Roots Picks, Paid Dues Tomorrow, Al Green Street Date, Hella New Videos, Chin Chin x Def Jux, Big Boi’s Banger.
Another Friday closer to the release of The Roots - Rising Down (April 29th) is here. Keeping with our promise to unleash something new, this week’s entry does not pertain precisely to the album but instead to the Legendary’s first annual Roots Picnic festival in Philadelphia on June 7th. The band has been talking for years of curating their own all day event featuring their friends and favorite groups from across all genres and we are pleased to officially announce the line up of The Roots, Gnarls Barkley, Sharon Jones + The Dap Kings, Deerhoof, Santogold, J*Davey, Diplo, and Esperanza with more to be announced. It all goes down at Philly’s Festival Pier at 2pm. Tickets go on sale next Friday at 10am ET.
Off to the Left Coast. Cali, it’s the 3rd Annual Paid Dues Festival this Saturday at the Nos Events Center in San Bernardino featuring Little Brother, Dilated Peoples, Jedi Mind Tricks, Sage Francis, Boot Camp Click, Kool Keith and many more. The whole sha-bang is hosted by Murs. Watch his video for “Better Than The Best” (scroll down on the Paid Dues page linked to above) off his new Murs For President album (can we get a drop date!?) and get geeked for the festivities.
We’ve got a date people. May 27th Al Green will drop his new album Lay It Down, produced by The Randy Watson Experience (?uestlove & James Poyser) and featuring John Legend, Anthony Hamilton and Corinne Bailey Rae. Read this post for a detailed account of the recording process about which Green says “It’s all from the heart, this whole album, from start to finish.” I’ve heard the record and ?uesto and co. truly preserved that authentic 70s soul feel, while simultaneously remaining current, letting Al express who he is today in 2008. Everyone is in for a real treat.
Videos! First up, Lupe live with Nikki Jean and Matthew Santos at the Hot 97 Full Frontal Fashion event (shout out to FWMJ). Not the best quality ever, but you get a real feel for the amazing energy from his live show. There are also these clips of Wyclef at the same event playing the guitar with his face (no joke). Next, Guilty Simpson’s “Get Riches” off his upcoming Ode To The Ghetto record, out soon on Stones Throw. Finally, we’ve got Pacific Division’s vid for “Paper” featuring TiRon.
NYC, this Sunday come be a star. Chin Chin, the newest act signed to Def Jux (and incidentally the first ever non-Hip Hop outfit to be signed to the label), is filming a video in Brooklyn and they want you! Come shake your booty to the grooviest live electric dance band out there (think Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band meets Parliment with a sprinkling of Hall and Oates in there). Listen to some cuts off of Chin Chin, their new album, in stores April 29th.
I have to mention this. You might be interested because it features Masta Ace but Asheville NC’s (by way of Montclair NJ) own Foul Mouth Jerk is a close friend of mine for many years. We were roommates for a stint back in ‘98 living in Candler NC. Talk about “Small Town” USA. Anyway, good to see this come up on the radar.
In more South meets North of the type banger variety, this Big Boi ft. Andre 3000 & Raekwon - “Royal Flush” is redonkulous. (via NahRight)
break!
-dantana & gingerlynn love you
RUMORS: Rising Down features some virtually unknown talent (do the math) and when the Afro’s former boss heard the album, not only did he love it but one of said talents caught his attention. Now we hear that said former boss and his rnb diva girlfriend are interested in signing said artist as they prepare to launch their said label with said fruit company which is said to be a joint venture with the W Brothers. In related news, confirmed or otherwise, here is an interesting development regarding all you can eat fruit.