Watch Blu & Exile's Epic “Roots of Blue” Video [Premiere]

Blu & Exile have released Miles, their first new album in eight years. Watch the video for one of the standout songs on the album.

Thirteen years ago today, rapper Blu and producer Exile released Below the Heavens, one of the best underground rap albums of the decade (and a true Okayplayer classic.) The album launched the career for Blu and Exile. They would follow up that album with Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them in 2012.

Now, after eight years, the duo is giving it another go. They just released their third studio album, Miles: From An Interlude Called Life. Miles is a double album and features appearances from Miguel, Fashawn, Aloe Blacc, Aceyalone, Jimetta Rose, and more.

One of that standout tracks on the album is the epic "Roots of Blue," which features Jacinto Rhines. On the song, Blu honors the people throughout history who have inspired him. While Exile provides a cinematic backdrop.

We are proud to be premiering the video, which was directed by Blu himself, and features striking imagery to coincide with the song. Speaking about the track, and why he chose to make a video for it, Blu told us:

"The song "Roots Of Blue" is one of the strongest songs on the album. It's title says it all, "Roots Of Blue." On this song we took it back, all the way back. Back to the very first people who have walked this earth that have influenced, or cultured or matured, my walk on this earth. Everyone except my immediate family. This song is my own personal family tree."

While producer Exile says that the song "celebrates the importance of Black lives on the planet as we know it." He also added that they "wanted to release this song in the forefront of songs that are more obvious singles, in light of recent events, involving police brutality and the murder of Black lives."

Watch the gripping "Roots Of Blue" video below.

Stream Miles: From An Interlude Called Life here.