Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz

From the Editors

At a time when digitized beats and crudely consumerist attitudes rule the airwaves, the distinctively organic aesthetic of Kentucky-bred hip-hop sextet Nappy Roots' debut release is refreshing. Rotating MCs flip profound rhymes about growing up in the South and their struggles to be heard, giving a semiautobiographical feel to songs like "Peanuts." "Aw Naw," the first single and arguably the album's catchiest tune, surrounds a dope slice of country life with unique rhythms that fuse banjos and harmonicas with contemporary, bass-filled beats. In a similar vein, "Life's a Risk" boasts some slick introspective lyrics from group member Skinny DeVille, who rhymes about staying away from the pitfalls of street life. In the end, Nappy Roots come out sounding like a harder-edged upgrade of Arrested Development's Southern-tinged roots rap. Let's just hope they don't suffer a similar fall off the face of the earth. <I>--Dalton Higgins</I>
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Customer Response

CD
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Ballin' on a budget
It's funny how nostalgia works. When Nappy Roots dropped their big-label debut in 2002, people had already proclaimed the death of mainstream hip hop, and I'm sure I yearned for the 90s' golden days. Yet six years later, I find myself quite nostalgic for the Goodie Mob-influenced, club-friendly funk of Nappy Roots and YoungBloodZ. Ah, the days go by...

Anyway, "Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz" is sweet. Nappy Roots is a sextet of likeminded Kentucky rappers who take cues from the Dungeon Family. Much of their subject matter concerns the trials of a poor Southern black man and the disparity between the baller ideals and their lack of funds. They are country and proud of it, and their backwoods drawls and Southern slang is accented by production that often features banjoes and harmonicas. The beats are just outstanding. They have a down-home country flair, but also draw from the mainstream bass-heavy thump of Atlanta rap. "Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz" is chock-full of catchy hooks and clever upbeat production, and each rapper does his part in making the album a ride to remember. It's constantly appealing for everyone from the intense hip hop head to the casual pop fan, because the balance of party and club tracks (although some tend to blend together) and deep tracks is satisfying.

A fault I might point out is that at 20 tracks and 76 minutes, it's too long for a single listen and there is filler. Otherwise, they have a great formula and manipulate it well. Nappy Roots aren't great lyricists, but they have style, originality, and good flows and voices. Their rugged flossiness on the tight "Hustla" leads into two club tracks, the upbeat "Set It Out" and the rougher "Country Boyz." The droopy "Ballin' on a Budget" precedes the first classic single, "Awnaw," an undeniable party track of country drawls, a pumped-up hook, and rallying beat. The dance-ready "Headz Up" and steel drum-laced head-nodder "Slums" give way to the second classic single, "Po Folks," arguably Nappy Roots' finest song to date. They chronicle a life of poverty over a gorgeous banjo-anchored beat with perfect hook. "Start It Over" is filler, but "Headz Up" is a solid harmonica-led number followed by the decent "Sholiz." At this point the LP enters its great home stretch, s tarting with the excellent "Life's a B..." and the bumpworthy "My Ride." "One Forty" is Nappy at their cohesive and funky best, and the spinning vibes of "Dime, Quarter, Nickel, Penny" are cool. My favorite song, though, might be the classic roller "Kentucky Mud," which has a sick beat and top performances. The LP closes strongly with a twangy party cut "Ho Down," a somber bonus track, and a "Headz Up" remix.

"Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz" is just a fun and totally appealing Southern rap album. I loved it when it came out and six years later it still gets plenty of spins. It's perfect for the summer and I highly recommend it to listeners of all distinctions. Also check out the follow-up Wooden Leather.

Nappy Roots- Watermelon, Chicken, & Grits
Nappy Roots is the best rap band ever. No offense to Outkast, but honestly this album kills any of Outkasts album. Strait KILLS IT. THis album is so country, you can tell they made this album the way they wanted to, not the way the label wanted them to. This is a PERFECT rap album. i remember when "Awnaw" first came out i loved that song and every time it came on the radio i always would crank it. But after Awnaw, i didnt hear much about Nappy. I thought they got dropped from their label and never even put out an album. Well than a few months after Nappy had fallen off my radar, cuz i thought they werent even making a album, but my cousin found a copie of this album and bought it for me for Christmas. And it was funny cause when he gave me the cd, he was told me he bought it like 4 months earlier and hadnt seen it anywhere since then. Well i was very happy to find out Nappy did make an album. So i listended to it and i started to realize that these guys were almost like a southern poor mans version of Bone Thugs, because Nappy does alot of harmonies and singing on this album. All six of these guys can rap and write. And to my surprise they all can actually sing to! There were so many standout tracks its hard to pick just a few to discuss. But my first favorite track is still and always will be "Po Folks", this song is country love. Thats the only way i can describe it. I am so glad that Po Folks didnt get over played on the radio. Another great song is "Sholiz" which is again, a country party track, with a just funny sounding beat. But its a great track none the less. And then there is the broke man's anthem "Lifes A B****" which is just a hardcore ghetto track basically telling the story of a mans struggle to make it by in our scociety. Its a very deep track. Overall Nappy Roots is my alltime favorite Rap group, hands down. No one even comes close. BUY IT!!!


Grade:
A+

Hip Hop From The Kentucky Fields (3.5 Stars)
Who said that country folks couldn't rhyme? I for one believe that that is untrue, and the group Nappy Roots proves it. Hitting us with the hit "Awnaw" from Kentucky back in 2002, they come with their major label debut Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz. Six members (B. Steele, R. Prophet, Fish Scales, Big V, Skinny Deville, & Ron Clutch ) deep, their rhyme style is straight country/rural style with a nappy head flavor.

What makes this album different than many southern releases, is that they come off with the rhymes of mostly their life style, from a different prespective (mainly because they're not from big cities), which I like. Big V and Fish Scales voices is more common throughout the album appearing on almost every track, shinning on songs such as "Life's A B****" and "Ballin On A Budget". Member R. Prophet's (questionably the best in the group) unique voice would work for good and bad portions. The single "Awnaw" and the song "Set It Out" were perfect fits for his rhymes, something like "Start It Over" he just seemed out of place despite it being a good song. Skinny Deville (maybe the worst out of the group) gets to shine on verses also such as on tracks like "Set It Out". Ron Clutch and B. Stille are good also in most songs. It's good to see the whole group come together in a couple of songs like "Headz Up" and Blowin Trees" which works out good." And I can't go without saying that their second single "Po Folks" couldn't have been more perfect.

Parts of this album can be unbalanced, despite some the good rhymes. "Country Boyz" couldn't have a more annoying hook that is repeated. The song "Sholiz" just doesn't appeal to me production wise or the repeated of the word (even though I use that word on a consistant basis). The worst song on this album I would say is "One Forty", possibly because of a possible slump in the rhyme skills. It seems like the filler tracks suffer from subpar production and weak hooks, but never dissapointing verses.

Overall, it's good to see that this group putting a whole different state on the map that people really didn't think much of. Nappy Roots would come at many listeners with rhymes that are throught through and not just slapped together (something that lacks in the south). Even though there some portions that aren't effecient within this album, I recommend this to hip hop heads who enjoy southern rhymes, and want to give this a try. Also if you enjoyed this one, I recommend that you give their second album Wooden Leather a try. I might be the first reviewer to give this less than 4 stars, but don't let that stop you from purching and enjoying this LP.

Lyrics: A-
Production: B
Musical Vibes: B-
Overall: B

Favorite Tracks: Set It Out, Ballin On A Budget, Awnaw, Headz Up, Po Folks, Start It Over, Blowin Trees, Lifes A B****, My Ride

Nappy Roots' 1st Major Release
This is the album Nappy Roots have put themselves on the southern roster. I recommend the fans who is into southern music to purchase this album because it doesn't follow what rappers rap about right now. This album makes me feels like I am at home in the south. I was born & raised in the south.

My most favorite track on this CD is "Po' Folks (feat. Anthony Hamilton)", which Anthony Hamilton blows up in the music game. This song inspires me until this day. This song doesn't move from my CD player. I also made me a copy for my MiniDisc player so I don't want to scratch up my CD. I wear out this song cause this song just cheers me up when I am depressed. When I hear this song, it just makes my tears roll down on my face. If I can get in touch with nappy roots, I would hug & thank them for writing this song. I just can not live without this song. This song also changed my life. It is one of my most all-time favorite songs in my entire life!

I do recommend the people who represent the south to cop this album.

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