The Roots, Iron and Wine September 29, 2007

The Philadelphia based group, The Roots, showed the way for live rap, building on Stetsasonic's "hip-hop band" philosophy of the mid-'80s, by focusing on live instrumentation at their concerts and in the studio. Although their album work has been inconsistent, more intent on building grooves than pushing songs, The Roots' live shows are among the best in the business. A long time force in the hip-hop genre, Kane's lyrical boasts are the stuff of legend.

Iron and Wine is the stage name for Sam Beam, a Florida native whose lo-fi demos caught the attention of Sub Pop honcho Jonathan Poneman. Beam's first studio album, 'Our Endless Numbered Days,' garnered great press and considerable exposure through 2004, with music appearing in such films as 'Garden State' and 'In Good Company.'