The sounds of overproduced music, paired with meaningless and redundant lyrics are becoming far too common in today’s “hip hop” scene. You could compare the production of today’s hip-hop to that of the big haired over the top production we seen in pop during the 80’s. How does a genre that has strayed so far away from its roots while merging with pop culture be regarded as anything but “down”. Despite rap music taking the highway way to hell, one group has pulled through the mess and has been highly successful with a 2 decade career spanning through two thirds of the life of hip hop.             Bass, guitar, keys, percussion, vocals and music influenced by whatever they feel intrigued by equals a rap band unparallel to any other. Despite winning a Grammy for the 1999 hit “you got me” with Eryka Badu and Jill Scott, The Philly based Roots have yet to reach super star pop icon status. Luckily for us the roots are not motivated by becoming a real day “America Idol”, they are motivated by creating the work that they feel like making, and not folding to what the corporate zealots want. The corporate goons have turned rap into a mish mash of mainstream suburban American garbage, comparable to the likes of a cookie cutter house in suburban neighborhood. In retrospect it all looks and sounds the same in today’s hop scene. When the roots put on a concert it is a live rock show with the energy that would have left deadheads in a daze. No hip-hop show even comes close. More importantly, the roots retain a distinct musical and lyrical presence in there music, which slipped out the back door years ago to most of the hip hop world. Even the vulgarity and sexual connotation of the 80’s and 90’s “gangster” rap had a purpose, story or at least lyrical meaning. One of the top hip hop singles of the summer of 2008 was a song called lolipop by “lil” Wayne, while not trying to devalue that music, it is not on the same par as anything produced and released by the Roots. One of the reasons the Roots have maintained their originality is because they did what they had to do to keep their music the way they wanted. When they had souring relations with record companies, rather than fold, they left for a better suit. They have been successful with 9 albums including a greatest hits album (Homegrown) over the last 20 years; they are hip-hops Rolling Stones and maybe the Rolling Stones to come. Longevity is another word that is meaningless in today’s hip-hop, but that’s a whole new blog. The battle The Roots face now is getting the public to bite in to true music. Lyricist and front man Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) said in an interview with frontline.com “Hip-Hop is over as I know it and as people my age know it. That s--t is no more so it did fall apart years ago” The roots latest album rising down is perhaps one of the best yet, the album is jazzy, mellow, upbeat and dark. The song criminal has excellent lyrical value, while being dark, while rising up is a fun feel good song. Their promotional concert in Allentown, Pa was amazing and most spectators left the venue with ears that were deaf for at least a day. If you’re a true hip-hop fan, some good stuff is still out there. The roots are on of the most talented bands of our time. If you dig good music, the roots are for you. If you claim to like hip hop and double as a tough guy thug and can’t appreciate good music then I suggest you exit this blog and buy a “gangster” southern rap album named after food while the rapper totes a gold medallion on the cover ya hearrrrd. For the rest of you be safe and listen happy.

Peace

Nick Rolland

Myspace.com/nickontheradio