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The Roots

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Roots come from Philadelphia. The rapper Tariq Black Thought Trotter and the drummer Ahmir Questlove Thompson met at the city's school for the arts and at first played on the street, with Questlove on buckets and Black Thought rapping over him. After a series of name changes it became The Roots. Because things were not working out at home, the group spent some time in London, where the self-released debut Organix appeared in 1993. The band then signed with DGC/Geffen and Do You Want More?!!!??! was released, which is regarded today as a classic of jazz rap.

Music and breakthrough

The group is known for a jazzy, versatile approach to hip hop with real instruments: drums, bass, keyboards and later also guitar and sousaphone. Black Thought himself called it organic hip hop jazz. Illadelph Halflife in 1996 brought the first top 40 entry on the Billboard 200 and many guests, including Common, D'Angelo and Q-Tip. That collaboration laid the foundation for the Soulquarians and for the band's link with neo-soul. Things Fall Apart in 1999 was the big breakthrough album, with You Got Me with Erykah Badu and Eve and Jill Scott, which won a Grammy. Later came Phrenology, The Tipping Point, Game Theory, How I Got Over and undun, a concept album about the semi-fictional Redford Stephens, among others.

Influence

The Roots are also the regular house band of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, having previously been the house band of Late Night. They backed Jay-Z on MTV Unplugged and made albums with John Legend, Betty Wright and Elvis Costello. They are often called the first real band of hip hop.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to You Got Me from Things Fall Apart and follow how rap, vocals and live accompaniment alternate. Notice how Questlove's drums carry the song without making it heavy.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists