The Roots 2008 Tour with Erykah Badu
The Roots, along with accomplished hip-hop artist Erykah Badu, go on tour beginning May 4th. 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.
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