If nothing else, The Roots are revered as one of the few hip hop ensembles that maintains the right to be culture keeper of Black America. They serve as soothsayers, illuminating dark spaces with their words. And so when Questlove, de facto leader of said group, expresses his disdain with the now tumultuous relationship between hip hop and Black America, we must listen. He has written an essay series on how Black America has been let down by hip hop. Below you can read the full essay. It’s prolific and thought provoking to say the least!
How Hip Hop Failed Black America- by Questlove