The Roots, along with accomplished hip-hop artist Erykah Badu, go on tour beginning May 4^th. Rumors of the hip-hop group’s struggle with Def Jam, their record label since 2006 when Jay-Z was acting president, has caused some controversy with the release of their latest album – Rising Down.

Evidently, record executives have pulled a popish-sounding track – Birthday Girl, featuring Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, from the U.S. version of their up-coming album. Roots drummer, Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson stated, in reference to Def Jam chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid, “…he has no idea that Birthday Girl isn’t even on the album.” Thompson added, “…they don’t know we shot the Rising Down video. They just know they approved an electronic press kit budget.”

The Roots have never sold more than one million copies of any one album. It could be considered feasible that Def Jam execs have failed to give the Roots the respect that they have worked relentlessly, over the past several decades, to deserve.

The new album features Common, Talib Kweli, Porn, and Dice Raw, and continues the Root’s long appreciated mellow hip-hop beats and indignant message. The Roots represent the core of hip-hip and symbolize a uniqueness that many hip-hop artists fail to offer. Be sure to keep an eye-out for the release of their new album, and to check with local ticket vendors for their 2008 tour details. Also, check-out the Roots website and blog for more industry related info, by clicking here.

What began as a one-day workshop and performance has now evolved into a two-day event where performers use hip-hop as a foundation for integrating traditional stage performances. Rickerby Hinds, a Honduran immigrant who relocated to Los Angeles at the age of thirteen, is UCR’s assistant of playwriting and is the creator and producer of Califest’s annual hip-hop celebration.

For more information on Califest ’08 Hip Hop Theatre, including a schedule of events and performances, visit the University of California’s Riverside Newsroom online by clicking here.

PluggedIn has recently launched a new website that promotes music videos from major record companies, including Sony BMG, EMI, Universal Music, and various other indie lables. Visitors can access 10,000 plus music videos that are played using PluggedIn’s own media player.

While PluggedIn is working to “smooth out the edges”, they have promised additional features such as integration with iTunes playlists and the capability to upload a list of songs from your PC where then PluggedIn will find matching music videos for you to view.

The best part of PluggedIn is that everything is free! The site plans on earning revenue from advertising and selling merchandise. Be sure to check out PluggedIn by clicking here, and share your opinions with Listen to Music readers.

Hip Hop artists, representing five nations including Haiti, France, Tanzania, Uganda and the United States, have joined forces to increase awareness of political and social turmoil throughout the world. The goal is to promote peace and understanding through the use of words and beats; organizers hope to spread their message globally.

“The core of hip hop lies within the beat, the beat is what you can feel, and it is the element that connects”, says Stacy Willyard Festival Director.

Be sure to check out the official website for the Hip Hop & Peace Building Festival, that includes a list of dates and times for each performer, by clicking here.