Not being a huge fan of the group Nappy Roots, I haven’t really been to big on them since their debut album Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz released in 2002, which featured the hit singles “Awnaw” and “Po’ Folks”. This is their third studio album since their 2003 release Wooden Leather, but in a five-year gap does this album still capture that Southern appeal and Down South flavor that Nappy Roots have been known for in the past?
Intro
Right from the start you already begin to feel that Southern atmosphere with the knocking beat in the background as the term “Humdinger” is explained. That is before the definition is interrupted by Lil’ Yuk who adds some humor to this intro track with his unusual voice. This track wasn’t really needed, but it helped to set the mood for the album and gets you anticipated for the music to come from the Nappy Roots.
Beads & Braids
Produced by Sol Messiah
DAMN! That’s what immediately came to mind upon listening to this track as the first song on the album. The beat is smooth as hell and carries an OutKast vibe that was heard on their ATLiens and Aquemini albums. The Nappy Roots go for theirs on this track as they speak about how they aren’t going anywhere as a group and their unit is stronger than ever. This is a great way to start off the album and hopefully it can continue in this fashion.
On My Way To GA
Produced by Sol Messiah
On this track Sol Messiah provides the group with yet another Southern soulful beat that is very fitting as the Nappy Roots rap about going back to Georgia and all of the things that they remember about the peach state. This track follows nicely from the previous one in keeping the same mood about it for listeners.
Pole Position
Featuring Slick & Rose; Produced by Vision
This next track features an up-tempo beat produced by Vision that fits well with the Nappy Roots and their guest Slick & Rose. Interestingly enough with a title like “Pole Position”, this track is about the strip club and the strippers on the ‘poles’ (now you get it?). This is an average track from the production to the lyrics and it works well enough for what it is.
Flex
Produced by Willy Will
Producer Willy Will comes with some interesting production on this track that sounds like it could have been used for David Banner’s song “Play” or another workout jam. On that note that is exactly what this track is and the Nappy Roots pull it off in good fashion. This is a song that I could see being a single from this album that would good well with the commercial audience. This song is kind of a reach for them but luckily they don’t reach too far and it works.
Swerve & Lean
Produced by Sol Messiah
After that previous commercial attempt, the Nappy Roots takes it back down South with this track produced by Sol Messiah who has been coming with some great beats on this album. His production seems to fit just right with the Nappy Roots and the whole Southern atmosphere that isn’t on that “DSBS” (“Down South Bullshit”…Props to my school instructor Sam Stith for that lingo). The group is able to drop some nice rhymes on this track to match the good production that is provided.
Good Day
Featuring Gregg Street; Produced by Big Al
This track produced by Big Al features production similar to that heard on Snoop Dogg’s “Deez Hollywood Nights” on his Ego Trippin’ album and it works well on this track. This feel good song from the group talks about how it’s gonna be a good day without violence and everybody’s gonna be looking fly. This song works well for a group like the Nappy Roots as it’s in the same vein of their song “Po’ Folks”. This was a good pick for a single off the album.
Down ‘N’ Out
Featuring Anthony Hamilton; Produced by Kevin ‘Big Block’ Freeman
This track, which is another single from the album, has a great feel to it that is perfectly complemented by the guest appearance from Anthony Hamilton. I know that I said the previous track was in the same vein of “Po’ Folks”, but this one has even more of that song’s vibe. This song could have been called “Po’ Folks II” because you get the same emotions and feelings from this song as you did with the original hit single. The Nappy Roots really make this a great song and it’s exactly what is expected from them. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album so far.
Tinted Up
Featuring James “Groove” Chambers; Produced by James “Groove” Chambers
Coming right after the excellent track “Down ‘N’ Out”, this track feels somewhat mediocre particularly because of its production. The production on this track is a bit lacking and it doesn’t really add much to the track. The lyrics presented by the group aren’t too much better as they sound typical in the theme and topic along with the slowed down vocals (which are starting to get overused). This track is average and really feels out of place coming after such a great track.
Fresh
Produced by Track Kingz
No, no, no…I thought this wasn’t going to happen anymore on this album but I guess that was just wishful thinking. This track is straight DSBS and fit into the typical model of tracks that people so often criticize the South about. From the production by the Track Kingz to the lyrics from the Nappy Roots, this track is missing the mark by miles. This will be a track that is suited to definitely get the party krunk and the club moving (but that’s all). This track isn’t doing it for me at all and could have been without on this album.
Kalifornia Dreamin’
Featuring Slick & Rose; Produced by Sol Messiah
Once again Sol Messiah hits us with a Southern banger and keeps his consistency going in terms of production on this album. They could have had Sol Messiah produce every track on this album and it would have been an excellent product for the Nappy Roots. They seem to fit very well on his productions and the connection is definitely there. On this track the group talks about their dreams and aspirations, and having that motivation to succeed when everything else is going bad.
Who Got It??
Produced by Joe Hop
The production provided on this track by Joe Hop have a vibe that sounds more suitable for West Coast artists like Snoop Dogg or Tha Dogg Pound. Ha, I was just expecting to hear E-40’s voice on this track, which would have been a good fit if that were the case. The Nappy Roots spit some decent rhymes that keep up with the production but they just don’t sound like a fit on this song. This is another song that could have been done without on this album.
No Static
Featuring Greg Nice; Produced by Sol Messiah
Let’s get back to that good Southern Hip-Hop that we’ve heard from the collaboration of the Nappy Roots and the Sol Messiah. That’s exactly what we have on this track produced by Sol Messiah (remember what I said about this producer), which features Hip-Hop legend Greg Nice. It’s always nice to hear a legend like Greg Nice on a track nowadays. This is a nice track from the group after that misstep on the previous track.
Don’t Stop
Featuring James “Groove” Chambers; Produced by James “Groove” Chambers
This track features some nice laid-back production from James “Groove” Chambers who is also a featured guest on the song. The rhymes from the group fit well with the production provided as they talk about keeping it moving and not stopping for anything in the way.
Panic Room
The fast tempo production featured on this track definitely fit the title of the song, but is mediocre at best. I’m not sure if this will be a track considered for a single on this album, but it certainly has that feel to it. The rhymes on this song are suitable, but overall this is a passable track for me. The idea of the track was good, but the execution is failed as an end result.
Small Town
Produced by Count Justice
This track features some minimal production provided by Count Justice that fits well with the song’s topic and theme about going back to the small towns from which they came. The rhymes on this song speak about just that in the group talking about small town living and how they want to go back to that type of environment. This is a good selection for the final track on this album as it fits the mood that was set early on in this album.
Bottom Line:
In reaching the end of this album, we have heard both hits and misses from the Nappy Roots on this project. Most of the hit tracks on this album were those that carried that recognizable Southern vibe and appeal (“Beads & Braids”, “Good Day”, “Down ‘N’ Out”) while most of the miss tracks were those where the group was trying to appeal to an outside audience and garner more fans. Those tracks weren’t needed on an album like this and they completely threw off the mood that was set from the project’s beginning. When the Nappy Roots connect with a producer like Sol Messiah it’s solid gold and a home run. I believe that the group would have had a classic album on their hands if they had kept that real Southern Hip-Hop vibe throughout the entire album and not been swayed to appeal to a commercial/mainstream audience. Overall though this is a good album from the Nappy Roots who have showed that a five-year absence doesn’t stop them from making great music.
nappyPicks: “Down ‘N’ Out”, “Beads & Braids”, “Good Day”, & “Kalifornia Dreamin’”
Download: Nappy Roots – “Beads & Braids”
