The Roots Plan Videos for 10/12, New Common Interview, Fresh Rhymes & Videotape Tour, Paint It Gold #7, New RZA.
Sasha Grey as the Birthday Girl
• Although Billboard and ?uestlove report on the song being dropped from the album, Rik Cordero shot a video for “Birthday Girl” somewhere out in Long Island this past weekend. We weren’t there, nor were The Roots, but as previously reported, the video features Adult Film Star / Performance Artist Sasha Grey as well as, according to one attendee, some “weird/creepy dudes.” A few more stills can be found here: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6.
• Okayplayer has also learned that The Roots’ collaborations with Rik don’t stop here, and not by a long shot. Over the weekend they agreed to shoot videos for songs “Criminal,” “Rising Up,” “Rising Down,” “Singing Man,” “I Can’t Help It,” “Unwritten,” and “I Will Not Apologize.” According to this plan, that basically leaves “The Show” (featuring Common and Truck North) and “Lost Desire” (featuring Malik B. and Talib Kweli) that won’t have videos. The first video to be shot will be “Rising Up” on April 14th. The Roots will not appear in all (or even most) of the videos.
• Common keeps landing Hollywood roles alongside some heavy hitters in the game. He’s got Street Kings coming out this month, and Wanted with Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman in June. Check out this in-depth interview as hiphopdx gets into the head of Common the thespian.
• Okayplayer is pleased to announce the Fresh Rhymes and Videotape tour presented by DECON featuring Dilated Peoples, The Alchemist, Aceyalone, and 88-Keys! The tour will take place throughout June and in addition to the aforementioned musical guests you’ll be treated to exclusive video premieres, installations, giveaways and more (not to mention the reasonable ticket prices). Check the dates to see when the Freshness hits your city.
• It looks like Esco might actually drop in 2008 like he said, with that very PC album title. Rolling Stone recently did an album preview with Nas for Ni@@er, which will be discussing Race (obviously) and American History among other topics. Some of the producers on board so far are Polow Da Don, Stargate and Cool and Dre. Ni@@er is allegedly droppin this summer.
• The week wouldn’t be complete without some kind of news from Atmosphere, so here is Episode 7 of “Paint it Gold”. The album drops the 22nd, and in case you missed it here’s the latest in their Sad Clown series to tide you over till the 22nd, courtesy of Shake.
• Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah has reemerged in the form of one of his many alter egos, Bobby Digital. To mark the 10 year birthday of Digi, the RZA will be releasing a new album Digi Snax on July 1st. A National Digi Snax tour will begin in June along with a live band, Stone Mecca. Check SOHH for tour dates and more info.
• NYC, tomorrow (Thurs, April 10) at the Knit catch Tanya Morgan alongside the Alkaholiks. See you there?
- dantana, shamz, & gingerlynn