![]() ![]() Unplugged proved that not only would they consider forays into the mainstream, it proved they could succeed in such realms on their own terms. Up to that point, they had a reputation of being anti-anything-corporate. Without this album, The Roots wouldn’t be on late night television. Of course, there’s huge merit to artists of great substance working away outside of the mainstream spotlight, but those artists are also dependent on people like Jay-Z helping fans crossover. There are hip-hop artists who have had more mainstream success than Jay-Z, but lack the depth and nuance Jay-Z has. There are MCs who are better, but could never cross over to the mainstream the way Jay-Z did. I love this album because it was what prompted me to grow to love Jay-Z. With the help of Questlove and inspired by the work ethic he saw in The Roots, he rose to the occasion and would later credit this as key to his development as a live performer. Heading into the performance, Jay-Z wasn’t accustomed to playing long sets and didn’t even have most of his verses memorized. With a setlist composed primarily of material from The Blueprint album that was released on September 11th, the music is intense, but groovy. Jay as the number one rapper of the time and The Roots as the guardians of live, organic hip hop. Not competing as in failing to work harmoniously with one another, quite the opposite in fact, but in the sense of competing to prove their status as the best at what they do. ![]() It’s clear listening to this album that both Jay and The Roots are competing to prove their worth. So, when Jay-Z approached The Roots about being his backing band for an MTV Unplugged special scheduled for the end of 2001, Questlove was initially skeptical. The Roots mocked Jay’s mentor Biggie in their “What They Do” video and apparently Biggie was pretty bummed about it. The Roots spent the next few tumultuous, tragic days listening to the album and debating if they were indeed listening to Jay-Z in his prime.Īt the time, the relationship between the conscious Roots and artists like the blinged out Jay-Z was contentious. While there, he picked up a copy of Jay-Z’s The Blueprint. When the attacks happened, Quest knew the city would go into lockdown and ran over to the electronics store near their hotel to buy a few DVDs to pass the time. As the story goes, The Roots were in New York on September 11, 2001. Hanif Abdurraqib and Kim Marlowe serve as executive producers.For me, this album starts and ends with Questlove, drummer for The Roots, DJ and music connoisseur. “ Milli Vanilli” is directed and produced by Luke Korem, and produced by Bradley Jackson, MRC, Keep On Running Pictures and MTV Entertainment Studios. At last I can close this chapter in peace … Get ready to take a walk in our steel-toe boots.” The journey I returned to during the filming of this documentary didn’t leave any stone unturned. “I’m thankful Luke Korem and his team went to the lengths that they did. “ Finally – the true story of Milli Vanilli has been told!” states Fabrice Morvan. However, their ascension to success came with a devastating price that ultimately led to their infamous undoing.įeaturing interviews with the real singers, record executives, the producer mastermind behind the deception and exclusive interviews with Rob and Fab, “Milli Vanilli” unveils the truth of this complex, exciting and dramatic story. Rob and Fab, better known as Milli Vanilli, became the world’s most popular pop duo in 1990 and won the Grammy for Best New Artist. Their first album went platinum six times in 1989, and their hit “ Girl You Know It’s True” sold over 30 million singles worldwide. In a few short years, their dreams came true. With Rob coming from a broken home and Fabrice having left an abusive household, they shared a similar upbringing, as well as a future goal: to become famous superstars. Produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and MRC, “ Milli Vanilli” tells the story of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, who became fast friends during their youth in Germany. Following its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on Saturday, June 10th. ![]() Paramount+ has announced the acquisition of the new feature-length documentary “ Milli Vanilli,” which will premiere exclusively on the service this fall. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |