About The Roots
"I think the music comes first, then comes the fashion, and thus, the lifestyle." — Questlove
- Members: Black Thought (Tariq Luqmaan Trotter), Questlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson), Kamal Gray, F. Knuckles (Francis Nicholls), Captain Kirk Douglas, Tuba Gooding Jr. (Damon Bryson), James Poyser, Mark Kelley
- Formed 1987 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The band's second album, Do You Want More?!!!??!, was produced without any samples and became a hit with alternative music fans, earning them a spot at Lollapalooza. The song "You Got Me" helped bolster sales of their fourth album, Things Fall Apart.
- "You Got Me," recorded with Erykah Badu, earned them their first GRAMMY win for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for 1999. Collaborating with John Legend garnered two more GRAMMY Awards — Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album — for 2010. Five of the band's albums have been nominated for Best Rap Album.
- The band went by several different names before settling on the Roots, including Radio Activity and Black To The Future.
- Legend and the Roots discussed their collaborative covers album Wake Up! at the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live in 2010. They later performed selections from the album for an intimate audience of 200. The band also performed a tribute to Lionel Richie at the singer's MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony in 2016.
- Questlove performed at a benefit concert for Artists for a New South Africa in 2007. The drummer also raised money for Harlem Village Academies in 2010.
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The Roots News
9 Lively Sets From The 2024 Roots Picnic: Jill Scott, Lil Wayne, Nas, Sexyy Red, & More
Jun 3, 2024 - 09:02 pm
Earl Hopkins
For Questlove, “A GRAMMY Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop” Is Crucial For Rap’s Legacy
Dec 7, 2023 - 05:45 pm
Morgan Enos
Jun 27, 2023 - 09:20 pm
Morgan Enos
8 Exciting Sets From The 2023 Roots Picnic: Usher, Lil Uzi Vert, Lauryn Hill & More
Jun 6, 2023 - 03:11 pm
Earl Hopkins
Jul 6, 2022 - 05:28 pm
Kevin L. Clark
GRAMMY Rewind: Watch The Roots & Erykah Badu Win The GRAMMY For Best Rap Performance In 2000
Mar 25, 2022 - 04:53 pm
Morgan Enos
Sep 14, 2021 - 12:45 am
Morgan Enos
For The Record: How The Fugees Settled ‘The Score’ 25 Years Ago
Apr 6, 2021 - 06:19 pm
Kathy Iandoli
GRAMMY Rewind: Watch The Roots And Erykah Badu Gleefully Win Their First GRAMMY in 2000
Jan 29, 2021 - 11:44 pm
Morgan Enos
Tamika Mallory To Host Pull Up & Vote Party Livestream Featuring Barack Obama, Questlove & More
Oct 20, 2020 - 01:12 am
Ana Monroy Yglesias
Save Our Stages Virtual Festival Reveals Stacked Full Lineup & Schedule
Oct 15, 2020 - 12:06 am
Ana Monroy Yglesias
Jun 28, 2020 - 09:39 pm
John Ochoa
Son Little On Writing In Wine Country, Recording In Paris And Playing With The Legendary Roots Crew
Feb 4, 2020 - 01:31 am
Nick Fulton
The Roots, Preservation Jazz Hall Band & Trombone Shorty To Perform At The 2020 GRAMMYs
Jan 24, 2020 - 07:30 pm
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