For many people, music is a defining part of their lives. We style ourselves after the music we like or the moods that it puts us in. At times, it helps us to learn more about ourselves by interpreting parts of our own lives through the words of the lyricist, the beat of the drummer, the strum of the guitarist. My youth was filled with the sounds of soul music from the 1960 & 70s thanks to my Mother’s collection of Motown & Stax artists. I grew to love “British Invasion” artists and 1970s rock & roll due to my Dad’s preferences. My Brother got me into hip-hop music back in the days of Roxanne Shante & The Boogie Boys. As my own musical tastes developed, I became a fan of hip-hop groups like A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A., De La Soul, Digable Planets, and eventually… The Roots. So much so, that when I had the opportunity to move from Florida to the Philadelphia area two years ago, the fact that I’d be able to see more Roots shows factored into my decision.
Seeing The Roots live is still a treat for me, although this show marks the 9th occasion I’ve done so. It seems as though every concert brings a different surprise in the form of an unexpected guest, a new band member, or a genre-bending cover performance. This show was no different.