We've been trying to tell you how incredible the Broadway production of FELA! is for a minute now. Seems like Jay-Z (whom ?uestlove brought to see the production in the first place), Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith have gotten the memo - they just were announced as producers! FELA! marks the first foray into Broadway for these entertainment icons. Make sure you order your tickets with our exclusive Okayplayer Discount Code! And then make sure you pick up a copy of The Best Of The Black President. It's Knitting Factory's first Fela re-issue (remastered), and includes several special packages, including MP3, Digital Video, CD, DVD, and a special Collector's Edition. Trust us, this one's been staying on rotation in the OKP offices. Get a taste for the full album by listening before you buy in the widget, above. Also make sure you watch the Fela preview video, with live footage from Fela Kuti himself.
"With my music, I create change...I am using my music as a weapon" - Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The famous Nigerian musician-cum-revolutionary will be celebrated all this month with a series of FELABRATIONS in over 15 different cities, in anticipation of the re-issue of the entire Fela Kuti catalogue. Knitting Factory Records will be putting out the first release in this series on Octboer 27th, entitled The Best Of The Black President. In addition, the musical FELA! (which you may remember from this legendary ?uesto blog post) will begin previews at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on Broadway (in NYC) on October 19th. For now, you can get your Fela fix at any of the following Felabration parties taking place all over the country. Full list of event dates and locations after the jump.
In case you forgot to tune in, here's a rundown of some of the highlight performances of last night's telecast of VH1's Hip Hop Honors ceremony, celebrating 25 years of Dej Jam. Above is the full performance of the LL Cool J tribute featuring Eminem, Black Thought, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and ?uestlove. After the jump catch vids of Red N Mef featuring Mary J. Blige, Ludacris and Scarface, Onyx, Warren G and Trey Songz, Public Enemy, and Wale, KRS-One, and Gym Class Heroes. Check out Mr. World Premiere for more vids from the night.
The last time The Roots crew were out in Europe, ?uestlove was interviewed in Hamburg, Germany by Mixery Raw Deluxe. In this two part interview, ?uesto discusses crate digging, politics, and the music biz. This one is pretty entertaining, it starts off with ?uesto doing a Q&A with Kermit the frog's cousin. ?uesto also sends out a challenge to Biz Markie, a fellow crate digging connoisseur. Part 2 of the the interview is after the jump.
OKP tipped y'all off that the opening of this years' VH1 Hip Hop Honors started off with a bang as Black Thought and Eminem collaborated to cover LL Cool J's "Rock The Bells," with DJ Jazzy Jeff on the wheels and ?uesto on the drums. Lyricism is straight up personified with these two emcees. Tune in on the 13th for the full show.
While The Roots were in their dressing room getting ready for tonight's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon taping, the musical guest for the show, Brooklyn based experimental rock band, Dirty Projectors stopped by. They put on a mini performance, which ?uesto filmed live from The Roots' dressing room, and aired out via twitter. I wasn't too familiar with the group beforehand, but this is kind of dope.
Bored of your phone screen featuring that bad photo you took of your blurry drunk self at that bar months ago? Why not try OKP's own phone wallpaper!! Featuring a slew of our rather stunning (if I do say so myself) designs. From the best of our t-shirt catalog of designs, you too can have the ?uesto Fro-man on your iPhone, just in time for the holidays. Or maybe you're old school (like us) and want to rock the Square Roots photo from the early days of legendary-ness. Whatever your okayfancy, we've got them for your phone. Download away! Then hit up the OkayStore for NEW LONG SLEEVE TEES! (You've been asking... here they are!) Hoodies are on the way. And, while your at it, sign up for the Okayplayer news letter for all the latest in OKP news, concerts, tours, events, new music, fashion and more.
CNN recently did a piece on your favorite band, The Roots. In the above clip ?uestlove discusses the topic of 'sell-outs' and what his definition of selling-out really is. They also take a look at their recent show in Atlanta for the Hennessy artistry tour. Read the whole interview here, where they touch on topics like their gig on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, putting labels on their sound, and staying relevant.
Last week, we got a rare sans-twitter look into the mind of the one and only ?uestlove. Take a glimpse into pandora's box with this new segment entitled, ?uestions with ?uestlove.
