Phonte
Encyclopedia
Phonte Coleman, better known as Phonte, is a Grammy
nominated American
rapper, formerly of the now defunct North Carolina
trio Little Brother and one-half of the duo The Foreign Exchange. He has also recorded R&B
-flavored output as a singer (often under the pseudonym Percy Miracles). His rhymes tend to be no-frills perspectives on working-class life.
and 9th Wonder
, in 1998 while attending North Carolina Central University
, as an English major
. The three shared common musical interests and decided to form a group. "Speed", the group's first song recorded together, led to them signing a deal with the independent ABB Records, and recording their debut album, The Listening
. The album's success led to the group signing a non-exclusive deal with major label Atlantic Records
.
The group's 2005 album, The Minstrel Show
, was a concept album dealing with the current state of hip hop music. The album received a positive critical reaction but very little commercial success. During the recording of their third album, the group announced the departure of producer 9th Wonder on amicable terms, as well as a parting of ways with their label. Through a contractual clause they landed back on ABB Records and released Getback
in late 2007.
, and has also recorded tracks with producer Oddisee, both members of the Washington D.C (DMV)-based Low Budget collective
. In 2006, he was featured on producer DJ Shadow
's The Outsider album. In the following year he contributed vocals to rap group Playaz Circle
's "Paper Chaser", from their album Supply & Demand
. Phonte's recent projects include The Foreign Exchange's third album, Authenticity
, as well as a collaboration (as Tiggalo) with Detroit
-based musician Zo! titled Zo! & Tigallo Love the 80’s. The latter of these is intended as an homage to early 1980s R&B and pop
music and features covers of popular songs such as a-Ha
's "Take on Me
", Toto
's "Africa
", and Joe Jackson
's "Stepping Out
".
He released his solo-debut titled "Charity Starts At Home" on September 27, 2011 through FE Music.
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominated American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper, formerly of the now defunct North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
trio Little Brother and one-half of the duo The Foreign Exchange. He has also recorded R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
-flavored output as a singer (often under the pseudonym Percy Miracles). His rhymes tend to be no-frills perspectives on working-class life.
With Little Brother
Phonte first met the other members of Little Brother, Rapper Big PoohRapper Big Pooh
Big Pooh is an American rapper, who, along with fellow rap artist Phonte, was a member of the acclaimed North Carolina hip hop group Little Brother. In addition to numerous records and EP's by Little Brother, Pooh released a solo album in 2005 entitled Sleepers to positive critical review...
and 9th Wonder
9th Wonder
Patrick Douthit , better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop record producer, record executive, DJ, professor, and lyricist from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and has also worked with Mary J...
, in 1998 while attending North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels....
, as an English major
English major
The English Major is a term in the United States and a few other countries for an undergraduate university degree focused around the consumption, analysis, and production of texts in the English language...
. The three shared common musical interests and decided to form a group. "Speed", the group's first song recorded together, led to them signing a deal with the independent ABB Records, and recording their debut album, The Listening
The Listening (Little Brother album)
The Listening is the debut album of North Carolina trio Little Brother. It was released in early 2003 on ABB Records. The album became a surprise word-of-mouth sensation among underground rap fans, despite its lack of promotion, guest appearances, or extensive distribution.- Overview :As the main...
. The album's success led to the group signing a non-exclusive deal with major label Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
The group's 2005 album, The Minstrel Show
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...
, was a concept album dealing with the current state of hip hop music. The album received a positive critical reaction but very little commercial success. During the recording of their third album, the group announced the departure of producer 9th Wonder on amicable terms, as well as a parting of ways with their label. Through a contractual clause they landed back on ABB Records and released Getback
Getback
Getback is the third studio album from Little Brother, released on October 23, 2007. On October 12, Phonte leaked the album himself to Okayplayer.com-Details:...
in late 2007.
Solo work
Phonte has appeared on numerous records by other artists, often as a vocalist. He made a guest appearance on the song "Beats N' Rhymes" from producer Kev Brown's album I Do What I DoI Do What I Do
I Do What I Do is the debut studio album by American rapper/producer Kev Brown.- Overview :I Do What I Do continues the tradition of producer-driven albums by beatsmiths such as Marley Marl and Pete Rock...
, and has also recorded tracks with producer Oddisee, both members of the Washington D.C (DMV)-based Low Budget collective
Low Budget (collective)
Low Budget is a collective of Hip hop musicians based in the Washington D.C. area. The crew formed around the early 2000s and released several 12"s including Critically Acclaimed's "Flashback", and Kev Brown's "Nightfall"...
. In 2006, he was featured on producer DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
's The Outsider album. In the following year he contributed vocals to rap group Playaz Circle
Playaz Circle
Playaz Circle is a rap duo signed to the Def Jam Recordings record label.-Biography:The duo was formed in 1997 by two childhood friends 2 Chainz and Dolla Boy in College Park, GA. They created the acronym Playaz which stands for Preparing Legal Assets for Years from A-Z...
's "Paper Chaser", from their album Supply & Demand
Supply & Demand (Playaz Circle album)
Supply & Demand is the debut album by Atlanta duo Playaz Circle. The title of the album was believed to have been changed into "Pound 4 Pound", but in a recent interview Titi Boy confirmed the title to be "Supply & Demand". They released a single on iTunes called "Circle of Playaz", which featured...
. Phonte's recent projects include The Foreign Exchange's third album, Authenticity
Authenticity (Foreign Exchange album)
Authenticity is the third studio album from the R&B/hip hop duo The Foreign Exchange. It was released on October 12, 2010. All songs were produced by Nicolay, while Fight For Love was co-produced with Zo!...
, as well as a collaboration (as Tiggalo) with Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
-based musician Zo! titled Zo! & Tigallo Love the 80’s. The latter of these is intended as an homage to early 1980s R&B and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
music and features covers of popular songs such as a-Ha
A-ha
A-ha were a Norwegian pop band formed in Oslo in 1982. The band was founded by Morten Harket , Magne Furuholmen , and Pål Waaktaar...
's "Take on Me
Take on Me
"Take on Me" is a song by the Norwegian pop band A-ha. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Alan Tarney for the group's first studio album Hunting High and Low, released in 1985...
", Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
's "Africa
Africa (Toto song)
"Africa" is a song by rock band Toto, and one of the band's most recognizable songs. It was included on their 1982 album Toto IV, and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1983 and number three on the UK Singles Chart the same month...
", and Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson (musician)
Joe Jackson is an English musician and singer-songwriter now living in Berlin, whose five Grammy Award nominations span from 1979 to 2001...
's "Stepping Out
Steppin' Out (Joe Jackson song)
"Steppin' Out" is a song written by Joe Jackson, originally included on his 1982 album, Night and Day.The song is about the anticipation and excitement of a night out on the town. Released as a single in August 1982, it became Jackson's biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit in the U.S., peaking at number...
".
He released his solo-debut titled "Charity Starts At Home" on September 27, 2011 through FE Music.
The Foreign Exchange
- ConnectedConnected (Foreign Exchange album)Connected is the debut album by The Foreign Exchange, a hip hop group consisting of American rapper Phonte from Little Brother and Dutch producer Nicolay...
(2004, BBEBarely Breaking EvenBarely Breaking Even is a British record label started by two DJs, Peter Adarkwah and Ben Jolly. The name BBE comes from The Universal Robot Band's 1982 track `Barely Breaking Even'. It has two sublabels: Deep Funk, and Urban Theory...
) - Leave It All Behind (2008, Foreign Exchange Music LLC/HBD)
- AuthenticityAuthenticity (Foreign Exchange album)Authenticity is the third studio album from the R&B/hip hop duo The Foreign Exchange. It was released on October 12, 2010. All songs were produced by Nicolay, while Fight For Love was co-produced with Zo!...
(2010, Foreign Exchange Music LLC/HBD)