| Details / Tracklist: |
 01. "Act Won (Things Fall Apart)" 02. "Table Of Contents (Pts 1 & 2)" 03. "The Next Movement" 04. "Step Into The Relm" 05. "The Spark" 06. "Dynamite!" 07. "Without A Doubt" 08. "Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New" 09. "Double Trouble" 10. "Act Too (The Love Of My Life)" 11. "100% Dundee" 12. "Diedre Vs. Dice" 13. "Adrenaline!" 14. "3rd Acts: ? Vs. Scratch 2 ... Electric Boogaloo" 15. "You Got Me" 16. "Don't See Us" 17. "The Return To Innocence Lost"
18. "Non-Musical Silence/Act Fore...The End?/Non-Musical Silence"
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 | | Extra-Infos: |
W/ Erykah Badu On "you Got Me" |
| | Description: | Things Fall Apart (also referred to as When Things Fall Apart) is the fourth studio album by hip hop band The Roots, released 23rd February, 1999 on MCA Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at Electric Lady Studios during 1997 to 1998, coinciding with recording for other projects of the Soulquarians collective, including D’Angelo’s Voodoo (2000), Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun (2000), and Common’s Like Water for Chocolate (2000). According to Spin magazine, the album is a landmark moment for The Roots and the collective, as it “swelled the Roots clique into a movement-style posse”.
The album has been considered by music writers as The Roots’s breakthrough album, earning praise from major publications and critics, while becoming the group’s first record to sell over 500,000 copies. It includes the song “You Got Me”, which won the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, while Things Fall Apart was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album of the same year, losing to Eminem for his The Slim Shady LP. Rolling Stone called it a “top-flight record”, while AllMusic cited it as “one of the cornerstone albums of alternative rap.” The album takes its title from Chinua Achebe’s novel of the same name, which in turn took the phrase from William Butler Yeats’s poem “The Second Coming”. - W/ ERYKAH BADU ON "YOU GOT ME"The tracks are numbered from 54 to 71 on release.
Track 70.3 isn't listed on the back cover or booklet but it appears on the tray card as track 71: "(Act Fore (...) 71 There Is No Hidden Track... We Think)". It starts after a period of silence between 5:36 and 7:09; total duration for track 70 is 11:55.
Track 71 has no audio.
Track 54 contains excerpts of dialogue from "Mo Better Blues".
Track 60 contains elements from "Saturday Night" performed by Schooly D.
54: recorded at Ivory Productions, Philadelphia, PA; and at Sterling Sound, New York, NY. Mixed at Sterling Sound, New York, NY. Protooled at Sterling Sound, New York, NY.
55: Part 1 recorded at Battery Studios, New York, NY and at Ivory Productions (Sigma Studios), Philadelphia, PA; Part 2 recorded at Ivory Productions (Sigma Studios), Philadelphia, PA and at The Studio, Philadelphia, PA. Both versions mixed at Sony Studios, New York, NY.
56: recorded at Battery Studios, New York, NY; Sony Studios, New York, NY; and Ivory Productions (Sigma Studios), Philadelphia, PA. Mixed at Battery Studios, New York, NY.
57: recorded at ?uestlove's Soup Kitchen, Illadelph, PA; at Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA; and at The Studio, Philadelphia, PA. Mixed at Sony Studios, New York, NY.
58: recorded at The (Old) Hit Factory, New York, NY; at Ivory Productions (Sigma Studios), Philadelphia, PA; and at The Studio, Philadelphia, PA. Mixed at Battery Studios, New York, NY.
59: recorded at Jay Dee's Village Of Promiscuous Homosapiens In Search Of Thickness, East Detroit, MI; at Studio A, Celarborn Heights, MI; and at Ivory Productions (Sigma Studios), Philadelphia, PA. Mixed at Battery Studios, New York, NY.
60: recorded at The House Of Chaos, Illadelph, PA; at Ivory Way Productions (Sigma Studios), Philadelphia, PA; and at Ivory Productions, Philadelphia, PA. Mixed at The Hit Factory, New York, NY.
61: recorded at Ivory Productions (Sigma Studios), Philadelphia, PA; and at The Studio, Philadelphia, PA. Mixed at Battery Studios, New York, NY.
62: recorded at Ivory Prod"Things Fall Apart" on CD is a landmark album by The Roots, released under MCA Records, that helped redefine the boundaries of hip-hop at the turn of the millennium. Characterized by live instrumentation, intricate drum patterns, and thought-provoking lyrics, the record blends conscious rap, jazz influences, and soulful hooks into a cohesive listening experience. Thematically, it explores social injustice, inner-city life, relationships, and the fragmentation of community, all delivered with a reflective yet urgent tone. Carefully sequenced tracks, interludes, and cinematic skits give the album a narrative flow, making it ideal for listeners who value albums as complete artistic statements rather than just collections of songs. The sound is warm, organic, and detailed, rewarding both casual listening and close, headphone-based immersion. As a CD edition, it offers high audio fidelity and is well suited for collectors who appreciate classic hip-hop albums in physical form, whether to rediscover a genre milestone or to experience it for the first time.
The Roots, formed in Philadelphia, are pioneers of live-band hip-hop, known for combining rap with the energy and musicianship of a full ensemble. Over the years, they have become one of the most respected groups in the genre, admired for their musical versatility and socially aware lyrics. They built their reputation through powerful live performances and a series of critically acclaimed albums, with "Things Fall Apart" often cited as one of their key artistic breakthroughs. The band's blend of live drums, bass, keyboards, and horns has influenced countless artists and contributed to the broadening of hip-hop's sonic palette. Beyond their studio work, members of The Roots are closely associated with high-profile television and live music projects, further cementing the group's status as a cornerstone of modern popular music.
MCA Records, the label behind this CD release, has a long history as a major force in the music industry. Over several decades, it has been home to an array of influential artists across rock, pop, R&B, and hip-hop, contributing significantly to the development of mainstream music. Known for professional production standards and strong international distribution, MCA Records has helped bring numerous important albums to a wide audience. For collectors and music enthusiasts, a release under the MCA banner often stands for solid sound quality, reliable mastering, and a catalog that reflects key moments in modern music history. With "Things Fall Apart," the label adds another essential work to its roster, making this CD a meaningful addition to any hip-hop or general music collection. | | | Manufacturer No.: |
000881119482 |
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