Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience
Column Header

Questlove Talks Roots Album, Says D'Angelo Is In 'Home-Stretch' of New Record

Jeff Fusco/Getty Images

Artists in this Article

The Roots
?uestlove

Related Articles

The Roots Return with 'Undun' Album, 'Make My' Single

The Roots will return with a new album, "undun," their first conceptual full-length, on Dec. 6.

?uestlove, of The Roots, wears many hats. Whether he's on drums with the Legendary Roots Crew, on set as house band for "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," doing random DJ sets, or sitting in with other bands, the man stays busy. We spoke with ?uestlove about The Roots' upcoming 13th album "Undun" (Dec. 6), and the progress of D'Angelo's record.

 

D'Angelo Back At Work on Long-Waited New Album

 

"We actually completed [the album] at five [o'clock] this morning, so it's officially done," ?uestlove tells Billboard.com's The Juice of "Undun." "It's essentially a biographical narrative about Redford Stephens. Stephens [is] a composite of four or five people that we've known over the past few years from Philadelphia." The album, which features Big K.R.I.T. and Phonte from Little Brother, tells Steven's story backwards from his death to his birth.

 

 

When asked about The Roots' incredible schedule, he took it all as just another day on the job. "It's really not that hard. People are always amazed with the amount of projects and events that we're involved in and the hardest thing about it is just staying the course and concentrating," ?uestlove said. "I've just seen so many examples of people who take it for granted. You dream of being in a certain position and once you approach it you manage to sabotage it or you get off course. For us, that's really not an option."

 

While Questo spoke of the many jobs he has, he revealed some work on a more elusive artist's highly-anticipated album: D'Angelo. "I'm on his [D'Angelo's] record as well," he said. "He's in the home stretch right now. I know that Fred Wesley and the JB Horns just did a cut that Q-Tip did; I know he's doing his vocals right now."

 

Despite the hectic schedule, ?uestlove brings it into perspective with hard work. "We're really highly responsible and very disciplined," he said. "I take pride in the fact that this is our 13th record; not many hip-hop groups can even get to their 8th record."

 

Up for Discussion

Connect with

More Features

All features

All of Billboard.com's Great Lists

Billboard chart app

Billboard archives

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.