The Roots, John Legend & Black Thought Know “Hard Times” (Listen & Download)

Any day with new music from John Legend and The Roots is a good day, even if they're making music about depressing ass topic, so today is a very good day. Like I didn't even have to use my AK good, because we got not one, but two new supremely quality joints from Legend and the Roots crews' collab project (see previous efforts "Our Generation" and "Wake Up Everybody").

While the first track "Shine" is a certainly not to be slept on, it's really the second track "Hard Times" that has me stoked, mostly because we get a Black Thought verse. (I feel a little bad that Thought has basically gotten to the boot on this project, although for all I know he's glad to have the time off.) Plus, extra points to "Hard Times" for John Legend's most unintentionally hilarious lyrics in recent soul/r&b memory: "Eatin' spam and oreos and drinkin' Thunderbird / hard times." There's just something about a soul singer delivering those words in his grittiest voice that makes me chuckle - maybe because it feels oddly stonerish...or delicious.

Anyway, dope records. Their collab album "Wake Up!" drops September 21. Enjoy.

Download "Shine" via UserShare

and...

Download "Hard Times" via UserShare

Wake up and listen to both right now below.