the Nappy Roots

Nappy Roots formed in 1995 around a sextet of students attending Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Four members of the group were Kentucky natives (Skinny DeVille, B. Stille, Ron Clutch, Big V.), Oakland-born transplant R. Prophet and Fishscales of milledgeville GA. Nappy Roots began making music together at a local record shop/ studio named ET's Music, and released their full-length debut Country Fried Cess in 1998. Drawn to the group's distinctive twist on Southern bounce, the major labels began flocking, and they eventuall signed to Atlantic. Their label debut, Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz, was released in 2002, and the follow-up Wooden Leather followed one year later.

"We're still ballin' on a budget,

"We're still hungry like we don't have anything," adds Stille. "We're keeping an eye on every penny."

Nappy's relentless work ethic and ever-evolving musical adeptness are displayed on "WOODEN LEATHER," the follow-up to their groundbreaking, RIAA platinum-plus Atlantic Records debut, "WATERMELON, CHICKEN & GRITZ."

In 2002, Nappy took their groundbreaking brew on the road for a series of high-profile tours. They were one of the featured acts, along with N*E*R*D and 311, on the Sprite Liquid Mix Tour. The outings were headlined by Jay-Z and blazed trails by mixing hip-hop and rock. In the spring of '02, Nappy Roots were part of the WB Television Network's "WB On Tour" with funnyman Jamie Kennedy.

The group also gave back to their fans and the community, completing a television PSA in support of the PAX organization's "SPEAK UP" campaign against weapon-related school violence.

In June 2003, Nappy Roots were invited by the U.S. Government to perform for the American troops in the Persian Gulf as part of the USO's Project Salute 2003, the first large-scale entertainment tour to the region since Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"It was just an honor to even have gotten that call," Skinny said. "Of course we had to go over there and perform. This was a once in a lifetime experience."