Watermelon, Chicken, & Hitz

ot too long ago, Nelly spoke "Country Grammar" and Bubba Sparxxx played in the pigpen, proving that the East Coast/West Coast movement was taking a detour through the Deep South. And why not? Missy Elliott looks good on a John Deere. Just our luck, there are new players in the country rap scene, and this time they're straight from the hip-hop hotbed that is Kentucky. Bling bling and bluegrass? HardlyÉ

Nappy Roots, a fresh and talented sextet formed at Western Kentucky University back in 1995, relied on a craft fashioned back behind the barn to produce their first two indie sensations--1998's Country Fried Cess and 1999's No Comb, No Brush, No Fade, No Perm. This time it's Watermelon, Chicken, & Gritz, an album whose rapid-fire rhymes are anything but unrefined. For these MCs, it's all about the flavor--from hip-hop to ham hocks--Nappy knows what needs eatin' and what needs repeatin'.

This is old school "Dirty South" at its best. The rural rap influences of Arrested Development and Goodie Mob are undeniable, as are the thick arrangements and rousing, witty melodies of OutKast. Big Boi and Dre would be proud of tracks like "Awnaw" and "Hustla," picks that should have no problem satisfying everyone's musical tastes. From hip-hoppers to pop-rockers, "the whole world" is going to like them. But don't accuse Nappy Roots of being unoriginal. With six members sharing mic time, the sound is rich, textured and constantly changing. Check out "Ballin' on a Budget" if you want to know how the boys are keeping it real on a fixed income. "No pager, no cell phone, no access at all/ Just a pack of Dutch Masters and a pint of alcohol." How's that for roughing it?

If Watermelon, Chicken, & Gritz has a weakness, it's the length. A crowded 20-track album would have done better to streamline the existing quality instead of beefing up on quantity. We know these guys have a lot to say, but with well over an hour of hungry hip-hop, you've probably had enough to eat. So monitor your portions and give Nappy Roots a try.