Biography

The Roots call themselves "The Legendary Crew" and describe their songs as experimental music. They are entitled to say this – the band, performing since 1987 till present, has won numerous awards and collaborated with a range of famous musicians, while their own music features a large number of geners too. The band was formed in Philadelphia around 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir Thompson. After five years of performing without huge success, The Roots moved to London, and recorded their debut album Organix, which attracted attention of some record labels. The Kooks choose DGC Records, although it was better known for its grunge music releases, and moved to America to record their second album. Do You Want More?!!!??!, simmiliar to the firs disk, was equal parts jazz instrumental improvization and beat box, and was ignored among the hip-hop fanbase being a moderate hit among alternative music fans.

The 1996 release of Illadelph Halflife brought a universal popularity to The Roots, and songs What They Do (a parody of rap video cliches) and Clones became genuine hits. Attempting to appeal to a wider audience, the band began integrating programmed drums and samples into their sound. It was also The Roots' first album to include prominent guests, such as Common, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu and Q-Tip. The next album, Things Fall Apart, turned out to a breakthrough for The Roots, becoming a gold record. The track You Got Me, a duet with R&B singer Erykah Badu and Eve, earned The Roots a Grammy award for Best Performance By A Duo Or Group. But then discrepant times has begun: on the one hand, several The Roots' members left, including long time member Malik B, and the band's new album, Phrenology, got low marks from the critics. On the other hand, the album became a commercial success, and The Roots' popularity increased with their spot backing Jay-Z for his live MTV Unplugged album. After that, the band released The Tipping Point – although two members left, citing pressures mounted on the group be record label to sell more records, the album earned two more Grammy nominations: one for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track Star and another for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for the track Don't Say Nuthin.

The Roots' next album, Game Theory, released on August 29, 2006, was described by Ahmir Thompson as being very dark and reflective of the political state in America. Despite critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination, Game Theory has sold significantly less than the band's previous releases. Finally, The Roots' eighth studio album Rising Down was realesed on April 29, 2008. The album maintained a dark and political tone. It featured such guests as Chrisette Michele, Common, Mos Def, Saigon, Styles P, Talib Kweli, Wale, Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump and many others. The year 2010 was marked by the releases of two records: the new studio attempt How I Got Over that got excellent reviews from the critics and the collaborative album Wake Up! that had been created jointly with John Legend. The long play Wake Up! included original interpretations of soul compositions of sixties and seventies of the previous century. It is worth mentioning that every music lover will definitely enjoy the new creations of The Roots, whether it is fresh original compositions or the record with cover-versions.

Studio Albums

The Roots, ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin mp3...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin
2014
  • Conscious Hip Hop
  • East Coast Hip Hop
The Roots, Undun mp3Undun
The legendary American band The Roots enlarged its discography with the brand new studio attempt. The record was titled Undun and it is already available to all lovers of neo-soul and alternative hip-hop
2011
  • Modern Classical
  • Conscious Hip Hop
  • East Coast Hip Hop
  • Pop Rap
The Roots, How I Got Over mp3How I Got Over
The Roots, hip-hop stage veterans, have not completed their musical journey yet. Their ninth studio effort, How I Got Over, is another uneasy talk with a listener on irksome issues
2010
  • Conscious Hip Hop
  • East Coast Hip Hop
The Roots, Rising Down mp3Rising Down
2008
  • Conscious Hip Hop
  • East Coast Hip Hop
  • Political Hip Hop
The Roots, Rising Down mp3Rising Down
Rising Down is The Roots' second album on label Def Jam and the eighth studio album in the band's discography. It became a kind of continuation of Game Theory and the same guest stars have taken part in its recording once again
2008
  • Conscious Hip Hop
  • East Coast Hip Hop
  • Political Hip Hop
The Roots, Game Theory mp3Game Theory
More sullen and topical, Game Theory boasts several guest appearances including The Roots' former member Malik B, who takes parts in three tracks and Peedi Peedi, who is reportedly about to join the group for recording the coming albums
2006
  • Conscious Hip Hop
  • Experimental Hip Hop
  • East Coast Hip Hop
  • Political Hip Hop
The Roots, The Tipping Point mp3The Tipping Point
2004
  • Neo-Soul
  • East Coast Hip Hop
  • Hardcore Hip Hop
The Roots, Illadelph Halflife mp3Illadelph Halflife
1996
  • Conscious Hip Hop
  • Jazz Rap
  • East Coast Hip Hop
  • Hardcore Hip Hop
  • Boom Bap
The Roots, Organix mp3Organix
1993
  • Jazz Rap
  • East Coast Hip Hop
  • Boom Bap

Lives

The Roots, The Roots Come Alive mp3The Roots Come Alive
1999
  • East Coast Hip Hop