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Product Details
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Track Listings
| 1. The Pow Wow |
| 2. Rising Down featuring Mos Def & Styles P |
| 3. Get Busy featuring Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi |
| 4. @ 15 |
| 5. 75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction) |
| 6. Becoming Unwritten |
| 7. Criminal featuring Truck North & Saigon |
| 8. I Will Not Apologize featuring Porn & Dice Raw |
| 9. I Can't Help It featuring Malik B., Porn, Mercedes Martinez & Dice Raw |
| 10. Singing Man featuring Porn, Truck North & Dice Raw |
| 11. Unwritten featuring Mercedes Martinez |
| 12. Lost Desire featuring Malik B. & Talib Kweli |
| 13. The Show featuring Common & Dice Raw |
| 14. Rising Up featuring Wale & Chrisette Michele |
Editorial Reviews
2008 release from the Grammy Award-winning Hip Hop trailblazers. Garnering critical praise throughout their career, The Roots have firmly established themselves as a band with uncompromised artistic control and integrity. With Rising Down, the band's 10th album release, The Roots continue to take bolder steps adding new depths and range to their repertoire. Standout tracks include 'Criminal' (a reflection of life on the streets and unjust persecution), 'I Will Not Apologize' (a tribute to Fela Kuti that discusses keeping dignity in the music biz) and 'I Can't Help It' (a look at addictions and urges that compel us all). The Pop-infused first single, 'Birthday Girl', features Fall Out Boy frontman Patrick Stump. Additional guests on the album include Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saigon, Dice Raw, Wale, Chrisette Michele and others.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Mattman
Format:Audio CD
I keep waiting for the Roots to fall off, because let's face it, there aren't too many hip hop acts that can string it out artistically. Even the Mighty Mighty Mos only put out 3 good albums charitably counting New Danger, and one of those was half Talib.
They may fall off someday, but not today. By my count, that's now SEVEN classic or near-classic records from the Roots, not counting Tipping Point, which let's face it wasn't their best effort, "Star/Pointro" aside. Does Rising Down top Game Theory? It's close, but yes it does. This is their best work since Things Fall Apart, I'm not playing. It's not flawless...but it's close.
There's a similar dark vibe between this one and their last one, and I like the way they've come to use texture and synth on both albums. What struck me about Rising Down on first listen though is ?uesto's beats - on an individual level, I think this might be his best work ever on a Roots album. The beats on Illadelph Halflife have always been my favorite from the Roots, but I'm rethinking that now.
Lyrically, it's quality as ever. I don't even know what to say about Black Thought, the dude is a machine. He just spits and then spits some more. Peedi, Malik, Dice, Common, and Talib do their thing. There are a few weak verses here and there, what can you do. But Saigon, Truck North, and the aforementioned Mos pretty much kill it on their verses.
Go buy it.
EDIT: By the way, this doesn't include Birthday Girl. I think the only place to get that is the import version.
They may fall off someday, but not today. By my count, that's now SEVEN classic or near-classic records from the Roots, not counting Tipping Point, which let's face it wasn't their best effort, "Star/Pointro" aside. Does Rising Down top Game Theory? It's close, but yes it does. This is their best work since Things Fall Apart, I'm not playing. It's not flawless...but it's close.
There's a similar dark vibe between this one and their last one, and I like the way they've come to use texture and synth on both albums. What struck me about Rising Down on first listen though is ?uesto's beats - on an individual level, I think this might be his best work ever on a Roots album. The beats on Illadelph Halflife have always been my favorite from the Roots, but I'm rethinking that now.
Lyrically, it's quality as ever. I don't even know what to say about Black Thought, the dude is a machine. He just spits and then spits some more. Peedi, Malik, Dice, Common, and Talib do their thing. There are a few weak verses here and there, what can you do. But Saigon, Truck North, and the aforementioned Mos pretty much kill it on their verses.
Go buy it.
EDIT: By the way, this doesn't include Birthday Girl. I think the only place to get that is the import version.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By J. Highsmith
Format:Audio CD
I was introduced to The Roots when I heard the track "Distortion To Static". The track came from what I thought at the time was their debut CD, Do You Want More?!!!??!. I eventually found out that their debut CD was Organix. What I instantly liked about The Roots is that they instantly reminded me of a hip hop band. They used alot of live instruments and you had MCs and other members in the group who focused on just playing instruments and producing the music. Stetsasonic clearly was the hip hop blueprint to this but since Earth, Wind & Fire was one of my favorite r&b groups of all time, The Roots reminded me of the hip hop version of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Illadelph Halflife was released in 1996. The first single, Clones, is easily one of my favorite Roots' tracks of all time. Black Thought, Malik B, Dice Raw & M.A.R.S. provided nice verses and Kelo provided phenominal production on the track. Things Fall Apart was released next and that clearly is my favorite Roots CD of all time. You could play the CD from beginning to end and rappers such as Mos Def, Common, Beanie Sigel and Eve contributed to quality verses as well. Phrenology was released in 2002 and was clearly different than any other Roots CD that I had ever heard before. It definitely took more than one listen for me to become a fan of this CD. took the Roots back to basics with tracks like "Star", "Guns Are Drawn" and "Boom". A year later The Roots or should I say Geffen released Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Roots, Vol. 1 and Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Roots, Vol. 2. The best parts of both of these CDs are the alternative versions that are featured on both CDs and "Proceed 2".
Game Theory would be the 1st CD that The Roots released on Def Jam Records. The CD wasn't marketed properly but if you were a fan of The Roots you were able to tolerate the "dark" energy that came with the CD. Tracks such as "False Media", "Don't Feel Right", "Long Time" w/Peedi Peedi, and the tribute to J Dilla, "Can't Stop This" were my favorites and "Game Theory" was my 2nd favorite rap release of 2006 next to Ghostface's "Fishscale".
"Rising Down" was released on April 29, 2008. Before the CD was released I was privleged to have already heard "75 Bars", "Get Busy" w/Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi, "Rising Up" w/Wale and Chrisette Michele, and "Birthday Girl" (which you can only find on Itunes now because it's not on "Rising Down") on their myspace page and "Rising Down" w/Mos Def & Styles P. and "Criminal" w/Truck North & Saigon on hiphopdx.com. Other than "Birthday Girl" all of the other tracks that I heard were definitely tracks that would be right up there with your favorite tracks from The Roots. "Rising Down" features Mos Def, Black Thought & Styles P on a lyrical free for all that has them talking about things that are going wrong in the world we live in today. All 3 rappers have quality verses and this is my 2nd favorite track on the CD. The energy of "Get Busy" will definitely catch your attention as Black Thought rips this track to shreds with the help of Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi. "75 Bars" has ?uestlove giving an outstanding performance on the drums and Black Thought takes care of things from there. "Criminal" may take a few listens because of the Kevin Hanson chorus but once you listen to the lyrics, especially Saigon's verse, then this track will also be one of your favorites. "I Can't Help It" will just have you going crazy the first couple of times that you hear it. Malik B, who I am glad is back in the MC rotation again, gets things started and Porn ends things on a nice note. Mercedes Martinez of the group Jazzyfatnastees and Dice Raw do a nice job on the hook as well. "Singing Man" has Dice Raw giving an energetic chorus and Black Thought, Truck North, Porn and Dice Raw all giving nice verses as well. "Unwritten", which also features Mercedes Martinez, is more of an interlude that you will wish was a full length track. "Lost Desire" has Malik B, Black Thought & Talib Kweli on the verses and
?uestlove on the hook. You will be impressed with the energy and subject matter of this track. "Rising Up" is the first video that I saw from "Rising Down" and it features Wale & Chrisette Michele. The song employs a DC go-go beat and Black Thought and Wale will have you doing a 2 step every time you hear the track.
Overall, I feel that "Rising Down", is right up there with the rest of their top notch material. However, "Rising Down" contains the same "dark" energy that came from "Game Theory". In my opinion, if you are not a fan of "Game Theory" then you may not like "Rising Down". Because of the way sales are going and the push that is being made to make B.S. mainstream rap the focus of things in 2008, it seems that The Roots are doing their best to buck the system and make the type of music that they want to make, which I feel is the best way to go. If you are a fan of the majority of The Roots' previous releases, then you shouldn't pass up on "Rising Down".
James' Top 5
1) Get Busy w/Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi
2) Rising Down w/Mos Def & Styles P.
3) 75 Bars
4) Criminal w/Saigon, Truck North & Kevin Hanson
5) I Can't Help It w/Malik B, Dice Raw, Porn & Mercedes Martinez
Honorable Mention:
Rising Up w/Wale & Chrisette Michele
Lost Desire w/Malik B & Talib Kweli
Singing Man w/Dice Raw, Porn & Truck North
I Will Not Apologize w/Porn, Truck North & Talib Kweli Read more ›
Illadelph Halflife was released in 1996. The first single, Clones, is easily one of my favorite Roots' tracks of all time. Black Thought, Malik B, Dice Raw & M.A.R.S. provided nice verses and Kelo provided phenominal production on the track. Things Fall Apart was released next and that clearly is my favorite Roots CD of all time. You could play the CD from beginning to end and rappers such as Mos Def, Common, Beanie Sigel and Eve contributed to quality verses as well. Phrenology was released in 2002 and was clearly different than any other Roots CD that I had ever heard before. It definitely took more than one listen for me to become a fan of this CD. took the Roots back to basics with tracks like "Star", "Guns Are Drawn" and "Boom". A year later The Roots or should I say Geffen released Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Roots, Vol. 1 and Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide to Understanding the Roots, Vol. 2. The best parts of both of these CDs are the alternative versions that are featured on both CDs and "Proceed 2".
Game Theory would be the 1st CD that The Roots released on Def Jam Records. The CD wasn't marketed properly but if you were a fan of The Roots you were able to tolerate the "dark" energy that came with the CD. Tracks such as "False Media", "Don't Feel Right", "Long Time" w/Peedi Peedi, and the tribute to J Dilla, "Can't Stop This" were my favorites and "Game Theory" was my 2nd favorite rap release of 2006 next to Ghostface's "Fishscale".
"Rising Down" was released on April 29, 2008. Before the CD was released I was privleged to have already heard "75 Bars", "Get Busy" w/Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi, "Rising Up" w/Wale and Chrisette Michele, and "Birthday Girl" (which you can only find on Itunes now because it's not on "Rising Down") on their myspace page and "Rising Down" w/Mos Def & Styles P. and "Criminal" w/Truck North & Saigon on hiphopdx.com. Other than "Birthday Girl" all of the other tracks that I heard were definitely tracks that would be right up there with your favorite tracks from The Roots. "Rising Down" features Mos Def, Black Thought & Styles P on a lyrical free for all that has them talking about things that are going wrong in the world we live in today. All 3 rappers have quality verses and this is my 2nd favorite track on the CD. The energy of "Get Busy" will definitely catch your attention as Black Thought rips this track to shreds with the help of Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi. "75 Bars" has ?uestlove giving an outstanding performance on the drums and Black Thought takes care of things from there. "Criminal" may take a few listens because of the Kevin Hanson chorus but once you listen to the lyrics, especially Saigon's verse, then this track will also be one of your favorites. "I Can't Help It" will just have you going crazy the first couple of times that you hear it. Malik B, who I am glad is back in the MC rotation again, gets things started and Porn ends things on a nice note. Mercedes Martinez of the group Jazzyfatnastees and Dice Raw do a nice job on the hook as well. "Singing Man" has Dice Raw giving an energetic chorus and Black Thought, Truck North, Porn and Dice Raw all giving nice verses as well. "Unwritten", which also features Mercedes Martinez, is more of an interlude that you will wish was a full length track. "Lost Desire" has Malik B, Black Thought & Talib Kweli on the verses and
?uestlove on the hook. You will be impressed with the energy and subject matter of this track. "Rising Up" is the first video that I saw from "Rising Down" and it features Wale & Chrisette Michele. The song employs a DC go-go beat and Black Thought and Wale will have you doing a 2 step every time you hear the track.
Overall, I feel that "Rising Down", is right up there with the rest of their top notch material. However, "Rising Down" contains the same "dark" energy that came from "Game Theory". In my opinion, if you are not a fan of "Game Theory" then you may not like "Rising Down". Because of the way sales are going and the push that is being made to make B.S. mainstream rap the focus of things in 2008, it seems that The Roots are doing their best to buck the system and make the type of music that they want to make, which I feel is the best way to go. If you are a fan of the majority of The Roots' previous releases, then you shouldn't pass up on "Rising Down".
James' Top 5
1) Get Busy w/Dice Raw & Peedi Peedi
2) Rising Down w/Mos Def & Styles P.
3) 75 Bars
4) Criminal w/Saigon, Truck North & Kevin Hanson
5) I Can't Help It w/Malik B, Dice Raw, Porn & Mercedes Martinez
Honorable Mention:
Rising Up w/Wale & Chrisette Michele
Lost Desire w/Malik B & Talib Kweli
Singing Man w/Dice Raw, Porn & Truck North
I Will Not Apologize w/Porn, Truck North & Talib Kweli Read more ›
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By J. Konara
Format:Audio CD
'Rising Down' is a solid follow-up to 'Game Theory' which in my opinion was the best album of 2006. Black Thought's raw lyricism just puts 99% of all other emcees to shame. The man is just a beast on the mic. Production is on point, guest spots shine (although IMO there are too many features). If you like The Roots and real Hip-Hop..BUY THIS ALBUM, you won't regret it.
Best Tracks: Get Busy, Rising Down, 75 Bars, Rising Up, The Show
Best Tracks: Get Busy, Rising Down, 75 Bars, Rising Up, The Show
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Philadelphia crew The Roots have firmly established themselves as the best hip-hop band around. I use the word "band" because these dudes are a bona fide band with live drums, keys, bass and everything. They've always been political in my view but this joint, released to coincide with the 16th anniversary of the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles, is probably their most political yet. This is what hip-hop was made for, in my view, and the guys are once again (they did it on 2006's brilliant Game Theory) taking a look at the world around them and are obviously not happy with all that they see and are not afraid to say so. The music is hard, dark and synth-led and I love it. Black Thought's dense flow mixes with the electrified production in a way that reaches out and grabs this listener. I definitely want to know what THESE dudes are saying.
I caught the video to the lead single "Rising Up" featuring DC-born Nigerian MC Wale (he's definitely one to look out for in 2008) and Chrisette Michele, and fell in love with it immediately. I already knew I wasn't the only one who's sick and tired of the trash that's played on the radio all day long but it's still nice to hear someone else echo the same sentiment. The video was on heavy rotation on BET while I was on vacation in the US, so hopefully, the single and the album should do well.
Other standout tracks (for me) include the jumpy title track featuring Mos Def & Styles P, Black Thought's one-take mic attack "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)", the hauntingly hypnotising "Criminal" featuring Truck North & Saigon, the Afrobeat-tinged "I Will Not Apologize" featuring Porn & Dice Raw, "I Can't Help It" featuring Malik B.... Read more ›
I caught the video to the lead single "Rising Up" featuring DC-born Nigerian MC Wale (he's definitely one to look out for in 2008) and Chrisette Michele, and fell in love with it immediately. I already knew I wasn't the only one who's sick and tired of the trash that's played on the radio all day long but it's still nice to hear someone else echo the same sentiment. The video was on heavy rotation on BET while I was on vacation in the US, so hopefully, the single and the album should do well.
Other standout tracks (for me) include the jumpy title track featuring Mos Def & Styles P, Black Thought's one-take mic attack "75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)", the hauntingly hypnotising "Criminal" featuring Truck North & Saigon, the Afrobeat-tinged "I Will Not Apologize" featuring Porn & Dice Raw, "I Can't Help It" featuring Malik B.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome record
I love the Roots, and this album is just one more reason why I do. The Roots never disappoints. Hands down one of the best Rap Groups that talks about real things besides money,... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Leslie Davidson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
There are a few songs where Black Thought's flow is lacking, but other than that... another great performance by The Roots.
Published on June 1, 2011 by Justin Poindexter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rising yet again
For most acts in any genre, the underwhelming sales of the Roots' largely dark, raw, and uncompromising 2006 effort Game Theory would result in a sleeker, more commercially... Read more
Published on December 28, 2008 by Wheelchair Assassin
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Ledgendary Roots Crew Strike Again!
I've been reading stuff about The Roots for years but never actually heard their music till I saw their VH1 Soulstage concert. All I can say is WOW! This band is fantastic! Read more
Published on November 8, 2008 by Music Lover
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Dope Although It Doesn't Slam Like Previous LP's" (Rating: 8 out of...
It seemed like for me, this album just showed up one day. To be honest, I really didn't know this album was coming out during the summer (maybe with a little word of mouth), but it... Read more
Published on October 23, 2008 by Chandler
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok
it was ok.the beats are pretty good and so are the lyrics but its tight.
Published on October 14, 2008 by Rosario M. Garcia
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Album
Awesome album by the Roots... expect nothing less. This album gets a 4/5 star because there are too many songs that are not songs like The Pow Wow and @15. Read more
Published on September 30, 2008 by Erik Kim Sandved
2.0 out of 5 stars
c'mon people...
if this album gets 5 stars, as many seem to think it does, then what does "things fall apart," or "illadelph halflife" get? 60 stars? Read more
Published on September 26, 2008 by kinopku
5.0 out of 5 stars
Roots Roots Roots!!!
I can't think of any other hip hop group or solo artists that grabs me like the roots. I was sold on the roots when I heard and saw the seed video. Read more
Published on September 3, 2008 by Z. Finch
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Some good rappers ain't eatin'/They Olsen Twin-in'"
The Roots - Rising Down (Def Jam, 2008)
Let's face it. Unless something miraculous happens, the only successful Roots album will be 1999's Things Fall Apart. Read more
Let's face it. Unless something miraculous happens, the only successful Roots album will be 1999's Things Fall Apart. Read more
Published on August 11, 2008 by E.J. Rupert
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