Wooden Leather

Probably because of Outkast’s Sid and Marty Krofft fashion sense and Bubba Sparxxx’ redneck Eminem persona, countrified hip-hop is usually looked upon as a goof. But the Kentucky-bred Nappy Roots bust the trend. Too clean for “dirty South” but hard enough for East Compton, they’re anything but corny. Mixing party jams (“Roun’ the Globe”) with helium-high Bee Gees samples (“Nappy Holiday”) and obligatory odes to the female backside (“Twang”), Wooden Leather has the smooth kick of Southern Comfort.