worth the wait

The show Sunday was amazing. Doors opened at 7 and the real crowd did not pour into the giant Ryan Center until around 8pm. At 8:15 Slightly Stoopid came on stage with enough energy to have played for 2 more hours. Although they did not play some of their fan favorites like "Bandelero" and "2 Am", the band eccentrically rocked the stage with their unique reggae punk sound that had everyone screaming for more. Miles Doughty the lead singer kept the crowd amped as he honored all us sinsemilla smokers out there as clowds of smoke poured through the stadium. With mixes of acoustic reggae jams through fast moving pop punk, Slightly Stoopid played a set worth every bit of the mere $15 it cost to get in.
After the crowd gave its last ovation it was time for The Roots to come to the stage.................


...............an hour and a half later at 11pm they finally showed. Intermission between sets was nearing unbareable in the hot heat of the Ryan Center. The crowd began to boo as the DJ on the mixing board stalled for what was presumably said to be a broken down train as we waited anxiously for The Roots arrival. I can personally attest that I had never been so annoyed at any concert before, especially just waiting for the band to even show up. With hopes running dry and the clock rounding 11pm, the Roots drum legend Questlove made his appearance on stage giving the biggest sigh of relief to those true music lovers that stuck around. For those who left, I am sorry you missed this. Black Thought, lead mc of the group hit the stage with so much energy that the wait at intermission completely left my mind. From experience at the Rock the Bells Tour last summer, I knew The Roots live performance is that unlike many others. With Tuba Gooding Junior on the Sousaphone going insane on stage I knew I wasnt leaving anytime soon. Playing a number of their known hits such as "dont say nuthin" and modern renditions of classic songs from ODB "baby i like it raw", the Roots performance was everything I had imagined. If you never gave them a listen check out their myspace http://www.myspace.com/theroots . Also for you Slightly Stoopid fans, they are going on tour this summer "The Blazed and Confused Tour" with guests Snoop Dogg and Stephen Marley; acts that I know I am not going to miss even it if i have to wait till the sun comes up.

the roots coming to URI

The infamous hip hop group and band out of Philadelphia, PA The Roots have been long friends of Producer Dilla Dog. AHMIR '?UESTLOVE' THOMPSON, PROOF, T3 and RJ RICE, members of The Roots all paid their respects to the fullest when we lost one of the world's greatest musical geniuses. Dilla produced numerous beats and compilations for The Roots along with all the compilations him and drummer Thompson created when a part of the group Slum Village. The Roots also put out an album long ago "Game Theory" in 2006, a tribute to Dilla after his passing. The most notable track on the album is "Cant Stop This", an 8 minute song with an intro that reminisces about how special JD was to the hip hop community and their group (the roots). here is how it begins:

"My man, JD, was a true hip hop artist
... I can't explain the influence that
his mind and ear have had on my band
myself and the careers of so many other
artists. The most humble, modest, worthy
and gifted beatmaker I've known. And
definitely the best producer on the mic.
Never without that signature smile and head
bouncin' to the beat. JD had a passion for
life and music, and will never be forgotten.
He's a brother that was loved by me, and I
love what he's done for us. And though I'm
happy he's no longer in the pain he'd been
recently feelin', I'm crushed by the pain of
his absence. Name's Dilla Dog and I can only
rep the real and raw. My man, Dilla, rest in
peace."


The best news I heard all year was that The Roots are now performing at University of Rhode Island, Sunday April 26th doors open at 7pm. I highly recommend buying tickets for the show on account that they are only $15 for students, $20 for general admission I believe. The Roots are an excellent live performance, I have seen them at the Rock the Bells Tour in MA and I loved every second of the show. Another reason to buy your tickets ASAP is accompanying The Roots is Slightly Stoopid. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Slightly, they are a reggae, acoustic, punk, hip hop group that can do it all and are talented instrumentalists. So get familiar with the sounds of the Roots and Slightly Stoopid, and buy your ticket today at the Ryan Center Box Office or online. This show will be one I know I will remember for life.