The Roots back up Jimmy Fallon

Since its premiere weeks ago, the Late Night Show with Jimmy Fallon has featured the talented and often underrated legendary Roots Crew as the back up band. Here's Jimmy Fallon featuring the Roots from last night's show in a segment called "Slow Jammin' the News"... The move by the group to this position as a late night backup band has received mixed criticism, including this rant from Gawker.com: “I’ve never had a group that I actually like go the late night house band route. Springsteen fans saw Max Weinberg take his act to Conan’s show; and I’m sure there were some jazz heads who were flabbergasted to see their main man Kevin Eubanks signing up with Jay Leno. But The Roots? The Illadelph generals opening up for that stuttering mop-headed ball of suck, Jimmy Fallon? It’s kind of tragic. On one hand, we’ll get to see The Roots on TV every night; on the other hand, Black Thought opening for Jimmy Fallon every night is the cultural equivalent of Miles Davis playing his horn on the subway platform to back up a semi-trained dancing spider monkey.” Last night's episode featured The Roots in a comedy sketch similar to MTV's The Hills called "7th West". Jimmy Fallon bumped into them at the office and asked their opinion on which tie he should have worn. While Jimmy Fallon is still nowhere near the level of Conan O'Brien with his comedy sketches and overall show, having The Roots backing him up doesn't hurt him. The question is whether the band is hurting themselves by taking this gig? The Roots have plenty of cred amongst hip hop and alt fans. This move could potentially thrust them more into the mainstream then some would like, but it could also help with new connections and lead to further appearances. This legendary band has the talents and they deserve to be seen. Whether or not Jimmy Fallon will sustain the late night show, increase its viewership, or just be canceled out like many other show businesses these days could be the key factor in how much exposure the Roots crew gets. For another treat check out rap pioneers Public Enemy performing "Bring the Noise" with The Roots backing them up: Daily Highlights Late Night with Jimmy Fallon video!

VH1 Hip Hop Honors & Top 100

VH1 unveiled it's 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs list recently and it's created quite the uproar amongst music fans. Coming in at #1 is the video pictured above. Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" is a political rap about challenging the system, and it has stood the test of time. Speaking of time, it also features crazy rap star, Flavor Flav, wearing a huge timepiece around his neck, which is his longtime trademark. Is it possible Flav's rap group took the prize due to his celebrity status on the VH1 Love Reality circuit? Rounding out the top 5 were the always classic, Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang. Nuthin' But a G Thang by Dre & Snoop, Walk this Way by Run DMC and The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. What may be stirring controversy is the selection of Beastie Boys' "Hold It Now Hit It" which doesn't seem to have the same effect as other hits like "Fight For Your Right" and "Whatcha Want?" but then again, VH1 wasn't always playing rap videos on its channel. Diddy's "All About the Benjamins" also made the cut, ahead of legends like Nas, the Geto Boys and De La Soul. You can view videos of the videos here at VH1.com VH1 the TV channel will be airing its Hip Hop Honors show tonight. Each year VH1 which somehow became a hip hop source over the years, picks out several rap stars to honor. This years honorees include Cypress Hill, De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, Slick Rick and Too $hort. All of the aforementioned have important spots in hip-hop, widening the genre to different listeners. Of the honorees I'd pick De La as one of the most creative and influential, but Slick Rick is definitely a very close second. The Annual Hip Hop Honors show airs on Monday, October 6 at 10 pm ET. with Tracy Morgan hosting the show. Full VH1.com coverage of Hip Hop Honors

Flavor Flav! Under One Roof

It's the way of the rap star. turned TV star. turned movie star. In the case of William Jonathan Drayton, Jr aka "Flavor Flav", it will be rap sidekick, turned rap star. turned reality TV star, turned-TV-sitcom-star. Flavor Flav will be in a new sitcom called "Under one Roof". The premise has Flav starring as Calvster Hill, an ex-con who moves in with his wealthy brother's family, turning their world upside down. The show co-stars Kelly Perine. The MyNetwork TV synopsis goes to explain the antics included on the show, as Calvster parades his old prison cronies through the new upscale house, teaches his nephew to be a gangsta rapper, and butts heads with the snooty wife of the family. Of course the quick obvious comparisons will come between this new show and "Fresh Prince of Bel Air". The premise there was Will Smith (not an ex-con) moved from the ghetto of Philly to the rich, upscale Beverly Hills area of California with his rich relatives, the Banks family. It will be tough for Flav to top Will's sitcom which still airs in reruns and is one of the funniest shows of its time and now. It also launched Will Smith's career beyond just rapping, as he propelled into movie roles like Independence Day, Men in Black and Pursuit of Happyness. Flavor Flav is best known as Chuck D's sidekick from the rap pioneers Public Enemy, where he was showcased on 911 is a Joke and famous for yelling "Yea Boy!". He also may be better off and funnier starring in reality shows than he is on a scripted sitcom. It's his bizarre off the cusp outbursts of "Flavor Flav!" that have become his trademark. On this show he won't be doing so much improv and will be subject to what the writes have come up with. He's previously been on several reality TV shows all on VH1, such as Surreal Life, Strange Love and Flavor of Love. He's also made cameos on My Wife and Kids, and the Bernie Mac Show, but now heads into a starring role. The oversized clock-wearing Flav recently celebrated his 49th birthday on the set of the new TV show. If you're a longtime fan of Public Enemy, that's gotta make you feel old... "Under One Roof" makes its TV debut on this Wednesday, April 16 on MyNetwork TV at 8PM EST. More info on Under One Roof at myNetworkTV.

Flav & Conan

Flavor Flav appeared on the recent Conan O'Brien show, and sat alongside other guest, Martin Short. Hilarious interview with Flav wearing what looked like the clock off the wall of a school classroom. Flav promised Conan he would get his whole family decked out in clocks. They also showed a slideshow of the various hats Flav has worn. Flav said his dreamgirl is the girl he can wake up next to and she's still looking pretty, or one that he can push her face into some cookie dough and make angel cookies. Flav noted that he and Chuck D are getting back with Bomb Squad to make a new P.E. album which will sound alot like "It Takes a Nation of Millions".. The show ended with Conan trying on Flav's jacket and clock..Nice look.

Top 20 Rap Albums All Time

Here's my top 20 rap albums of all time...Ranked in terms of their impact upon me and my love for the music.. 1) "Licensed to Ill" - Beastie Boys - The rock/rap crossover appeal lured me in, and I was hooked for good 2) "Raising Hell" - RUN DMC - Wow I can remember playing this tape over and over in my walkman on trips with my parents..I bet they wish I never got a walkman ;) 3) "The Low End Theory" - A Tribe Called Quest - This tape and group is what really got me into rap, their style was so unique and varied and the beats were full of soulful bass and horns, strings and just good stuff. 4) "Death Certificate" - Ice Cube - Another one I listened to quite a bit. Yes it was gangsta, and violent and full of racist ideas and suggestions, but its an eye opener for sure. 5) "De La Soul is Dead" - De La Soul - Another group like Tribe who really fueled my love for rap. Their creativity is unparalleled and this concept tape was amazing. 6) "The Chronic" -Dr Dre - Another one that along with Ice Cube really got me into that gangsta westcoast scene. 7) "Paid in Full" - Eric B & Rakim - Most people know this has to be in a top 10 for greatest rap albums. I bought it later than sooner (like 1997) but even so I recognize its major importance to the genre. 8) "Straight Outta Compton" - N.W.A. More gangsta, got this album late too, but I knew it had to be part of my collection. 9) "Illmatic" - Nas - My alltime favorite rapper with his 1st debut album, and a definite classic 10) "Reasonable Doubt"/"Black Album" (tie) - Jay Z - Very hard to call this one, one album marked the start of a great career, the other was the "supposed"end. But both are extremely introspective & deep. 11) "Ready to DIE" - BIG - RIP to one of the all time greatest, baby baby. 12) "Enter the 36 Chambers" - Wu Tang Clan- I remember first getting my hands on this from my roommate at UCONN and loving the rawness of the combined talents of this group..amazing style. 13) "The Infamous" - Mobb Deep - I remember the hype that built up before this release dropped, and it definitely lived up to it..It sure bumped the bass out of our 81' Corolla ;) 14) "Fear of a Black Planet" - Public Enemy the rap revolutionaries..Another group with alot to say. 15) "The College Dropout" - Kanye West - This really should be higher because it has so much meaning to me, just the concept of Kanye's career and what he's come through to get where he is. 16) "93 Til Infinity" - Souls of Mischief - These guys were interesting, because they came from the West Coast but had a nitty gritty underground style,like the Native Tongues..fresh. 17)"The Fix" - Scarface - I used to listen to this album over and over while driving for a job I had, it was rare at the time because there wasnt many good rap albums out..but this one is solid start to finish. 18)"Me Against the World" - 2PAC - An all time rap top 20 list needs to include BIG & Pac, two of rap's finest. This album's title track is legendary. 19) "The Score" - The Fugees - Classic hip hop, soulful singing, reggae and rap all in one. 20) "Can I Borrow a Dollar?" - Common Sense - This one will surprise people, but I remember getting his tape off a recommend buy in "Source" magazine. And it mesmerized me in my walkman, because the style was just so off base and out there..and now, hes one of my top 3 faves, all time. (Honorable mentions: EPMD - Business as Usual or Business Never Personal, Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP, Redman - Whut? Thee Album, Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions, LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out)