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The Roots

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The Roots, also known as The Legendary, The Fifth Dynasty and The Foundation, are an influential, Grammy winning Philadelphia-based hip hop group, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation. Inspired by the "hip-hop band" concept pioneered by Stetsasonic, the Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and influenced later hip-hop and R&B acts.

Contents

Members

The Roots' original lineup included Black Thought (MC) and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added another MC named Malik Abdul Basit-Smart, bassist Leonard Nelson Hubbard, and a keyboardist Scott Storch. Another MC, Kid Crumbs, was a part of the group for their first album; and left/was kicked out? after Organix, and MC Dice Raw joined on for cameos in later albums. Scott Storch also left to pursue a producing career following the Do You Want More?!!!??! album, though the split was on amicable terms, and Storch continues to produce tracks for Roots albums to this day. The Roots filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal, who is still a member.

A beatboxer named Rahzel also joined the group and contributed from 1995-1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist Scratch, who DJ'd for them during live concerts. 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. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, had a short stint with the group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus. A percussionist, Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk") replaced Kenney. A vocalist, Martin Luther, toured with The Roots in 2003 and 2004 and contributed to their Tipping Point album. The current members of The Roots are Black Thought (MC), ?uestlove (drums), Hub (bass), Kamal (keyboard), Knuckles (percussion), and Captain Kirk (guitar).

All members have worked with PETA to promote animal compassion and vegetarian lifestyle.

Recording history

Organix

The group's original lineup was formed in Philadelphia around 1987. They began to do shows around Philly and in 1992 or 1993 left to perform in Europe. They rented out a flat in London and performed in Europe for approximately one year. In order to sustain themselves financially, The Roots released what would be known as their debut album: Organix. The album was actually a live recording from a concert in Germany that the Roots sold at their shows. Several major record labels offered deals, and they signed with DGC Records, which at the time was better known for its grunge music releases. With their new record deal, the quintet travelled back to states.

Do You Want More?!!!??!

The Roots' first album for DGC, Do You Want More?!!!??! (recorded live without the use of samples), was a moderate hit on alternative radio. Also lauded for its jazziness, the album was equal parts jazz improv/instrumentation and rap music.

Illadelph Halflife

The 1996 release Illadelph Halflife was the group's first album to crack the Top 40 on Billboard's album chart, spurred in part by MTV's airplay of the video for "What They Do" (a parody of rap video clichés) and "Clones," which was their first to single to reach the top five on the rap charts. While continuing on the path of live instrumentation and avoidance of sampling, the album's sound was somewhat darker and more cohesively hip-hop. It was also The Roots' first album to include prominent guests, such as Common on "Universe At War", D'Angelo and Erykah Badu on "Hypnotic" and Q-Tip on "Ital (The Universal Side)."

Things Fall Apart

Despite rumors of a possible break up, they stayed together and released Things Fall Apart in 1999 (named after Things Fall Apart, a novel by Chinua Achebe). This was their breakthrough album sales-wise, peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200 charts and earning a gold record, signifying U.S. sales of at least 500,000 units. The track "You Got Me," duet with R&B singer Erykah Badu, peaked inside the top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and earned them a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.

Like "Illadelph Halflife", TFA was not quite as jazzy as previous works. 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.

It should be noted that The Roots popularity hit something of an escalation in this period. The group's grammy win gave them a kind of exposure, even getting them an extended set at the now infamous "Woodstock '99".

Phrenology

A hectic time ensued for The Roots; several members left, and their popularity increased with their sales and a spot backing Jay-Z for his MTV Unplugged album. With heightened popularity came mounting pressure. The Roots released "Phrenology" (named after the pseudoscience of Phrenology) in 2002, which took a turn away from their jazzy influences and further into rock territory. While commercially successful and nominated for a Grammy for "Best Rap Album," some fans claimed The Roots had sold out because of their focus on hip-hop (instead of jazz/rap fusion) and rock.

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.

Tipping Point

After Phrenology, Ben Kenney and Scratch both left the group. Their major label deal with Geffen began to sour, as pressures were mounted on the group to sell more records. This culminated with the release of 2004's The Tipping Point, which took its name from a 2000 book The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. 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'."

It debuted at #4 on the Billboard album chart, selling over 100,000 copies in its first week of release, but failed to go Gold. Subsequently, the group left the label after the album's release. Contractual obligations resulted in the release of Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots, Volumes 1 & 2 in 2005, a two-disc compilation album.

Present Day

The Roots' upcoming album is entitled Game Theory, and will be released August 29th, 2006 on Def Jam records. ?uestlove describes the album as being very dark and reflective of the political state in America. 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 have been rumored, but Scratch Magazine confirmed only two: Peedi Peedi and Malik B. The late producer J Dilla also produces one song on the album.

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 three 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.

Awards & Honors

Current World Tour

Discography

Music Videos

Notes

External links

 

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