Urban World

The Roots – How I got over you

Back with their organic sound which strips the music to its original form The Philadelphia based rap group, The Roots known for replacing sampling with a live band, real instruments and introducing rock elements into hip-hop; release a new album ‘How I got over you’.

You can sigh with relief as eight albums in; they have not disappointed (in my opinion). True to the days of 1993 when they debuted their first album ‘Organix’ their quality and integrity still remain. More refined they creatively manage to stay current in a time when mainstream carries a conforming sound. Like wine they just keep getting better with age. Previously working with great artists such as Erykah Badu, Common, D'Angelo and Q-Tip, The Roots characterised their new songs as "depicting the everyman's search for hope in this dispiriting post-hope zeitgeist".

The track entitled ‘How I got over’ is a track which is a young person’s cry for help or an elders cry for help for the younger generation. The struggles growing up in a neighbourhood which lacks stability and solidity within its community and when the core values of caring has depleted the youth are raised with the same careless outlook. There is nothing new about a song talking of the struggle of impoverished inner-city youth; a lot of hip hop artists say when they make it, there is no point rapping about ‘when we were poor’ But this track is a message for those who cannot speak to the masses for themselves and is delivered effortlessly with the prevalent guitar and pace of the drums.

How I got over includes two appearances from Grammy award winning John Legend on "Doin' It Again" a re-working of his track "Again," and "The Fire," an original song written for the Roots' 2010 Olympic concert performance.  The Fire can be interpreted as both a personal track to how far The Roots have come and yet can relate to others with dreams and aspirations; with or without a support system behind them. It’s upbeat with a motivational flair that doesn’t require you to actually listen to the lyrics as the instrumental alone elates you.

Other guests include Joanna Newsom on "Right On," Phonte Coleman (Little Brother, The Foreign Exchange), Blu (Blu & Exile), Peedi Peedi and many others, the Roots work with artists who are equally talented enough to contribute to their projects.

There is so much to talk about on this album but I wouldn’t want to ruin it for you, Like watching a movie and exposing what is going to happen for the viewer who has not already seen it. If I describe too much about how great of an album it is you will think I am working on their marketing campaign so apologies to The Roots fans who think I did not ‘go hard’ on the review. For the J Dilla fans there is something special on here for you also.