Image ofThe Roots

The Roots

Musical Group
Forhip hop fans, jazz/soul/funk listeners, and curious newcomers looking for live-band rap with substance.
7 Reviews 2 Definitions 2 Charts

The Profile

The Roots are an American hip hop band from Philadelphia, formed in 1987 by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter. Renowned for live instrumentation and adventurous fusions of jazz, soul, and funk, they became the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009–2014) and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014–present).

Founders: Black Thought and Questlove; origin: Philadelphia, USA; pioneers of live-band hip hop; Grammy-winning single: "You Got Me" (2000); Tonight Show house band since 2014.

DeBaser’s reviewers celebrate The Roots as a live-band powerhouse that elevates hip hop with jazz, soul, and funk. Black Thought’s lyricism and Questlove’s drumming are frequent highlights. Key albums praised include Do You Want More?!!!??!, Illadelph Halflife, Things Fall Apart, Phrenology, How I Got Over, Rising Down, and undun. The overall verdict is consistently enthusiastic.

Who knows The Roots?

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