Show notes
Ever since their first commercial album debuted on February 26, 2002, the Nappy Roots established themselves not just as lyrically blessed artists, with great group chemistry but as a collection of individuals who have been able to invite all types of people, no matter what race, creed and gender to sit back, relax and get lost in the journey each album takes them. Or as writer, Adam Figman states, “while the emcees aren’t the wordplay experts some of their peers and inspirations may be, they write simple yet effective imagery of the parties, people, and places generally encountered in only the most rural of settings.” One month after their fourth album, “The Pursuit To Nappyness” hit the stores, the Nappy Roots’s hip-hop philosophy remains unchanged. Their latest LP, such as the ones prior to this one allows us to just listen to an album how it should be listened to. Whether in a car, walking down the street, going to school, work, working out, or just hanging out at home, from the first track to the last track, the album touches on topics from the Nappy Roots’ southern roots, the countryside, friends, family, riches, and of course their constant appreciation of their fans. The opening track, “Welcome to the Show,” eases the listener into the beginnings of this album’s journey What appears to be simplistic piano notes and the group’s calm vocals permits the listener to be once again apart of the album, thus setting the tone for the rest of the album. They say success is the best revenge, tell a friend keep ‘em close like a enemy, invest to win safeless, the necessary, leave the rest to them loose lips sink boats, try your best to swim captain of your ship, do ya best and grin never let ‘em see you sweat the stress again and make a new direction, take ya next of kin out the trap, it’s called life–make the best of it On the second track, “Do it Big,” the Nappy Roots experiment with the commercial end of hip-hop with horns blasting and boosting about money and fame. This track was one of the many summer party anthems and is a little disturbing but no need to worry, the Nappy Roots stay true to their essence of rap. The group makes sure this commercial track doesn’t isolate their fans and make they feel as if they have to live up to unachievable expectations. On track seven, “The People,” Nappy Roots’ member Ron Clutch spits quickly dismisses the importance of money when he spits: “Money means nothing/my people mean everything/Promise when I got all the money that I would never change/ Clutch is still the same/I kept my fee on earth/And I kept my promise/I kept my people first/My friends and my family, ya’ll help made a man of me/ When I was down and out ya’ll lent a helping hand to me/So I’m returning the favor and I’m passing it forward/Adversity, don’t run away for it, run towards it/face it, embrace it, I promise you can make it/The time spent with your family, you should keep that sacred/ It’s worth more than any amount of money, so I would never let the money, snatch that from me.” It’s great to see the Nappy Roots live up to their name in this album. The continue to show their humility to their fans, friends and community. The beats are simple which allows the listener without distraction to hear each lyric—something which is lacking in much of today’s mainstream rap music. The Nappy Roots do not use any hidden verses to express their admiration for their fans. The final track, “All For You” sums up the album. First words spoken on the track? “We love our fan…” Nappy, we love ya’ll too. iew...
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