Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Rising Down...


Yo, yo
Lost generation, fast paced nation
World population confront they frustration
The principles of true hip-hop have been forsaken
It's all contractual and about money makin
Pretend-to-be cats don't seem to know they limitation
Exact replication and false representation
You wanna be a man, then stand your own
To MC requires skills, I demand some shown
I let the frauds keep frontin
And roam like a celluar phone far from home
Givin crowds what they wantin
Offical hip-hop consumption, the 5th thumpin
Keepin ya party jumpin with an original somethin
Yo, I dedicate this to the one dimension-al
No imagination, excuse for perpetration
My man came over and said, "Yo we thought we heard you"
Joke's on you; you heard a bitin-ass crew but um..

The Roots (What They Do)

They did it again. Every time that I think it can't get better...it does. Yesterday, The Roots, a.k.a. The Legendary Roots Crew, the influential, Grammy Award-winning American hip hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation, dropped their 10 cd. They first debuted in 1993. And to this day...they are hotter than they've ever been.

I've always been a fan of this group. One of the things that has impressed me about them is that despite the fact that they don't sell a ton of records, their music has gotten better with time. They aren't one of those acts that are here today...and gone tomorrow. You can see the growth in their music. Their latest cd, Rising Down, is another critically acclaimed cd and it's on FIYAH!!!. The band tours extensively, and their live sets are frequently hailed as the best in the genre. Recently, the band played a concert in NYC's Radio City Music Hall with Common, Nas, Talib Kweli and Big Daddy Kane. They also backed Jay-Z a third time, for his Reasonable Doubt Concert, a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the release of his first album.

The Roots have been featured in three movies: Dave Chappelle's Block Party; both performing album songs and playing as a backing band for other artists, Spike Lee's Bamboozled, and Marc Levin's Brooklyn Babylon, in which Black Thought plays the protagonist, Solomon, and former band member Rahzel narrates. Black Thought and ?uestlove were both featured in the movie "Brown Sugar," and Black Thought also made an appearance in the film "Love Rome" as Tariq Trotter.

For me, they don't disappoint me. Each time that they come out...it's a banger. Never a dull moment.

WHo does that for you? What artist just keeps getting better and better each time that you see them perform. And it doesn't have to be a music artist. Maybe it's an athlete like MJ? Maybe it's an actress like Sanaa Lathan? WHo does IT for you? Who makes you say..."damn, they keep getting better each time and they never disappoint me."

Holla at me!

34 comments:

MsFreshBananaPuddin said...

Sorry for being so MIA on your blog...btw...

yeah I like their new song 'the seed' when it came out and if im listening to anytype of hip hop it would be the likes of common, talib kweli etc. those artists are so much more raw than mainstream...

im a old school junkie, if I hear an old classic from marvin, aretha, al temptations, whitney etc I get juiced!

MsP

Rich Fitzgerald said...

Will Smith -- the brothers game keeps elevatin'

CHA CHA said...

HANDS DOWN..IMA SAY....wait for it....BEYONCE!

I am always impressed and at awe whenever I see her perform, she does it for me!

Erykah Badu is a force to be reckoned with also

i.can't.complain. said...

tank

he's so fine, 12

and that voice.... aah yes

i wish i could hear a new album from d'angelo and know that he keeps getting better.

who else.

denzel didnt let me down in his last 2 flicks

umm..

lil wayne.

yeah, that dude.

i think that's about it.

-1-

PrettyBlack said...

E-40, Above the Law, Too Short, Samuel Jackson, Ice Cube. They never fail to impress me.

Mizrepresent said...

Whenever Walter Mosley comes out with a nother Eazy novel...i'm so excited. If they make one more Lord of the Rings movie i would be too happy.

The Jaded NYer said...

I actually answered this on someone else's blog that asked a similar question...

Folk singer Ani DiFranco- let me tell you about this chick: she's out of buffalo and basically gave the big record companies the finger by putting out her own music and promoting it herself with mixtapes and plain old touring.

Now she owns her own label (Righteous Babe Records) writes, sings and performs her own music, and puts out an album a year of really thought-provoking and socially-conscious music.

Not only is she a great artist who raises the bar for herself everytime she puts out a studio album, but she's all about her fans and, without even trying, is a great role model for women.

Can you tell I have a bit of a girl crush on her?

12kyle said...

@ Ms P
You have been MIA but it's all good. Lol

I feel you on those dudes. I can't deal with a lotta other rappers.

How do you think Whitney is gonna do when she comes back?

@ Rich
Good call! I'm a big fan of the Fresh Prince

@ Poca
I love Badu. She's a very deep sista.

@ -1-
I'm a huge fan of Denzel. That dude is like the Micheal Jordan of the movies.

I am also waiting on the new joint from D'Angelo

@ prettyblack
Ice Cube lost me with that "We be clubbin" song. But other than that, he's always ill.

See Death Certificate

@ Miz
I've never seen those movies but I heard that they are siiiiick!

@ Jaded NYer
You DO have a crush on her. That's cool, tho. LOL. I think I heard her name before.

Yeah...I did...

on your blog. LOL

Anonymous said...

I'm a big Nas supporter. His lyrical content always has some meaning to it plus he'll drop a banger in between. I'm not sure if his latest effort will get the critical acclaim. But I will listen to it before I pass judgement.

proacTiff said...

me. i'm getting better with time; like a bottle of Shiraz.

but if i act right and respond to your question i'd say that snoop's music is evolving... even though both he and i don't love them hoes! seeing his "reality" show allowed me to witness him in a different light.

Queen of My Castle said...

Jill Scott. Loves her to bits from Who is Jill Scott to The Real Thing. She's the epitome of a woman, IMO and I can always relate and lose myself in the emotions of her work.

Jazzy said...

I gotta say Beyonce too.

I'm not a stan, but I think she's a baaaaaaaaad broad to be so young still.

There aren't too many entertainers who can sing like Bey and keep up with her active dance routine. She really is one of the best entertainers.

And it doesn't hurt that her male dancers are HAWT!!!

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

makes me feel good to see folks that can still play instruments

The F_Uitlist said...

Ok why are you doing this to me, I am all about the MUSIC this week.

I love the Roots, have been stalking them since I was in college. Saw them at Dave Chappelle's Block party and was acting like a damn fool!

I am huge Nas supporter (though I am not buying this new album) he makes you think and thats important. Now if he would lay off the cheeba he could grow further.

RIP Biggie but when I hear him I get chills. LOVE IT

Erykah Badu Truth in its truest form

Alicia Keys, this new album is AMAZING

Lil Kim, I'm kidding haha. She's taken a slow downfalls since Big passed.

The F_Uitlist said...

oh and Musiq. (see now you got me started)

Anonymous said...

Music: Common is raising his levels as he finally gets that global audience; Beyonce keeps elevating her game; Weezy is on some other plain with each verse; Earth Wind & Fire just resonates stronger each time I hear them....

Actors: Will Smith is head and shoulders above most; Sam Jackson is a chamelion; Jeffrey Wright and Don Cheadle make their movies work for me.

Athletes: Kobe (as much as I abhor his stylo) has that passion for the game that makes it more than just a game for him; Plaxico Burress (NFL Giants) is finally taking his natural ability serious and it's showing through how he's killin' DB's....

Don said...

yeah that roots album is definitely one of the great ones. black thought is an underrated as they come.

who keeps getting better and better? for me, i think shakur and michael jordan own that title.

but @ the moment i'd have to say kanye west steps his game up like no other. in sports i would have to say lebron james.

Miss Mika said...

A woman that keeps getting better and shows so much maturity with every album she drops is Mary J. Blige. There wasn't a song on her last album that I did not like.

Alicia Keys also just elevates her self to new levels with everything she does, be it film or music. And she seems so humble... a rarity for folks in the biz these days.

Speaking of Alicia, I also agree that Common is just getting better and better. I love his acting and he is one of the best lyricist alive, hands down.

Keisha "Kitten" Isaacs said...

I'd have to say Jill Scott, India Arie, E. Badu...& my girl Lauryn Hill.....they all got skills & lyrics that spit some truth....I'm a true groupie of India, she never ever disappoints me! I'm praying to vibe on a few tracks with her one day!

Lauryn is cold cause she does it all....some people didn't like her unplugged cd, but did they listen to the lyrics??????

Sexxy Luv said...

I know you already know this but...

Every time I see my girl Beyonce' I get excited! I love, love ,love seeing her, I never get tired of seeing her. It doesn't even have to be a performance it can be a photo of her or anything! LOL

kit von b. said...

kelis, van hunt, 'yonce, SJP, prince....

love those bitches.

-KB

The F_Uitlist said...

Guess whose back?!

I forgot OUTKAST. I went to ever concert in the tri-state area one summer.

PCD (Pretty Circle Drawer) said...

will smith, sade, badu, musiq, and martinelli's apple juice (every sip is better than the one before!)

MsFreshBananaPuddin said...

whitney will never be the same, but its ok, she already sang her way into my heart *tear*

CapCity said...

Black Folk do it for me! Just when I wanna give up on 'em - and figure out how to cross over like Richard Pryor in Bingo Long* (if i could get my Spanish down pat...;-) - somebody makes me smile and i think: MANNNN, I'm glad I'm Black!

LOL! I can't narrow it down to just one, Brother 12kyle! And yea, there are some folk who aren't Black who are cool, too - but MY people hands DOWN just make me feel all GOOD inside! And we won't even start on the way a GOOD BROTHER makes a Sistah Feel! Whew!!

*if u don't know 'bout Bingo Long - u bettah click & get WIT IT!

12kyle said...

@ Brad
NaS is sick wid it. I've been a fan since "Live at the Barbecue"

Nastradaumus was disappointing but other than that...he's done it

@ PRO
"even though both he and i don't love them hoes! "

U bugged out! LOL

Do you think that his show is scripted?

@ Queen
I love me some Jilly from Philly. Ironically, the first time that I heard her was when she singing background for The Roots. She was the original voice for their hit song "You Got Me". The background vocals ended up being done by Erykah Badu. I've heard both versions and Jill's is betta.

@ OD
Yeah. I like Beyonce Carter, too! LOL

She has male dancers? I didn't know that. LOL

@ Torrance
Live instruments are a lost art, fam. It truely is.

@ The F$%K it List
Stalkin? LOL. I might be the biggest fan who has NEVER seen them live in person. Everytime that they come to Atlanta I miss the show. Last year, I was outta town.

You not gonna cop the new NaS joint? Why not?

@ Rezidl
Nobody can front on Com. Dude is next leve

Sam Jax can pull off just about any role

I don't like Shobe...but i can't front on his talent. He's the best in the game. LeBron aint far behind, tho.

@ Don
Black Thought is siiiiiiiick!!! I'm still waiting on that solo joint that he neva dropped

12kyle said...

@ Mika
MJB is stellar. Look at the growth. Listen to "What's the 411" then "My Life" (my personal fav) then "Growing Pains"

@ Keisha the Kitten
Mannn, I miss L Boogie

@ Sexxy Luv
I hear you. I love her commercials

@ Karrie B
Prince. He lost me for a few years but I'm back.

@ The F$%K it List
Can't go wrong wid 'Kast!!! They put the A on the map

@ PCD
Apple Juice? LMAO!!! You are too funny!

@ Ms P
She's no longer with the King of R & B. I dunno how she's gonna make it? LOL

@ CapCity
I'm very familiar with Bingo Long. Thanks for the info, sis.

The F_Uitlist said...

Believe me its going to be hard because I have double copies of every Nas album... and I have heard a few joints off this new album and they are hot! but there is something wrong with this society when you can name your album N$%GA.

It is so offensive that I just can't see how he thinks this will send a message.

12kyle said...

@ The F$%K it List
I did a post on this a few months ago. I understand where you're coming from. While I would've used a different word, I guess he has the right to use it. peep it

http://the12planet.blogspot.com/2008/01/n-too-deep.html

NaimaEfuru said...

The Roots in my opinion give the best live shows evah! I think I saw them about 8 times one summer and the shows just kept getting better and better.
Who does it for me? Snoop (Blue Carpet was good but Ego Trippin is even better) John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Olu Dara (Nas' pops), Savion Glover, Big Bird (dude just makes me happy - always has) The Notorious B.I.G. (not that pieced together crap that Puffy is hustling) Lawrence Fishburn, Giancarlo Esposito, Robert DeNiro, and Barack Obama to name a few.

Eb the Celeb said...

Teedra Moses and Janelle Monae...

and where the heck is the sports wed... I aint come over here to talk about no music. I thought for sure you were going to biggup that hawks game the other night...lol

12kyle said...

@ Trouble
Thanks for coming thru to the 12th Planet. Make sure that you come back. We have a good time around here. We're here every day like the ice cream man on a hot summer day

You've got a damn good list.

@ Eb the Celeb
Kinda late, aint cha? I'ma let it slide, tho. Its sports and entertainment today.

btw...i gotta get with Teedra Moses. I keep hearing good thangs about her.

Blah Blah Blah said...

Common and Kobe

...both could get it!
Well Kobe could after a great game...and Common after he waxed poetic in a candle-lit patio on the beach....but my roomwill do too. :)

Anonymous said...

It was Floetry for me until they broke up.

I had a couple of actors/actresses in mind but they have all slipped my tongue at the moment.