Malik B of The Roots in a still from Mr. Green "Live In The Streets" f/ Kevin Brown

Okay, this one requires some breakdown. “Live In The Streets” is actually a series created by beatmaker Mr. Green and filmmaker Sam Lipman-Stern, based around street musicians and flipping their live performances in to hip-hop tracks. In this case, the team recorded with veteran busker and freight train hopper Kevin Brown in Philly’s Rittenhouse Square and then chopped his original song up into a beat for Malik B (yes, that Malik B) to drop a verse on. The 5-minute clip below is part music video and part mini-documentary on the process. Not only an ill concept and an incredibly original approach to the live element of hip-hop, but–s Green points out–this track also happens to be a “the first time Malik B has ever been in a solo music video.” (I just know somebody on here has a Philly local cable TV special in their archives to contradict this claim–don’t disappoint me, Okayplayer!). Press play to watch below and hit the link after the jump for a free download of the track.

>>>Download

 

“Live In The Streets” CREDITS:

Created/Produced by: Mr. Green & Sam Lipman-Stern
Original Song by: Kevin Brown
Lyrics by: Malik B
Beats by: Mr. Green

Directed by: Sam Lipman-Stern
Cinematography by: Hiram Stelzig
Shot by: Hiram Stelzig, Sam Lipman-Stern & Tony Xie
Logo/Graphic Design by Juart Little

Comments

  • Charles Mingus

    Concept is crazy & great to see Malik B!

  • You Can’t Be Serious

    It IS nice to see and hear Malik B. Cool concept & collabo-simple yet effective.

  • Angela

    I love THE ROOTS…..I’m a hip hop /neo soul lover forever! The Roots or any of the CREW members can spit on anything and make it HOT! “Malik B …get on the mic”! You killed it ..love u!

  • Kristen

    That was TIGHT. I loved the original melody and didnt see the vision for the WHOLE song until I heard Malik B and the baseline together. This song is awesome