as for what sells, well neither the roots or erykah are in the bland safe zone of artists the industry likes to promote

really the roots are a successful band, that i wished artist and the lesson would realize. yea they don't do g-unit numbers or mega-concert stadium tours, but a trillion bands out there would love to be in their shoes. they had a long career in teh music biz, lot of albums released, very successful touring schedule, and now supposedly they have the freedom to make any kind of album they want on def jam (lack of promotion is another thing)

go ahead and ask your local bar band if they want that kind of sucess