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The Roots, John Legend & Black Thought Know “Hard Times” (Listen & Download)

Posted by Nathan S. on 09/08/10 | Filed under Top Stories, Downloads, The Roots, John Legend, Black Thought

The Roots John Legend Black Thought Hard Times
Any day with new music from John Legend and The Roots is a good day, even if they're making music about depressing ass topic, so today is a very good day. Like I didn't even have to use my AK good, because we got not one, but two new supremely quality joints from Legend and the Roots crews' collab project (see previous efforts "Our Generation" and "Wake Up Everybody").

While the first track "Shine" is a certainly not to be slept on, it's really the second track "Hard Times" that has me stoked, mostly because we get a Black Thought verse. (I feel a little bad that Thought has basically gotten to the boot on this project, although for all I know he's glad to have the time off.) Plus, extra points to "Hard Times" for John Legend's most unintentionally hilarious lyrics in recent soul/r&b memory: "Eatin' spam and oreos and drinkin' Thunderbird / hard times." There's just something about a soul singer delivering those words in his grittiest voice that makes me chuckle - maybe because it feels oddly stonerish...or delicious.

Anyway, dope records. Their collab album "Wake Up!" drops September 21. Enjoy.

Download "Shine" via UserShare

and...

Download "Hard Times" via UserShare

Wake up and listen to both right now below.
Play John Legend & The Roots ft. Black Thought - Hard Times

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Play John Legend x The Roots - Shine

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tdotraza
tdotraza
Both are of course incredibly dope, but I think I prefer the live version of Hard Times.

Posted on Sep 08, 2010
Nathan S.
Nathan S.
@tdotraza I'm actually not sure I know the live version. Can you throw down a link?

Posted on Sep 08, 2010
tdotraza
tdotraza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX4uKPRnrMQ

It's got an overall more upbeat and faster sound, so it's also shorter. The actual CD version seems to be closer to the original track.

Posted on Sep 08, 2010
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