The Roots - “Get Busy” ft Dice Raw, Peedi Crakk, & DJ Jazzy Jeff. Directed by Rik Cordero. RISING DOWN 4/29/08
• Last night The Roots held a small listening session for the new album in NYC for a select crew of writers, and some special guests including Talib Kweli, Rashad “Tumblin’ Dice” Smith, and DJ J Period. Needless to say, just before they played the record ?uesto was finishing up his “crib notes,” a three page mini liner notes teaser/manifesto he whipped up in 10 minutes! Today, The Legendary fly to Florida, and shortly thereafter they hop a jet to Malaysia. Yes, they Get Busy, stay busy, live and breath busy! Watch their newest video for “Get Busy” from Rising Down featuring Dice Raw and Peedi Crakk above, and then talk about it in OkayArtist or The Lesson.
• Unraveling the mystery of a man isn’t an easy job. Read this Urb Magazine feature on Jay Electronica, where the curtains are pulled back just far enough for you to get a real glimpse of the man behind the spotless mind. This article has us thirsting for some new music from Jay, and although it claims that Electronica is on the new Roots album, we have heard from The Roots that they wanted him on the record, but it just didn’t happen in time. According to the piece, Electronica’s full length album, Abracadabra: Let There Be Light will be the first release on Erykah Badu’s record label Control FreaQ Records, although no drop date was given.
• In addition to gettin’ busy with the new Gnarls Barkley, The Odd Couple, and continuing to work on his collabo with Black Thought, Dangermouse has announced that he’ll also be producing Beck’s next album, a follow-up to 2006’s The Information. As someone on the boards said “I just did a happy dance.” Lessonheads are pleading for Madlib to be thrown into the mix too. Beck?
• Bun B is set to drop his newest solo album, II Trill, on April 1st. Most of the record was completed before Pimp C passed so although it’s a solo joint, you will hear Pimp’s deep influence. Read this Village Voice blog for the run down of the listening party and this bloggers take on the new album. Then peep the in-depth interview (the 1st response to the post), for the full scoop from the man himself.
• The consensus is trickling in and it’s just what we expected: people are really feeling the new Black Spade album, To Serve With Love. This comes as no surprise to us, but If you don’t believe the hype, <a href=”http://www.om-records.com/artists/black_spade/releases/675-to_serve_with_love
” target=”_blank”>just listen for yourself. After, make sure to watch the video where Spade talks shop and explains his favorite tracks on the album. Then enter to win a free Black Spade Zune Player!
• We’re not sure what the official 411 is about this track “Hot Beverages In Winter,” but it’s Lauryn Hill featuring Ras Baraka spitting his sig spoken word, and we’ve never heard it before. The hint of something new to come?? We hope so.
-gingerlynn