The Roots. Water. "In between Islam and Straight thuggin...If they don't got a man like mine, they got a cousin." Pure literature.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
Copyright © 2009 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All rights reserved.
Back in the day when i wrote music for my college's paper, we named Phrenology album of the year for 2002. Check it out
I never understood why Thought refers to dudes as Slacks, as he does here and on at least one track on Do You Want More?!?, if my memory serves. Or maybe it's just his name for Malik B. Anybody know what that's about?
But, yeah, good song.
This is such a wonderful piece. For those of you that don't know, its about a former member of the band that was drugged out, and quit the band. All of the members, the rapper, the drummer, bassist and keyboard guy do an awesome job. The rapper, Blackthought with his poetry, and then the musicians with pure psychedelic rock, that makes you feel like your are drugged out, and need to get out of being under the water. Beautiful, Hip-Hop at its best
slacks is malik b's nickname. this song is about malik b.
I have a brother mixed up with heroin for a few years now, a musician too, and it's hard for me to get through this song without choking up - it gets me every time.
"You better be a true friend to him, before the shit put an end to him..."
2 out of three times, I give him a call after hearing that line, damn!
This is one of my favorite Roots songs, thanks for posting it Mr. Coates.
I want to echo the thanks above. I've pretty much stopped listening to rap but still am awed by the power of Public Enemy; it's good to be reminded that someone out there still bears their torch.
Damn, thanks for taking me back. OAKLAND!!!
With B-more's proximity to the illadelf, I never understood why we didn't get more roots references from you. I guess you were just saving it for when we needed it most ;) paz
Just saw The Roots with Estelle and Gym Class Heroes in Austin. Wish you could have been there.
It's still amazing to me that Biggie dissed this band. Amazing is the incorrect word, for hip-hop is cemented in the nonsensical dis.
"The Roots - disappear, vamoose, you're wack to me.
Take them rhymes back to the factory.
I see, the gimmicks, the whack lyrics, the shit is depressing - pathetic, please forget it.
You're mad 'cause my still you're admiring, don't be mad, UPS is hiring."