Don't Say Nuthin' by The Roots
July 30, 2004 | 
7 Comments
The Artist: The Roots
The Song: Don’t Say Nuthin’
The Album: Tipping Point
Released 2004
If you’ve read my posts closely over the past few months you may have been able to predict a SOW from The Roots. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Tipping Point for awhile now, ever since I say them back at the end of may, and now that it’s here I can finally get to that killer song.
While I do like the new album, it doesn’t quite meet my very high expectations. It’s good, but not great. Having born witness quite a few times to their talent, I imagine The Roots will make good the promise they show on stage, but they’re not quite there yet.
The Roots are simply the best live hip-hop act out there and right up there at the top regardless of genre. They’re the best live act I’ve seen, hands down, in years and I’ve seen some great ones.
Black Thought rhymes it best when he says:
Yeah, it ain’t nothin like I rush I get, in front of the band. On stage wit the planet in the palm of my hand. When a brother transform, from anonymous man. To the force, crush whoever might of thought I was playin. I’ma flame some, sentence the shit, the cold twist to slang. Thicker than big boy baby, mom, sister pain!.
That comes from this weeks groovy and surprisingly funny “Don’t Say Nuthin’”. It’s for sure the song with the most mainstream appeal on the album, but in general stands up as a good basis to judge the rest of the album, and that’s why I picked it.
It’s not their best album, but with The Roots that’s cool ‘cause they’re all pretty damn good. So, check it out and see them live when they come to your neck of the woods.
Recommended if you like: Jurassic 5, Black Star, Common, A Tribe Called Quest, Dilated Peoples
Filed under: Song of The Week
Comments
1. Geoffrey said:
Good choice. I’ve been listening to this album for two weeks straight and for some reason I can’t stop playing it. I actually like it better than the last two. The lyrics flow much more than they ever have, and the real drums give it all a unique sound. Don’t say nuthin’ is my favorite, you can’t beat that crazy slack-jawed rhymin’!
Posted on July 30, 2004 11:01 PM | #
2. Joe O'Bryant, Jr. said:
My impression of this album is similar to yours, I’ve been a Roots fan for quite some time (I’ve been hooked ever since the first time I heard “Lesson Pt. II) and I think they’ve done superior work in the past, particularly on Things Fall Apart (my favorite Roots album). Interestingly enough, TTP has given me a new favorite song (two actually), “Web” and “Boom!”. I also like the remake of “Din Da Da” at the end of the last track; Questlove’s drums and scats give the album a nice crescendo at the end.
Have you ever visited okayplayer.com? That’s their fansite, they have some useful music-related message boards there that may interest you.
Posted on July 31, 2004 12:10 AM | #
3. The Wolf said:
/me stabs the Hip-Hop monster…
Nahh, some Hip-Hop is really good, but some of it (the majority for me) just makes me want to scream. Why? Because there is nothing special about it. Most of the Hip-Hop songs I like usually have an absurd or politicial theme.
Anyhow, I think I know of a few The Roots songs, but not enough to know if I like them or not.
/me puts ratm back on…
Posted on July 31, 2004 05:56 AM | #
4. Elizabeth said:
Good Pick! Guns Are Drawn is probably my favorite track off the album, but I agree that some of their previous albums are better. And yeah they are a good live band.
Posted on July 31, 2004 11:55 AM | #
5. mb said:
I agree with the pick. I have all of their albums and it’s nice to see them finally break into the Top 10 in album sales with their 7th album. It’s about time other people started catching on. Too bad there’s no Scratch though.
Posted on July 31, 2004 10:50 PM | #
6. illest of the best said:
this is the greatest song i ever heard (dont say nottin-the roots)… but fo real what is he saying in the chorus if sum one knows everything he says please email me… im sick of mumbling the words\sounds…
plz get back to me if you can…
holla
Posted on December 16, 2004 04:18 PM | #
7. LG INDA HOUSE said:
2 much rappinp makes it seem like his mumbling most of the words , good song tho very catchy tune. but hard 2 sing along
Posted on January 9, 2005 01:54 AM | #
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