Nappy
Roots:
Watermelon Chicken & Gritz
Album Review by: : Silk
1. Intro
2. Hustla
3.
Sell It Out
4.
Country Boyz
5.
Ballin' On A Budget
6.
Awnaw
7. Headz Up
8.
Slums
9.
Po' Folks
10. Start It Over
11. Blowin' Trees
12. Sholiz
13. Life's A Bitch
14. My Ride
15. One Forty
16. Dime, Quarter, Nickel, Penny
17. Kentucky Mud
18. The Lounge
19.
Ho Down
20. Headz Up (Refried)
Nappy
Roots:
Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz
The Nappy Roots are a crew from the Deep South - Kentucky, to be precise - and outside of whiskey, Colonel Saunders' secret recipe and the Kentucky Derby, the Nappy Roots must be one of the few things of note to emerge from this sleepy backwater of the hip hop world. The Nappy Roots do have pedigree having been on the underground scene for some time and having previously independently released "City Limits", "It Ain't Nuthin" and "Sex Talk". With "Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz" they clearly hope to gain a wider audience for their distinctive blend of dirty south, country hip hop.
This debut long player opens with a short DJ Hi-Tek-style high-pitched intro skit which blends into "Hustle". This head-nodder immediately grabs with its imaginative herky-jerky drum pattern and tight lyrical arrangement. Perhaps there is something about their style, maybe it is the dirty south beats, their accents and speed-rap style that reminds somewhat of Outkast circa "SouthernPlayalisticcadillacmuzik". Nappy Roots are not unduly flattered by this comparison as on "Set It Out" they serve up another slice of that idiosyncratic, dirty south funk that has been so well patented by the likes of E40, and Eightball & MJG amongst others. Such comparisons are further enhanced by the relaxed, conversational style of their compositions.
Some will be familiar with the single "Awnaw (featuring Jazze Pha)", however, there are a handful of equally effective tracks on this set such as the aforementioned "Hustle", "Po' Folks" (featuring Anthony Hamilton), "Headz Up", "Life's A Bitch" and the excellent "My Ride" which features a prominent verse by someone sounding very much like MC Eiht. For old school soul-heads the appearance of The Barkays on "Ho Down" is cause for anticipation, and this track delivers a bucketful of molasses-smooth soul complimented by tight rhymes, particularly on the opening two verses, and an excellent guitar solo to finish. "Ho Down" is a great big, juicy slice of Kentucky soul.
This album is definitely a grower and any unfamiliarity with this brand of hip hop soon wanes particularly on the back of tracks like "One Forty". However, I do take issue with the decision to finish the set with a rock remix of "Aw Naw". It interrupts the vibe of an otherwise enjoyable set. Despite this aberration, "Watermelon…" is an interesting journey away from the force-fed diet of bling and yet more bling.
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Reviewer: Chris Osei
Favourite
tracks :
6. Awnaw
(featuring Jazze Pha)
9. Po'
Folks (featuring Anthony Hamilton)
19. Ho
Down (featuring The Barkays)
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