New York City: #003 (Roots & Legend: The Story)

Last night 7:15pm:

On the subway headed to meet John Legend's manager at a music hall in Brooklyn (The Music Hall of Williamsburg - it's in brooklyn). Kind of anxious still. I don't know what he's gonna say or how I should act, or if he wants to hear the music or just chill, I don't know! I spent 30 minutes changing clothes so I would come off as myself (that's already a paradox for ya), not a JL knock off. Ended up in just regular t-shirt and jeans. I figure Legend doesn't wear this much anymore from what I've seen lately, he's kind of high fashioned out - I can't afford that so I have NO problem not wearing it. It's kinda strange tho, I'm sitting on here thinkin' "I really need this. I just need one person to see in me what I already know I got." I'm not desperate tho, we're all just men -- none better than the other. But I digress. I don't know what will or won't come of this meeting (which is more like a informal hang I'm supposing), but I just know somebody's going to give me the good vote, just waiting to see who it will be. Maybe he'll be the guy to get me to the guy, or maybe he IS the guy. Yea, slightly on edge right now...I'm gonna get a orange juice at the bar when I get there...extra lemons. (dont ask)

After the show 11:30pm:

Yea, I read right...SHOW!! So I get to the music hall spot in brooklyn and start seeing a line. I figure - JL's manager probably has other cats on the side he manages or smaller shows he goes to while in town. I come closer the to sign and look up and it says: John Legend & The Roots LIVE TONIGHT. I say to myself, HELL YEA!! (to myself tho, gotta stay cool). I get inside cuz i'm on the "list" -- baby baby (that's a biggie smalls reference considering my brooklyn surroundings, double whammy) -- and notice this is a small spot, and there was a line but it was small for what's supposed to happen tonight. I'm just sayin, it's THE ROOTS! Come to find out it's a secret show by American Airlines to promote the new JL/Roots album coming out next week.

Some dude comes out with AAirlines and starts doin his "i'm not a salesman, i'm ur friend" speech. Crowd doesn't feel him and is kinda dead honestly. Then, with no opening act I see @questlove's head come out the side door and onto the stage. Aaaaaaaah, that's what I like to see.

The show was real dope. Everybody pretty much likes or loves The Roots, but one thing I found out about JL is he's really good at what he does. Some people like him, some think he's lounge music, I personally have a bit of both of those feelings. But dude never misses a note or key, solid. And with all the shiny that's covers true talent these days, it's refreshing to see some solid.

After the show I met JL's manager and JL briefly thanks to my blood brother Damien Horne, I'll speak on that dude later. I really wanted to meet james poyser, quest, and the other Roots guys but no go. It was brief, JL's manager said "John this is Darnell, Damien's good friend." Me: "hey man, pleasure bro. Great show out there tonight." JL: "Hey man, nice to meet you man." Then JL's manager says "hit me tomorrow I'll try to squeeze in some time w/ya". I say cool. I've heard JL is kind of standoff-ish (makes sense - goes with his stage presence - think he's just that kinda cat)...so I didn't take the conversation much further as we walked down the small flight of stairs from the balcony to the ground floor: JL's manager, JL, and me behind JL. Step, step, step...and out the side door. And that was it. They say later and drive off their way, I walk off mine back down to the brooklyn subway. "I'm gonna call him again tomorrow" I say to myself. Back to Harlem, the 1 train...