The Roots, what can I say? I love hip hop and its definitely better when its performed by the greatest musicians on this planet, The Roots. They define a lot of things about music and hip hop and this concert was the definition of a ‘show’. This was my second time seeing The Roots, them having previously supported J5 on their tour a couple years back so I had an idea of what to expect. So I walked into the Metro and my ears were greeted to P Money on the decks spinning some nice tunes, including a bustling huge crowd spilling into the venue.

Let the show begin. Out of the darkness and deafening cheers the band entered the stage. MC Black Thought proved to everyone that he is a lyrical force to be reckoned with. With one of the dopest deliveries of clever and astonishing rhymes and wordplay, Black Thought is the embodiment of lyricism. Pumped from beginning to end, Black Thought was as excited as the audience for being there. A female singer, whose name escapes me delivered great vocals for the hooks of some of the songs but also proved to be a mad rapper herself.

With live instruments including a drummer, a keyboardist, guitarist, bass guitarist, and a percussion/congo set, this concert looked more like a rock show than a generic hip hop show. The raw and almost insane energy of one of the few hip hop bands was electrifying. Every crowd member became slaves to the music and could not even try to resist from dancing. The guitarist, whose name also escapes me, showed how you don’t just “play” a guitar. The guitar was like an emotional extension of himself, he felt what the guitar was giving to him. The bass guitarist, Hub, who always plays with a chew stick in his mouth, had his eyes closed for most of the set, occasionally opening them and smiling at the warm reception. His smooth bass lines are very unique, and the perfect backdrop for Black Thought’s delivery. Usually quite motionless on the stage, I was surprised when he broke out in a frenzy and struck the strings with so much passion. Amazing!

?uestlove, the drummer and cofounder of The Roots was an immaculate performer. With an afro pick in hair, he ruthlessly attacked the drums, his technique incredibly refined. After songs from Do You Want More? Phrenology, and their latest offering, The Tipping Point, the audience was in full swing, just dancing to the music, and pumping their fists into the air. Then suddenly, Black Thought said goodbye, the stage went dark and they left. The audience cheered incredibly loud, clapping ferociously. This continued for five minutes, which felt much longer. Just when you thought the applause would stop, it kept going. People began stomping their feet, along with the clapping and cheering made their own rhythm for a while.

Then, the lights flashed again. The audience roared. The Roots re-enter the stage. They all take their respective positions, the lights come on, and Black Thought asks “Are you ready for more Melbourne? Do you want this show to continue?!” Getting his audible answer, they jumped into more songs, playing their commercial hit “The Seed 2.0” among many others. Giving each member their time to shine on stage, this is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. With more than two and a half hours of raw musical talent, this will forever remain in my memories. Those who saw the show will know the indescribable feeling of seeing The Roots live.