The Roots Stage Two-Night All-Star J. Dilla Benefit in NYC

A spokesman for Def Jam announced today that Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots will be staging two concerts at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on May 18 and 19, with a portion of the proceeds going to the late J. Dilla’s family. The Roots will be joined on stage by Nas, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and others. “Our fans should pretty much know that our New York shows are the most special shows, simply because we have been known to pull some amazing rabbits out of our hat,” the Roots' drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson said in a statement. After many years on Geffen Records, The Roots signed with Def Jam last year and are readying the release of their new album, Game Theory. While the record is slated for a late-summer, early-fall release, fans will get the first taste of the band’s new material at the May concerts.