John Legend and the Roots Want Listeners to 'Wake Up!' in 2010 CD

On more than one occasion, I was asked why I don't listen to The Roots. I never have a good answer. I just haven't had a song that made me want to grab an entire album by them. But when Rahzel, a world renowned beatboxer, introduced Black Thought as "a rapping motherf*#%er," said he is one of the best of today's lyricists and talked about how he should've won some awards, I paid more attention to Black Thought. Rahzel and Black Thought were featured on Common's song "Cold Blooded" and watching them perform live at a John Legend concert a few years back made me wonder more about The Roots. On the 2010 collabo CD "Wake Up!" with John Legend and The Roots, I grew a little more curious.

Unfortunately most of "Wake Up!" is a lot more singing than rapping so it comes across as another John Legend CD just featuring The Roots. We get small spots of rapping on songs like "Compared to What," but the verses are primarily R&B funk and borderline gospel, although The Roots provide the instrumentals. Overall, this CD didn't live up to its expectations for me. I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Compared to What: "Try to make it real, compared to what?" I thought that was an interesting question considering the overemphasis on "keeping it real" in hip-hop culture. John Legend, a multi-Grammy winner, can clearly sing a song, but the scream-singing on this track is a little annoying. The instrumental for this track could stand on its own so I spent more time trying to hear that than him. But when John Legend sings in a smoother voice, both the vocals and beat work better together.

Hard Times: The title of the song is self-explanatory for the subject matter, but this is when listeners get a little bit of hip-hop to go with the soul. John Legend starts the song off screaming again though, but with the high-energy beat, it makes more sense this time. Black Thought says, "I'm down to do whatever if it betters my outcome." I can get with that. Now the part about eating SPAM and Oreos that John Legend is singing about, not so much. But hard times aren't something you choose anyway so I get it.

Little Ghetto Boy: This song is basically encouraging young black boys that life will get better if they keep a positive attitude and strive for the best. However, it also paints the picture of what it's like to be a "little ghetto boy." The song is all right, but it didn't make me want to press the replay button.

Wake Up Everybody: I'm always hesitant about artists who choose to sing songs from the greats or even do dedications to greats. I remember how disastrous it was when Trey Songz gave a tribute to Prince during the 2010 BET Honors. I'm a huge fan of Trey Songz, but it didn't work. I didn't care for Patti LaBelle's over-the-top, kick-her-shoes off performance either. However, sometimes there are young artists who can do a song justice. Tahj Mowry sang the hell out of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature." Jennifer Hudson did a phenomenal job of singing Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" during the BET Honors. Fantasia walked a fine line for taking on a Marvin Gaye song with "Collard Greens and Cornbread," but it turned out okay. However, I like Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' version of "Wake Up Everybody" much better. I shrugged through Melanie Fiona and Common's parts, too.

Our Generation: The theme of the song is great. I get it. Nas has been successful at making several inspirational hip-hop tracks. I don't know if this particular one will connect with Generation X and Y though. It sounded a lot like a church track, which may work for or against the CD. I'm not quite sure yet, but I loved the concept. I just didn't get into the song.

Love the Way It Should Be: "What happened to the love that they're all talking about?" I love this track about love. This is classic John Legend, not trying too hard. He still fits the theme of uplifting people, but he's not screaming or preaching. I don't know who wrote this track, but it seemed tailor fit for his voice plus it had a cool reggae feel to it that'll get heads swaying.

Hang On in There: The song opens up by saying "There ain't no time for sorrow," but ironically it has a melancholy feel. John Legend sings about not giving in and hanging in there, but the beat has a helpless tone to it. Not a fan of it. I think if/when I'm in this state of mind, I probably will become a fan of this one though. It's not the type of song I want to blast out of my radio when I'm in a good mood though.

I Can't Write Left Handed: I liked this one better than "Little Black Boy" because it was anecdotal. We could sympathize with the boy who wasn't so much scared of the idea of being shot but actually being shot. The song is about a boy who got shot in the shoulder. This bluesy track (inspired by war's effects) was recorded by another one of my favorite R&B artists Bill Withers, but unlike "Wake Up Everybody," John Legend did a great job. I loved it until he got to the end and started screaming for no reason. After I heard John Legend's version, I listened to Bill Wither's version and I like them both equally although I like Bill Withers more as an artist.

Wholy Holy: There's a lot of repetition in the lyrics about "come together" and I don't get the impression there was a lot of thought put into the song. It sounded more like an impromptu track for church. Nothing wrong with it, but there was nothing outstanding about it either.

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free: This is the type of song that makes me wonder why hasn't John Legend gone ahead and released a gospel album. It has that soul clap, hands in the air, church hat rocking feel. This is definitely the kind of song that would be all right to play in front of your mother, grandmother, great grandmother and children.

Shine: The beat was better than the song. By the end of the CD, I was just bored.