Questlove has eventful weekend celebration with Onyx Collective and The Roots
On Saturday, March 26th Disney’s Onyx Collective hosted a brunch in celebration of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Summer of Soul. The Oscar-nominated documentary is the first title from Onyx Collective, the new content brand dedicated to empowering artists of color and telling globally entertaining stories from a culturally specific point of view. Attendees included: Disney Executives: Bob […]
Bassist for The Roots, Leonard Hubbard, dies after cancer battle
Leonard “Hub” Hubbard has died at the age of 62. The late musician — who played bass for The Roots from 1992 to 2007 — has died after a battle with multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer he was diagnosed with 14 years ago. His wife, Stephanie, confirmed the news to the Philadelphia […]
Black Thought of The Roots to make off-Broadway acting debut
Tariq “Black Thought” of The Roots will be starring in the upcoming off-Broadway production of the New Group’s upcoming world premiere of Black No More. The new musical is inspired is by George S. Schuyler’s 1931 Afro-futurist novel of the same name set during the Harlem Renaissance. The play will be presented from Jan. 11 […]
The Roots’ Black Thought releases audiobook ‘7 Years’
Black Thought of The Roots released his new audiobook titled 7 Years on Thursday, July 8, 2021. The book debuted exclusively in the U.S. as part of the Words + Music series covering the intimate journeys of music artists such as Sheryl Crow, Smokey Robinson and more on Amazon’s Audible platform. In 7 Years, Black Thought […]
Disney Junior connects with The Roots to teach kids about racism
Racism is a topic that can’t be ignored today and Disney is making an effort to educate its young viewers with an upcoming animated shorts series called “Rise Up, Sing Out.” The show is designed for children ages 2-7-years-old and their families. It will include music by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter […]
Questlove tells why Jay-Z feels MCs have blackballed Black Thought of The Roots
Black Thought of The Roots is arguably one of the greatest MCs of all time in hip-hop but his skills on the mic have often been overlooked by the masses. His group member Questlove recently stopped by Talib Kweli’s podcast “The People’s Party” and explained that Black Thought was “too good for his own good.” […]
The Roots’ Questlove to direct Sly Stone biopic
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots is putting his movie director’s cap on once again and will film a documentary on musician Sly Stone. Common is also one of the executive producers of the film which will be released through MRC Non-Fiction. “It goes beyond saying that Sly’s creative legacy is in my DNA. It’s […]
Eminem and Questlove pay tribute to the late Prince Markie Dee of The Fat Boys
Prince Markie Dee of the groundbreaking ’80s hip-hop group The Fat Boys died on Thursday, Feb. 18, at the age of 52 of congestive heart failure. He died one day before his 53rd birthday. Born Mark Morales in Brooklyn, Prince Markie Dee, and his group members, Damon “Kool Rock-Ski” Wimbley, and Darren “Buff Love” Robinson […]
D’Angelo to headline next Verzuz battle
Verzuz is switching up the script for their latest music battle. To promote the upcoming competition, they’ve posted a billboard on the Apollo Theater in New York City that mysteriously reads “D’Angelo V. Friends.” While the details haven’t been released, some of his musical friends that he’s collaborated with in the past have included Erykah […]
Questlove makes his directorial debut with ‘Summer of Soul’ film (video)
The Roots’ Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson premiered his new movie Summer of Soul (… Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) during Sundance’s virtual screening this pastweekend. The movie takes an in-depth look at the Harlem Cultural Festival which has been described as a pre-Coachella music gathering. The Harlem Cultural Festival, also referred to as […]
Kurtis Blow leaves hospital after successful transplant (video)
Hip-hop pioneer Kurtis Blow has been released from the hospital after undergoing a successful heart transplant in December. “Yes I have received a healthy heart – my donor was 34 – and God is still in the miracle business- thank you everyone for your prayers,” Blow announced on Twitter this week. The heart transplant organization, […]
Malik B, founding member of hip-hop super-group, The Roots, dead at 47
The hip-hop community is in mourning today as it was announced that Malik B, one of the founding members of The Roots, has died at the age of 47. His death was confirmed Wednesday, July 29, by family members and music colleagues, including The Roots’ his partner in rhyme Black Thought. The Philly rapper’s cousin, […]
13th annual Roots Picnic goes virtual with Michelle Obama, Lil Baby and more
As the global pandemic continues, the 2020 Roots Picnic has announced it’s going to host its celebration virtually this year. Although the annual music festival started by the iconic hip-hop group The Roots is typically a highlight of the summertime in Philadelphia, the event will still be impactful. While the event will remain rooted in […]
Common enthralls fans with epic performance at Detroit’s Chene Park
Some of the best moments come from impromptu changes. Common was slated to open for legendary hip-hop band The Roots, Friday, July 27, at Detroit’s Chene Park. But inclement weather grounded lead MC Black Thought’s plane in New York. After an almost two hour delay, Common hit the stage. The emcee, actor and activist, reminded us why we […]
Social consciousness flows through Black Thought’s ‘Streams of Thought Vol.1’
Finally, after 25 years in the industry, Black Thought released Stream of Thought Vol. 1, his first solo project with producer 9th Wonder and The Soul Council.
Jill Scott and The Roots bring the heat on a cold summer night at Ravinia
Summer and Chicago are having a hard time finding each other right now, but Jill Scott and The Roots were able to bring some heat with them to Ravinia Friday, June 22. I think I’ve seen The Legendary Roots Crew more than 10 times over the years, and it feels like their show gets stronger with […]
The Roots jam with Gary Clark Jr., Run The Jewels, Tank during Grammy weekend
The Roots continued hosting their annual Jam Sessions during the week of the Grammy Awards. On Jan. 27, the world’s greatest hip-hop band hosted the finale at The Gramercy in New York. The Jam Sessions featured several prominent artists performing with legendary Roots crew. The evening began with Jussie Smollet and North Carolina emcee, Rapsody. […]
Best images from the 10th annual Roots Picnic in Philly
The Roots kicked off their 10th annual Roots Picnic at the Festival Pier in Philadelphia. This year’s headlining acts included Jeezy, 21 Savage, Solange, and Pharrell, who rocked his set with the legendary Roots crew. Rolling out was on hand to capture every moment. View exclusive images below: Solange performs “F.U.B.U.” Pharrell and Black Thought. […]
Watch Migos perform ‘Bad and Boujee’ with The Roots & Jimmy Fallon
[jwplatform 7lTg69ZG] Migos stopped by the Tonight Show to perform “Bad and Boujee” with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots using nothing but office supplies. Trust me, it’s worth the watch.
If you missed ‘The Roots and Friends Jam Session’ at SXSW we feel sorry for you
What a perfect ending to SXSW 2017. Bud Light presents, “The Roots and Friends Jam Session” was unquestionably one of the best music showcases of the festival. Fans sonically traveled back in time to the ’90s hip-hop era one artist at a time. The Roots are notorious for having surprise guests at their concerts, but […]