100 Greastest Nominee Day 36

The Roots

Top 5.

They're my top Hip-Hop group. More than 15 years now, and they have consistently made top quality music, with only some slight missteps, and beyond that they are constantly pushing themselves to explore new artistic avenues, so they have remained fresh and motivated (listen to Organix and Rising Down back to back). They have an amazing work ethic.

Top 15 for me...

Peace

One of my favorite groups of all time, and without question one of the most consistent. Black Thought is IMO one of the best lyricists ever, and The Roots discography is superb. They have 3 classics under their belt, and all of their albums are at least 4 stars. They're in my personal Top 10, so they should be in the Top 50 without a doubt.

The Roots are no doubt top 50.

Easy top 50. They have another one coming out this year, correct?

"They're my top Hip-Hop group. More than 15 years now, and they have consistently made top quality music, with only some slight missteps,"

I wouldn't even say missteps. Phreneology and Things Fall Apart are not worse than 3.5 stars, and if you're someone (like me) who has both of them around 4 stars, that means the entire catalog is that high

top 50

top 50 no questions asked...

Black Thought with a top-notch real live hip-hop band

some of the best hip-hop performers to ever do it

some of the best hip-hop albums ever released

equals top 50 easily

Shon wrote:

I wouldn't even say missteps. Phreneology and Things Fall Apart are not worse than 3.5 stars, and if you're someone (like me) who has both of them around 4 stars, that means the entire catalog is that high

Things Fall Apart is a CLASSIC! In fact, most people rate it as the best Roots album. It's second to me behind Illadelph Halflife but nevertheless it's a classic.

I was thinking Phrenology and Tipping Point, but I agree those aren't really misstep, which is why I said slight missteps. Misstep is the wrong word, because both those albums are flawed in my opinion, but also important in pushing them forward. Especially Phrenology.

KJ Styles wrote:

Things Fall Apart is a CLASSIC! In fact, most people rate it as the best Roots album. It's second to me behind Illadelph Halflife but nevertheless it's a classic.

What he said...

"Things Fall Apart is a CLASSIC! In fact, most people rate it as the best Roots album. It's second to me behind Illadelph Halflife but nevertheless it's a classic."

Whoops. I meant Tipping Point, lol

Shon wrote:

"Things Fall Apart is a CLASSIC! In fact, most people rate it as the best Roots album. It's second to me behind Illadelph Halflife but nevertheless it's a classic."

Whoops. I meant Tipping Point, lol

Ha! Shon is a poser who never even heard the roots...

Top 50 for me easily. One of the most solid discogs in hip-hop.

The Roots are dope, just not for me. There music seems to "insist upon itself" to steal a line from Peter Griffin. Top 100, obviously but although I enjoy their music I can't bump an entire record from the Philly crew. I'd take them over Jadakiss any day, though.

Lord Emperor N3R0N0N wrote:

The Roots are dope, just not for me. There music seems to "insist upon itself" to steal a line from Peter Griffin.

What do you mean "insist upon itself"? I must have missed that Family Guy.

Oh lol. It just means that it seems to convince you it's good by trying to convince you it's good. A lot of my favorite acts do the same thing (Chino XL for instance) but I view Black Thought much in the same vein as Rakim, in that his limited subject matter (at times) and monotone delivery (although delivering an impeccable flow) never really grabs me and the instrumentation (although varied and undeniably dope) just never strikes me the way, say, Havoc's samples do or Legendary Traxter's 808's do. Just me, though, they're still really dope.

Lord Emperor N3R0N0N wrote:

Oh lol. It just means that it seems to convince you it's good by trying to convince you it's good. A lot of my favorite acts do the same thing (Chino XL for instance) but I view Black Thought much in the same vein as Rakim, in that his limited subject matter (at times) and monotone delivery (although delivering an impeccable flow) never really grabs me and the instrumentation (although varied and undeniably dope) just never strikes me the way, say, Havoc's samples do or Legendary Traxter's 808's do. Just me, though, they're still really dope.

I suppose I can see that. But you are right, a lot of dope rappers do that. KRS-One comes to mind. He'll beat you over the head with his GOAT status until you believe it. lol

I hear you. I personally like a lot of those aspects to their music though. ?uestlove is that dude IMO.

?uestlove is a genius. Like I said, it's just not my thing. I was really looking forward to Masterpiece Theatre, though...too bad it's neve coming out.

Lord Emperor N3R0N0N wrote:

?uestlove is a genius. Like I said, it's just not my thing. I was really looking forward to Masterpiece Theatre, though...too bad it's neve coming out.

Was that supposed to be a ?uestlove LP?

Black Thought solo album

Jason wrote:

Black Thought solo album

Ah, I'd love to hear a Black Thought solo as well. We'll get one one of these days I'm sure.

black thought is the only emcees (besides guests) so they all solos, lol

Steve wrote:

black thought is the only emcees (besides guests) so they all solos, lol

Basically, I meant without a live band. Something different.

I can't vote since I've never heard a roots song. I have seen them on jimmy fallons lame show tho. This shouldn't surprise you, coming from the guy who has never heard a Jay-Z record.

Steve wrote:

black thought is the only emcees (besides guests) so they all solos, lol

Not exactly, sure he handles the vocal duties for the band, but I'm sure the voices of the whole band come in during the process of recording an album, more than if he was making a solo, and could step in and just say, "this is my album." In fact, I would guess that ?uestlove is probably the strongest voice in the group, not Black Thought.

RompedOutCutthoat wrote:

I can't vote since I've never heard a roots song. I have seen them on jimmy fallons lame show tho. This shouldn't surprise you, coming from the guy who has never heard a Jay-Z record.

WOW! You've never heard a Roots song? You seriously need to check them out.

Start with either Illadelph Halflife, Things Fall Apart, or Do You Want More. All three of those are classics.

Shon wrote:

Easy top 50. They have another one coming out this year, correct?

Really? I sure as hell hope so. They could be the only hope for a classic this year.

"Really? I sure as hell hope so. They could be the only hope for a classic this year."

...Royce and Slaughterhouse come out this year!!

Just kidding, but seriously, what about KRS and Buckshot?

Shon wrote:

They're my top Hip-Hop group. More than 15 years now, and they have consistently made top quality music, with only some slight missteps,"

I wouldn't even say missteps. Phreneology and Things Fall Apart are not worse than 3.5 stars, and if you're someone (like me) who has both of them around 4 stars, that means the entire catalog is that high

Things Fall Apart [5 Stars +] tops my list as their best album. Followed by Idelphi Halflife and Do You Want More. Pherneology was their one and only Misstep of their career. Even the The Tipping Point, Game Theory and Rising Down are all 4 star albums.


Top 5.

Idelphi halflife? What is that? How about Pherneology?

Dude, I haven't listened to those albums in over 3 years so forgive me for not remembering the exact titles. Is Illadelph Halflife and Phrenology ok with you.


SMH..I'm convinced he seriously has nothing better to do.

Yeah, Illadelph is pretty easy to get confused with Idelphi, and Phrenology, that's so common I easily forget it as well.


Or, maybe neither albums were ever listened to, eh Vernon?

Your soooo right. Matter of fact who are the Roots?? Wait, its the group with Method Man and Raekwon in it right???

SMH..Why did I just make the mistake of even humoring this fool. Won't ever happen again.


"?uestlove is a genius"

People need to give Questlove more credit. More people need to place him on thier all-time producers lists. The Roots Come Alive is another must get gem if you havent seen their show yet.

I found a couple of tracks I didn't know I had, Break You Off (DJ Skandalis Remix), The Show, & Rhymes and Ammo w/Talib. They're not bad.

Steve wrote:

black thought is the only emcees (besides guests) so they all solos, lol

Let me just say this real quick...

Malik B (just as ill as Thought, IMO...I like him better, actually) & Dice Raw

Norf, did that pipe from the other thread get passed your way yet?

SHAKE.MY.HEAD. Scratch gets love from anybody, INCLUDING Norf? SHAKE.MY.HEAD.

My Roots rankings

Illadelph Halflife (5 stars)
Things Fall Apart (5 stars)
Do You Want More? (5 stars)
Game Theory (4.5 stars)
Rising Down (4.5 stars)
The Tipping Point (4.25 stars)
Phrenology (4 stars)