The Roots Archives - KOJO BAFFOE

Questlove in times of Covid-19

Apr 21, 2020 | Sound

With all the content that is online - on the hour, every hour - I have been struggling to keep up, especially on Instagram. Since D-Nice launched his Homeschool at Club Quarantine on March 21st, there has been explosion of musical experiences online. With the time differences between the south of Africa and the US, I have missed most of these. I just don’t have the energy that some friends have to sit up until the early hours of the morning… which also means I missed the Teddy Riley versus Babyface fiasco. I just caught the memes. After the success of D-Nice's IG livestream party - which...

Creative Quest, Questlove’s Book On Creativity

Apr 3, 2019 | Books, Lifestyle

Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson of the hip hop band The Roots epitomises the exploration of creativity in all facets of one’s life. While his creative expression has been rooted primarily in music as a deejay, drummer and founder of The Roots, he continuously explores the edges of creativity. In his book, Creative Quest - which followed Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According To Questlove, his memoir of sorts, and Something To Food About: Exploring Creativity with Innovative Chefs -he unpacks not only his thoughts on creativity but also shares tools that he has learned over the years. At the same...

Hennessy x Shepard Fairey

Aug 5, 2014 | Lifestyle

In 2010, Hennessy released the documentary The Art of Blending, shot by French director Thibaut De Longeville, which documented the Hennessy Artistry event that featured music artists like Chaka, Q-Tip, Erykah Badu, Mary J Blige, Bobby Brown and Eve, all backed by the legendary The Roots. At the time, I moaned incessantly to the then SA Brand Manager that I wasn’t invited to it. I did, however, get to experience a similar event in Joburg featuring music legends like Sipho ‘Hotstix” Mabuse as well as contemporary artists. They’ve also since held Artistry events in China, Barbados and Manila....

The Roots Undun

Jan 19, 2012 | Sound

With Undun, which chronicles the life of the fictional Redford Stevens , The Roots also put out a short film. Beautifully shot, intense and engaging.

A Fokn Boi from No 1 Mango Street

Mar 12, 2011 | Sound

M3nsa is a UK-based Ghanaian artist/producer M3nsa has, after years of working in the industry producing for the likes of hiplife godfather Reggie Rockstone and performing with artists like Nneka, The Roots and The Gorillaz, finally released a solo project No. 1 Mango Street. Coming off the back of his film and album – Coz Ov Moni – with Wanlov, childhood friend and other half of the group Fokn Bois, M3nsa’s album wonderfully marries his influences, whether it is hip hop, Twi and Pidgen English and Ghana, and is a sign of what happens when African artists are able to create balance.

Win A John Legend Hamper

Jan 12, 2011 | Competitions, Sound

The second half of last year saw the release of a project that brought together exceptional musicians and timeless music. Wake Up!, a collaborative album recorded by John Legend & The Roots, is the perfect example of what can happen when it is about the music and not ego. John Legend, in his relatively short career, has created some beautiful music, both alone and in collaboration with other artists, and has already built the foundation to a solid discography. I am a fan and have had the fortune of seeing him perform live twice. I would comfortably go again and again. I've been able to...