“Rolling With Heat” (2002)
Although it wasn’t as successful as their previous bodies of work, Phrenology marked somewhat of another change to their continued adaptation of style. The group attained members from several outside parties such as Nelly Furtado, Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild, who definitely put across a different direction of sound in a positive way. The album was certainly ambitious, inspired by the pseudoscience of phrenology, or in general terms: the way head shapes make an impact on particular characteristics.
“Rolling With Heat” showcased Talib Kweli’s only feature on the album, offering a thumping instrumental for the track’s entire duration. It was admittedly powerful, but worked ever so well with what The Roots were attempting to accomplish with Black Star’s leading force.
“Downtown everybody move to the beat, uptown everybody moving the heat.”