Although North Carolina's Little Brother are not well known outside of hip hop circles, they have built themselves a sizable loyal following - many of whom are here tonight rhyming along to every word in the middle of a heat wave that has the crowded Jazz Café feeling like a sauna.
After entering the stage to a hero's welcome, the chemistry between rappers Big Pooh and Phonte is a joy to behold from first song to the last. Phonte's sense of humour and on point singing skills with no auto tune assistance (take note Kanye) also add a welcome dose of showmanship sadly lacking from many hip hop gigs.
The DJ seems to be have become the forgotten man in hip hop since the emergence of the MC and the super producer to the forefront of the genre; tonight he is on form - expertly mixing in familiar instrumentals into original tracks to create a seamless blend for Phonte and Pooh to wax lyrical over.
Highlights from all three albums are performed with a feel good vibe flowing back and forth from the stage to the audience in a manner not seen since the heyday of the Native Tongues era and it becomes obvious why the likes of Quest Love and DJ Jazzy Jeff have been raving about LB since their debut album dropped in 2003.
After Phonte finally convinces the light man to turn off the lights in a hilariously accurate cockney accent to perform one more song - the set draws to a close following an hour and a half of neck snapping beats and plenty of rib tickling onstage banter. With a firm grip on reality exemplified by bouncing funky odes to Good Clothes, Love and the frantic pressures of everyday life - Little Brother prove they are most definitely the people's champs.
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