C. L. Smooth

This collaboration album from John Legend and the Roots features covers of political, social, and war-protest songs from the '60s and '70s, including Marvin Gaye's Wholy Holy; Donny Hathaway's Little Ghetto Boy; Mike James Kirkland's Hang on in There; Eddie Harris and Les McCann's Real Compared to What; and the first single, Wake Up Everybody by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes.

This collection includes 129 tracks on 9 CDs and a book with original design by Cey Adams, artist and founding creative director of Def Jam Recordings, as well as essays by some of hip-hop's leading writers and critics and hundreds of photographs spanning decades of history. Through the music, writing, and extensive liner notes, the Anthology reveals the many trends within this multifaceted genre, its social and political implications, and its influence...