'Things Fall Apart,' by The Roots
In an environment consumed with the excessive promotion of hardcore/gangster rap, an alternative to that norm emerged in the Roots. In 1999, the band took advantage of the growing neo-soul movement, adding unpredictable beats and Black Thought's powerful lyrics to create 'Things Fall Apart.' The title, taken from Chinua Achebe's novel of the same name, is a nod to the outfit's constant importation of culture and global discussion in their music.

Artist: The Roots feat. Chrisette Michele and Wale
Song: 'Rising Up'
Why You Should Watch: Tired of listening to the same ten songs on the radio? The Philadelphia Roots crew have something to ease your pain. It's called good music.

Artist: The Roots
Song: '75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)'
Why You Should Watch: Who needs a hook when you've got the ability to deliver nonstop potent lyrics? Black Thought proves that he's one of the most powerful emcees in the game in the video for the band's first single off their upcoming album, 'Rising Down.'

While Roots fans patiently await the release of the hip-hop band's 10th album, websites continue to create buzz around leaked songs, including the title track 'Rising Down,' which features Styles P, Mos Def and Dice Raw.

The track differs greatly from the previously released, airy 'Birthday Girl,' featuring Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz. 'Rising Down' is an amalgamation of politically charged lyrics touching on racism, "greenhouse gases" and materialistic ideals.

The Philadelphia-based crew is scheduled to release 'Rising Down' on April 29.

Listen to 'Rising Down (Hum Drum).'

After much buzz, it looks as if the legendary Roots crew are moving closer to delivering their 10th album, dubbed 'Rising Down.'

Beginning with an appropriate drum roll and solo, a track titled 'Black's Reconstruction' -- also referred to as '75 Bars (Black's Reconstruction)' -- has been leaked onto the Internet. The song features the Roots' frontman, Black Thought, spitting pure fire on the chorus-less, bridge-less track.

'Rising Down' is set to include collaborations with some of the usual suspects, such as Common, Talib Kweli and Mos Def, with surprise appearances by Lupe Fiasco, Styles P and Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump.

The Philadelphia-based hip-hop band is scheduled to release 'Rising Down' on April 29.

Just in time for Black History Month, Philadelphia-bred Roots crew jumped in the studio to record a track for the Danny Glover-produced documentary, 'Soundtrack for a Revolution.' The film will feature contemporary artists revamping popular Civil Rights Movement-themed protest songs. Soul singer Anthony Hamilton, jazz trio Soulive and the Blind Boys of Alabama also contributed to this project.

Although it's unknown which protest/freedom song the Roots reworked, we do know that the outfit's frontman Black Thought tried his hand at singing ... and sounded pretty darn good, according to Okayplayer.com.

In other Roots news, the collective have recruited some big names for their next project, entitled 'Rising Down,' which is due in April. Mos Def and Common are set to appear on the group's next project and rumors are swirling that Q-Tip and Lupe Fiasco may also appear on the project.