roots

Sorry, this should have been posted the day it dropped but better late than never. It is customary for rock bands to tape their live performances and what hip-hop group/band is more worthy of one of these tapes then the Roots. Their live show is one of the best I have seen and that is not just in hip-hop, that is across all live shows. Their musical talent oozes through the performance and you appreciate how skilled these guys are as musicians when you get to see it. I guess it is easier to see now that they are on Late Night w/Jimmy Fallon but make one of their shows if you can, it is worth every dollar. In the meantime, listen to this tape comprised solely of the Roots backing up performers on their nightly gig and also has their underrated single, “How I Got Over”,  for the new album of the same name. Shouts to 2DBz for the tape (yet again) and grab the tracklist and link below the break.

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?uestlove dropped this album on his Twitter the other day and it features some of their best work since they started their gig with Jimmy Fallon. Read below to figure out what a sandwich is (and not the one you eat).

When The Roots enter and leave a commercial break on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, they perform small sets called “sandwiches”. And since joining the show in March, the crew have composed 1,000 of ‘em. This past weekend, drummer ?uestlove compiled 22 of them into a free EP. Can’t beat that.

Dope. This proves how talented the Roots are as a group (if you already didn’t know) and I am glad they are showcasing their best ones for their fans. Grab the link and tracklist below the break.

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I have never listened to the Monsters of Folk before this song but it is pretty freaking good. I enjoy the concept of “Dear God” and also the overall, mellow sounds created by the group with the help from the Roots. Three people also taking lead vocals at different points in the song is something that you rarely see and although I liked the high-pitched voice of the first singer the best, the rest still held their own. Check out the self-titled debut album from this super-group out now and on iTunes.

VH1’s Hip-Hop Honors aired last night and like the previous 6 years it brought together contemporary acts to perform some songs by the acts being honored that evening. Last night’s show honored Def Jam, since it is also their 25th anniversary, and they are easily the most recognizable hip-hop label and many of their current and previously signed acts performed or had their songs performed. This was probably the highlight for me with Em, The Roots & DJ Jazzy Jeff teaming up to cover LL Cool J’s “Rock the Bells” and this was just the opening act. There were other noteworthy performances but this got the crowd rocking off the bat is the one that stuck out to me.

BB Gun are quickly moving up my list of favorite directors for hip-hop videos. There isn’t anything too special about this video in terms of effects or even concept but it is just so well shot, with the kid in the wheelchair and the different characters he encounters along his journey. There is some unfortunate news though for this must get album, it is supposedly being pushed back now to early 2010. I am not 100% on the rumor but if it is true I hope that is as far back as it gets pushed because I am not sure I can take another one. This also means I have to change my most anticipated album chart to the right at some point too, G D it.

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The Roots debuted this song on Jimmy Fallon in the past couple weeks and they finally unleashed the audio on us. I really am looking forward to this album, this song is incredible and I have already listened several times to it. No one out there has such a great sound like the Roots and it has to do with their musical talent, not only do they play all the instruments but they are all damn good at it too. Be looking out for their album of the same name dropping later this year and you can always check them out at nightly their nightly gig on the Jimmy Fallon show or even at their almost weekly jam sessions at the Highline Ballroom in NYC.

The Roots are back at it again and last night on Jimmy Fallon they debuted their first single from their new album. This is real hip-hop but I guess I don’t have to tell you people that, or I shouldn’t at this point in their storied careers. “How I Got Over” is full of James Brown-esque soul music, with the horn stabs, bass and guitar, really everything. The album is supposed to release later this year but with no set release date I am not so sure about that. One this is sure though, I will be copping it to pay homage to one of the groups who epitomize the type of hip-hop I love, that’s what’s up!