What is happening to our heroic musicians?!?!?

First the Artist Formerly Known as Not a Conservative Zealot spews some weird nonsense about gays to The New Yorker, and now this disaster: a rumor currently gaining credence around the Internet says that Philly supergroup The Roots is going into semi-retirement next year to be Jimmy Fallon's house band when he takes over Conan O'Brien's late show. DOUBLE-U TEE EFF?

Have albums sales really dipped this low, or was Roots emcee Black Thought just not listening to himself when he said, "The principles of true hip-hop have been forsaken/ it's all contractual and about money makin'" on 1996's "What They Do"? Wow do we ever hope this is a rotten lie.

After the jump, the brilliantly snarky video for "What They Do." Watch it, nod your head, cross your fingers and hope this story quietly disappears.

CONTINUED »

It was a big week for Mariah Carey — she lost her single status and her No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. In her defense, there was really no competing with Madonna's Hard Candy.

Also debuting new albums last week were Lyfe Jennings, whose Lyfe Change debuted at No. 4, and the Roots. Their album, Rising Down, debuted at the No. 6 spot. I haven't listened to it yet, but from what I hear, it's definitely better than it's spot on the charts suggests. But that's just the way it works in the music industry.

CONTINUED »

• Even in death, James Brown is single-handedly keeping the DNA-testing industry alive. [RWS]

• The Roots were live on The Late Show last night with Wale and Chrisette Michele. [NR]

• Guess which one is directly related to Biggie Smalls? [CL]

• Russell Simmons says he doesn't have a small penis. Just so you know. [Bossip]

• En Vogue returns! [TGJ]

The Roots, one of my favorite groups, came in at No. 10 on Billboard's countdown of the greenest musicians. They got kudos for their annual pre-Grammy party, nicknamed the "Green Carpet Bash," where they gave away signed compost bins to encourage their use.

Band members are also active in PETA's "Stop the Violence: Go Veg!" campaign, and, according to Billboard, the Roots-associated Web site, Okayplayer.com, boasts discussion topics like "Should horticulture replace agriculture?" and "Anyone know any recipes that are rich in vitamin B17?" Love them — even if I didn't say anything when I was seated next to ?uestlove at Cafeteria in NYC last fall.[Billboard]

A lot of talk went on in the comments yesterday about "real hip hop" vs. the stuff Oprah and Bill Cosby listen to and judge, and I thought I would post one of my faves from the talented, long-lasting, well-known, yet widely-ignored Roots, 1995's "Proceed." Black Thought is kind of ageless, isn't he? I can't say the same for ?uestlove, who looks like a baby in this video.