Music Monday: The Roots

This Music Monday selection is long overdue! For those of you who don't know but should and those of you who do know, and share, today's Music Monday pick is the Legendary Roots Crew from Philly's new album, How I Got Over.

This album is everything hip-hop has been missing. It's zero parts Soulja Boy Tell'em, three parts lyrical genius by Blue, Porn & Dice Raw, four parts live instruments, one part soulful crooning, with guest appearances by John Legend, Patty crash, and Monsters of Folk, and 100% relevant to the new generation of audio-revolutionaries. I commented on Twitter a few days ago about how…

"HIGO is so ... it's a sexy album. It's mature. It's the wine you can't find at Kroger."

And that's exactly how I feel. It's a straight through listen. There's no need to press fast-forward. Black Thought constantly delivers punch lines, and after-the-punch-line lines, filled with intellect and insight, social perspective, and urban honesty. “The Fire” stands out on the album as a Rocky Rasoul updated “Eye of the Tiger” inspirational track, while the title track, HIGO, breaks out with Quest Love’s sharp precision percussion, followed by Black thought’s provocative lyrics,

“When you on the corner, its too much drama. When you got the police right behind you, it’s always more than a slight reminder. We’re living in a war-zone like Rwanda.”

In “Walk Alone”, he challenges his listeners to re-analyze their consciences with lyrical concepts like

"The Devil want me as is, but God He wants MORE,"

And one of my personal favs from "The Day",

"...And I finally understand my right to choose. My preacher man said it could always be worse. Even a three legged dog still got three good legs to lose."

The Roots brings an ear-gasm of musical creativity that I just do not think I can properly express in this blog. If you haven’t heard it, and desire to elevate in your knowledge of what hip-hop is supposed to sound like and how it's supposed to make you feel, PLEASE go out out and get this album! It is Niq’ approved, and I highly suggest that you GET ADDICTED!