Sun 15 Jan 2012
Look: Pharrell With HMI Orchestra, The Roots ‘Undun’ EP. 1, Common on ‘Live! With Kelly’
Posted by Mikey Fresh under Videos[3] Comments
I really love when hip-hop and live orchestra meet. DJ Premier’s Re:generation project with The Berklee Symphony Orchestra was pretty amazing. Last September, fellow hip-hop producer Pharrell also got down with a full orchestra band to record a theme for his I Am Other brand. Here’s a clip of Skateboard P working with the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.
Listen: Pharrell Williams & Henry Mancini “I Am Other” Theme (12′)
Check out The Roots’ Undun Episodes 1 + 2 and Common’s performance on Live! With Kelly after the the jump…
Our boy Rik Cordero shot a series of mock interviews to go along with The Roots’ latest opus, Undun.
Redford Stephens, who lived from 1974-1999. The following interviews were conducted by filmmaker Rik Cordero in 2011 to provide insight on Stephens’ experiences during his short and tragic life.
Undun starts with the sound of a heart monitor flatlining before working backward to tell the troubled tale of fictional character Redford Stephens. Blending politics and the personal, this concept album details the circumstances and choices that led to a tragic end. It’s a heavy theme, but the strong and concise songs get the point across with bursts of brittle funk, hard rhythms, and slow-burning soul. The Roots’ live-band approach to hip-hop layers lush processed beats, tough guitar, soulful keyboards and bass, and the impeccable drumming of Ahmir “QuestLove” Thompson. Singer and rapper Tarik “Black Thought” Trotter is joined by regular Roots collaborators Dice Raw, Greg Porn, Phonte, and Bilal Oliver on vocals. The album’s emphasis on down- and midtempo grooves lets the words sink in, and there are some powerful lyrical moments here. Undun ends with an unexpected four-part suite, starting with Sufjan Stevens’ “Redford (For Yia-Yia and Pappou)” and moving through three instrumental passages to close on a reflective note.
Related: Listen: The Roots ‘Undun’ (Album Stream)
The Roots ‘Undun’ (Short Film)
Common Sense made his way to Kelly Ripa’s morning show for a performance of “Celebrate.”
Related: Common Unleashes New Drake Diss: “You A B–ch”
New Video: Common “Celebrate”
January 15th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
I feel like I’m suffocating from all this deadish type hip hop. We need somebody to save the day! We need some new stuff man. I’m so bored w/ what’s out here I AM GOING CRAZY! Its like turning on Mtv and all u c is teen mom series all day 70 days a week. Where is that new person?
…Props to Pharell : )
January 15th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
The Roots had an “Undun” App with all of those interviews on it. Pretty cool
January 15th, 2012 at 6:46 pm
This year I really got into the SOUL REBELS BRASS BAND. They remind me of The Roots in a lot of ways. A deep blend of Mardi Gras funk, soul, hip hop, hard rock, and reggae- they defy category. Soul Rebels are utterly uplifting, hardcore and soulful! Their record drops January 31. Website says they playin a lot in NYC next month at Brooklyn Bowl and Terminal 5.
Check them out on Jools Holland: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RWRa-7vd-Q
soulrebelsbrassband.com