This past Saturday saw the 2nd Annual ROOTS PICNIC take-over the Festival Pier at Philly's Penns Landing. The Roots, TV on The Radio, Santigold, Kid CuDi, The Black Keys, Asher Roth, Elevator Fight, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew - a day of truly amazing music and performance. But I have to say, the most magical part of the day-long event, was PUBLIC ENEMY backed up by The Roots and the Antibalas horns. Chuck D and Flavor Flav owned the stage, running around, hyping the audience with lightening bolts full of energy, while Black Thought held it down on the mic, alongside the legends. They recreated A Nation Of Millions and made it feel completely fresh and totally relevant, even though those songs are 21 years old, a testament to the longevity of a truly classic album. Above, look at TONE's beautiful photos from the day. Want more? Click here to view OKP resident photographer Mel D. Cole's flicks from the event (this links you to set 1, but there are 4 total sets so be sure to view all!). For even more on the event, check out Rolling Stone's article entitled "The Roots Steal The Show From Black Keys, Public Enemy, at Picnic.," or this article here in Philly's City Paper.
If you are in the New York area and still have been missing out on The Roots weekly gig, The Jam, I will once again offer you more audio reasoning as to why you're losing. Every edition has been worth the price of admission and then some, and I can honestly say they get better by the week. The Roots have been known to cover "Men @ Work" here and there, but I've never heard it like this. Courtesy of its all the way live we get the full audio of the performance featuring Yoshi Takemasa and Luke O’Malley (of Antibalas), Paula Henderson on baritone sax and Vernon Reid on guitar, while Jaleel Bunton (TV On The Radio) and James Poyser joined ?uestlove on the drums. Kool G Rap's "Men @ Work" is one of the most brilliant solo mic rippin' displays in Hip-Hop history if you ask me, and The Roots continue to do it justice every time.
The Roots"Men @ Work (afrobeat remix)" >>>Download
Another week, another mind blowing Roots jam session. This week featured Joell Ortiz and Blitz the Ambassador on raps, Jesse Boykins III and Kissy Asplund on vocal stylings, Kwame Brandt-Pierce on keys, Lorant Viczian on guitar, some Antibalas horns (AJ on trombone, Eric Biondo and Jordan McClean on trumpet), and Luke O'Malley on Guitar (also from Antibalas). Roots crew members Dice Raw and Truck North were spitting alongside Black Thought. Jean Grae was spotted in the crowds, with promises to return and jump up on the mic. Big up to DJ Brainchild on the 1s and 2s. Still the most exciting thing happening in all of NYC. Thanks to Mel D. Cole for the flicks. You can see the entire photo gallery after the jump. Also after the jump, watch Rik Cordero's footage from Joell Ortiz' performance at the jam, in addition to some behind-the-scenes footage from backstage.
Last night's jam session, the 4th in the series so far, was definitely the best. But then again, I've felt this way after every single The Roots Present The Jam at the Highline Ballroom in NYC. Each week, each time, I think to myself "it can't really get any better than this." And then it does. We will have more episodes of OKPTV coming your way, featuring snippets from the jams. Photos from the night c/o Mel D. Cole are below, after the jump.
It's only week 3 of The Roots new gig on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and already they have a performance for the Hip-Hop History books under their belt. The Roots linkin' up with Luda two weeks ago was tight, but The Legendary and Public Enemy!?!? Watch as Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, and The S1W's perform "Bring The Noise" on Jimmy Fallon with the aid of The Roots crew ( Black Thought gets a verse in there too) and the Antibalas horns. Make sure to get your Roots Picnic '09 tickets now, so you don't miss out on your next chance to see PE and The Roots rock a show.
Boston, you guys are really in for a treat come January 29th when Red Bull presents their latest Sound Clash event at the Roxy. This special edition features The Legendary Roots crew pitted against the Brooklyn based Afrobeat band, Antibalas. We all know what The Roots bring to the table live (a lot), but don't sleep on Antibalas they have a great show as well. If you will be in the New England area, definitely stop by and check out this sure to be epic collaborative "Musical Conversation" between two of the best crews going in the live performance category. Follow me after the jump to read more about The Red Bull Sound Clash experience.
