The Hip Hop Chronicle

Ahmir ‘?uestlove’ Thompson has spoken out at the band’s relationship with label Def Jam.

?uestlove explains that Def Jam Chairman L.A. Reid doesnt know what track appear on the album

“He has no idea that ‘Birthday Girl’ isn’t even on the album …  They don’t know we shot the ‘Rising Down’ video. They just know they approved an (electronic press kit) budget.”

“At a time, it was safe to be the Roots … Now as each album goes by, the risk of annihilation becomes closer and closer. That’s why this album is almost our defining moment.”

But despite, the problems with the label, ?uestlove says he’s happy with his career 

“If someone asked me, ‘Do you want to release two albums and sell over 2 million copies, or do you want a 20-year career but none of your records will sell over 500,000 units?,’ that’s a tough question. But, looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

The Roots new album Rising Up is released via Def Jam tommorow. Look out for the review on the album exlcusively on The Hip Hop Chronicle

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