News

6 Badu Live Videos, The Roots Jam Sesh Day 1 (Photo Gal!), Bye-Bye B-day Girl, New Blu & Ta’raach, India.Arie’s Label.
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• For those of you that missed it, six videos from Erykah Badu’s performance at SoulStage have been posted on Vh1.com including “The Healer,” “Me,” “Honey,” and the Edith Funker song “Annie.” The next music video off New Amerykah is rumored to be “Soldier.” Okayplayer is co-presenting a remix contest to launch later this week that gives fans the opportunity to put their own music behind the acapella for “Real Thang.” The song, originally produced by Madlib, was used as a buzz track early on but didn’t make the album (Pt 1, anyway). Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Badu has reportedly turned her Dallas Texas home into a supplementary after-school program. The school has seven children including her son Seven and daughter Puma.

The Roots Jam Sessions, Day 1.
• Okayplayer was on the scene in The Studio in Philly yesterday for the first day of a five-day series of rehearsals and jam sessions with The Roots. Not only will the band be working out new songs from Rising Down for their live show, but they will also likely be, well, jamming… feeling that creative vibe that’s inspired all of their albums to date, working out new ideas in the studio, and playing with some special guests along the way. OKP writer Candace L. was in the studio. Read her exclusive in-house reporting from Day 1. We’ve also got an exclusive photo gallery, courtesy of Sol-Exposure, who will be snapping away each day so check back for more all this week.

• We told you a few weeks ago that “Birthday Girl” could easily get dropped off of Rising Down. We received word over the weekend that the song is now the International Single and will be an iTunes exclusive. It will not appear on the North American release.

• This years South By South West music festival, convention and industry showcase took place last week in Austin, Texas and OKP’s Eavvon O’Neal was on hand to capture the excitement from The Fader stage. In addition to headliner 2 Live Crew (for reals), O’Neal watched Spank Rock and Santogold do their thang. Read his review and get siked for your chance to watch Santi rock out at The Roots Picnic this June in Philly.

• 2dopeboyz have leaked two more joints from C.R.A.C. (Blu & Ta’Raach) off their upcoming The Piece Talks project. I don’t know how many songs off that album haven’t hit the net yet, but the album is sounding tight so far.

• A new video off that Hi-Teknology 3 popped up yesterday. This one is for “Kill You” featuring Push Montana. Don’t hurt ‘em, Tek.

• India.Arie just recently announced the start of her new label SoulBird Music under Universal Republic Records, and her first artist on the label will be R&B artist Anthony David who is scheduled to release his album Acey Deucy on June 17th. David’s lead single “Words” is a Duet with Arie, and she also co-wrote the song. Check his myspace for the single.

-dantana, gingerlynn & NiKaun