Demotion

Jimmy Fallon recently announced that the legendary Philadelphia ensemble the Roots will be his house band once he takes over Conan O'Brien's Late Night slot. Blasphemy! First off, The Roots just successfully released their latest album "Rising Down" not even a year ago. Second of all, The Roots are legendary. Beyond legendary. I can't speak for everyone but the Roots are one of my favorite groups of all time. It would seem more fit if they were playing beside Johnny Carson or another comedy legend, but Jimmy Fallon? I was fortunate enough to see the Roots live in Jersey City, New Jersey this summer. A band with that much talent and stage presence should not be restricted to snappy intros and outros for Jimmy Fallon on a late night television show. The Roots are a textbook example of longevity in the rap game. If they aren't washed up then why be the house band for some late night show? Obviously money is an issue. Album sales are steadily dropping (not only for the Roots but practically every artist) and there is the ever so obvious economic crisis.

In all fairness, Bruce Springsteen fans probably weren't overly enthused when Max Weinberg signed on to Conan or jazz fans to Kevin Eubank on Leno. But there is something so wrong with the Roots leading us into to commercial breaks. It is the cultural equivalent to Brad Pitt doing a low budget commercial for a local auto body shop. The money must be as unreal as this news...

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The Roots are a Philadelphia based hip hop group that formed in the late 80's and released their first studio album in 1993. In the span of fifteen years they have released eight studio albums, two live albums, and a number of compilations and EPs.

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Black Thought with Captain Kirk Douglas in the back.