The Roots
are a Grammy award winning American hip hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals. Their debut album was released in 1993 and they have collaborated with a wide range of artists from different genres, including Roy Ayers and Cody Chesnutt. The Roots have generated a great deal of critical acclaim and influenced numerous rap and R&B acts. On March 2, 2009, The Roots became the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
.
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THE ROOTS TICKETS
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History
Origins and Organix
The group's original lineup was formed when rapper Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and drummer Questlove (Ahmir Thompson) became friends at the
Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts around 1987. They began to do shows around Philadelphia and New York City with bassist Leon "Hub" Hubbard and rapper Malik B.
[1] By 1991, Black Thought began attending
Millersville University and established the line-up, under the collective name The Square Roots.
[2] In 1993, the Roots recorded an album
Organix
to promote at European concerts.
''Do You Want More?
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Ignored by the
hip-hop fanbase, The Roots' first album for DGC, ''Do You Want More?
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|'', was released in 1995. It was a moderate hit among
alternative music fans rather than those of hip-hop, due in part to the group's appearance at
Lollapalooza. The band also performed at the
Montreux Jazz Festival that year. Touring guests, beatboxer
Rahzel and producer
Scott Storch, joined the Roots.
Illadelph Halflife
The 1996 release
Illadelph Halflife
was the group's first album to crack the Top 40 on the
Billboard 200 chart
, spurred in part by
MTV's airplay of the video for "What They Do" (a parody of rap video clichés)
[3] and "Clones," which was their first single to reach the top five on the rap charts. "What They Do" was also the group's first single to hit the
Top 40 of
Billboard's charts, reaching a peak of #34. While continuing on the path of live instrumentation, the album's sound was somewhat darker.
Things Fall Apart
The group released
Things Fall Apart
in 1999 (named after
Things Fall Apart
, a
novel by
Chinua Achebe, which in turn was named after a line from
The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats). This was their breakthrough album, peaking at #4 on the
Billboard 200 charts and earning a
gold record, signifying U.S. sales of at least 500,000 units.
[4] The track "
You Got Me," duet with
R&B singer
Erykah Badu and
Eve peaked at #39 on the
Billboard Hot 100 charts and earned them a
Grammy award for Best Performance By A Duo Or Group.
[5] The album was nominated for the Best Rap Album award.
[6] Black Thought intended the track for the "unconscious" population.
[7]
Steve Huey of the website allmusic perceived "a strong affinity for the neo-soul movement" in the album.
[8] First-time cameos on
TFA
for Philly natives
Beanie Sigel and
Eve helped to earn them major record deals later (with
Roc-A-Fella and
Ruff Ryders, respectively). After this album,
Dice Raw left the collective to record his solo debut album
Reclaiming the Dead
. In the summer, the band performed at the
Woodstock '99 concert in New York state.
[9]
Phrenology
Several members, including long time member Malik B., left the group. In December 2001, the Roots backed
Jay-Z for his
MTV Unplugged
concert.
[10] With heightened popularity came mounting pressure. The Roots released
Phrenology
(named after the
pseudoscience of
Phrenology) in
2002. Despite not charting as high as
Things Fall Apart,
reaching a peak of #28 on the charts,
Phrenology
was commercially successful, eventually going gold, and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. At the time, however, there came rumors that the Roots were losing interest in their signing with MCA.
During this time the band also backed Jay-Z for his 2003 farewell concert in Madison Square Garden, and appeared in the accompanying "Fade to Black" DVD.
The Tipping Point
After
Phrenology
, Ben Kenney and Scratch both left the group; Kenney joined the rock band
Incubus.
[11] This culminated with the release of 2004's
The Tipping Point
, the byproduct of several jam sessions.
The album earned two more Grammy nominations: one for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track "Star" and another for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for the track "Don't Say Nuthin'."
[12] The Tipping Point
peaked at #4 on the
Billboard
album chart. In 2005,
Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots, Volumes 1 & 2
, a two-disc compilation album, was released. The Roots were among several performers on the 2006 film
Dave Chappelle's Block Party
, whose event took place on September 18, 2004
[13] and was released on film two years later.
[14]
Game Theory
Game Theory
was released
August 29,
2006, on
Def Jam records.
Questlove describes the album as being very dark and reflective of the political state in America.
[15] The first single from the album, "Don't Feel Right", appeared on the internet in
May 2006, and is available for free download on several web sites. Various guest appearances had been rumored, but
Scratch
magazine confirmed only two:
Peedi Peedi and
Malik B.
The album's first video, titled "The Don't Feel Right Trilogy", premiered on
August 21,
2006, and features three songs, "In the Music", "Here I Come" and "Don't Feel Right". It earned an 83 on Metacritic and 2 Grammy Nominations.
The late
J Dilla is honoured on different occasions throughout the album. Track 1 is credited to be "Supervised by J Dilla". Track 13 "Can't Stop This" is totally devoted to his persona, the first part being an edited version of a track ("Time : The Donut of the Heart") of his
Donuts
album, released three days before his death. This version comprises vocals by Black Thought. Secondly, a string of kindred artists reminisce about J Dilla in the form of answering machine messages.
Rising Down
The Roots' eighth studio album (10th overall),
Rising Down
, was released on
April 29,
2008, the 16-year anniversary of the
Rodney King riots of 1992.
In the weeks before the album's release, the original first single "Birthday Girl", a radio-friendly collaboration with Fall Out Boy's
Patrick Stump was removed from the album reportedly because it didn't fit in with the album's tone.
[16] It remained as a
digital download available from
iTunes as a bonus track, as well as on international releases.
Picking up where
Game Theory
left off, the album maintains a dark and political tone, with
Black Thought and several guests venting about the ills of society today. The album's guests include
Chrisette Michele,
Common,
Mos Def,
Saigon,
Styles P,
Talib Kweli, and
Wale; it also features Philly favorites
Dice Raw,
DJ Jazzy Jeff,
Peedi Crakk, P.O.R.N., and Truck North, as well as former member
Malik B. Rising Down
features the Roots incorporating a more electronic and
synth-heavy feel into their sound.
Rising Down
was released to critical acclaim, garnering an overall score of 80 on
Metacritic.
The album's first single was "Rising Up" featuring
Chrisette Michele and D.C. rapper
Wale.
How I Got Over
After
Questlove confirmed on
Twitter that The Roots are working on their ninth studio album (11th overall), entitled
How I Got Over
.
[17] Black Thought spoke more broadly about the record on HipHopGame.com. Calling it a positive album, as opposed to their last two records,
How I Got Over
reflects the relief the band feels at the end of the
Bush administration and the beginning of the
Obama presidency. Guests are set to include
Beanie Sigel;
Young Chris;
Chrisette Michelle; L.A. rapper
Blu;
Phonte of
Little Brother;
Pharoahe Monch; and
Cody ChestnuTT, whose song "Serve This Royalty" is covered on the album. Rather than relying on samples, the album will be played live, with any covers (including "Celestial Blues," featuring the song's original artist,
Andy Bey) being reinterpreted by the band
[18]. The album is set to release in October 2009
[19]. On June 24 2009, The Roots debuted the first single and title track from the album, "How I Got Over", live on
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
. The song features longtime Roots collaborator
Dice Raw.
[20]
Members
{{#ifexist:Category:Articles needing additional references from March 2009
The Roots' original lineup included Tariq "
Black Thought" Trotter (
MC) and Ahmir "
Questlove" Thompson (
drums), who were classmates at the
Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added bassist Josh "The Rubberband" Abrams, who went on to form the
jazz group The Josh Abrams Quartet. They later added another MC
Malik Abdul Basit-Smart ("Malik B."), a new bassist,
Leonard Nelson Hubbard ("Hub"), and keyboardist
Scott Storch. MC Kenyatta "Kid Crumbs" Warren, was a part of the group for their first album, Organix, but did not appear on any later albums. Another MC,
Dice Raw, joined on for cameos in later albums. The Roots filled Storch's position with keyboardist,
Kamal Gray, who continues to be a member.
Beatboxer Rahzel was a member of the group from
1995 -
1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist
Scratch, who DJ'd for them during live concerts. However, he abruptly left in
2003.
Malik B. left the group in 1999 due to drug problems but continued to record, making occasional cameos on future albums. Guitarist
Ben Kenney, had a short stint with the group and contributed to their
Phrenology
album, but left to join
Incubus as their bassist. A percussionist, F Knuckles, was added in
2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk"), replaced Kenney.
Martin Luther, a vocalist, toured with The Roots in
2003 and
2004 and contributed to the
Tipping Point
album. The group announced in
August 2007, to the dismay of fans, that longtime bassist, Leonard Hubbard, was leaving the group. "One of our partners is leaving us tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Leonard Hubbard" (Black Thought @ moe.down 8/31/07).
The current members of The Roots are Black Thought (MC), Questlove (drums), Kamal (keyboard), F Knuckles (percussion), and Captain Kirk (guitar). Recently, they have toured with sousaphonist
Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson and Game Theory producer and current bassist
Owen Biddle.
All members have worked with
PETA to promote compassion for animals and the
vegetarian lifestyle.
[21]
Touring and other work
The band tours extensively, and their live sets are frequently hailed
[by whom?] as the best in the genre. Recently, the band played a concert in NYC's Radio City Music Hall with
Common,
Nas,
Talib Kweli and
Big Daddy Kane. They also backed
Jay-Z a third time, for his Reasonable Doubt Concert, a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the release of his first album.
The Roots have been featured in four movies:
Dave Chappelle's Block Party
; both performing album songs and playing as a backing band for other artists,
Spike Lee's
Bamboozled
, and
Marc Levin's
Brooklyn Babylon
, in which
Black Thought plays the protagonist, Solomon, and former band member
Rahzel narrates, and
Chasing Liberty
; starring Mandy Moore. Black Thought and Questlove were both featured in the movie
Brown Sugar
. Black Thought also made an appearance in the film
Love Rome
as Tariq Trotter, and Questlove currently appears in the recent "terrific" (nolafugees.com) and "inspiring" (neworleans.com) documentary movie about
TBC Brass Band called , which lists The Roots as one of the executive producers of the movie.
The band guest performed on
August 25 and
August 26 with the
Dave Matthews Band during their 2007 summer tour. Members of The Roots played in various forms as well as a whole band on DMB's back to back concerts at
Alpine Valley Music Theatre in
East Troy,
Wisconsin.
The group hosts a highly-anticipated every year the night before the Grammys. The Roots Jam Session, produced by
Okayplayer, Goodtime Girl Entertainment and , has been attended by everyone from
Jay-Z,
Beyoncé Knowles and
Tom Cruise to
Don Cheadle,
Jeremy Piven and
Prince with impromptu performances from
Snoop Dogg and
Corrine Bailey Rae to
Queen Latifah,
Matisyahu,
Fat City Reprise and
Dave Chappelle.
Billed as The Roots, Questlove, Kirk and Owen made an appearance on
The Colbert Report
on
April 15,
2008 when
Stephen Colbert spent a week in
Philadelphia prior to the
2008 Pennsylvania Democratic primary. During the appearance, they performed the intro song to the show, and closed the episode with a rendition of the
Star Spangled Banner.
The song "Here I Come" was featured in the movies
Superbad
and
Hancock
.
The song "Here I Come" is also featured in many video games including
Project Gotham Racing 4
.
The song "The Seed 2.0" featuring
Cody ChesnuTT was featured in the movies
Collateral
and
I Think I Love My Wife
.
The song 'Don't Say Nuthin' was featured in the first season episode, "Busey And The Beach" of HBO's
Entourage
.
They have also performed on the popular kids show
Yo Gabba Gabba
, singing "Lovely, Love My Family" in 2008.
In March 2009, The Roots became the new official house band on
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
, with "Here I Come" as the show's theme.
The Roots host an annual all day music festival in Philadelphia, PA every June.
The Roots are also featured on the
Men in Black Original Soundtrack
(1997) with the song "The Notic" with neo-soul singer
D'Angelo.
Awards
- Grammy Awards
- * 1999: Won for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "You Got Me" (featuring Erykah Badu and Eve)
- * 2002: Nominated for Best Rap Album for Phrenology
- * 2004: Nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Star"
- * 2004: Nominated for Best Rap Performance By a Duo/Group for "Don't Say Nuthin'"
- * 2007: Nominated for Best Rap Album for Game Theory
- * 2007: Nominated for Best Rap Performance By a Duo/Group for "Don't Feel Right"
- MTV Video Music Awards
- * 2003: Nominated for MTV2 award for "The Seed 2.0"
- mtvU Woodie Awards
- * 2004: Nominated for Road Woodie and Welcome Back Woodie
- BET Awards
- * 2005: Nominated for Best Group
- * 2009: Nominated for Best Group
- NAACP Image Awards
- * 2005: Nominated for Outstanding Duo or Group
- * 2007: Won for Outstanding Duo or Group
- Named one of the "twenty greatest live acts in the world" by Rolling Stone
, 2003
- Won a "Heroes Award" from the Philadelphia chapter of the Recording Academy, 2004
- First Hip-Hop group to perform at Lincoln Center in January, 2002
- Won Max Stevenson International Hip-Hop Award for Game Theory
album, 2007
Discography
; Studio albums
- 1993: Organix
- 1994: Do You Want More?
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- 1996: Illadelph Halflife
- 1999: Things Fall Apart
- 2002: Phrenology
- 2004: The Tipping Point
- 2006: Game Theory
- 2008: Rising Down
- 2009: How I Got Over (unreleased
)
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;Live albums
- 1999: The Roots Come Alive
- 2001: Jay-Z: Unplugged
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References
- The Roots - Biography
- Gibson Salutes Black History Month - The Roots
- Roots Take A Swing At Video Cliches
- &artist=The%20Roots&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=on&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1987&endYear=2009&sort=Artist&perPage=25
- Santana, Aguilera, The Roots Ponder Grammy Honors
- 42nd Annual Grammy Awards nominations
- The Roots Send Wake-Up Call To "Unconscious" Population
- Things Fall Apart > Overview
- Elvis Costello, Roots, Megadeth, Others Added To Woodstock Lineup
- Roots' Questlove Gives Backstage Access To Jay-Z Unplugged
- For The Record: Quick News On Incubus, P. Diddy, Liv Tyler, John Mayer, Johnny Cash, David Lee Roth & More
- Grammy Award nominees in top categories
- Chappelle Throwing A Block Party With Kanye, Lauryn, Others
- Dave Chappelle Says New Movie Will 'Let The Healing Begin'
- Questlove Game Theory Interview
- Rising Down > Overview
- http://www.prefixmag.com/news/uestlove-tweets-new-roots-album-title-ihow-i-got-o/26109/
- [1]
- The Roots Push Back "How I Got Over"
- http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Video-The-Roots-Perform-NEW-Single-How-I-Got-Over-on-Fallon.html
- The Roots PETA article