Did The Roots bow down to public pressure? I know that thy listen to Blogs, but I didn’t expect them to drop Birthday Girl from their album, Rising Down. Yes, yours truly personally railed against the track, not because of the song itself, but because it seemed completely out of place with all the other songs on the album. I mean, completely out of place. Were they going for that emo demographic? If the Roots were going to “sell out” so to speak, I would hope they would do it in a more cleaver way, like the time they dropped Jill Scott for Erykah Badu on the “You Got Me” single back in 1999.

Anyway, that’s over and done with. The single is dropped from the US release, but will remain on the international release, and will be featured as a bonus track here. They’re even recording a video for it with porn star Sasha Grey (who is this chick? I only heard of her last week). The rumored replacement single, “Rising Up” has hit the Blogs and its a banger. The track features none other than DC’s Wale, as well as a straight up go-go beat. Chrisette Michele sings the hook.

This song is fire. Is it “fire” enough to be a radio single? Definitely not. But at least The Roots will continue to stay true to their fanbase. (via The Rap Up)

The official Rising Down Album Cover. ?uest provides the explanation (from Nah Right):

“This drawing is entitled NEGRO RULE. and it pretty much sums up the feeling of the Confederate Union towards the newly freed slaves and the idea that if given power they would reek havoc and chaos on the country.”

Other than “Birthday Girl,” all of the tracks on this album so far have been solid. Can’t wait until this album comes out. The Roots are also going on tour in support of Rising Down. DC people take note, The Roots will be playing the Green Apple Festival on the National Mall for free.

Tour Dates 
Mar 29 2008 – Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois
Mar 30 2008 – Kool Haus Toronto, Canada
Apr 5 2008 – University of Texas, Austin, Texas
Apr 7 2008 – Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Apr 9 2008 – Higher Ground, Burlington, Vermont
Apr 11 2008 – Pickle Barrell Nightclub, Killington, Vermont
Apr 12 2008 – Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
Apr 16 2008 – Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Apr 17 2008 – Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Apr 18 2008 – Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri
Apr 20 2008 – Green Apple Festival Washington DC
Apr 26 2008 – Tigerfest Towson University, Towson, Maryland
May 3 2008 – Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, Louisiana
May 4 2008 – House of Blues, New Orleans, Louisiana