The Roots ((Feat. Erykah Badu and Eve))

"You Got Me" by The Roots ((Feat. Erykah Badu and Eve)) from Things Fall Apart (1999)

Black Thought drops some of his quality storytelling abilities on this track from the legendary Roots crew. Though some have only been familiar with the Roots since they became Jimmy Fallon's house band, the Roots have been together since the late 80s, employing heavy jazz instrumentals (rather than sampling and 808s) in conjunction with Black Thought's laid back rhyming to create a unique sound in the modern hip-hop landscape.

"You Got Me" is their most successful track to date, winning the 1999 Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. A soulful beat sets the stage for Black Thought and Eve to alternate in telling the story of a loving couple being tested by trust issues. The song is almost folky in its sense of realism, exemplified by the confessional rhyming styles of the two emcees.