Wooden Leather

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Nappy Roots: R. Prophet, Scales, B. Stille, Ron Clutch, Big V Scream'n, Skinny Deville.
Additional personnel: Anthony Hamilton, Raphael Saadiq (vocals).
Producers include: Raphael Saadiq, Mike City, Kanye West, David Banner, Lil Jo.
While Nappy Roots have been gloriously reveling in their own "country" style since the mid-1990s, it wasn't until 2002, when their critically lauded debut WATERMELON, CHICKEN & GRITZ, featuring the crossover hit "Po' Folks," dropped that the rest of the world was let in on the party. Not content to simmer in success, the six-member hip-hop outfit swiftly followed up that record a mere year later with the solid WOODEN LEATHER. Hailing from Kentucky (well, two of the members are Oakland imports), Nappy Roots play an appealing hybrid of rap in the league of artists like Outkast, Mos Def, Organized Konfusion, and the Native Tongues, with wit betraying an understated intelligence and an ability to create an organic world that's distinctly its own. Nappy Roots also recognize a good hook when they see one, as evidenced by "Roun' the Globe," with its refrain "the whole damn world is country" over a frenetic Afro-folk landscape. They also prove their ability to scribe singable message songs on the should-be megahit "Sick & Tired" (best moment--the call and answer "I'm sick & tired of running and ducking/quit runnin' then"). Also, one of the most compelling up-and-coming R&B stars, Anthony Hamilton, drops by for the smoothly powerful "Push On." And it goes on and on as the Nappy Roots continue to carve a healthy niche for their brand of country in the hip-hop world.