Well, we have to finish what we start. This is the finale in the 4 -part video series accompanying the new album from the Roots.
Tag Archives: The Roots
Video: The Roots – Stomp (Ft. P.O.R.N.)
After “Tip The Scale” I began to realize that this series of videos was going to be less about narrative and more about giving undun‘s lead character some context. ”Stomp” has proven that to be true. I was hoping for some of the story to be told through these amazing visuals, but beggars can’t be choosers. It follows who I can only assume to be Redford Stephens, the concept album’s protagonist, as he gets up to some more grimy business.
Cover art and press release below:
“At this point in our career we’d like for our work to have a unifying theme, and an experiential quality. We’ve been intentionally making our albums shorter in length so that they can be experienced as a continuous work. The music is band-oriented with an eye on the moody cinematic. As a DJ, I am the King of playlists, but I don’t want our albums to feel like a playlist or a mixtape for that matter. We want to tell stories that work within the album format and we want the stories to be nuanced and useful to people. Undun is the story of this kid who becomes criminal, but he wasn’t born criminal. He’s not the nouveau exotic primitive bug-eyed gunrunner like Tupac’s character Bishop in Juice… he’s actually thoughtful and is neither victim nor hero. Just some kid who begins to order his world in a way that makes the most sense to him at a given moment… At the end of the day… isn’t that what we all do?” –OkayPlayer
Video: The Roots – Tip The Scale (Ft. Dice raw)
Last week the Legendary Roots Crew debuted their video for “Make My”, the first of a 4-part video series accompanying their latest outing undun. Apparently they’ll be firing off the rest of the series fairly quickly, as “Tip The Scale” premiered via OkayPlayer today, less than a week later. It shares the same stunning visual style as the first, but doesn’t do much for the narrative. Maybe they don’t want to reveal too much.
Cover art and press release below:
“At this point in our career we’d like for our work to have a unifying theme, and an experiential quality. We’ve been intentionally making our albums shorter in length so that they can be experienced as a continuous work. The music is band-oriented with an eye on the moody cinematic. As a DJ, I am the King of playlists, but I don’t want our albums to feel like a playlist or a mixtape for that matter. We want to tell stories that work within the album format and we want the stories to be nuanced and useful to people. Undun is the story of this kid who becomes criminal, but he wasn’t born criminal. He’s not the nouveau exotic primitive bug-eyed gunrunner like Tupac’s character Bishop in Juice… he’s actually thoughtful and is neither victim nor hero. Just some kid who begins to order his world in a way that makes the most sense to him at a given moment… At the end of the day… isn’t that what we all do?” –OkayPlayer
The Roots – Make My (Ft. Big K.R.I.T.)
Some stark and stunning visuals to accompany the excellent, Rare Frequency approved, lead track from the Roots’ undun.
Cover art and press release below:
“At this point in our career we’d like for our work to have a unifying theme, and an experiential quality. We’ve been intentionally making our albums shorter in length so that they can be experienced as a continuous work. The music is band-oriented with an eye on the moody cinematic. As a DJ, I am the King of playlists, but I don’t want our albums to feel like a playlist or a mixtape for that matter. We want to tell stories that work within the album format and we want the stories to be nuanced and useful to people. Undun is the story of this kid who becomes criminal, but he wasn’t born criminal. He’s not the nouveau exotic primitive bug-eyed gunrunner like Tupac’s character Bishop in Juice… he’s actually thoughtful and is neither victim nor hero. Just some kid who begins to order his world in a way that makes the most sense to him at a given moment… At the end of the day… isn’t that what we all do?” – OkayPlayer
Track: The Roots – Make My (Ft. Big K.R.I.T.)
The most consistent group in hip hop returns once again on December 6th with undun, what is being dubbed the band’s first concept album. “Make My” the Big K.R.I.T. assisted first single is another example of their evolving and unequaled ability to create alluring, contemporary hip hop sounds in the live band format. Two succinct verses and a mellow, low-pitched hook make way for a warm two minute serving of hearty synth chords and deep, melodic bass which rounds off the reflective feel of the track nicely.
