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'{{Other uses|Root (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox musical artist |name = The Roots |image = The_Roots 2007.jpg |caption = The Roots performing in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] on March 24, 2007. |Landscaz_band |origin = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[United States|U.S.]] |alias = The Legendary Roots Crew, The Fifth Dynasty, The Square Roots |genre = [[Alternative hip hop]], [[neo soul]], [[soul music|soul]], [[funk]], [[alternative rock]], [[jazz-rap]] |years_active = 1987–present |label = [[DGC Records|DGC]], [[MCA Records|MCA]], [[Interscope-Geffen-A&M]], [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]] | associated_acts = [[Soulquarians]], [[Jill Scott]], [[Martin Luther McCoy|Martin Luther]], [[Jaguar Wright]] [[Amel Larrieux]], [[John Legend]] [[Dave Chappelle]] |website = {{URL|http://theroots.com}} |current_members = [[Black Thought]] <br />[[Questlove|?uestlove]] <br />[[Kamal Gray]] <br />[[F. Knuckles]] <br />[[Captain Kirk Douglas]] <br /> Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson <br />[[James Poyser]]<br /> Mark Kelley |past_members = Kenyatta "Kid Crumbs" Warren <br /> Josh "Rubberband" Abrams <br /> [[Malik B.]] <br />[[Rahzel]] <br />[[Scott Storch]] <br /> [[Martin Luther McCoy|Martin Luther]] <br />[[Ben Kenney]] <br />[[Scratch (musician)|Scratch]] <br />[[Dice Raw]] <br /> [[Hub (bassist)|Hub]] <br />[[Owen Biddle (musician)|Owen Biddle]] |background=group_or_band }} '''The Roots''' is an American [[Hip hop music|hip hop]]/[[neo soul]] band formed in 1987 by [[Black Thought|Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter]] and [[Questlove|Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson]] in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]]. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals.<ref name="IH_Review">{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/theroots/albums/album/111873/review/5946009/illadelph_halflife|title=Album Review: Illadelph Halflife|last=Powell|first=Kevin|date=October 24, 1996|publisher=Rolling Stone|accessdate=25 January 2010}}</ref> [[Malik B.]], Leonard "[[Hub (bassist)|Hub]]" Hubbard, and Josh Abrams were added to the band, originally called ''The Square Roots''. The Roots released an independently produced debut album, ''[[Organix]]'', in 1993. In 1995, with the label [[DGC Records]], the band released ''[[Do You Want More?!!!??!]]''. Two guest performers on ''Do You Want More?!!!??!'', [[Rahzel]] and [[Scott Storch]] joined the group. Soon after, however, Storch left the band and was replaced by [[Kamal Gray]]. Their next album, ''[[Illadelph Halflife]]'', was released in 1996. With ''Illadelph Halflife'' the band again gained members in [[Scratch (musician)|Scratch]] and [[Dice Raw]]. The band's next album, ''[[Things Fall Apart (album)|Things Fall Apart]]'', was a breakthrough album in that it was their first album to break the top 10 of the [[Billboard 200]] (peaking at 4). Also in 1999, the band released an [[Extended play|EP]], ''[[The Legendary]]'', and a live album titled ''[[The Roots Come Alive]]''. Rahzel, Dice Raw, and Malik B. all parted from the band for differing reasons. In 2000, guitarist [[Ben Kenney]] joined The Roots and would stay with the band through their next album, ''[[Phrenology (album)|Phrenology]]'', before leaving to join [[rock (music)|rock band]] [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]]. After ''Phrenology'', guest performer [[F. Knuckles]] became a permanent member and [[Captain Kirk Douglas]] replaced Kenney, while Scratch also decided to leave the group. The next album was 2004's ''[[The Tipping Point (album)|The Tipping Point]]'' followed by ''[[Game Theory (album)|Game Theory]]'' in 2006. During 2007, longtime member Leonard Hubbard decided to retire. He was replaced by [[Owen Biddle (musician)|Owen Biddle]]. ''[[Rising Down]]'', the eighth studio album from The Roots, was released in 2008. Their next album, ''[[How I Got Over (album)|How I Got Over]]'', was released on June 21, 2010. They announced in October 2011 that their next album (and first concept album), ''[[Undun]]'', would be released on December 6, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16169/title.the-roots-announce-release-date-for-first-ever-concept-album-undun |title=The Roots Announce Release Date For First-Ever Concept Album "UNDUN" |publisher=HipHop DX |date=2011-10-07 |accessdate=2011-10-24}}</ref> They have collaborated with a wide range of artists from different genres, including John Legend, [[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]]''. ==Band history== [[file:Black thought.jpg|thumb|left|Rapper [[Black Thought]] is the lead vocalist of The Roots.]] ===Early history 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 Leonard "Hub" Hubbard and rapper Malik B.<ref name="amg">{{cite web|last=Bush|first= John|title=The Roots - Biography|url= {{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p168531|pure_url=yes}} |work=Allmusic|year=2008|accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> By 1991, Black Thought began attending [[Millersville University]] and established the line-up, under the collective name The Square Roots.<ref name="Gibson">{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.com/allaccessfeatures.aspx?aliaspath=/zTrash/AllAccess/Gibson%20Salutes%20Black%20Histo%20(5) |title= Gibson Salutes Black History Month - The Roots |date=2007-02-14 |publisher=Gibson |accessdate=2009-03-15}}</ref> In 1993, the Roots recorded an album ''[[Organix]]'' to promote at European concerts.<ref name="amg"/> ===''From the Ground Up'' EP=== ''[[From the Ground Up (Roots EP)|From the Ground Up]]'' is an EP released by The Roots in 1994. It was the group's first release on a major label, having recently been signed with Geffen Records. ===''Do You Want More?!!!??!''=== The Roots' first album for DGC, ''[[Do You Want More?!!!??!]]'', was released in 1995. It was a moderate hit among [[alternative music]] fans 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.<ref name="amg"/> ===''Illadelph Halflife''=== The 1996 release ''[[Illadelph Halflife]]'' was the group's first album to crack the Top 40 on the [[Billboard 200]] chart,<ref name="amg"/> spurred in part by [[MTV]]'s airplay of the video for "What They Do" (a parody of rap video clichés)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433815/19970107/roots.jhtml |title=Roots Take A Swing At Video Cliches |date=1997-01-07 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> 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 Hot 100|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 (album)|''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 (poem)|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.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web |url=http://riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&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 |title=Gold and Platinum - The Roots |publisher=RIAA |accessdate=2009-03-04}}</ref> Mos Def contributed to the track entitled "Double Trouble." The track "Act Two" features Afropean singer [[Zap Mama]] and [[Common (entertainer)|Common]]. The track "[[You Got Me (song)|You Got Me]]", a duet with [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] singer [[Erykah Badu]] and [[Eve (rapper)|Eve]] and Jill Scott intended by Black Thought for the "unconscious" population,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1433808/19990223/roots.jhtml |title=The Roots Send Wake-Up Call To "Unconscious" Population |date=1999-02-23 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> peaked at #39 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]] charts. At the [[42nd Grammy Awards]] "You Got Me" won the award for Best Performance By A Duo Or Group<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1424818/20000224/aguilera_christina.jhtml |title=Santana, Aguilera, The Roots Ponder Grammy Honors |date=2000-02-24 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> and the album was nominated for Best Rap Album.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/04/grammy.noms.01/list.html|title=42nd Annual Grammy Awards nominations |date=2000-01-04 |publisher=CNN |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> Steve Huey of the website allmusic perceived "a strong affinity for the neo-soul movement" in the album.<ref>{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r397893|pure_url=yes}} |title=Things Fall Apart > Overview |last=Huey |first=Steve |year=1999 |publisher=allmusic |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> First-time cameos on ''TFA'' for Philly natives [[Beanie Sigel]] and [[Eve (rapper)|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.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427531/19990712/costello_elvis.jhtml |title=Elvis Costello, Roots, Megadeth, Others Added To Woodstock Lineup |date=1999-07-12 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> ===''Phrenology''=== Several members, including long time member Malik B., left the group. In December 2001, the Roots backed [[Jay-Z]] for his ''[[Jay-Z: Unplugged|MTV Unplugged]]'' concert.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451515/20011217/jay_z.jhtml |title=Roots' Questlove Gives Backstage Access To Jay-Z Unplugged |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |date=2001-12-17 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> With heightened popularity came mounting pressure. The Roots released ''[[Phrenology (album)|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.<ref name="amg"/> 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 (band)|Incubus]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1471044/20030404/incubus.jhtml |title=For The Record: Quick News On Incubus, P. Diddy, Liv Tyler, John Mayer, Johnny Cash, David Lee Roth & More |date=2003-04-04 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=2009-03-15}}</ref> This culminated with the release of 2004's ''[[The Tipping Point (album)|The Tipping Point]]'', the byproduct of several jam sessions.<ref name="amg"/> The album earned two more Grammy nominations: one for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track "Star/Pointro" and another for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for the track "Don't Say Nuthin'."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2004-12-07-grammy-nominee-list_x.htm |title=Grammy Award nominees in top categories |date=2004-12-07 |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=2009-03-15}}</ref> ''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<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490809/20040907/west_kanye.jhtml |title=Chappelle Throwing A Block Party With Kanye, Lauryn, Others |last=Patel |first=Joseph |date=2004-09-07 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=2009-03-15}}</ref> and was released on film two years later.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1525165/03012006/story.jhtml |title=Dave Chappelle Says New Movie Will 'Let The Healing Begin' |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |date=2006-03-01 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=2009-03-15}}</ref> ===''Game Theory''=== ''[[Game Theory (album)|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.<ref name="Questlove Game Theory Interview">{{cite web | title=Questlove Game Theory Interview | url=http://rap.about.com/od/intervie2/a/RootsInterview_2.htm | accessdate=July 17, 2006 }}</ref> 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)|''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 [[Los Angeles 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.<ref>{{cite news |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1341290|pure_url=yes}} |title=Rising Down > Overview |last=Brown |first=Marisa |date=2008-04-29 |publisher=allmusic |accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> It remained as a [[music download|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 (entertainer)|Common]], [[Mos Def]], [[Saigon (rapper)|Saigon]], [[Styles P]], [[Talib Kweli]], and [[Wale (rapper)|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 [[synthesizer|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 (rapper)|Wale]]. ===''How I Got Over''=== ''How I Got Over'' reflects the relief the band felt at the end of the [[George W. Bush|Bush]] administration and the beginning of the [[Barack Obama|Obama]] presidency. Guests include L.A. rapper [[Blu (rapper)|Blu]], [[Phonte]] of [[Little Brother (band)|Little Brother]] and Patty Crash, whose song ''Serve This Royalty'' is covered on the album. Rather than relying on samples, the album was recorded live, with covers (including ''Celestial Blues'', featuring the song's original artist, [[Andy Bey]]) being reinterpreted by the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=blackthought2 |title=Exclusive Hip Hop News, Audio, Lyrics, Videos, Honeys, Wear, Sneakers, Download Mixtapes |publisher=Hiphopgame.com |date= |accessdate=2011-07-03}}</ref> The album was released on June 22, 2010. On June 24, 2009, The Roots debuted the first single and title track from the album live on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]''. The song features longtime Roots collaborator [[Dice Raw]].<ref>{{cite web|author=by gingerlynn on June 25, 2009 |url=http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Video-The-Roots-Perform-NEW-Single-How-I-Got-Over-on-Fallon.html |title=Video: The Roots Perform NEW Single “How I Got Over” on Fallon « Okayplayer |publisher=Okayplayer.com |date=2009-06-25 |accessdate=2011-07-03}}</ref> ===''Wake Up!''=== The Roots collaborated with R&B singer [[John Legend]] on the album ''[[Wake Up! (John Legend and The Roots album)|Wake Up!]]''. The album was released on September 21, 2010, and was publicized two days later with a live concert at Terminal 5 in New York City with [[John Legend]] and [[Jennifer Hudson]] that was streamed on [[YouTube]]. On October 30, 2010 The Roots and John Legend played live at the [[Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear]] in Washington, D.C. On February 10, 2011 [http://www.jperiod.com/wakeup/ The "Wake Up Radio" Mixtape] was released. The mixtape is mixed by J.Period in conjunction with The Roots & John Legend. The mixtape features remixes of classic soul and R&B song, as well using different takes from songs used on "Wake Up" and "How I Got Over". The mixtape has new and old verses from hip hop legends such as Common, Blu, Dead Prez, Q-Tip, Rakim, Pete Rock, Kanye and (of course), Black Thought. Some classic soul artists used on mixtapes includes: James Brown, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Isaac Hayes, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin. ===''Undun''=== The Roots have announced their upcoming thirteenth album ''[[Undun]]'', releasing via Def Jam Records on December 6th, 2011 [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16169/title.the-roots-announce-new-album-undun-due-late-2011]. The first single "Make My" leaked on October 17, 2011. ==Members== {{Ref improve section|date=March 2009}} The Roots' original lineup included Tariq "[[Black Thought]]" Trotter ([[rapping|MC]]) and Ahmir "[[Questlove]]" Thompson ([[Drum kit|drums]]), who were classmates at the [[Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts]].<ref name="amg"/> 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 B.|Malik Abdul Basit-Smart]] ("Malik B."), a new bassist, [[Hub (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. [[Image:The Roots.jpg|thumb|The Roots performing]] [[Beatboxing|Beatboxer]] [[Rahzel]] was a member of the group from 1995 to 1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist [[Scratch (musician)|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 (band)|Incubus]] as their bassist. A percussionist, F Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, [[Captain Kirk Douglas|Kirk Douglas]] (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk"), replaced Kenney. [[Martin Luther McCoy|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), Frank Knuckles (percussion) (also a former Protégé of Questlove), and Cap'n Kirk (guitar). Recently, they have toured with sousaphonist Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson and Game Theory producer and current bassist [[Owen Biddle]]. For their performances on the Jimmy Fallon show, keyboardist [[James Poyser]] contributes additional keyboards. The band announced on August 25th, 2011 that Owen has left the band and will be replaced by Mark Kelley.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inthemix/Bass-player-Owen-Biddle-leaves-The-Roots-Mark-Kelley-joins-band.html?cmpid=124488489 |title=Bass player Owen Biddle leaves The Roots, Mark Kelley joins the band &#124; Philadelphia Inquirer &#124; 08/25/2011 |publisher=Philly.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-24}}</ref> Most members have worked with [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]] to promote compassion for animals and the [[vegetarian]] lifestyle.<ref name="The Roots: Stop the Violence">{{cite web | title=The Roots: Stop the Violence | url=http://www.peta2.com/outthere/o-the_roots.asp | accessdate=June 25, 2010 }}</ref> Because the band members hail from Philadelphia and its surrounding area, they showed their support for the Phillies during the 2009 World Series against the Yankees, displaying Phillies memorabilia when performing on [[Late Night With Jimmy Fallon]]. On the episode which aired the day after the Yankees clinched the title, "[[Questlove]]" stated "No comment!" on the show's intro (when he usually states the episode number), and had a Yankees logo purposely displayed upside-down on his drumset. In 2010, the group showed support for the Flyers during their run to the Stanley Cup Final by having the team logo on their drumset. ==Touring and other work== The band tours extensively, and their live sets are frequently hailed as the best in the genre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.list.co.uk/article/10512-the-roots-hip-hops-best-live-act/ |title=The Roots - Hip hop's best live act |publisher=The List |date= |accessdate=2011-10-24}}</ref> Recently, the band played a concert in NYC's Radio City Music Hall with [[Common (rapper)|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. In 1994, the Roots appeared on the [[Red Hot Organization]]'s compilation album, ''[[Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool]]''. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine. They have been highly involved in many other [[Red Hot Organization]] productions, including the 1998 album, ''[[Red Hot + Rhapsody]]'' and the 2001 album ''[[Red Hot + Indigo]]'', a tribute to [[Duke Ellington]]. 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]]''; [[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 (2002 film)|Brown Sugar]]''. Black Thought also made an appearance in the film ''Love Rome'' as Tariq Trotter, and Questlove currently appears in the recent documentary movie about [[TBC Brass Band]] called [http://www.fromthemouthpieceonback.com ''From the Mouthpiece on Back''], which lists The Roots as one of the executive producers of the movie. The band guest performed on August 25 and 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]]. In 2007 the band also performed at an [[NAACP]] tribute to [[Bono]], covering [[U2]]'s "[[Sunday Bloody Sunday]]" and "[[Pride (In the Name of Love)]]". Black Thought mixed in lines form the band's own "False Media."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.covermesongs.com/2010/08/the-roots-sunday-bloody-sunday-pride-in-the-name-of-love.html |title=Song of the Day: The Roots, “Sunday Bloody Sunday / Pride (In the Name of Love)” (U2 cover) » Cover Me |publisher=Covermesongs.com |date= |accessdate=2011-07-03}}</ref> The group hosts a highly-anticipated [http://www.rootsjamsession.com Jam Session] every year the night before the Grammys. The Roots Jam Session, produced by [[Okayplayer]], Goodtime Girl Entertainment and [http://twitter.com/keldof Keldof], has been attended by everyone from [[Jay-Z]], [[Beyoncé Knowles]] and [[Tom Cruise]] to [[Don Cheadle]], [[Jeremy Piven]] and [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] with impromptu performances from [[Snoop Dogg]] and [[Corrine Bailey Rae]] to [[Queen Latifah]], [[Matisyahu]], [[Fall Out Boy]] 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 (film)|Superbad]]'' and ''[[Hancock (film)|Hancock]]''. "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 (film)|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 (TV series)|Entourage]]''. They have also performed on the popular kids show ''[[Yo Gabba Gabba]]'', performing "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 (film)|Men in Black]] Original Soundtrack'' (1997) with the song "The Notic" with neo-soul singer [[D'Angelo]]. The Roots recently collaborated with John Legend on an album entitled [http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/john-legend/news/230365-john-legend-and-the-roots-album-details-released Wake Up], which was released in September 2010. Inspired initially by the historic Presidential election campaign of 2008, 'Wake Up!' primarily revives soul and funk tracks from the late-Sixties and early-Seventies that boasted lyrical themes of change, hope and activism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/592/john_legend_back_to_my_roots/ |title=John Legend in-depth interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' October 2010 |publisher=Bluesandsoul.com |date= |accessdate=2011-10-24}}</ref> The Roots and John Legend opened the [[Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] on October 30, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/revealed-the-line-up-for-jon-stewarts-rally-to-restore-sanity/ |title=Revealed! The Line-Up For Jon Stewart’s ‘Rally To Restore Sanity’ |publisher=Mediaite |date=2010-10-28 |accessdate=2011-07-03}}</ref> The Roots, [[Stephen Colbert]], [[Jimmy Fallon]], and [[Taylor Hicks]] performed [[Rebecca Black]]'s viral hit "[[Friday (Rebecca Black song)|Friday]]" on the ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'' show on April Fool's Day, 2011. The Roots are currently working on their 13th studio album, ''Undun,'' which will be released on December 6, 2011. ==Controversy== On November 22nd, 2011 The Roots played a 1985 song by Fishbone called "Lyin' Ass Bitch" for the entrance of United States Congresswoman and Presidential Candidate [[Michele Bachmann]] on the Jimmy Fallon show. Prior to Bachmann's arrival on stage, the band's drummer, Questlove, tweeted during the show: "Aight late night walkon song devotees: you love it when we snark: this next one takes the cake. ask around cause i aint tweeting title." Initially, Jimmy Fallon made light of the incident. He tweeted, "@Questlove is grounded." Later he tweeted, "I'm honored that @michelebachmann was on our show yesterday and I'm so sorry about the intro mess. I really hope she comes back." NBC issued an official apology to Michele Bachmann the following day. They indicated in the apology that The Roots were "severely reprimanded." ==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" ** '''2011: Won for Best Group or Duo R&B Vocal Performance for ''Shine''''' ** '''2011: Won for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "Hang on in There" (with John Legend)''' ** '''2011: Won for Best R&B Album for ''Wake Up!''''' ** 2011: Nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Wake Up Everybody" ** 2011: Nominated for Best Rap Album for ''How I Got Over'' * 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''' ** '''2011: Won for Outstanding Collaboration for ''Wake Up!''''' ** '''2011: Won for Outstanding Album for ''Wake Up!''''' * 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 ==Band members== * [[Black Thought]]&nbsp;– [[Rapper|MC]] (1987–present) * [[Questlove]]&nbsp;– [[Drum kit|Drums]] (1987–present) * [[Kamal Gray]]&nbsp;– [[Electronic keyboard]] (1995–present) * [[F. Knuckles]]&nbsp;– [[Percussion instrument|Percussion]] (2002–present) * [[Captain Kirk Douglas]]&nbsp;– [[Electric guitar]] (2003–present) * Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson&nbsp;– [[Sousaphone]] (2007–present) * [[James Poyser]]&nbsp;– [[Electronic keyboard]] * Mark Kelley&nbsp;- [[Bass (guitar)|Bass]] (2011-present) ;Former members * [[Malik B.]]&nbsp;– MC (1987–1999) * Kid Crumbs (Kenyatta Warren)&nbsp;– MC (1993) * Rubberband (Josh Abrams)&nbsp;– Bass (1988–1990) * [[Rahzel]]&nbsp;– [[Beatboxing|Beatbox]] (1995–1999) * [[Dice Raw]]&nbsp;– MC (1995–2000) * [[Scott Storch]]&nbsp;– Electronic keyboard (1995) * [[Ben Kenney]]&nbsp;– Electric guitar (2000–2003) * [[Martin Luther McCoy|Martin Luther]]&nbsp;– MC (2003–2004) * [[Scratch (musician)|Scratch]]&nbsp;– Beatbox (1998–2003) * Leonard [[Hub (bassist)|Hub]] Hubbard &nbsp;– Bass (1992–2007) * [[Owen Biddle (musician)|Owen Biddle]]&nbsp;– [[Bass guitar|Bass]] (2007–2011) ==Discography== {{Main|The Roots discography}} ; Studio albums * 1993: ''[[Organix!]]'' * 1994: ''[[From the Ground Up (The Roots EP)|From the Ground Up]]'' (EP) * 1995: ''[[Do You Want More?!!!??!]]'' * 1996: ''[[Illadelph Halflife]]'' * 1999: ''[[Things Fall Apart (album)|Things Fall Apart]]'' * 1999: ''[[The Legendary]]'' (EP) * 2002: ''[[Phrenology (album)|Phrenology]]'' * 2004: ''[[The Tipping Point (album)|The Tipping Point]]'' * 2006: ''[[Game Theory (album)|Game Theory]]'' * 2008: ''[[Rising Down]]'' * 2010: ''[[How I Got Over (album)|How I Got Over]]'' * 2010: ''[[Wake Up! (John Legend and The Roots album)|Wake Up!]]'' <small>(with [[John Legend]])</small> * 2011: ''[[Undun]]'' ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.theroots.com TheRoots.com] * [http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_home.php?artist_id=605 The Roots' official website] * [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p168531|pure_url=yes}} The Roots at Allmusic] * [http://www.therootsarchive.com/ TheRootsArchive.com] * [http://www4.islanddefjam.com/media/theroots/retrospective.html Retrospective of The Roots @ DefJam] * [http://exclaim.ca/articles/timeline.aspx?csid1=145 Timeline The Roots Band of Brothers] * [http://www.cream.cz/?recenze=the-roots-how-i-got-over-def-jam&preview=1 How I Got Over review at Cream] {{The Roots}} {{Soulquarians}} {{LateNiteonNBC}} {{Def Jam}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Roots, The}} [[Category:Alternative hip hop groups]] [[Category:Def Jam Recordings artists]] [[Category:East Coast hip hop groups]] [[Category:Geffen Records artists]] [[Category:Grammy Award winners]] [[Category:MCA Records artists]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]] [[Category:Musical groups from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:Rappers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] [[Category:The Roots| ]] [[bg:Рутс]] [[de:The Roots]] [[es:The Roots]] [[fr:The Roots]] [[ko:더 룻츠]] [[it:The Roots]] [[lt:The Roots]] [[nl:The Roots]] [[ja:ザ・ルーツ]] [[pl:The Roots]] [[ru:The Roots (группа)]] [[fi:The Roots]] [[sv:The Roots]] [[tr:The Roots]]'