The Roots

Old-school players who actually play instruments, they're leading the way for a more musical style of hip-hop

If I have one problem with rap music, and this is one of my only complaints, it's that cats are stuck in the grind of using the same beats per minute all the time. But rhythm and tempo are elements that the Roots always mess around with. They're a great band, and they can give you any kind of vibe, from a lighthearted, Stetsasonic kind of groove to a jazzy, a Tribe Called Quest feel, but they always go out of their way to experiment and stay responsible to their own point of view. I think their objective is pretty clear:...

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