Critically acclaimed hip-hop faction Nappy Roots is scheduled to give one of the first performances of the 2013 school year Friday, August 30 at the M-shop in the Memorial Union.

Nappy Roots formed in 1995 in the southern Kentucky town of Bowling Green. This location undoubtedly influenced their lyrical focus on the social and economic struggles of the average United States citizen. Their debut record, Country Fried Cess, helped Nappy Roots attract attention from record labels, and ultimately led to the band’s signing with Atlantic records.

Their sophomore album, Chicken, Watermelon & Gritz, was released in 2002 under Atlantic’s record label, and was the band’s first major label release. The record was not only the group’s highest-selling record, but was also 2002’s best selling hip-hop album. Multiple hit-singles helped propel the album to platinum and then multi-platinum status, which served to solidify Nappy Roots as a big-name act within the hip-hop community.

The success of Chicken, Watermelon & Gritz attracted the attention of other established hip-hop artists. Fellow alternative rapper Marcos Curiel of P.O.D. was featured on a remix of one of the album’s hit singles, “Awnaw,” and as the band entered the studio again to work on their next album, Wooden Leather, they were aided in the production process by Kanye West and Lil Jon. While the album wasn’t as successful as their prior effort, the album received a gold certification, and marked the group’s departure from Atlantic records.

Since the release of Wooden Leather in 2003, Nappy Roots has released two more albums under their own independent label. They’ve had their singles featured in various video games and movies, and have even had a day, September 16, declared “Nappy Roots Day” in their honor by the governor of their home state of Kentucky. The group has received high acclaim all over the country, and is expected to give a great show at the M-Shop.

Tickets won’t be available until the doors open at 8:30 p.m. the night of the show, but admission is free for ISU students with their student ID, and $10 for the general public. Nappy Roots hits the stage at 9 p.m.