Ubiquitous neo-soul act The Roots have released an artful video for “Never,” the second music video from their new conceptual rap album, …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin.
…And Then You Shoot Your Cousin, which dropped at the end of May, is a work of conceptual rap that answers some of the same questions Questlove did in his series of essays for Vulture titled “How Hip-Hop Failed Black America.” The video follows up on these themes, featuring a long, dark walk through abandoned city streets that’s not even half as scary as the feelings of alienation “Never” evokes.
The Roots wear many hats. They’ve gained widespread popularity as Jimmy Fallon’s backing band on Late Night and then The Tonight Show. Just last year they surprised fans again by releasing a collaborative album with Elvis Costello. But on …And Now You Shoot Your Cousin and definitely on “Never,” the band returns to the smart, uncompromising music they’ve been making for nearly twenty years.
Check out the “Never” video below: