In this age of personalized
playlists and 99-cent singles, there seldom comes an album that dares to
command one’s full attention from start to finish. It seems however, that The
Roots' latest effort, a concept album titled …And
Then You Shoot Your Cousin, is striving to keep the tradition alive.
For a project so short and
sweet (barely breeching the 30 minute mark) Cousin
is dense with profound themes. Unlike The Roots’ previous release Undun (also a concept album) Cousin does not follow one character through
a continuous story line. Rather, the album examines hip hop culture as a whole
though the eyes of the characters whose stereotypes perpetuate the culture.
Sweeping orchestral interludes and
skittish jazz breaks lay the somber yet chaotic backdrop atop which verses by
Black Thought along with a cast of features (including Greg Porn, Dice Raw and
others) bring each character to life: the gluttonous celebrity
who only feels validated when surrounded by screaming throngs, the faithless
dreamer whose desperation leads him to gang life despite his disdain for it.
Then
of course there is the most reoccurring character throughout the album:
God. Whether
they profess thanksgiving, “Send a
message to God in Heaven /
I'm thankful to be alive”, or express total skepticism, “Everybody
acts like God is all that
/ But I got the feelin’ he ain’t never coming back,”
some of the most compelling moments on Cousin are in the tracks which explore the many perspectives from which
our society interprets God.
…And
Then You Shoot Your Cousin
is not the type of album any two people are going to feel exactly the same way
about. Furthermore, seldom will listeners digest the album the same way the first time
they listen to it, as they might the 10th time around. By using hip-hop
to critique hip-hop, The Roots have found a way to level with their audience
while also urging them to think. And though you may have to keep an internet
tab open to Rap Genius as you listen (I know I did) …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin has something to say to everyone—regardless
of if you are an artist, a trap lord or simply a fan of music.
Click here to purchase ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin
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