The Minstrel Show
The Minstrel Show is the second studio album by hip hop trio Little Brother. It followed the critical success of their 2003 debut, The Listening. The album was highly anticipated and touted as a probable breakthrough for the group, even before its release. The title is a reference to the minstrel shows that were popular in the United States during the 19th century.
Themes
The album has a running concept based on a fictional television network called "UBN", which is a satire of stereotypical programs and advertisements for African Americans. For example, on "Cheatin", Phonte, spoofs the over-dramatic R&B sagas performed by singers such as R. Kelly and Ronald Isley. Many of the skits contain tongue-in-cheek references to black pop-culture in the United States.Controversy
For many reasons, the furor surrounding The Minstrel Show overshadowed the music itself. On August 16, 2005, hip hop magazine The Source's Editor-in-Chief, Joshua "Fahiym" Ratcliffe, announced his retirement due to conflicting opinions on the rating The Minstrel Show was to receive in the next issue of the publication. According to Ratcliffe, his original rating of 4.5 was reduced to 4 by the magazine's Chief Brand Executive, Raymond "Benzino" Scott and CEO Dave Mays because Ratcliffe gave then-upcoming artist Young Jeezy a rating of 4. After they refused to change the rating back to 4.5 he decided to step down from his editorial position. For his part, Benzino admitted at the time of questioning, that he had yet to listen to the album for himself and had no problem with Ratcliffe's original rating.While this may have built up anticipation for the album, another more serious obstacle reared its head when the entertainment network BET refused to play the group's video for the single, "Lovin' It", allegedly because they deemed it "too intelligent". Michael Lewellen, a publicist and program director for BET, responded, "It's not true, not in that context. BET reserves the right to show or not to show music videos of any type based on the network's own standards and decision-making processes." In a portion of the video, the group lightly pokes fun at the different stylistic aspects of hip hop subgenres such as "gangsta", "backpack", "earthy" and "icy". The rest of it sees them performing to a zealous crowd.
Reception
In contrast to the reaction of BET, Little Brother received praises from many powerful forces within the hip hop world, such as XXL magazine, who gave the album an "XL" rating and most notably, Scratch Magazine, who gave it a perfect 10 out of 10 rating. Despite all the controversy, The Minstrel Show debuted at a #56 position on the Billboard charts selling 18,000 copies in its first week out. A second official single and any further promotion of the album was abandoned by Atlantic Records, and although the group soon began recording their follow-up album, Getback, their relationship with the label drew to a close before its release.Track listing
Unless otherwise indicated, Information is based on the album’s Liner Notes| # | Title | Producer | Performer | Time | Samples |
| 1 | "Welcome to the Minstrel Show" | 9th Wonder | YahZarah Chris Hardwick Darien Brockington | 1:17 |
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| 2 | "Beautiful Morning" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big PoohPhonte | 2:20 |
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| 3 | "The Becoming" | 9th Wonder | Phonte | 2:05 | |
| 4 | "Not Enough" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big PoohPhonte Darien Brockington | 4:30 |
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| 5 | "Cheatin'" | Piano Reeves | Percy Miracles Mr. Diggs | 3:43 |
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| 6 | "Hiding Place" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big Pooh Phonte Elzhi Additional Skit by Joe Scudda | 4:00 |
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| 7 | "Slow It Down" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big PoohPhonte Darien Brockington | 4:19 |
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| 8 | "Say It Again" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big PoohPhonte Chaundon Pamela Graham* | 3:47 |
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| 9 | "5th & Fashion " | Nicolay | *Interlude* | 1:19 | |
| 10 | "Lovin' It" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big PoohPhonte Joe Scudda YahZarah* | 3:51 |
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| 11 | "Diary of a Mad Black Daddy " | 9th Wonder | *Interlude* | 0:40 | |
| 12 | "All for You" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big PoohPhonte Darien Brockington Keyboards & Strings by James Poyser | 4:39 |
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| 13 | "Watch Me" | Khrysis | Rapper Big PoohPhonte Khrysis DJ Scratches by DJ Jazzy Jeff | 4:19 |
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| 14 | "Sincerely Yours" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big Pooh | 3:15 | |
| 15 | "Still Lives Through" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big PoohPhonte | 3:25 |
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| 16 | "Minstrel Show Closing Theme" | 9th Wonder | YahZarahChris Hardwick | 1:28 |
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| 17 | "We Got Now" | 9th Wonder | Rapper Big PoohPhonte Chaundon | 4:34 |
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indicates the Performer contributed Additional Background Vocals to the track.
Album samples songwriting credits
Information is based on the album’s Liner NotesWelcome to the Minstrel Show and Minstrel Show Closing Theme
- "No Stronger Love" as performed by The Floaters; written by Arnold Ingram, James Mitchell and Marvin Willis
- "What's Happening, Baby?" as performed by The Stylistics; written by George David Weiss, Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore
- "Circles" as performed by Rufus & Chaka Khan; written by Tim Dulaine
- "Easy, Easy, Got To Take It Easy" as performed by Teddy Pendergrass; written by Gene McFadden, John Whitehead and Victor Carstarphen
- "Jealous Love" as performed by Bobby Womack; written by Bobby Womack and Cecil Womack
- "Slow Dance" as performed by David Ruffin; written by C. Curtis Gadson, Rosslyn Sanders and Rollin Sanders
- "Do Something Special " as performed by Five Special; written by Jerry Q. Jones and Ron Banks
- "One Night Affair" as performed by The Stylistics; written by Teddy Randazzo, Roger Joyce and Victoria Pike
- "I Really Hope It's You" as written and performed by Michael Franks
- "With a Child's Heart" as performed by Michael Jackson; written by Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy and Victoria Basemore
- "Whatever Goes Around" as performed by Jerry Butler; written by Terry Callier and Larry Wade
- "Sitting On The Edge Of My Mind" as performed by Jermaine Jackson; written by Garfield, Fletcher, O'Hara and O'Hara