ROOTS, JAY-Z Talk to the media

Def Jam artists The Roots joined their label president Jay-Z in New York last week where they played the groups long-awaited new album Game Theory before selected members of the media.

Billboards Hillary Crosley was there and notes the J-Dilla tribute track Can’t Stop as one of the albums highlights.

The boom-bap drum pattern of first single It Don’t Feel Right sets the tone for most of the album’s production, writes Crosley. False Media featuring poet Wadud Ahmad showcased strong drums over Black Thought’s thoughtful lyrics, while Longtime finds Roc-A-Fella Philly favorite Peedi Peedi aka Peedi Crack trading verses with Thought.

Former Roots member Malik B., who hasnt been a full-time member since the mid-90s, lends vocals to three tracks on the album.

During the listening event, Black Thought said of his Def Jam president: “In a lot of places Jay-Z is considered God, Philly, our hometown being one of them. So if you’re rolling with Jesus, you got one up on somebody that’s not a disciple. When people see that we’re signed to Def Jam, the perception has changed. That holds a lot more weight on a street level than [former label] Geffen Records does.”