{"title":"The Roots","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout The Roots\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Roots formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1987 around Tariq Trotter (Black Thought) and Ahmir Thompson (Questlove), who had been students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA). They are widely cited as the foundational live hip hop band in popular music history - established with their distinctive approach of performing hip hop with a full live band rather than relying on samples or backing tracks. Their 1999 album Things Fall Apart became their commercial breakthrough, including the international single You Got Me (featuring Erykah Badu, written by Jill Scott). They have continued releasing material across multiple decades. They have been the house band for late-night talk shows since 2009 - initially Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009-2014), then The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014-present). Questlove has parallel work as a producer (work with D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, and the broader Soulquarians collective), filmmaker (2021 Summer of Soul Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature), and author. Black Thought is widely cited as one of the most technically skilled rappers in hip hop history. The Roots have organized the annual Roots Picnic festival in Philadelphia since 2008. Their foundational influence on live hip hop and broader alternative hip hop is widely cited.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Roots's sound combines hip hop, alternative hip hop, jazz rap, conscious hip hop, neo-soul, funk, jazz fusion, and soul with Black Thought's distinctive virtuosic flow (technical lyricism), Questlove's foundational live drumming approach, integration of live band instrumentation across the band's multi-decade catalog, and collaborative arrangements drawing on Philadelphia soul and jazz traditions alongside contemporary hip hop influences.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrganix (1993, Remedy)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo You Want More?!!!??! (1995, DGC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIlladelph Halflife (1996, DGC)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThings Fall Apart (1999, MCA) - commercial breakthrough\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhrenology (2002, MCA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Tipping Point (2004, Geffen)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGame Theory (2006, Def Jam)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRising Down (2008, Def Jam)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow I Got Over (2010, Def Jam)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUndun (2011, Def Jam)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (2014, Def Jam)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGeffen Records, MCA Records, and Def Jam Records pressings of The Roots catalog have been issued in multiple color variant editions and limited deluxe pressings, with collector demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to The Roots typically start with Things Fall Apart (1999) or Phrenology (2002). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hip-hop-vinyl-records\"\u003eHip-Hop\/Rap\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-roots-illadelph-halflife-vinyl","title":"Illadelph Halflife 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541010428087,"sku":"210000081296","price":37.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3466660.jpg?v=1781155072"},{"product_id":"the-roots-things-fall-apart-vinyl","title":"Things Fall Apart 3LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the cornerstone albums of alternative rap's second wave, Things Fall Apart was the point where the Roots' tremendous potential finally coalesced into a structured album that maintained its focus from top to bottom.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541078651063,"sku":"210000054625","price":64.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3715402-2505774.jpg?v=1781155322"},{"product_id":"the-roots-do-you-want-more-vinyl-deluxe","title":"Do You Want More? 4LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 4LP of Do You Want More?!!!??! comes as the original 2LP album remastered from original tapes, along with new bonus tracks curated by Questlove. The Lift-top box with Euro sleeves comes with foil finish and a booklet with rare photos and Essays by Questlove and Black Thought, and track-by-track commentary.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541087793335,"sku":"210000089690","price":89.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/images-1_ccdf9cf1-6eb3-4377-8866-875c61fda013.jpg?v=1781155340"},{"product_id":"the-roots-game-theory-vinyl","title":"Game Theory 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Roots' Game Theory is a double LP on Def Jam, explicitly addressing societal issues. This edition includes 13 tracks like \"False Media\" and the self-titled track. It represents one of their most incisive works to date.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785785716919,"sku":"210000033986","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/956200.jpg?v=1783045917"},{"product_id":"the-roots-rising-down-vinyl","title":"Rising Down 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eRising Down is a 2LP set from The Roots under Def Jam. It highlights their lyrical prowess and intricate beats. This release is essential for hip-hop enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785790140599,"sku":"210000092585","price":37.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/the-roots.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}