I feel like I need to say more about The Roots. Their first album, Organix, was recorded in 1993. I was 12 years-old. Now, 17 years later, I feel as if I've grown up with them. I will admit, Organix didn't blow me away and few people heard it in '93 as it was self-released. Like many others, I discovered The Roots in '95 when they dropped Do You Want More?!!??! At that time they were an anomaly (and still are, really). No one was making rap music with live drums, no one. At least now one was doing it on records. To this day I don’t believe there is another group like them on the planet. If you've seen them live then you understand the true nature of their eclecticism.
In real life, they are much more than a rap group. They are a full band with a working knowledge of jazz, rock and pop which allows them to do just about anything they want on stage. I've seen them cover The Police, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sheep, De La Soul and countless others. On record, they are hip-hop legends who carved out a niche for themselves in rap music, played a large part in the late '90s Neo-Soul movement and helped jump start, revitalize and resurrect several careers. Common can thank them for making him relevant again with their work on Like Water For Chocolate in 2000. They turned D'Angelo from a simple hit maker into a seasoned-sounding soul man on Voodoo (also in 2000). They turned in one of the most memorable performances of MTV Unplugged history providing live beats as Jay-Z's backing band in 2001 (some of those songs sound way better than Jay's recorded versions). They've made a habit of spot-lighting local talent on their records, exposing Philly artists like Dice Raw, Jazzyfatnastees, Ursula Rucker, Bahamadia, Beanie Sigel and Eve. And if they had had their way, a then unknown Jill Scott would have been singing the chorus on "You Got Me" instead of Erykah Badu. You've got to love how they have not forgotten where they come from and have done their best to bring other talented folks up with them.
For those unfamiliar with The Roots I want to give you a road map. As with most things, start at the beginning.
For a taste of the early, raw sounding work listen to "Popcorn Revisited" from Organix and the classic "Proceed" from Do You Want More?!!??!. Then check out my favorite cut from Do You Want More?!!??!, "Distortion to Static". There are hints at the diversity ?uestlove possesses on the drums here.
Now, from this point on, they work on polishing their studio sound. Example, "Push Up Ya Lighter" from Illadelph Halflife. The drums sound tighter, the production slicker. Plus, you'll get to hear Bahamadia, which is both bitter and sweet. Where did she go? I'm ready for her return. While you're on Halflife check out the posse cut "Clones," "UNIverse at War" featuring Common and their first hit "What They Do" with Raphael Saadiq on the chorus.
Move on to the classic Things Fall Apart and listen to several things. Hear "Without a Doubt," which contains the first sample they used in the studio, coming of course, from a Philly native, Schoolly D and his song "Saturday Night". Also hear the two tracks that follow, "Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New" and my favorite "Double Trouble" featuring Mos Def. Don't forget about the big hit, "You Got Me" and the anthem "The Next Movement".
Long time member and second MC Malik B leaves the group prior to Phrenology, which finds the band taking great creative strides. Ben Kenney joins the group on guitar, allowing them to incorporate elements of rock in their studio sound. They score big time with "The Seed (2.0)" featuring Cody ChesnuTT on vocals. It becomes a cross over hit, getting regular airplay on alternative radio. They also reach out both stylistically and lyrically on "Water" lamenting the departure of Malik B and the challenge his drug addiction posed. "Sacrifice" and "Thought @ Work" are a couple of my favorites.
Kinney leaves to play in Incubus and long time member Scratch, who was their human turn table/noise machine, leaves as well. The Roots start jamming with Martin Luther and Kirk Douglas on guitar. The result is The Tipping Point. Shorter in length but certainly not lacking substance, the album includes the Sly Stone tribute in the song "Star," as well as Black Thought's excellent impersonations of Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap on "Boom!" and my favorites "Stay Cool" and "Web". This is clearly their most radio friendly album so far.
The band signs to Def Jam."Captain" Kirk Douglas stays. Martin Luther leaves. Kirk is a genius, by the way. Malik B returns, drug habit kicked and the band pushes that radio sound even further with Game Theory. I'm not a huge fan of this move, but it's still solid. Highlights for me include "Here I Come," "Long Time" featuring a re-energized Peedi Peedi and the darkest sounding cut of the band's career, "In the Music".
The darkness continues, as does the push for radio sounding hits. Consequently, Rising Down is the album I connect to the least. Apparently long time bass player Leonard "Hub" Hubbard felt the same way. He quits the band. No matter, they bring in guest MCs like Mos Def, Styles P, Common, Talib Kweli and Wale. I listen to the title track, featuring previously mentioned Mos Def and Styles P (who sounds completely inferior as a lyricist). I also listen to "75 Bars," "I Will Not Apologize" and "Criminal".
Then the band agrees to be Jimmy Fallon's house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. See June 25 post for their most recent antics.
Now, to prove Black Thought's lyrical wizardry, read these lyrics from "Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New":
Yo, head lost, sippin’ this Lambic Framboise
Spittin it for like whoever demand the answer
What’s the cure for this hip-hop cancer? Equivalent
to this avalanche of black snow, rap flow
to get my people thinkin mo’, we at the brink of war
What does it all mean? What’s it all for?
With knowledge of yourself, then you’re through the first door
My people hungry and thirst for more next music explore
It’s heavenly to your ebony daughter next door
So what you think The Roots get the world respect for?
The splendid authentic hip-hop that’s raw core
Severe, world premier, a superior sophomore
No doubt, wherever you dwell, that’s where the bomb fell
Explodin from the imperial en-sem-ble, for real
From the ven-ue to the avenue
We truly only got respect for a few, y’all ain’t sayin nuttin new
I mostly wanted to point out that he used Lambic Framboise in a lyric. That takes skill, and a deeper knowledge of beer. I appreciate both. This is by far the most self indulgent post I have written. I had fun.
In real life, they are much more than a rap group. They are a full band with a working knowledge of jazz, rock and pop which allows them to do just about anything they want on stage. I've seen them cover The Police, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sheep, De La Soul and countless others. On record, they are hip-hop legends who carved out a niche for themselves in rap music, played a large part in the late '90s Neo-Soul movement and helped jump start, revitalize and resurrect several careers. Common can thank them for making him relevant again with their work on Like Water For Chocolate in 2000. They turned D'Angelo from a simple hit maker into a seasoned-sounding soul man on Voodoo (also in 2000). They turned in one of the most memorable performances of MTV Unplugged history providing live beats as Jay-Z's backing band in 2001 (some of those songs sound way better than Jay's recorded versions). They've made a habit of spot-lighting local talent on their records, exposing Philly artists like Dice Raw, Jazzyfatnastees, Ursula Rucker, Bahamadia, Beanie Sigel and Eve. And if they had had their way, a then unknown Jill Scott would have been singing the chorus on "You Got Me" instead of Erykah Badu. You've got to love how they have not forgotten where they come from and have done their best to bring other talented folks up with them.
For those unfamiliar with The Roots I want to give you a road map. As with most things, start at the beginning.
For a taste of the early, raw sounding work listen to "Popcorn Revisited" from Organix and the classic "Proceed" from Do You Want More?!!??!. Then check out my favorite cut from Do You Want More?!!??!, "Distortion to Static". There are hints at the diversity ?uestlove possesses on the drums here.
Now, from this point on, they work on polishing their studio sound. Example, "Push Up Ya Lighter" from Illadelph Halflife. The drums sound tighter, the production slicker. Plus, you'll get to hear Bahamadia, which is both bitter and sweet. Where did she go? I'm ready for her return. While you're on Halflife check out the posse cut "Clones," "UNIverse at War" featuring Common and their first hit "What They Do" with Raphael Saadiq on the chorus.
Move on to the classic Things Fall Apart and listen to several things. Hear "Without a Doubt," which contains the first sample they used in the studio, coming of course, from a Philly native, Schoolly D and his song "Saturday Night". Also hear the two tracks that follow, "Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New" and my favorite "Double Trouble" featuring Mos Def. Don't forget about the big hit, "You Got Me" and the anthem "The Next Movement".
Long time member and second MC Malik B leaves the group prior to Phrenology, which finds the band taking great creative strides. Ben Kenney joins the group on guitar, allowing them to incorporate elements of rock in their studio sound. They score big time with "The Seed (2.0)" featuring Cody ChesnuTT on vocals. It becomes a cross over hit, getting regular airplay on alternative radio. They also reach out both stylistically and lyrically on "Water" lamenting the departure of Malik B and the challenge his drug addiction posed. "Sacrifice" and "Thought @ Work" are a couple of my favorites.
Kinney leaves to play in Incubus and long time member Scratch, who was their human turn table/noise machine, leaves as well. The Roots start jamming with Martin Luther and Kirk Douglas on guitar. The result is The Tipping Point. Shorter in length but certainly not lacking substance, the album includes the Sly Stone tribute in the song "Star," as well as Black Thought's excellent impersonations of Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap on "Boom!" and my favorites "Stay Cool" and "Web". This is clearly their most radio friendly album so far.
The band signs to Def Jam."Captain" Kirk Douglas stays. Martin Luther leaves. Kirk is a genius, by the way. Malik B returns, drug habit kicked and the band pushes that radio sound even further with Game Theory. I'm not a huge fan of this move, but it's still solid. Highlights for me include "Here I Come," "Long Time" featuring a re-energized Peedi Peedi and the darkest sounding cut of the band's career, "In the Music".
The darkness continues, as does the push for radio sounding hits. Consequently, Rising Down is the album I connect to the least. Apparently long time bass player Leonard "Hub" Hubbard felt the same way. He quits the band. No matter, they bring in guest MCs like Mos Def, Styles P, Common, Talib Kweli and Wale. I listen to the title track, featuring previously mentioned Mos Def and Styles P (who sounds completely inferior as a lyricist). I also listen to "75 Bars," "I Will Not Apologize" and "Criminal".
Then the band agrees to be Jimmy Fallon's house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. See June 25 post for their most recent antics.
Now, to prove Black Thought's lyrical wizardry, read these lyrics from "Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New":
Yo, head lost, sippin’ this Lambic Framboise
Spittin it for like whoever demand the answer
What’s the cure for this hip-hop cancer? Equivalent
to this avalanche of black snow, rap flow
to get my people thinkin mo’, we at the brink of war
What does it all mean? What’s it all for?
With knowledge of yourself, then you’re through the first door
My people hungry and thirst for more next music explore
It’s heavenly to your ebony daughter next door
So what you think The Roots get the world respect for?
The splendid authentic hip-hop that’s raw core
Severe, world premier, a superior sophomore
No doubt, wherever you dwell, that’s where the bomb fell
Explodin from the imperial en-sem-ble, for real
From the ven-ue to the avenue
We truly only got respect for a few, y’all ain’t sayin nuttin new
I mostly wanted to point out that he used Lambic Framboise in a lyric. That takes skill, and a deeper knowledge of beer. I appreciate both. This is by far the most self indulgent post I have written. I had fun.
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