The Roots: The next movement #TBT

17 years ago I picked up an album that changed my life.  The second song almost made me never pick up a microphone.  I'm serious.  I was always interested in rhyming but kept it as just free-styling in the beginning because... with an MC like Black Thought... What more can I say?  I can ramble on about what The Roots Crew means to me.  As for Black Thought or "Mr. Thought" if you recognize the precision of his rhymes, he is in my top five.

"The Dalai Lama of the mic, the prime minister Thought
This directed to whoever in listening range
Yo the whole state of things in the world bout to change
Black rain fallin from the sky look strange
The ghetto is red hot, we steppin on flames"

I know I already had a #TBT for the day but it wouldn't feel right if I didn't play this album all week and post it today.   There's a level of excellence I put into EVERYTHING I do that's inspired by this album and this song specifically. 

"I'm like a faucet, monopoly's the object
There ain't no way to cut this tap, you got ta get wet
Your head is throbbin and I ain't said shit yet"

You know how some people say the often used phrase "Where do I begin"?  For me, when it comes to The Roots, it's "When should I finish"?  But I won't hold you.  I hope you love this song as much as I do.  17 years...The Roots is still head and shoulders above the rest.

"You theatrical as a Broadway play, this ain't Rent
One hundred percent, straight out the Basement"

Fugees: How many mics #TBT

"Me without a mic is like a beat without a snare" -Lauryn Hill

Top ten best albums of all time.  20 years ago and this song...this ALBUM is still a blueprint on approaching Hip Hop or music for that matter.  Passion, creativity, lyricism, group chemistry, content, fire beats and a determination to make each track better than the last while maintaining a linear story.

"I used to be underrated
Now I take iron, makes my s*** constipated
I'm more concentrated." - Wyclef Jean

Some circles look at being a backpacker as a bad thing (I stay away from those)...  This song makes you regret it.  Head nod is automatic.  Screw face necessary.  N' if you do dance...you better be NICE.

"Too many MCs not enough Mics
Exit your show like I exit the turnpike" - Pras

There were TONS of hits on this album but this track was my personal favorite.  So on this Throwback Thursday, happy anniversary to one of the best groups ever.

"You can't get with this
Sweet like licorice,
Dangerous like syphillis, yeah." - Lauryn Hill

Damn that Ms. Hill verse was tough.  LOL.