The Roots. Unorthodox? Yes. Unexpected? Yes. Distinctive? Yes. Experimental? Yes. Diverse? Talented? Artistic? Lyrically gifted and musically unique? Yes, yes and yes.
The very name of the band says a lot. They’ve represented the very roots of the Hip Hop culture to the extend very few acts have. They’ve also proven longevity and survived against all odds, making their own music. Now, in 2007, they find themselves affiliated with the most successful and promising Hip Hop label in the country. DefJam even formed DefJam Left specifically for them. The combination of ?uestlove on the drums, Black Thought on the mic, Hub and Captain Kirk Douglas on the guitars, Kamal Gray on the keys and F. Knuckles doing percussion work formed an amazing music phenomenon.
This Grammy-winning Philadelphia band sells out Radio City Music Hall 2 nights in a row and then does small venue shows back in its home town. Showing love to all music fans, The Roots does not discriminate. Expanding their horizons past the Hip Hop genre, the band’s leader ?uestlove takes the music aspect of it’s activity to the new level with its every move. Avid music lovers themselves, the band members are true to their craft far above and beyond the current commercial drive for music sales. “People do shows to promote their albums, we do our albums to promote our shows”, said ?uest in his interview with WORDSnTUNES. People’s passion for music is a major driving force behind their inspiration.
Perhaps the philosophy of music does not appeal to everyone. Let’s mention the accomplishments of The Roots. Active for exactly 20 years now, the band’s put out 8 studio albums; got a Grammy for best rap performance in 1999 for You Got Me with Erykah Badu; won the NAACPaward for outstanding group in 2007; was named one of the twenty greatest live acts in the world by the Rolling Stone magazine in 2003; received multiple Grammy, MTV, BETand others nominations ands the list goes on. ?uestlove himself was also the musical director for the 2006VH1 Hip Hop Honors Awards. Okay Player tours with the band’s appearances consistently sell out all over the country.
For all of those unaware of the fact, one of the most in-demand producers, Scott Storch, got his start in The Roots. Charging ¼ million for a track nowadays, he may not represent what the band is about from a commercial standpoint. As far as his musical genius, he fits right in.`
?uestlove’s DJ series are loved just as much by music fans as his efforts in the band. He is about to drop his Babies Making Babies III.
Finding themselves on the label known for its commercial drive, The Roots received almost a carte blanche from Jay-Z to make music their own way. As a result, they put out Game Theory. It was by far the most experimentally artistic album of 2006.
Continuing their never-ending quest for musical excellence their next release is planned for later this year. Staying true to the game, never looking back and redefining themselves with every effort, The Roots are certainly a music legend.
