The Roots; Guru

Much more than just another Roots show at the House of Blues, this spectacular evening of cutting-edge hip-hop, with the Philadelphia-based crew as the house band, featured a non-stop showcase of guest vocalists, including Guru, Talib Kweli & Hi Tek, Dead Prez, Jaguar and Slum Village. Part of the 35-city Okay Player Tour, named after

Much more than just another Roots show at the House of Blues, this spectacular evening of cutting-edge hip-hop, with the Philadelphia-based crew as the house band, featured a non-stop showcase of guest vocalists, including Guru, Talib Kweli & Hi Tek, Dead Prez, Jaguar and Slum Village. Part of the 35-city Okay Player Tour, named after the Philly record company, this three-hour production dumped the gangsta-style attitude and profanity found on Dr. Dre's "Up in Smoke" package for a more thoughtful and uplifting musical presentation, with the emphasis on unity, justice, empowerment and celebration of life.

Much more than just another Roots show at the House of Blues, this spectacular evening of cutting-edge hip-hop, with the Philadelphia-based crew as the house band, featured a non-stop showcase of guest vocalists, including Guru, Talib Kweli & Hi Tek, Dead Prez, Jaguar and Slum Village. Part of the 35-city Okay Player Tour, named after the Philly record company, this three-hour production dumped the gangsta-style attitude and profanity found on Dr. Dre’s “Up in Smoke” package for a more thoughtful and uplifting musical presentation, with the emphasis on unity, justice, empowerment and celebration of life.

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The show, emceed by Black Thought of Mos Def, began with a handful of Roots selections including crowd fave “The Next Movement” (MCA) followed by a parade of vocalists, nearly half of whom were female — one of the evening’s many triumphs.

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The social activism of duo Dead Prez was spotlighted with “I’m an African”; Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek then dropped a high-energy three-song set that included rap radio hit “Move Something” (Rawkus/Priority) that put a charge into the packed house.

The female Philly duo Jazzfatnastees impressed with a medley of Blondie’s “Rapture” and their own “Let It Go.” Slum Village followed with a few tracks, then Gangstarr vocalist Guru added a jazz flavor to the jam with songs that included his single “Lift Your Fist” from his latest “Jazzmatazz” (Virgin) album.

Roots and Dead Prez spots followed, as well as brief turns by Flo Brown, whose mumble style of rapping was somewhat off-putting; Dice Raw, who would be better served replacing his DAT machine with a DJ or drummer; and Jaguar, who subbed for Angie Stone to scat-rap the “Jazzmatazz” entry “Keep Your Worries” with Guru.

The Roots’ rhythm section of bassist Hub (Leonard Hubbard) and tireless drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Thompson) provided a reliable, rock-like foundation for the show, stopping only for occasional, brief solos by other artists. A “man vs. machine” battle between DJ Dez of Slum Village and “vocal turntablist” Scratch of the Roots saw Scratch replicate with amazing clarity Dez’s vinyl moves.

The long but briskly paced show ended with all of the performers onstage for a triumphant reading of the Dead Prez track “It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop” (Loud) that climaxed with a Bad Brains-style outro.

The Okay Player Tour hits New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom Nov. 22.

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The Roots; Guru

House of Blues; 1,000 capacity; $30

  • Production: Presented inhouse. Opened Nov. 7, 2000; also Nov. 9; closed and reviewed Nov. 10.
  • Cast: Band: Kamal, Hub, ?uestlove, Scratch. Guests: Guru, Talib Kweli & Hi Tek, Dead Prez, Jaguar, Slum Village.

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