The Roots News

Though it garners less attention than some of the summer's hipper or more-hyped music celebrations, the Chicago Folk & Roots Festival, sponsored by the Old Town School of Folk Music, always has some of the most diverse and surprising bookings, as well as by far the most family-friendly vibe.

Of this time yet unafraid to move beyond this moment, rugged yet introspective, Wale--hip-hop's newest sensation and the first D.C. rapper to gain national attention in more than a decade--demands to be heard with his debut album Attention: Deficit , releasing September 22, 2009.

Add some hard rock with a spoonful of funk, a sprinkle of hip-hop and droves of music lovers and you have tonight's Common Ground Music Festival in downtown Lansing.

SOURCE: rock paper scissors, inc. Pawn Shop Scavenging for the Roots of Flamenco Hip-Hop: Gnawledge Records Remixes the Legacy of Moorish Spain Instead of angling for a record deal, Canyon Cody sent his demo to the US government and applied for a Fulbright scholarship.

When he was paddling his canoe onto the lake that now bears his name, Samuel de Champlain probably didn't imagine that those quiet, tree-lined shores would one day host a big, splashy party of epic proportions - in his honor, no less.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA: Head down to the front of the Art Museum to celebrate America with a free concert by The Roots and Sheryl Crow .

Posted on July 3rd, 2009 9:17 AM By Chris Riemenschneider Last night's Roots gig was by no means the best show I've seen by the Philly hip-hop crew, but it was definitely the most energetic and insane.

Home-state heroes Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - now a five-piece featuring new members Catherine Popper on bass and Benny Yurco on guitar - return to Waterfront Park on Sunday, July 12.

A veteran of the Philadelphia airwaves, Patty Jackson has played her share of Michael Jackson songs as a disk jockey.

This week's "Wednesday Night Jam Session" at The Prophet Bar will be a tribute filled summer soul session.

Pittsburgh native Anthony Jeselnik is a stand-up comedian who was hired on as one of the first joke writers for " Late Night With Jimmy Fallon ." It's his first experience writing for a talk show, though he created material for Jimmy Kimmel on the American Music Awards and ESPYs.

The BET Awards became the official Michael Jackson TV celebration Sunday, with joyous tributes to the King of Pop from a New Edition-Jackson 5 medley to host Jamie Foxx's tender monologue delivered in that classic red leather zipper jacket and white glove.

RIDAY Tonight is the night for audiophiles who strictly buy used records that are more than 20 years old.

Fresh off her amazing solo performance and crowd-thrilling guest appearance with Snoop Dogg at Bonnaroo, Erykah Badu will make a "surprise" appearance tonight on Jimmy Kimmel Live Late Night with Jimmy Fallon .

Obama's ambitious health care reform promises seem stalled these days, in no small part because of Democratic resistance.

Find out more about Samantha: Samantha Greaves is a freelance writer and full-time music aficionado from Brooklyn, NY.

The Roots debuted the title track from their upcoming album, How I Got Over , last night on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon , where they also serve as the house band.

On a scene that's too often about poses and posturing, the Roots have spent two decades focusing on the music, and they've never had much competition for the title of the best live band in hip-hop. Jimmy Fallon with the Roots, the house band on his "Late Night" show on NBC.

The Roots on the set of Nick Jr.'s "Yo Gabba Gabba." The Roots , who just got added to the bill with Sheryl Crow of the July 4 Welcome America concert on the Parkway, will also be engaged in a residency at Atlantic City's Borgata, starting July 24.

Sunoco Welcome America! Fourth of July celebration will span two weekends with a marathon of free Independence Day events featuring films, food, dancing, a parade, patriotic ceremonies, concerts and fireworks.