Between 2004 and 2014, The Roots released nine titles, not including two compilations. Following 2014’s …and then you shoot your cousin, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania representatives have not dropped a project. Most nights, Questlove, Black Thought and the rest of the band appear on television. The act and its individual members collaborate, produce multiple series, host an online radio show, and throw festivals in at least two cities. They also had a large hand in the Broadway sensation, Hamilton. They are busy, but still make plenty of time for the studio.

The Roots & Bilal Give A Stunningly Powerful Performance With A Full Orchestra (Video)

Speaking with HipHopDX‘s Shirley Ju, Quest detailed why The Roots have taken an unseasonably long time to release an album tentatively titled End Game. “The difference between this record and the 17 that came before was our longtime collaborator who’s our manager and producer is no longer with us.” Questlove is referring to Richard Nichols, who died in July of 2014. “Usually in that situation, he’s always been the centerpiece, the referee between all the guys. This’ll be the first time that we had to grow up and resolve our own arguments. [One of the things that Richard Nichols] was talented at was telling us to ‘stop!‘”

DX reports that End Game sessions have yielded 263 songs. Reports circulated that 9th Wonder, Salaam Remi, and others had contributed to that recording. Some of the work has reportedly been done at NBC’s “30 Rock,” where The Roots work nightly alongside Jimmy Fallon.

Questlove Mentors A Young Street Drummer With Common & Black Thought’s Support (Video)

“Ideas keep coming,” Questlove adds, alluding to even more songs reaching the can. “I made the promise that by November 1 we are stopping, and we’re just gonna pick a good 14.” The group is now independent, following a tenure with Def Jam Records dating back to the mid-2000s.

In related news, The Roots have announced that on October 17, they will play a concert with a live symphony. The event will take place in Dallas, Texas and is in partnership with Amazon‘s Twitch platform, who will live stream the affair.

Black Thought & Questlove’s “Rap Yearbook” Documentary Will Discuss Key Rap Songs (Video)

#BonusBeat: A recent video makes a case for Black Thought as the Greatest MC of All Time:

This is part of the TBD series created by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte.