February 23, 1999 by A.S. Van Dorston

With the exponentially growing popularity of pop-rap, the death of hip-hop has been often discussed. Thanks to great artists like Black Star, Common, Goody Mob, Outkast and The Roots, this ain’t gonna happen. Their fourth album is named after Nigerian author Chinua Achebe’s novel, and is by far their best — a perfect amalgamation of their sublime interpretations of old-school hip-hop, deep, often spiritual rhymes, jazz and organic, live instrumental funk jams. This seven-piece Philadelphia group have been saving hip-hop for nearly a decade with about a tenth of the recognition they deserve. Thanks partly to their hit single “You Got Me,” a captivating collaboration with Erykah Badu, their time is now.

Now is exactly the time that Things Fall Apart represents. There is no nostalgia for the past nor the future, only the raw, live sound of vibrating bass strings, the amazing drum and scratching sounds coming from Rahzel’s “the Godfather of Noyze” throat, the splintering of ?uestlove’s drumsticks on the rim, and the contemplative, intellectual flow of Malik B. and Black Thought’s words as if they were sitting right with you on the front steps. Most hip-hop “artists” anchor their boasts on things like their looks, sexual prowess, their collection of samples or material possessions. The Root’s philosophy is perfectly summarized on their collaboration with Chicago’s Common, “Act Too (The Love Of My Life).” It’s a tribute to their mutual love for music. “I remember I’z a little snot nose/Rockin’ Cazal goggles and Izod clothes/Learnin’ the ropes of ghetto survival/Peepin’ out the situation/I had to slide through . . . /Sometimes I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for you.” Humbleness, and respect for the power of music. That’s something worth boasting about.

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