Nappy Roots Show No Signs of Slowing at 40rty

It’s not all nostalgia, however. As always, Nappy Roots makes it clear they’re still connected to the communities that raised them. The album’s third track Jivin’ and Shuckin’ is an ode to revisiting those old, familiar backroads on the way to the future. The track, backed by a slow meandering instrumental, celebrates ‘smoking on some green as [they’re] riding through the country.’ The final destination of this fated ride? Atlantucky, the group’s brewery in Southside Atlanta. It seems that perhaps Jivin’ and Shuckin’ is a metaphor for the group’s career. They’ve spent their lives building Nappy Roots into something to be proud of (a goal they’ve exceeded, clearly) and are now looking to branch out into business ventures like brewing beer. The group shows no signs of slowing down musically, however, despite some newfound entrepreneurship.

Another highlight of 40RTY is “Do Better”, a down-tempo contemporary take on current events. As always, Nappy Roots is right on the pulse of race politics in America. “Do Better” is about how each of the members is trying to ‘do better’ in making the country a safer place for the young people in their area. It comes off as almost apologetic, but with a promise to keep on trying. Ron Clutch raps ‘wanna pick up a picket sign, run away with the protestors, but don’t wanna share the same fate as our ancestors,’ creating a stark image and explanation for any hesitance people may have about getting boots on the ground during protests against police brutality. In that same verse, Clutch goes on to say: