More than a decade later, the album stands as a masterclass in musical evolution. It remains a comforting, essential listen for anyone navigating times of uncertainty—a sonic reminder that no matter the struggle, there is always a way to get over.
It was perfect. A lost masterpiece about the loss of momentum, the paralysis of perfectionism. I listened to it 47 times in three days.
Musically, the album stripped away the heavy, distorted synthesizer production of their mid-2000s work, returning to a organic, soulful, and jazz-tinged palette. Questlove’s drumming was crisp and perfectly pocketed, while Black Thought’s lyricism reached new heights of vulnerable maturity. the roots how i got over zip
A: Because it validates struggle without being preachy. It acknowledges that sometimes "getting over" just means surviving the week without losing your mind.
The title itself, How I Got Over , is a nod to the gospel standard popularized by Clara Ward. The album maintains a spiritual-minded, albeit secular, tone, exploring the human struggle to find faith and inner peace amidst chaos. More than a decade later, the album stands
The album also serves as a historical document of its moment, capturing the complex emotions of the post-Great Recession era. Critic Jon Pareles of The New York Times noted, "The group’s first album since starting the 'Late Night' job is a serious deliberation on perseverance: a message for an era of recession". After the dark and often bleak themes of their previous albums, Game Theory (2006) and Rising Down (2008), How I Got Over marked a purposeful shift, focusing on survival, self-determination, and navigating a world where the deck is stacked against you.
Produced by the legendary ?uestlove and Rick Rubin, the track samples "Don't Let Me Down" by The Beatles (the 1969 version). But interestingly, it also interpolates "Answers Me" by Arthur Russell. The result is a beat that feels like walking through quicksand. The piano is melancholic. The bass is heavy. A lost masterpiece about the loss of momentum,
The Roots are known for their unique blend of hip hop, jazz, and soul, and "How I Got Over" is a prime example of their signature sound. The song's jazzy instrumentation, combined with the soulful vocals and inspiring lyrics, makes for a compelling and uplifting listen.
If you are looking for the , we encourage you to support the artists by streaming or purchasing the album, allowing you to enjoy the high-fidelity sound of a modern classic. If you’d like, I can:
Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, and the rest of the collective were now tethered to a television schedule, forced to record their ninth studio album in the cracks of the night, often between 1 AM and 6 AM after the show ended. The album’s title was born out of this sheer exhaustion and survival.