As the single goes “Aw Naw, Yall done up and done it.” Atlantic recording artist, the Nappy Roots came to A&T for a meet and greet in Memorial Student Union on Jan. 18. They welcomed Aggies with pictures and autographs as they travel the country promoting their debut album, “Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz” on Atlantic Records. “Why they would name their album “Watermelon, Chicken and Gritz,” you may ask? According to the group, watermelon is a symbol for being refreshing, chicken is a symbol for being good for you and grits is a symbol for sticking to you. The name Nappy Roots is explained by Skinny on the interview sampler off their promotional CD.”Nappy Roots meaning the real and un-tampered with. Nappy it sticks together and roots meaning original,” said Skinny, “You need strong roots in order for a tree to grow. Nappy Roots are the roots of Kentucky in regards to rap,” said Skinny. “I was cutting Deville’s hair and my clippers broke. His hair was nappy and the word spread. We figured, if you gone be nappy, why not be to the roots,” said Clutch.The Nappy Roots consist of Scales a.k.a. Big Bud, Skinny Deville a.k.a. Saan, Big V (for the guys to call him) a.k.a. Valentine (for the ladies to call him), R. Prophet a.k.a. Galloping Ghost, B. Stille a.k.a. Black Stilleon and Clutch a.k.a. Ron Clutch. “I have been with Nappy Roots from the beginning. We are mad cool. We have to be close and communicate. We just getting started and it feels good meeting and seeing people,” said Skinny. The Nappy Roots came together during the mid ’90s. Most of the members met at Western Kentucky University.”I have been with the Nappy Roots since ’97. I met with Skinny while playing basketball and doing radio production,” said Scales.”I met with the Nappy Roots in ’96. I didn’t take rap serious until college,” said R. Prophet. “I came across Skinny at house parties and freestyle sessions. I feel like our time is due. We don’t really hit a lot of clubs because we are more hands on with the people,” said Big V.The Nappy Roots used to have a music store called “Everything’s Tight” and also a studio. The name was known through Kentucky by putting the name Nappy Roots in different colors on t-shirts for various Greek fraternities and sororities. Those shirts managed to spread their name before the album. “We have had several previous albums. ‘Sess’ and ‘No Combs, No Brush, No Fade and No Perms.’ We took ‘Country Fried Sess’ and started selling it. Atlantic then came to us,” said Clutch, “We have struggled but we have also stay prepared and stayed humble.”Feb. 26 is the date set to release their first album. They album has collaborations with artists such as Jazzy Pha from Atlanta and the Bar-Kays.The Nappy Roots premiered on the “South Park” soundtrack, which went gold, and also the “Osmosis” soundtrack.All members of Nappy Roots have similar goals for the group and for themselves.Scales would like to do a huge tour and be accepted around the world. “I would like to find and complete the reason why I was put on this Earth. I would like to find the purpose and conquer it,” said Scales. The Nappy Roots left the Aggies a few words of wisdom. “Keep persistence and apply all knowledge and wisdom,”said Clutch. “Freshmen, do as good as you can coming in,” said B. Stille. “Keep it Nappy and stay in school. If you flunk out come back and use your resources. Get the freshman coming in to sell your book up front whether that’s the current edition for the class or not,” said Skinny.The Nappy Roots have a lot of upcoming projects, including stops at Winston-Salem State and UNC Charlotte. They will also perform at the Superbowl Pre-Party show, not to mention working on the soundtrack for Ice Cube’s upcoming movie “All about the Benjamins” and a video for a the new single “Head’s Up.”In their own words, “Them country boys on the rise, with them big fat wheels on the side.”