Last week, The Roots released their highly acclaimed new album undun, but they’ve got further plans for the project. During an interview with Billboard.com, Black Thought said that the group hopes to turn the concept album into a movie or play, suggesting several ways that the story of Redford Stephens can live beyond the LP.
“It’s definitely a set-up for there to be something cinematic or theatrical,” he said. “It could be a play or a full-length feature or a short or an iPad app that’s more involved than the one that accompanies this record. The idea that those possibilities exist are why we approached (undun) that way; we want there to be an option for the music to be able to live on if we choose to take it there.”
The story reverses the death of its protagonist, who spent his life hustling and searching for unanswered questions about existence. Though the potential is there for a visual representation, The Roots has only discussed it in closed quarters.
“It’s been discussed amongst ourselves,” he said, “but no one has approached us to say, ‘Why don’t you do this to further develop this character?’ But the backstory that’s told and the whole mockumentary thing set it up to be a possibility.”
[December 12]
UPDATE: After revealing that they want to turn undun into a movie or play, The Roots have released a short film for the project.
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A movie would be too fucking DOPE
Making movies is old news and The Roots should definitely make a play instead. It’s a cool idea assuming the music will be incorporated in the play. The play should be a better way to demonstrate the art and genius of the album. Just my opinion.
Agreed, broadway play would be much smarter.
Malik B from The Roots should be on the album. This Undun concept sounds like it comes from his mix tape called Street Assault. Also he had a concept single called “Mob Ties”. I think it’s on Itunes.
Best album of the year. Unreal. Nobody fucks with their discography.
Imagine going to a theatre and hearing the Roots play live to all the scenes in Undun with the rappers narrating the moods and feelings of Redford Stephens. That would be worth paying money for.