I remember when Game Theory dropped a few years back and I was sleeping as I usually did on Roots albums. I eventually took the advice of Rafi Kam who suggested the album after we had wrapped our shoot of the Ghetto Big Mac video.
Game Theory was the first Roots album where I felt like I could fux with the studio album. It’s not like I didn’t fux with the Roots tho’ who I have followed in NYC for years. Something in the paradigm shifted tho’. Maybe my palate became more advanced? In any case I found myself having a new appreciation for the Roots and the efforts they released on compact disk.
The latest Roots album titled ‘How I Got Over’ has been cooking up nice and slow in the studio. The album was purported to be released at several dates last year but the Roots revised schedule of non-stop work didn’t have them recording as often. The wait was totally worthwhile in that this album is their best richest compilation of music I have ever listened to. The album is nails.
I feel extra lucky too in that as I listen to the album I recognize some songs from their residency at the Highline Ballroom. The Roots remain on that ‘constant elevation causes expansion’ Rakim vibe. This album has such a Grown Man Rap sound. I think that is coming from the keys which are prominent throughout. This could be the James Poyser influence on the band. This track sounds like something from the Chronic 3000.
The Roots featuring Dice Raw, Truck North and P.O.R.N. – ‘Walk Alone’
This album should be all over the dial on the radio. It’s not like the Roots were unfocused either. They have a song on here for every occasion, or radio station format. I like that they took their time to put out this disk because there are no rushed filler tracks on the album. The features are all on point too. The tracks with John Legend are incredible. Also the rappers are all visionaries, Phonte, Blu and most definitely the Money Makin’ Jam Boys – Dice Raw, Truck North, P.O.R.N. and STS.
The Roots featuring John Legend – ‘The Fire’
Black Thought is Black Thought. That is to say that Black Thought is the greatest emcee of all time. The verses on this track give me chills down my spine. I have told y’all one million times that the essence of Hip-Hop is the sound of the drum and the voice. ?uestLove and Black Thought are the drum and the voice. The Roots are the essence of Hip-Hop. And they are doing it again.
The Roots featuring John Legend – ‘Doin’ It Again’
pics via Kwadwo Kwarte
