- Awards And Honors:
- Grammy Award (2000)
- Notable Works:
- “Things Fall Apart”
- Date:
- 1987 - present
- On the Web:
- AllMusic - The Roots (Oct. 30, 2026)
the Roots
News •
-
Who are the Roots?
The Roots are an American jazz/hip-hop jam band, perhaps best known as the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Black Thought and Questlove, the band's founding members, created the group in 1987 when they met as students in Philadelphia.
Originally named the Square Roots, they performed on street corners in Philadelphia. With the addition of Malik B and Hub, they gained recognition in Philadelphia and New York City clubs.
Their 1999 album, Things Fall Apart, was a breakthrough, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. "You Got Me," a collaboration with Erykah Badu, won a Grammy Award in 2000.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What type of music do the Roots play?
The Roots are known for their jazz/hip-hop jam band style. Founded in 1987 by Black Thought and Questlove, they gained recognition for playing their own samples live, rather than using recordings. Their 1999 album, Things Fall Apart, was a breakthrough, earning critical acclaim and commercial success, with "You Got Me" winning a Grammy in 2000.
They became the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2009 and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2014, showcasing their versatility across genres. The Roots have also collaborated with artists like John Legend, Betty Wright, and Elvis Costello, winning a Grammy for Best R&B Album for Wake Up! in 2011.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
Who are the main members of the Roots?
The Roots, an American jazz/hip-hop jam band, was founded in 1987 by Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and Questlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson), who met as students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and are the only constant members.
Other members who contributed to the group's rise in Philadelphia and New York City clubs include rapper Malik B (Malik Abdul Basit) and bassist Hub (Leonard Hubbard). Keyboardist Scott Storch was in the lineup for their debut album, Organix (1993). Human beatbox Rahzel (Rahzel Brown) contributed to Do You Want More?!!!??! (1994).
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How do the Roots use live instruments in their performances?
The Roots stand out as a jazz/hip-hop jam band because they incorporate live instruments into their performances, rather than relying on samples, which is a mainstay of hip-hop. When the Roots first signed with DGC Records, their first release, Do You Want More?!!!??! (1994), was notable because the musicians played samples of music from other recordings live. As the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Roots were able to showcase their musical talent across genres.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are some of the Roots' most popular albums or songs?
The Roots, formed in 1987, gained prominence as the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Their 1993 debut album, Organix, led to a major label deal.
Their 1999 album, Things Fall Apart, is considered their breakthrough, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. The song "You Got Me," featuring Erykah Badu, won a Grammy Award in 2000.
Other notable albums include Phrenology (2002), The Tipping Point (2004), Game Theory (2006), and Rising Down (2008). The Roots also collaborated with Jay Z on MTV Unplugged in 2001.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How have the Roots influenced hip-hop and other music genres?
The Roots have significantly impacted hip-hop and other music genres through their innovative approach. Formed in 1987 by Black Thought and Questlove, the group uniquely blended live instrumentation with traditional hip-hop elements, setting them apart from artists who relied heavily on samples.
Their 1994 album, Do You Want More?!!!??!, featured live musicians replaying samples, and their collaboration with Erykah Badu on "You Got Me" earned them a Grammy in 2000. As the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009–14) and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014– ), they showcased their versatility by providing backup music for vocalists across genres, broadening their audience and demonstrating their comedic talents. The Roots have also collaborated with artists like John Legend, Betty Wright, and Elvis Costello, further expanding their influence.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
the Roots, American jazz/hip-hop jam band that was perhaps best known as the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009–14) and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014– ). The founding members were Black Thought (Tariq Trotter; b. October 3, 1971, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.) and drummer Questlove (or ?uestlove; Ahmir Khalib Thompson; b. January 20, 1971, Philadelphia).
The group was created in 1987 by Black Thought and Questlove—the only members who remained part of the band throughout its history—when they met as students at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Originally calling themselves the Square Roots, they began performing on Philadelphia street corners. With the addition of rapper Malik B (Malik Abdul Basit) and bassist Hub (Leonard Hubbard), they began making a name for themselves in clubs in Philadelphia and New York City.
The debut album of the Roots, Organix (1993), which included keyboardist Scott Storch in the lineup, was released in conjunction with a concert in Germany. That album, together with the band’s growing reputation, brought offers from major labels, and the group signed with DGC Records. The first release on that label, Do You Want More?!!!??! (1994), included contributions by human beatbox Rahzel (Rahzel Brown) and was notable in that samples of music from other recordings, a mainstay of the art form, were played live by the musicians. The 1999 offering, Things Fall Apart, was regarded as the band’s breakthrough album and won both critical praise and commercial success. A single from the album, “You Got Me,” a collaboration with vocalist Erykah Badu, won the Grammy Award in 2000 for best rap performance by a duo or group.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
The Roots, with a fluid lineup, continued touring, recording, and collaborating with other artists, releasing Phrenology (2002), The Tipping Point (2004), Game Theory (2006), and Rising Down (2008). In addition, the Roots backed rap star Jay Z in 2001 on the concert TV show MTV Unplugged (also released as the album Jay-Z Unplugged).
In 2008 comedian Jimmy Fallon approached the Roots to serve as his backing band when he became a late-night talk-show host, maintaining that it was the only group that could provide excellent and appropriate backup music for vocalists in any genre. The choice sent shock waves in several directions. Devotees of the Roots felt that the format was too confining and demeaning for a band generally regarded as extraordinary. Network executives feared that a band known for cogent social commentary and for charting its own course might alienate advertisers and audience members. In the end the Roots proved to be an asset to the talk show, which in turn widened the audience for the band, which was able to showcase talents, including comedic, that had not previously been exhibited. In 2014 Fallon left the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to host The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014– ), where the Roots continued as the house band.
In addition, the Roots recorded the albums How I Got Over (2010) and Undun (2011) as well as collaborations with soul artist John Legend (Wake Up!, 2010), rhythm and blues singer Betty Wright (Betty Wright: The Movie, 2011), and rock musician Elvis Costello (Wise Up Ghost, 2013). In 2011 Wake Up! was given the Grammy Award for best R&B album, and the single “Hang On in There” took the Grammy for best traditional R&B vocal performance. In 2014 the the Roots released its 11th studio album, … And Then You Shoot Your Cousin, a conceptual collection of densely layered music intended as a meditation on community violence.