Nappy Roots
Encyclopedia
Nappy Roots is an American
alternative
Southern rap
quintet
that originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky
in 1995 and is best known for its hit single "Awnaw
."
The group consists of Milledgeville, Georgia
native Fish Scales
and Kentucky
natives Skinny DeVille
, B. Stille, Ron Clutch
, and Big V
. Oakland, California
native R. Prophet
has recently left the group to pursue a solo career.
. Their first album on Atlantic was 2002's best selling hip-hop album, "Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz" which was inspired by OKOLONA native Aron Luckett. The multi-platinum album featured the hit-singles "Headz Up", "Awnaw", and "Po' Folks". The "Awnaw (Remix)" ft Marcos
of P.O.D.
appeared on Madden 2003.
Their next and last album with Atlantic Records was Wooden Leather
, released in 2003, featuring the singles "Roun' the Globe" which was featured on Madden 2004 and "Sick and Tired" (featuring Anthony Hamilton
). This critically acclaimed, major label follow up album, "Wooden Leather" featured production from Kanye West
, David Banner
and Lil Jon
.
Since the release of Wooden Leather they are back to being independent artists, and have started their own label, N.R.E.G (Nappy Roots Entertainment Group) with distribution through Fontana/Universal Music Group
. On July 31, 2007, they released their first album as independent artists, Innerstate Music
featuring singles "Good Day" and "Keep It Real". This was actually an internet album, similar to a modern day mixtape
. It was intended to be a precursor to their 2008 album, The Humdinger
which was released on August 5, 2008.
In 2008, the Nappy Roots returned to the spotlight with an internet campaign targeting the mega-popular hip-hop sites such as AllHipHop.com, HiphopDX, SOHH
, 2dopeboyz, Dubcnn, XXL Mag and BallerStatus, etc. The critically acclaimed album, The Humdinger
features guest appearances from Anthony Hamilton
, Greg Nice, Greg Street and Slick & Rose, with production from Sol Messiah, James "Groove" Chambers, Big Al, Joe Hop and more. The Humdinger
entered the Billboard Rap Charts at #7 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at #13.
Nappy Roots toured across the country on "The Pursuit of Nappyness
" tour. Fish Scales, Skinny DeVille and Big V began their Humdinger Winter Tour on January 14, 2009 in Chicago, IL.
In 2009, NREG released 40 Akerz from Fish Scales and Skinny DeVille as well as an independent project from Big V.
Nappy Roots kicked off 2010 with their highly anticipated new album, "The Pursuit of Nappyness
", released June 15, 2010. The album features songs produced by a quickly emerging production duo from Atlanta, GA by the name of Phivestarr Productions.
In 2011, Nappy has teamed up with legendary hip hop producers Organized Noize
to create NAPPY DOT ORG which is slated for a late September 2011 release. The first single "Congratulations" made its way into cyberspace on July 13, 2011 by way of XXL and 2DopeBoyz.
On October 11, 2011 Nappy Roots has released their new album "NAPPY DOT ORG." This album was produced entirely by southern legends Organized Noize
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alternative
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
Southern rap
Southern rap
Southern hip hop, also called Southern rap, is a genre of American music influenced by hip hop that emerged from a late-1980s club-oriented vibe in southern U.S...
quintet
Quintet
A quintet is a group containing five members.It is commonly associated with musical groups, such as a string quintet, or a group of five singers, but can be applied to any situation where five similar or related objects are considered a single unit....
that originated in Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bowling Green is the third-most populous city in the state of Kentucky after Louisville and Lexington, with a population of 58,067 as of the 2010 Census. It is the county seat of Warren County and the principal city of the Bowling Green, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area with an estimated 2009...
in 1995 and is best known for its hit single "Awnaw
Awnaw
"Awnaw" is the debut single by the Kentucky rap group Nappy Roots, produced by James "Groove" Chambers. It was released in 2001, taken from Nappy Roots's debut 2002 album Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz. It peaked at number 51 in the U.S. and features vocals by Jazze Pha who sang the hook/chorus...
."
The group consists of Milledgeville, Georgia
Milledgeville, Georgia
Milledgeville is a city in and the county seat of Baldwin County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is northeast of Macon, located just before Eatonton on the way to Athens along U.S. Highway 441, and it is located on the Oconee River. The relatively rapid current of the Oconee here made this an...
native Fish Scales
Fish Scales
Melvin Adams or better known by his stage name Fish Scales is a rapper. He is currently in the Kentucky-based quintet alternative southern rap group Nappy Roots. He attended Western Kentucky University between 1995 and 1997 on a basketball scholarship...
and Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
natives Skinny DeVille
Skinny DeVille
William Rahsaan Hughes and better known by his stage names Skinny DeVille and Saan, is a member of the Kentucky-based alternative southern rap quintet group Nappy Roots...
, B. Stille, Ron Clutch
Ron Clutch
Ronald Wilson , better known by the stage name Ron Clutch, is the oldest member of the Kentucky-based quintet alternative southern rap group Nappy Roots...
, and Big V
Big V (music)
Vito Jermaine Tisdale , or better known by his stage name Big V, is a member of the Kentucky-based quintet alternative southern rap group Nappy Roots. Born and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Big V began rapping at the age of 13. He attended Western Kentucky University with Skinny DeVille , Ron...
. Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
native R. Prophet
R. Prophet
Kenneth Ryan Anthony , better known by his stage name R. Prophet, is an American rapper. He was formerly in the Kentucky-based quintet alternative southern rap group Nappy Roots. He attended Western Kentucky University with the present Nappy Roots members.-Early Career:R...
has recently left the group to pursue a solo career.
Biography
Nappy Roots' debut independent album Country Fried Cess was released in 1999, which led to the group being signed by Atlantic RecordsAtlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. Their first album on Atlantic was 2002's best selling hip-hop album, "Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz" which was inspired by OKOLONA native Aron Luckett. The multi-platinum album featured the hit-singles "Headz Up", "Awnaw", and "Po' Folks". The "Awnaw (Remix)" ft Marcos
Marcos Curiel
Marcos Curiel is the guitarist of rock bands P.O.D., The Accident Experiment and Daylight Division.Curiel was born in San Diego California in 1974 and is of Mexican descent. He grew up in the neighboring city of Chula Vista, where he graduated from Bonita Vista High School in 1992. Curiel started...
of P.O.D.
P.O.D.
Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
appeared on Madden 2003.
Their next and last album with Atlantic Records was Wooden Leather
Wooden Leather
Wooden Leather is the second studio album by Kentucky-based rap sextet band Nappy Roots, to their first album Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz...
, released in 2003, featuring the singles "Roun' the Globe" which was featured on Madden 2004 and "Sick and Tired" (featuring Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton (musician)
Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From , which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From" and "Charlene."-Life and career:Hamilton was born in Charlotte,...
). This critically acclaimed, major label follow up album, "Wooden Leather" featured production from Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, David Banner
David Banner
Lavell Crump , better known by his stage name David Banner, is an American rapper, record producer and occasional actor. Banner was born in Jackson, Mississippi and graduated from Southern University. He started his music career as a member of the rap duo, Crooked Lettaz before going solo in 2000...
and Lil Jon
Lil Jon
Jonathan Mortimer Smith , better known by his stage name Lil Jon, is an American rapper, music producer, entrepreneur, and occasional disc jockey who was a member of the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Lil Jon formed the group in 1997, and the group released several albums between then and 2004...
.
Since the release of Wooden Leather they are back to being independent artists, and have started their own label, N.R.E.G (Nappy Roots Entertainment Group) with distribution through Fontana/Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
. On July 31, 2007, they released their first album as independent artists, Innerstate Music
Innerstate Music
Innerstate Music is a mixtape by Kentucky-based Nappy Roots, released July 31, 2007. Their first as independent artists, Innerstate is an Internet mixtape/album which had been intended to precede The Humdinger until that album experienced several delays....
featuring singles "Good Day" and "Keep It Real". This was actually an internet album, similar to a modern day mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
. It was intended to be a precursor to their 2008 album, The Humdinger
The Humdinger
The Humdinger is the third studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots, released on August 5, 2008, the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 mixtape Cookout Muzik...
which was released on August 5, 2008.
In 2008, the Nappy Roots returned to the spotlight with an internet campaign targeting the mega-popular hip-hop sites such as AllHipHop.com, HiphopDX, SOHH
SOHH
SOHH is a hip hop news website. Felicia Palmer and Steven Samuel founded the website in 1996. In 2000, Rolling Stone magazine writer Mark Binelli called it the "best overall hip-hop site".- History :...
, 2dopeboyz, Dubcnn, XXL Mag and BallerStatus, etc. The critically acclaimed album, The Humdinger
The Humdinger
The Humdinger is the third studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots, released on August 5, 2008, the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 mixtape Cookout Muzik...
features guest appearances from Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton
Anthony Hamilton or Antony Hamilton may refer to:*Anthony Hamilton , Irish classical author, of aristocratic Scottish ancestry, who lived in France where he was known as Antoine Hamilton; intimate of French aristocracy, he wrote, in French, Mémoires du comte de Gramont *Anthony Hamilton , English...
, Greg Nice, Greg Street and Slick & Rose, with production from Sol Messiah, James "Groove" Chambers, Big Al, Joe Hop and more. The Humdinger
The Humdinger
The Humdinger is the third studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots, released on August 5, 2008, the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 mixtape Cookout Muzik...
entered the Billboard Rap Charts at #7 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at #13.
Nappy Roots toured across the country on "The Pursuit of Nappyness
The Pursuit of Nappyness
The Pursuit of Nappyness is the fourth studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots. It was released on June 15, 2010 through Nappy Roots Entertainment Group. This is the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 major release The Humdinger....
" tour. Fish Scales, Skinny DeVille and Big V began their Humdinger Winter Tour on January 14, 2009 in Chicago, IL.
In 2009, NREG released 40 Akerz from Fish Scales and Skinny DeVille as well as an independent project from Big V.
Nappy Roots kicked off 2010 with their highly anticipated new album, "The Pursuit of Nappyness
The Pursuit of Nappyness
The Pursuit of Nappyness is the fourth studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots. It was released on June 15, 2010 through Nappy Roots Entertainment Group. This is the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 major release The Humdinger....
", released June 15, 2010. The album features songs produced by a quickly emerging production duo from Atlanta, GA by the name of Phivestarr Productions.
In 2011, Nappy has teamed up with legendary hip hop producers Organized Noize
Organized Noize
Organized Noize is an Atlanta-based American hip hop production company made up of Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown.-History:Among the hit records they have worked on include TLC's "Waterfalls", En Vogue's "Don't Let Go ", and Ludacris' "Saturday "...
to create NAPPY DOT ORG which is slated for a late September 2011 release. The first single "Congratulations" made its way into cyberspace on July 13, 2011 by way of XXL and 2DopeBoyz.
On October 11, 2011 Nappy Roots has released their new album "NAPPY DOT ORG." This album was produced entirely by southern legends Organized Noize
Organized Noize
Organized Noize is an Atlanta-based American hip hop production company made up of Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown.-History:Among the hit records they have worked on include TLC's "Waterfalls", En Vogue's "Don't Let Go ", and Ludacris' "Saturday "...
.
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
R&B/Hip-Hop Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
U.S. Rap Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
Pop Songs Mainstream Top 40 (Pop Songs) The Mainstream Top 40 is an airplay chart from Billboard magazine, and is also known as Pop Songs on billboard.com. It was often mistaken for and confused with the now discontinued Pop 100 Airplay chart... |
|||
| 2002 | "Awnaw Awnaw "Awnaw" is the debut single by the Kentucky rap group Nappy Roots, produced by James "Groove" Chambers. It was released in 2001, taken from Nappy Roots's debut 2002 album Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz. It peaked at number 51 in the U.S. and features vocals by Jazze Pha who sang the hook/chorus... " (featuring Jazze Pha Jazze Pha Phalon Anton Alexander , also known as Jazze Pha , is an American singer, and songwriter.raised in Memphis, TN; son of James Alexander .... ) |
51 | 18 | 15 | — | Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz |
| "Po' Folks Po' Folks "Po' Folks" is the two time grammy-nominated second hit single by the Kentucky rap group Nappy Roots. The beat was produced by Trackboyz. The song's signature concept, verse, and chorus was written by R. Prophet a prolific member of Nappy Roots. Discussing the meaning of "Po' Folks," R... " (featuring Anthony Hamilton Anthony Hamilton (musician) Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From , which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From" and "Charlene."-Life and career:Hamilton was born in Charlotte,... ) |
21 | 13 | 10 | 25 | ||
| "Headz Up Headz Up "Headz Up" is the third single by the American alternative Southern rap sextet Kentucky rap group Nappy Roots, from their 2002 debut album Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz.- Chart positions :... " |
— | 88 | — | — | ||
| 2003 | "Roun' The Globe Roun' the Globe "Roun' the Globe" is the lead single by the Kentucky rap group Nappy Roots from their second studio album, Wooden Leather. The song peaked at number 96 on the U.S. pop chart... " |
96 | 53 | 25 | — | Wooden Leather Wooden Leather Wooden Leather is the second studio album by Kentucky-based rap sextet band Nappy Roots, to their first album Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz... |
| 2008 | "Good Day" | — | 80 | — | — | The Humdinger The Humdinger The Humdinger is the third studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots, released on August 5, 2008, the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 mixtape Cookout Muzik... |
| 2010 | "Ride" | — | — | — | — | The Pursuit of Nappyness The Pursuit of Nappyness The Pursuit of Nappyness is the fourth studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots. It was released on June 15, 2010 through Nappy Roots Entertainment Group. This is the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 major release The Humdinger.... |
| 2011 | "Congratulations" | — | — | — | — | NAPPY DOT ORG |
Albums
| Album information |
|---|
Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz
|
| Wooden Leather Wooden Leather Wooden Leather is the second studio album by Kentucky-based rap sextet band Nappy Roots, to their first album Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz... |
| The Humdinger The Humdinger The Humdinger is the third studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots, released on August 5, 2008, the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 mixtape Cookout Muzik... |
| The Pursuit of Nappyness The Pursuit of Nappyness The Pursuit of Nappyness is the fourth studio album by Kentucky-based rap group Nappy Roots. It was released on June 15, 2010 through Nappy Roots Entertainment Group. This is the quintet's follow-up to their 2008 major release The Humdinger.... |
| Nappy Dot Org (with Organized Noize Organized Noize Organized Noize is an Atlanta-based American hip hop production company made up of Rico Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown.-History:Among the hit records they have worked on include TLC's "Waterfalls", En Vogue's "Don't Let Go ", and Ludacris' "Saturday "... ) |
Featured Tracks
| Song | Artist | Album | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Man In Me" | Chase Bean | Revelry | 2010 | |
| "Anti-Depression" & "Good Die Young" | Jacob Izrael | The Glitch 2.0 | 2010 | |
| "Election Day" | Sabrina Sabrina (pop singer) Sabrina is an American pop singer and songwriter from Indiana.-Career:Sabrina gained international notoriety when MTV overseas and Radar Online reported the release of her single, "I Wanna Shoot Lady Gaga"... |
Single | 2011 |
Mixtapes
| Mixtape information |
|---|
Country Fried Cess
|
| No Comb No Brush No Fade No Perm
|
| The Leak
|
| Nappy Roots Music Presents - The Kentucky Kolonels Vol. 1
|
| 90 In The Slow Lane
|
| Innerstate Music Innerstate Music Innerstate Music is a mixtape by Kentucky-based Nappy Roots, released July 31, 2007. Their first as independent artists, Innerstate is an Internet mixtape/album which had been intended to precede The Humdinger until that album experienced several delays.... |
| Cookout Muzik
|
| Nappy University
|
| Nappy University Vol. 2: Fall Semester
|
2002
- 2002 MTV Video Music Award nomination for the MTV2 Award for "Awnaw" - shared nomination with Jazze PhaJazze PhaPhalon Anton Alexander , also known as Jazze Pha , is an American singer, and songwriter.raised in Memphis, TN; son of James Alexander ....
2003
- 2003 American Music Award nominations for Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Hip-Hop/R&B and Favorite New Artist - Hip-Hop/R&B
- 2003 Grammy AwardGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominations for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Po' Folks" - shared nomination with Anthony HamiltonAnthony Hamilton (musician)Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From , which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From" and "Charlene."-Life and career:Hamilton was born in Charlotte,...
and Best Long Form Music Video for "The World According to Nappy" - shared nomination with Gloria Gabriel, director; David Anthony - 2003 Soul Train Award nomination for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist for "Awnaw"
External links
- Official Site
- Official Nappy Dot Org Site
- Nappy Roots at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....