The Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The Foundation, are a hip hop group from Philadelphia, United States. Formed in 1987, they are known for a jazzy sound and for using live instruments rather than relying on samples. Their music sits across alternative hip hop, hip hop, jazz, progressive soul, rock and soul.

Formation and lineup

The original lineup includes MC Black Thought and drummer Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, who are classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. As the group begins performing at school and on the streets, they add another MC, Malik B., bassist Leonard Hubbard and keyboardist Scott Storch. Their early setup is shaped by the idea of a live hip hop band, an approach associated with Stetsasonic.

Over time, the lineup changes several times. Dice Raw appears frequently on albums from 1995 to 1999 before leaving to record a solo album. Scott Storch leaves after Do You Want More?!!!??! to work as a producer, later contributing to tracks such as “Still D.R.E.” by Dr Dre. Kamal joins on keyboards and remains with the group. Beatboxer Rahzel joins and contributes from 1995 to 1999, while Scratch, a vocal turntablist, becomes an important part of the group’s live sound before leaving in 2003. Malik B. leaves in 2000. Ben Kenney has a short spell with the group and plays on Phrenology before leaving to join Incubus. In 2002 the group adds percussionist Knuckles, while guitarist Kirk Douglas, also known as “Captain Kirk”, replaces Kenney. Martin Luther tours with the group in 2003 and 2004 and contributes to The Tipping Point.

Albums and recognition

The Roots release their debut album, Organix, in 1993. It is a live recording made at a concert in Germany and sold at their shows. The album generates enough industry attention for the group to sign with DGC Records.

Their first DGC album, Do You Want More?!!!??!, is recorded live without samples and becomes a moderate alternative radio hit. Illadelph Halflife follows in 1996 and becomes their first album to reach the Billboard Top 40. The video for “What They Do” receives MTV airplay, while “Clones” becomes their first single to reach the top five on the rap chart.

Things Fall Apart arrives in 1999 and becomes the group’s breakthrough album. The track “You Got Me”, a duet with Erykah Badu, wins a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. In 2002, the group releases Phrenology, which takes a more mainstream direction and earns a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. The album is supported by “Break You Off”, featuring Musiq Soulchild, and “The Seed 2.0”, featuring Cody ChestnuTT. The video for “The Seed 2.0” is nominated for the MTV2 Award at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, and the track “The Seed” appears on the soundtrack to Chasing Liberty. Phrenology is certified gold in 2003.

The Tipping Point, released in 2004, takes its title from a book by Malcolm Gladwell. It receives Grammy nominations for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for “Star” and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Don’t Say Nuthin’”. The album debuts at number four on the Billboard chart.

In 2005 the group releases two compilation albums, Home Grown! The Beginner’s Guide to Understanding The Roots, Volumes 1 & 2, which collect hits, live recordings and rare remixes and include liner notes written by ?uestlove. These are their final releases on Geffen Records.

Later albums include Game Theory on Def Jam, which features a track sampling Radiohead’s “You and Whose Army”, and Rising Down, which includes collaborations with Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Saigon. undun is their eleventh album and their first concept album, telling the story of Redford Stephens, a man who dies in 1999 at the age of 25.

Other work

The Roots also serve as the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, beginning in 2009. Their work as a live hip hop band and their use of instrumentation help establish them as an influential group in hip hop and R&B.