''Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz'' is the commercial debut album by Kentucky-based rap sextet Nappy Roots. It was released on February 26, 2002, the album was propelled by the hit-single "Awnaw" which was produced by James "Groove" Chambers. The second single was "Po' Folks" featuring Anthony Hamilton, which reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. - Wikipedia

The South doesn’t need resurrection, but Nappy Roots approach their debutalbum with saviors’ passion. Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz isa thoroughly realized debut by this five-man collective, engaging from top tobottom and establishing the group as a powerful new force in the genre.

They establish their eclecticism immediately on the earnest hood tale “Hustla,”with a winning combination of stark piano and an unexpected reggae riddim. “Awnaw”is rammed full with church-going melody and “Blowin Trees” positsthe Roots as blues superheroes.

But their words pack just as much punch. As storytellers, the group foregoesflash and arrogance in favor of modesty. They never aspire to anything theyclearly don’t have, instead commenting wistfully on a life of average meansand big dreams. “Green beans, pork chops—what’s f****** withthat?” they ask on “Country Boyz.” Like fellow Southerners FieldMob (commercially underappreciated, alas), Nappy Roots view the South with wryeyes, seeing humor as easily as tragedy.

If Nappy Roots have one flaw, it’s that they’re too Southern. If theyweren’t so talented, they could be seen as exploiting all of mainstreamAmerica’s stereotypes of the black South—just take a gander at theiralbum title, or any of record’s front-porch folksy moments. But to theircredit, they embrace their countrified heritage with pride and skill, showingthat there can be extreme beauty even in the places folks forgot to look.