"How is LSJF affecting The Roots' album sales?" Wed Mar-12-14 08:31 PM by VerbalK420
Is there any way to get a number on this? I am wondering how much the exposure to a completely new audience has translated to sales/downloads. Hopefully, quite a bit. I know if I saw them performing the way they do night after night and regularly contributing to outstanding musical performances, I would definitely be seeking out some of their recorded material.
Which leads me to another question: What would the average, never-heard-of-The-Roots-before-the-Tonight-Show new fan choose to buy or download first? Would they end up with Things Fall Apart? How I Got Over? Their most recent solo studio album, Undun? Wise Up Ghost with Elvis? Each of these choices would provide a pretty different picture of the band. Perhaps they would never buy an album at all, content to listen to low fidelity rips on YouTube or download a few tracks on iTunes.
Having been a fan for so long and having seen so many different changes in their personnel, style, etc. it's fun to think that this high profile gig will certainly lead to at least one completely uninformed, unexposed virgin listener, perhaps one who has never even entertained the idea of purchasing a "rap" album before this. I can't think of a better place to start.
1. "I don't know the answer to your questions but what I do know is..." In response to Reply # 0
They have a steady paycheck which I'm assuming is good-great without having to travel the world. they're getting tons of exposure and Quest has been on TV ads for guitar center and coors light as well as being in magazines that are not hip hop, they're doing just fine I'm guessing
3. "RE: The Roots are a critical acclaim > sells band" In response to Reply # 2 Wed Mar-12-14 09:50 PM by VerbalK420
I can see how it might be unclear from how I led off my post, but I guess my interest is more on the questions posed in the 2nd paragraph regarding a brand new fan's entry point and just whether or not people think this exposure is resulting in and will continue to result in an influx of new fans.
4. "I have no idea what they'd naturally gravitate to" In response to Reply # 3
But if I could put something in their hands, I'd probably give them both volumes of Home Grown. Great mix that showcases the diversity of the group's discog.
5. "I don't know how those totally slipped my mind..." In response to Reply # 4
Yes, that would be the obvious starting point. Definitely time for Vol. 3, btw. Homegrown Vol. 3: America's Guide to Late Night's Greatest Band The Roots.