The Roots: ‘Things Fall Apart’

By Bangi Ofon More members were added to the feelings of being vulnerable in rela- group, and today The Roots consist tionships. The Roots is an iconic hip- of 10 members. The only off-putting thing hop group that has dominated the The album, “Things Fall about the album is the songs’ hooks. rap/hip-hop scene for over 20 years. Apart,” sold more than 500,000 cop- It doesn’t seem to go with the rest of By infusing jazz and blues into their ies making it the group’s first break- the lyrics of the song, especially songs, The Roots have redefined hip through album. The combination of when dealing with serious themes -hop as a whole. live instruments such as the piano such as racism and inequality. Their lyrics raw and poign- and electric beats mixed in the studio The listener might get con- ant, frequently tell the story of the convey a powerful sound. fused and have a problem of misin- harsh realities of living as a black Although, most of their terpretation while trying to under- person in America. Some musical songs tend to center around issues stand the connotation of the song. experts define The Roots as a con- of racism and black culture, The All in all, “Things Fall Apart” scious rap group. Roots show a softer side of as artists is an intelligent, well-written and pro- Originally from Philadelphia, on the song “You Got Me,” a col- duced album dealing with issues of The Roots formed in 1987 by mem- laboration with artist Erikah Badu and racism and discrimination which still bers Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson rapper Eve. The song deals with trust resonate today 15 years after the and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter. issues in relationships and unwanted album’s release.