The Roots Are On Fire

The Roots are one of those bands that doesn’t really need an introduction. Even if hip hop isn’t your cup of tea, there’s a good chance you know who Questlove is. Not only are The Roots an award-winning hip hop act, they also moonlight as Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show band. On their 11th album, …And Then You Shoot your Cousin, the band continues their legacy of creating great tracks.

“Theme from the Middle of the Night” kicks off the album with a nice slow jam introduction before Black Thought makes his appearance on “Never.” Here, in between ominous instrumentals and a haunting Patty Crash, Questlove and Black Thought bring it back to how they used to perform after school when the first met: just straight lyrics with a solid drum track.

The Roots have never been pigeon-holed to one genre, and on …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin, they are not about to start. Track after track, subtle nods from various genres are woven into a unique tapestry. The final track on the album, “Tomorrow,” is a perfect example. With its almost whimsical piano and its “Dock of the Bay”-esque whistling, Raheem DeVaughn adds his own stylistic flair to the track making it one of the “must listen” songs presented.

From their beginning in 1987 through today, though many members have come and gone, Questlove and Black Thought have remained. They have also remained true to their roots and never compromised the integrity of their art. The Roots have won several awards and have taken hip hop to places it has never been before. As a musical group their résumé is impressive; …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin is just another bullet point on an already outstanding list of accomplishments.