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October 25, 2011

?uestlove, of The Roots, wears many hats. Whether he's on drums with the Legendary Roots Crew, on set as house band for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," doing random DJ sets, or sitting in with other bands, the man stays busy. We spoke with ?uestlove about The Roots' upcoming 13th album Undun(Dec. 6), and the progress of D'Angelo's record.

"We actually completed [the album] at five [o'clock] this morning, so it's officially done," ?uestlove comments. "It's essentially a biographical narrative about Redford Stephens. Stephens [is] a composite of four or five people that we've known over the past few years from Philadelphia." The album, which features Big K.R.I.T. and Phonte from Little Brother, tells Steven's story backwards from his death to his birth.

When asked about The Roots' incredible schedule, he took it all as just another day on the job. "It's really not that hard. People are always amazed with the amount of projects and events that we're involved in and the hardest thing about it is just staying the course and concentrating," ?uestlove said. "I've just seen so many examples of people who take it for granted. You dream of being in a certain position and once you approach it you manage to sabotage it or you get off course. For us, that's really not an option."

While Questo spoke of the many jobs he has, he revealed some work on a more elusive artist's highly-anticipated album: D'Angelo. "I'm on his [D'Angelo's] record as well," he said. "He's in the home stretch right now. I know that Fred Wesley and the JB Horns just did a cut that Q-Tip did; I know he's doing his vocals right now."

Despite the hectic schedule, ?uestlove brings it into perspective with hard work. "We're really highly responsible and very disciplined," he said. "I take pride in the fact that this is our 13th record; not many hip-hop groups can even get to their 8th record."

Link

D'Angelo has been in the home stretch for a while. Since old boy loves him so P, he needs to learn from his legendary productiveness.

scriptgirl said:

D'Angelo has been in the home stretch for a while. Since old boy loves him so P, he needs to learn from his legendary productiveness.

I know right?! I won't be holding my breathe for D or L-Boogie for that matter. Love em both. If something drops, then and only then will I take interest. Until then it's all pre-game hype to me.

You know? That said I LOVE D'Angelo and will wait as long as I have to.

It used to be cool how much ? would talk to the press but now it's kinda of getting annoying because he sets expectations when it's not his place. Especially when it comes to D'Angelo. Lord knows he has been saying D's album would be coming out soon for years now.

D'Angelo's next CD is coming out about the same time as Dr. Dre's Detox CD.

D'Angelo's release date will be Sometimes 2700, 3050.

I predict within six months, ?uestlove will express frustration at D's inability to let go of the project -- again.

BlaqueKnight said:

D'Angelo's next CD is coming out about the same time as Dr. Dre's Detox CD.

Yeah, what happened to that? Why release a single last year and one early this year and then not drop it? I completely forgot about it now, but was kinda looking forward to hearing it after listening to the second single.

ThreadBare said:

I predict within six months, ?uestlove will express frustration at D's inability to let go of the project -- again.

How about three?

Timmy84 said:

ThreadBare said:

I predict within six months, ?uestlove will express frustration at D's inability to let go of the project -- again.

How about three?

I was just trying to give Ahmir some grace, but you're probably right. The article will appear in a big-name music publication, too. I agree the cycle is tiresome. It almost smacks of desperation on his part. Or, to be fair to ?uestlove, it's probably the most newsworthy thing about him.

ThreadBare said:

Timmy84 said:

How about three?

I was just trying to give Ahmir some grace, but you're probably right. The article will appear in a big-name music publication, too. I agree the cycle is tiresome. It almost smacks of desperation on his part. Or, to be fair to ?uestlove, it's probably the most newsworthy thing about him.

Right. It sucks that now whenever I think of ?uestlove now, I think of his comments about comparing Beyonce to Michael and how okayplayer dudes let him HAVE it!

Timmy84 said:

ThreadBare said:

I was just trying to give Ahmir some grace, but you're probably right. The article will appear in a big-name music publication, too. I agree the cycle is tiresome. It almost smacks of desperation on his part. Or, to be fair to ?uestlove, it's probably the most newsworthy thing about him.

Right. It sucks that now whenever I think of ?uestlove now, I think of his comments about comparing Beyonce to Michael and how okayplayer dudes let him HAVE it!

But it kept people talking about him.

ThreadBare said:

Timmy84 said:

Right. It sucks that now whenever I think of ?uestlove now, I think of his comments about comparing Beyonce to Michael and how okayplayer dudes let him HAVE it!

But it kept people talking about him.

True.

I remember how he got in the news for talking shit about the Fugees talking about "they stole our shit." When no one outside hip-hop circles knew who they were.

Timmy84 said:

ThreadBare said:

But it kept people talking about him.

True.

I remember how he got in the news for talking shit about the Fugees talking about "they stole our shit." When no one outside hip-hop circles knew who they were.

There's a method to that cat's madness. Now, for the good of my conscience, I must stop talking about him.

ThreadBare said:

Timmy84 said:

True.

I remember how he got in the news for talking shit about the Fugees talking about "they stole our shit." When no one outside hip-hop circles knew who they were.

There's a method to that cat's madness. Now, for the good of my conscience, I must stop talking about him.

Good advice. I'll stop too.

Timmy84 said:

ThreadBare said:

There's a method to that cat's madness. Now, for the good of my conscience, I must stop talking about him.

Good advice. I'll stop too.

1. The Roots – Dun 1:17
2. The Roots – Sleep (Feat. Aaron Livingston) 2:15
3. The Roots – Make My (Feat. Big K.R.I.T.) 4:32
4. The Roots – One Time (feat. Phonte & Dice Raw) 3:55
5. The Roots – Kool On (Feat. P.O.R.N. & Truck North) 3:48
6. The Roots – The OtherSide (Feat. Bilal & P.O.R.N.) 4:03
7. The Roots – Stomp (Feat. Just Blaze & P.O.R.N.) 2:23
8. The Roots – Lighthouse (Feat. Dice Raw) 3:44
9. The Roots – I Remember 3:15
10. The Roots – Tip The Scale (Feat. Dice Raw) 4:16
11. The Roots – Redford (For Yia-Yia & Pappou) 1:52
12. The Roots – Possibility 0:55
13. The Roots – Will To Power 1:03
14. The Roots – Finality 1:30
———————————————————————–
38:48

tight cd good follow up to the last project. its streaming now on npr

Will somebody tell sasquatch to stfu about D'Angelo already? Twitter him, or something dammit,,,,,

sosgemini said:

It used to be cool how much ? would talk to the press but now it's kinda of getting annoying because he sets expectations when it's not his place. Especially when it comes to D'Angelo. Lord knows he has been saying D's album would be coming out soon for years now.

Agreed... Questlove needs to eat a little humble pie and recognize that no one is checking for his music. 13 albums of which non are really important in the grand scheme of music. They haven't written a song that actually counts.

I agree with you in that it isn't his place to be talking about D'angelo's record and where he is with it.

Timmy84 said:

ThreadBare said:

I was just trying to give Ahmir some grace, but you're probably right. The article will appear in a big-name music publication, too. I agree the cycle is tiresome. It almost smacks of desperation on his part. Or, to be fair to ?uestlove, it's probably the most newsworthy thing about him.

Right. It sucks that now whenever I think of ?uestlove now, I think of his comments about comparing Beyonce to Michael and how okayplayer dudes let him HAVE it!

Hey Timmy84 - I remember that as well.

Beyonce potentially being the next MJ?!?!? MJ had that magic and those songs - Beyonce has no songs nevermind the magic.

Only one song comes to mind after reading this

Yeah, he also said that Amy's "Fade to Black" was the album Lauryn Hill wished she could make

What the hell does L-Boogie have to do with the price of scrambled eggs in his local Beds & Breakfest? He have a habbit of running the mouth piece.

BlaqueKnight said:

D'Angelo's next CD is coming out about the same time as Dr. Dre's Detox CD.

Word!!!!! I'll believe it when I'm @ the "Wrecka Stow" buying either one of 'em!!!!!!

jayARDAHB said:

Agreed... Questlove needs to eat a little humble pie and recognize that no one is checking for his music. 13 albums of which non are really important in the grand scheme of music. They haven't written a song that actually counts.

I beg to differ. They haven't had platinum success but they are extremely important in the contemporary scheme of hip-hop. i won't presume to know what your thoughts about what "validates" an artist (hits, chart success, etc.) but The Roots have emboldened many artists to be theselves and have helped maintain some semblance of consciousness, artistic credibility, and skill within hip-hop. I AGREE that ?Love needs some humility but don't disparage The Roots and their contributions to hip hop. I won't even get into how much Black Thought is slept on as a lyricist and how many MCs I know personally who said "Proceed" took them to new creative heights....

datdude said:

jayARDAHB said:

Agreed... Questlove needs to eat a little humble pie and recognize that no one is checking for his music. 13 albums of which non are really important in the grand scheme of music. They haven't written a song that actually counts.

I beg to differ. They haven't had platinum success but they are extremely important in the contemporary scheme of hip-hop. i won't presume to know what your thoughts about what "validates" an artist (hits, chart success, etc.) but The Roots have emboldened many artists to be theselves and have helped maintain some semblance of consciousness, artistic credibility, and skill within hip-hop. I AGREE that ?Love needs some humility but don't disparage The Roots and their contributions to hip hop. I won't even get into how much Black Thought is slept on as a lyricist and how many MCs I know personally who said "Proceed" took them to new creative heights....

and THE ROOTS are also GRAMMY WINNERS with out crossing over and selling out. so jayarabahb sit the fukc down and know ya facts. THE ROOTS dont need your support they are just fine with out it and still have a major deal... your favs could never.

[Edited 12/1/11 9:19am]