The Roots, hailing from Philadelphia, are widely celebrated for their nuanced fusion of jazz and hip hop, earning them a place as one of the most respected and innovative groups in contemporary music. Formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, The Roots began their ascent in the music industry with a dedication to live instrumentals — a rarity in the hip-hop genre at the time. Their breakthrough came with the 1999 release of "Things Fall Apart," which solidified their status with both critical acclaim and commercial success.

Over the years, The Roots have become known for their socially conscious lyricism and dynamic performances, with a discography that showcases a willingness to push the boundaries of their genre. Among their recent releases, the group has worked on a variety of projects, such as reimagining classic songs and contributing to film and television soundtracks. The band also holds the unique position as the in-house band for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," bringing their crisp sound and musical versatility to a nightly television audience. Their influence extends beyond their albums, as members of The Roots have engaged in myriad solo and collaborative endeavors, continually expanding their artistic footprint in the world of music and entertainment.

Genres

Conscious Hip Hop

East Coast Hip Hop

Hip Hop

Philly Rap

Political Hip Hop

Related Artists

De La Soul

Common

A Tribe Called Quest

Erykah Badu

Mos Def

J Dilla

Slum Village

The Pharcyde

Talib Kweli

Digable Planets

Black Star

Robert Glasper

Latest Release

New Year’s Eve Polka (5-4-3-2-1)

Jimmy Fallon•

"Weird Al" Yankovic•

The Roots

Single - Released October 31, 2024