Artist Nappy Roots

Nappy Roots caused a stir in 2002 with “Po’ Folks,” the infectious, Grammy-nominated hit from its major-label debut, Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz. Nothing else on the album quite measured up to that transcendent single, but it nevertheless offered a strong, consistent mix of country-fried soulfulness and melancholy introspection. The album’s success didn’t alter the group’s approach; Nappy Roots’ 2003 follow-up, Wooden Leather, continued the group’s emphasis on down-home themes. In the years since, the quintet has slowed somewhat, taking a more methodical approach to 2008’s The Humdinger, 2010’s Pursuit Of Nappyness, and 2011’s Nappy Dot Org. A decade after the fact, the Nappy Roots haven’t exactly captured lightning in a bottle twice, but listening to their latest work, it sounds like they’re just fine with playing it safe.

Updated 04/10/2012