Day 22: Why (What's Going On?)

What's going on people? By a round of applause how do you feel? Well today I've got something sure to burrow deep inside your ear, enter your prefrontal cortex, and lay seedlings, and sprout up from the surface. The Roots, Philly's own hip-hop band, have been educating fans and elevating the art of hip-hop since 1987. The most prominent members of The Roots are drummer ?uestlove (Questlove), and MC Black Thought. But they feature a full band boasting Vocal, Drums, Keyboards, Percussion, Guitar, Sousaphone, and Bass Guitar. A favorite amongst hip-hop heads, The Roots are adored and respected for their conscious lyrical content and delivery, as well as their skilled instrumentation. Though they have never reached superstar status in terms of record sales, their concerts are always quick to sell out and they recently took over as inhouse band for The Late Show With Jimmy Fallon. Rightfully, often reffered to as "The Legendary Roots Crew", The Roots are a shining example of how God intended hip-hop to sound.

Song: Why (What's Going On?)
Artist: The Roots
Album: The Tipping Point (2004)

A laidback tune from start to finish, track # 10 begins with the chorus: the title of the song being sung/asked over striking instrumentation. Black Thought earns your listening ear with top notch lyrics and delivery.

"It's far from right, I guess that's why it feels so wrong
To see the world get stripped out of every resource
And people pray to Coca-Cola now instead of the gods
What's goin' on?"

The music has a deep, rich quality to it that speaks to my soul. Make sure to follow the link to view the lyrics, they are well worth your while, especially if you're unfamiliar with this genre. Why is a poignant example of how hip-hop can educate.

Listen here!

Lyrics here.

For more of The Roots listen to Star/Pointro, Guns Are Drawn, You Got Me, and Break You Off.

Day 16: Run This Town

He's baaaack! Whatever it is you wanna call him (Hov, Jigga, Mr. Carter,), Jay-Z has returned to form. In recent years you've probably heard more Jay-Z on Entertainment Tonight than you have through the speakers of passersby on the streets. His return from retirement has, thus far, resembled Michael Jordan's comeback with the Wizards. He's been good, even showing flashes of his former dominance but has clearly shown that he's not the best in the game anymore. But Jay is going back to the Blueprint, for a third time. In a genre currently being dominated by pop-rappers like Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, and Drake, Jay's timing couldn't be better. A little tidbit for those of you who might think Jay-Z is just a demeaning, superficial thug: following the hurricane Katrina disaster Jay-Z donated 1 million dollars to the American Red Cross relief effort. He has also worked to fight the global water shortage, pledging a world tour to raise awareness, and in '06 he took part in a documentary titled Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life. Today's song follows the release of his poignant single D.O.A (Death of Auto-Tune), and gives you a mouthful of what to expect when The Blueprint 3 hits store shelves September 11th. Oh and by the way, Rihanna and KanYe West both join Jay-Z on this track.
The Roc is definitely in the building!

Song: Run This Town
Artist: Jay-Z Feat. Rihanna & Kanye West
Album: The Blueprint 3 (2009)

The Blueprint 3, Jay's pièce de résistance against current music trends, features a heavy reliance on real instrumentation rather than electronic beats, and absolutely no auto-tune. Although "the Michael Jordan of rap" has put up several attempts since coming out of retirement, this effort is his first to hit nothing but the bottom of the net since his famous "last shot" from the top of the key (The Black Album). Run This Town bites down hard and won't let go. The production (handled by Kanye), which features a mean guitar riff, sets the tone for this powerful anthem right from the start. Rihanna, looking better than ever, is fierce and badder than ever (watch her face in the video). She sings the hook with absolute fire, raising the question: can anyone sing a hook better than this girl? Kanye delivers his verse straight from the gut, with the intensity exhibited on Jesus Walks, in an effort to shut the mouths of his incessant critics. And Jay-Z makes clear the difference between a Grown Man and a lil' boy. Quite frankly, Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye have never been stronger than on this effort.

Listen and watch here

If you want more Jay-Z be sure to pick up The Blueprint 3 September 11th.