The Roots Talk Label Struggle, Overseas Hip Hop Fans

by Edwin Ortiz.(hiphopdx.com)

Joining Hot 97’s DJ Enuff on his newly-minted website, ThatsEnuff.com, The Roots' ?uestlove and Black Thought [click to read] took the liberty of explaining their views on their group, record label woes, and why European Hip Hop fans are on point.

Knowing that the group has always separated itself from the pack, ?uestlove metaphorically described his vision of The Roots. “If people really had to investigate the situation, I think that this is a more A.D.D. society. It’s quick fast, in a hurry. Sometimes, you just gotta get that instant gratification; it’s like the crack generation. You need that gratification. I think with us, we’re like souffle, or like baking something in the oven.”

When the questions of record label failures (including sales, marketing and exposure) arose, Black Thought was quick to explain the realistic goals that labels have planned. “Every label’s got a priority list. The Roots isn’t necessarily the number one priority at Def Jam. They doing what they suppose to do, but we’re not necessarily number one on their priority list when they got a Janet [Jackson] record that just came out and a Mariah [Carey] joint. It’s just a different focus at the label at the time that we put our joint out. But it’s not a situation we aren’t unused to…You gotta be self-sufficient in anything. We kinda figured that out early on, and that’s why we still here.”

In a nod to the Hip Hop heads on the other side of the globe, ?uestlove gave props to their integrity of the Hip Hop culture. “It’s going back in time overseas. They still believe in the whole rules and standards of what real Hip Hop is…For them, there’s no biting aloud. For them, they still believe in b-boying and graffiti.” Black Thought then chimed in, describing the essence of Hip Hop and the division in its current state. “[Hip Hop is] everything, all the whistles and bells that came along with it that made it a culture, as opposed to just a job or a career or a game. It was different… We had all these different rules and shit. There ain’t no rules no more.”