The Roots New Video: Rising Up
Describing a Hip Hop group as veterans or seasoned isn’t always necessarily a compliment in a genre that thrives off of new and cutting edge music. Several groups in hip hop who were around as recently as the mid to late 90’s are respected for they’re past material but largely forgotten as relics of the past. This is why it is so incredible that a group like The Roots is not only still relevant but is still releasing some of their best material in their fifteen year careers. Black Thought is still seemingly in his prime, easily navigating a flow that combines the best parts of Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane. The band itself sonically is tighter then ever. ?uestlove, the bands founding member, drummer and heart and sole of the group has lately been lacing the group with the hardest beats he can. A sound that destroys the “jazz rap” label they erroneously achieved in their early days. The tone and themes of the Roots music lately has turned more somber and serious with social commentary on the Bush Administration and pontification on life and death. However, The Roots never seem to jump off the deep end and still know that the original basis of Hip Hop is tracks that make you want to get up and dance. “Rising up” feat Wale & Chrisette Michelle is The Roots at their most celebratory and no doubt is one of their most up beat on their album coming soon titled “Rising Down.”
Describing a Hip Hop group as veterans or seasoned isn’t always necessarily a compliment in a genre that thrives off of new and cutting edge music. Several groups in hip hop who were around as recently as the mid to late 90’s are respected for they’re past material but largely forgotten as relics of the past. This is why it is so incredible that a group like The Roots is not only still relevant but is still releasing some of their best material in their fifteen year careers. Black Thought is still seemingly in his prime, easily navigating a flow that combines the best parts of Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane. The band itself sonically is tighter then ever.
?uestlove, the bands founding member, drummer and heart and sole of the group has lately been lacing the group with the hardest beats he can. A sound that destroys the “jazz rap” label they erroneously achieved in their early days. The tone and themes of the Roots music lately has turned more somber and serious with social commentary on the Bush Administration and pontification on life and death. However, The Roots never seem to jump off the deep end and still know that the original basis of Hip Hop is tracks that make you want to get up and dance. “Rising up” feat Wale & Chrisette Michelle is The Roots at their most celebratory and no doubt is one of their most up beat on their album coming soon titled “Rising Down.”
