New Nappy Roots CD Not Quite A "Humdinger"
Latest Effort Is Inspired At Times, Derivative At Others
Nov 8, 2008
Perhaps no contemporary musical genre can match hip-hop in its often perplexing confluence of the secular and the socially conscious. The Humdinger, the latest release from the Kentucky-based Nappy Roots, is a prime example of this odd coupling.
Appealing to the Masses
It comes as no surprise to hip-hop fans that the status quo of the music industry privileges catchy hooks and risque lyrics over more thoughtful, socially conscious music. After all, Nelly, 50 Cent, and Kanye West regularly outsell Common, Talib Kweli, and the Roots, depsite their artistic and lyrical inferiority.
Hence, it also should surprise no one that the Nappy Roots seem to be aware of this trend and have made a concerted effort to generate more mainstream hip-hop appeal. For instance, The Humdinger's "Pole Position" is another in a long line of hip-hop strip club anthems, not substantively different from "Table Dance or Nelly's "Hot in Here."
The track seems destined to broaden the group's fan base, despite lacking the originality that has made the group a favorite in the Southern alternative / hip-hop scene. Likewise, "Flex" does little to break the mold of musical quests for sexual gratification.
On a more benign track, the group extols the advantages of anonymous driving on "Tinted Up," a track worth hearing if only for its clever rhyming of "Osama," Obama," and "yo momma."
Social Consciousness
Older Nappy Roots fans will find other tracks to be of more interest. "Good Day" bridges the materialism and machismo of some tracks with a slight degree of social consciousness.
That consciousness reaches its peak on "Down 'n Out," a track that combines the Southern drawl of the rappers' deliveries with the vocal contribution of neo-soul star Anthony Hamilton -- an ideal collaborator for Nappy Roots, given the bluesy, soulful tone of his voice.
Professor Arrington's Grade
The Humdinger tries to be all things to all people in an effort to broaden the group's fan base. In doing so, the group has compiled a disc that is more original than most mainstream work but pales in comparison to some of its earlier work. Long-time fams will wonder why the rest of the disc doesn't sound more like "Down 'n Out." With that in mind, The Humdinger earns a B-.
