D’Angelo performs two tracks from Black Messiah up at SNL.

R&B icon D’Angelo is an elusive man, and purposefully so. This much we learned earlier this week, during his lengthy interview with Nelson George as part of Red Bull Music Academy Festival New York. There were plenty of other takeaways as well: D’s first experience at the Apollo nearly ended in disaster. He likes going “deep into the onion” when recording. And Mtume gave him a much needed confidence boost at a critical moment. In the nearly 90 minute lecture, D’Angelo opened up in a way that few have ever seen him before. Cameo from Questlove.

Bonnaroo 2012 Superjam featuring “My Summertime Thang” (by Prince) remixed by Questlove filmed live on Saturday, June 9th at Bonnaroo – This Tent

Band Members:
D’Angelo: Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar
Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson: Drums (The Roots)
Pino Palladino: Bass (The Who)
Eric Leeds: Saxophone (Prince)
Jesse Johnson: Guitar (The Time, Prince, Janet Jackson)
Captain Kirk: Guitar (The Roots)
James Posyer: Keyboards (The Roots)
Frank Knuckles: Percussion (The Roots)
Kendra Foster (Vocals)

Filmed and Directed by Danny Clinch

Hey D’Angelo’s back. And he’s back in shape.

The festival will happen September 1 and 2 at the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy in Philly, and will feature Jay-Z, Pearl Jam, Skrillex, Miike Snow, Afrojack, Calvin Harris, Odd Future, D’Angelo, Rick Ross, Wale, Meek Mill, Passion Pit, Santigold, Dirty Projectors, X, Janelle Monae, Prince Royce, Rita Ora
Savoy, The Knocks, and more.

Jokes: What, no Beanie Sigel? Also, we didn’t know Calvin Harris and Afrojack were made in America.

?uestlove spoke to Billboard yesterday, spilling details on The Roots next LP, Undun, as well as work on D’Angelo’s long-overdue comeback LP.

“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.”

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.”

NYG’z will make their return this summer on DJ Premier’s Year Round Records imprint, with their second LP, Hustla’s Union. The album will feature guest appearances from Busta Rhymes, D’Angelo, Ice Cube, M.O.P., and more….. All we have to say is, Ice Cube on a Preemo track? Please let this happen….[Source: DPB]