. The mixtape sees the group working with a few people other than 9th Wonder, those being !llmind, D.R., Young Cee and of course, Khrysis. And they bring their best to the table, especially Khrysis with "Boondock Saints" and "Rollin' Out". The features are even as good as the producers. Chaundon is featured twice on the tape, and has the best verse on both of them, especially "Speed Racin". L.E.G.A.C.Y. started out very decent on "Boondock Saints", and Big Treal was impressive on "Cross That Line". Even the Drama Free Edition is better. Without the annoying talking from DJ Drama and all the "bring it backs" on there, it just feels refreshing and comfortable to listen to. As a matter of fact, it even makes the tape sound like a regular full-length rap album. Not to mention, the bonus tracks on the Drama Free Edition add a very special touch to the mixtape, with "Deeper" and "Passionflower" being some of my favourites on the tape. Overall, Separate But Equal is a great follow-up to The Minstrel Show, that doesn't have any concept or theme, and instead, features them both rapping. Everyone came through on this one, especially Big Pooh. This was a tape where I managed to hear Poobie go in on many songs, such as "Cross That Line" and "Rollin' Out". Buy this tape (although you can download the original Gangsta Grillz version here). It's a great piece of work and is good for LB fans to listen to, especially after digesting The Minstrel Show. If you want just straight-up bars and dope ass beats, this is for you!
Recommended Tracks
Deeper
Speed Racin'
Boondock Saints
Passionflower
Can't Let Her
Let It Go
Cross That Line
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