The Roots | The Music Ninja

[Hip-Hop] The Roots – When The People Cheer

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 7, 2014

The Roots
When The People Cheer

If you’re like us here at TMN, Mondays probably aren’t your favorite your day of the week. After a long day back on the grind, it’s surprises like this that really can make it all worth it.

As they get set for the release of their first LP in nearly three years, The Roots have decided to share with us the lead single from the project, “When The People Cheer.” Contrary from what you might perceive from the title, the song is far from celebratory. Pensive in nature, the track features Black Thought utilizing a more melodic flow to start, before switching to a quietly thoughtful, yet emphatically determined cadence after the chorus. This is all balanced by some rhythmic drums and refined piano work provided by ?uestlove and the rest of The Legendary Roots Crew.

While a song like this won’t necessarily move the needle, it’s great to know that the band can still produce quality music over 20 years into their respective careers. Keep your eyes peeled for The Roots’ next album, And Then You Shoot Your Cousin, out via Def Jam on May 13th.

Hip/Hop

The Roots ft. Monsters of Folk – Dear God 2.0 (Zeds Dead Remix)

Posted by Rex Buchanan - February 27, 2012

DC and Hooks aka Canadian powerhouse Zeds Dead are back with another eery remix to throw in your DJ sets and iPods. This time they take on soulful vocals by Conor Oberst of the brand new supergroup Monsters of Folk. Although the original track featured The Roots, the ZD version omits the raps and goes strait for the ghostly vibe. As usual they bring their grimy, shifting bass rifts and crispy beats to round out the track and give it their stamp of approval. Although it was a bit too short to really sink my teeth into (at only 3 minutes) this is a chilly new tune which is a great listen, especially if its cold and grey outside. Be sure to pick up Zeds Dead’s new album Adrenaline and catch them on tour with Araab Musik (who rips shit up on dual MPCs) when they swing through your town this spring.

The Roots ft. Monsters of Folk – Dear God 2.0 (Zeds Dead Remix)

’The Roots ft. Monsters of Folk – Dear God 2.0 (Zeds Dead Remix)’

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[Hip/Hop Horray] The June 2010 Hip/Hop Playlist

Posted by Blas Yaselli - June 26, 2010

big-sean

Off the upcoming Finally Famous Volume 3: B.I.G. mixtape. Big Sean has that attitude packed flow, carefully placing emphasis on his words, and he’s often credited for coming up with the flow that Drake made famous.

Big Sean – “High Rise”

’High Rise.mp3′

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j-cole-comes-up
Now that he’s got Jay-Z’s stamp of approval, J.Cole is unstoppable. Hailing from North Carolina, he seems to get better every time he drops something, and he’s a smart dude – he went to St. John’s on an academic scholarship and actually graduated, unlike most rappers.

J.Cole – “Higher”

’Higher.mp3′

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From their upcoming EP Lives and Vibes, I don’t know too much about them but Intalek is the rapper, Ritchcraft is the producer, and this jam rapidly rolls through the positives and negatives of money. The fast pace matches up with the hustle that most of us face chasing that paper on a daily basis.

Intalek & Ritchcraft – “Everyday Money”

’Intalek – Everyday Money (Prod. Ritchcraft).mp3′

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From The Cool Kids‘ latest mixtape, Tacklebox, this is the smoothest track I’ve heard in a minute. Production by Chuck Inglish this song perfectly epitomizes the duo’s name – cool as fuck.

The Cool Kids – Flying Kites

’The Cool Kids – Flying Kites.mp3′

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From the upcoming album How I Got Over. Laid back and buttery, but the lyrics are strikingly real. This is the type of song that will help you make it through a tough morning and provide some motivation to make moves.

The Roots – “The Day” ft. Blu, Phonte, and Patty Crash

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The_Day_(Feat_Blu_Phonte__Patty_Crash).mp3′

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Hip/Hop