Black Milk did a better job. It’s cheeky to start out with the only flaw of an otherwise perfect record, but the producer from Detroit already used »Yeah, Yeah« by an ominous band called Blackrock for his »Deadly Medley«. The hip hop dinosaurs from Philadelphia have also used the sample on their 11th record for the track »Black Rock«, but not as impressively as Black Milk once did. And still, »…And Then You Shoot Your Cousin« is one of The Roots‘ best records. Because with its good half hour of playing time, it’s right on the spot. Because the musicians seem to be more attuned to each other on this album than ever before. Because Black Thought is one of the most underestimated rappers on this planet. Because they take the next logical step after »Undun«: This record is dark, full of all kinds of characters who take the stage and… fail. »I led the devil in a dance, an electric slide across the line I drew up in the sand«. And yet, Black Thought never tries to play the moral preacher’s role, even though »Understand« is all about god and ethics. But »…And Then You Shoot Your Cousin« never raises a finger, instead, it all happens in a flow of storytelling. Violence re-appears as a motive every now and then, but in a reflective, thoughtful way. Finally, »The Dark (Trinity)« and »The Unraveling« prove how well the band harmonizes as a whole, before »Tomorrow« throws us out of the show. Break free from society’s constraints, be yourself. Anywhere else, this would come across as lame. Here, it’s liberating. And that’s where The Roots beat all the others out there.
Amine Laje
Datsha
Rotary Phono Lab