Grammy Nominated: Phonte

dj omni - "phonte mix"

1. Foreign Exchange - "Let's Move"
2. Phonte - "Like Dat"
3. The Foreign Exchange - "Daykeeper (feat. Muhsinah)"
4. Kev Brown, Oddisee & Phonte - "Beats N' Rhymes"
5. Dave Ghetto, Mystic & Phonte - "Hey Young World Pt. II"
6. Jake One - "Bless the Child (feat. Little Brother)"
7. Little Brother - "Phonte Exclusive"
8. Phonte & Eccentric - "Silky Tay's Theme"
9. Strong Arm Steady - "Best of Times ft. Phonte"
10. Royce da 5'9" & Phonte - "Something 2 Ride 2"
11. Foreign Exchange - "Be Alright"
12. Little Brother - "Breakin My Heart (feat. Lil' Wayne)"
13. Phonte - "Too Late"
14. Jazzanova - "Look What You're Doin' To Me Featuring Phonte"
15. The Foreign Exchange (Nicolay & Phonte) - "Hustle Hustle"
16. RJD2 - "The Shining Path (feat. Phonte Coleman)"
17. Zo! - "My Flame feat. Phonte"
18. Little Brother - "Home"
19. Phonte & Eccentric - "The Time Has Come"

The above mix is a special request from the homegirl, Kemba. And I’m really happy to see the fam Phonte getting the shine he deserves. The Foreign Exchange has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category (with stiff competition from Robert Glasper & Bilal and Eric Roberson respectively).

Phonte Coleman has been everywhere since his debut on Little Brother’s “The Listening” in 2003. He’s a little bit Weezy and a little bit Drake, popping up on other people’s projects as lyricist and/or as singer. He addresses this on the song “Too Late”: “I got a Masters in freestyle (rhyming), and a hook-singing baccalaureate.”

Creatively, Phonte resembles Cee-lo. Former member of a fan-favorite group, talented lyricist and vocalist, and has found Grammy success partnering with a talented producer. The only difference is that Phonte has not released solo albums, but he has hinted on his Gordon Gartrell podcast that a solo album is in the works.

Foreign Exchange has a good chance of winning the Grammy, and it would be well deserved. But it’s only the beginning for Phonte.

One to watch: Phonte Coleman

Big Pooh and Phonte of Little Brother on the cover of their soon-to-be-released third album "Get Back".

Tigallo goes to the movies

I always find myself checking in on the blogs of Phonte Coleman. A major creative force as part of Little Brother and The Foriegn Exchange, he has been guesting heavy on a variety of projects of late. My favorite being 4Hero's "Give In". And credit has to be given to his inspired rendition of Toto's "Africa" with Zo! (stick around to the end where the magic begins!).

What i really appreciate is that he is a true multimedia artist, like ?uestlove before him and now kanYe and even Just Blaze have followed.

Phonte gives so much more to his fans than just the music. Track back on the above link and you’ll find videos and diary-like entries from LB’s experiences on tour in Europe as well as Phonte’s music recommendations and championing of the work and web presence of Nine Inch Nail’s Trent Reznor.

Now that’s a multi-layered portrait of an artist and a scholar. This Coleman boy's done good! (boy as in no-relation fam, not as in "white racist word!" ©Michael "Good Times" Evans)