Questlove and Black Thought from The Roots have announced the lineup to this year’s Philly 4th of July Jam as part of the WaWa Welcome America! The lineup includes John Mayer, Ne-Yo, J.Cole, Demi Lovato, Grace Potter, and Jill Scott. You can get more information about all the WaWa Welcome America festivities here.
Black Thought
RECENT POSTS
The Roots Report: Black Thought to collaborate with Jim James of My Morning Jacket; The Roots finish album with Elvis Costello
Here’s a round up of some recent Roots-related news:
In an interview with Uber Urban, Roots MC Black Thought talked about several exciting projects he has in the works. These included film collaborations, “branching off” into clothing design, writing an autobiography, and recording a “blues album.” He’s also collaborating with Raheem DeVaughn, Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Tunde Adebimpe of TV On The Radio. Watch the interview below.
On The Roots front, last month Questlove told Billboard that a new Roots album called & Then You Shoot Your Cousin will be out in late 2013 or early 2014. In addition, The Roots and Elvis Costello also recorded together, and are in the final stages of mixing their collaborative record.
Black Thought, Chill Moody performing at the Lets Move It Philly! benefit tonight at Sigma Sound
Tonight the legendary Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia will play host to the third annual Lets Move It Philly! benefit concert emceed by Black Thought of The Roots Crew and featuring performances by Marsha Ambroisus, Chill Moody, Malene Younglao, and Money Making Jam Boys’ Dice Raw, Truck North, and STS. The event’s goal is to raise funds and awareness for the GrassROOTS Community Foundation and its programs.
GrassROOTS was formed by sociologist Dr. Janice Johnson Dias back in 2010 with long time friend, Black Thought from The Roots to bring health awareness to African American and low-income communities. Based on some alarming statistics, Dr. Johnson Dias and her colleagues at GrassROOTS decided to that the best way to make a difference was to work directly within the community. Continue reading
Tonight’s Concert Picks: Kingsfoil at Chameleon Club, By Surprise at The Barbary, Black Thought at The Blockley, Mike Doughty at The Tin Angel, Moosh and Twist at the First Unitarian Church
York County pop-rock four-piece Kingsfoil is wrapping up its 2012 with a headlining show tonight at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster. The band put out its sophomore album this year, the hooky and emotive A Beating Heart is a Bleeding Heart, and recorded a Key Studio Session with us on the eve of Hurricane Sandy. Opening the show is fellow Central Pennsylvanian Jesse Baker, whose LP Tearing Down the Walls is available as a free download here. More information on tonight’s show can be found at the XPN Concert Calendar; below, watch the video for Kingsfoil’s very catchy single “What Your Mother Taught You.”
Listen to a new Truck North song, “Capital Crime” ft. Black Thought and Asher Roth (produced by The Wurx)
Below, listen to a new song, “Capital Crime” from the forthcoming EP by Truck North, American Cousin. Produced by The Wurx, the song features Black Thought of the legendary Roots crew (of which North is a collaborator with) and Asher Roth and was produced by The Wurxs.
Black Thought and J.Period performing with Reef the Lost Cauze, Mic Stew and Rowboat Casino at The Blockley on December 29th
Photo of Black Thought by Eric Ashleigh
Chill Moody and Dice Raw to perform at Roots mural painting session tomorrow
The Roots have opened up another chance for Philadelphians to grab a paintbrush and help put their mark on the cityscape. This Saturday from 1 PM to 3 PM, the ongoing Roots MuralArts project at the World Communications Charter School (512 S. Broad Street) will be unveiled for the first time for the public to view. The mural, which is expected to be completed and dedicated sometime in 2013, has been called MuralArts’ “most ambitious” endeavor yet, so it’s an exciting opportunity for city-dwellers to become part of one of the city’s three thousand murals. As an added bonus, participants will be treated to performances from Chill Moody and Dice Raw; ?uestlove and Black Thought will also make appearances at the unveiling. Don’t miss this chance to let your color-by-number skills become part of Philadelphia’s history!