The Roots

Nov
23
B.o.B Sees ‘Strange Clouds’ on ‘Late Night’ [Video]

B.o.B

B.o.B stormed the stage on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” to perform his hit “Strange Clouds” for the first time on television. Backed by The Roots and two singers/dancers, a shades-sporting Bobby Ray bounced around the set while spitting over the Dr. Luke-produced single, which will appear on his sophomore album of the same name. Watch him light up late night.

Read the rest of this entry »

Nov
4
Video: The Roots f/ Big K.R.I.T. – ‘Make My’

The Roots

The Roots paints a violent picture with the first of four videos for the Big K.R.I.T.-assisted “Make My,” the lead single off the band’s conceptual album undun (Dec. 6). The black-and-white clip, which takes place in 1999, shows the demise of the story’s main character, Redford Stephens.

undun is the story of this kid who becomes criminal, but he wasn’t born criminal,” explained Roots drummer ?uestlove. “He’s not the nouveau exotic primitive bug-eyed gunrunner like Tupac’s character Bishop in Juice… he’s actually thoughtful and is neither victim nor hero. Just some kid who begins to order his world in a way that makes the most sense to him at a given moment… At the end of the day… isn’t that what we all do?”

Read the rest of this entry »

Oct
27
New Music: The Roots – ‘To Life, Love & Loot (Remix)’

?uestlove

The Roots put a new spin on Captain Morgan‘s theme song “To Life, Love & Loot” for the rum brand’s lastest TV campaign. ?uestlove, Black Thought, and the rest of the band rock out on the Lenny Kravitz-esque remix. Look out for their conceptual album undun on December 6.

Read the rest of this entry »

Oct
17
New Music: The Roots f/ Big K.R.I.T. – ‘Make My’

Make My

The Roots jam with Big K.R.I.T. on “Make My,” the first single from the band’s conceptual album undun, due December 6. The mellow track, co-produced by Khari Mateen and The Roots, follows the internal dialogue of character Redford Stephens. “They told me that the ends won’t justify the means and he told me at the end, it won’t justify the dreams that I’ve had since a child,” they sing on introspective cut.

Read the rest of this entry »

Oct
17
The Roots Announce First Single, Tracklisting for Conceptual Album

The Roots

In between their busy schedule performing nightly as the house band on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” The Roots have recorded their first conceptually-based album undun, due December 6.

Read the rest of this entry »

Oct
11
Erykah Badu and The Roots Perform with Yo Gabba Gabba! on ‘Late Night’ [Video]

Erykah Badu

Jimmy Fallon threw a “Late Night” party and invited a colorful cast of characters. Nick Jr.’s Yo Gabba Gabba! debuted “We’re Gonna Party Today” with some help from The Roots, Erykah Badu, Biz Markie, Bootsy Collins, and more. DJ Lance Rock kicked off the festivities with a dedication to the late Sugar Hill Records founder Sylvia Robinson. Ms. Badu rocked an Afro and futuristic attire as she boogied down to the funky sounds. Can you dig it?

Read the rest of this entry »

Sep
15
Ashanti, Pharrell, and Estelle Named Most Stylish New Yorkers

Ashanti

The stars stepped out in style as Us Weekly honored its 25 Most Stylish New Yorkers with a chic rooftop celebration at PH-D at Dream Downtown during New York Fashion Week. The magazine’s annual list included familiar faces from the worlds of music, showbiz, and sports. Ashanti bared her chest in a flower-printed blazer, Estelle shined in a red and black gown, Pharrell showed off his funky shoes, and The Roots’ ?uestlove drummed up attention in a plaid blazer.

Read the rest of this entry »

Jul
30
Big Sean Rocks with The Roots on ‘Late Night’ [Video]

Big Sean and Jimmy Fallon

Big Sean returned to “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” for his second appearance, but first as the main musical guest. The lanky rapper was joined on the mic by The Roots’ Black Thought as he performed “I Do It” and “Marvin & Chardonnay” off his debut Finally Famous.

Following his medley, he stuck around to close out the show with The Roots, Jimmy Fallon, “SNL” alum Chris Kattan, and Ben E. King on the latter’s classic “Stand by Me.”

Read the rest of this entry »