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Philadelphia, United States (1993 – present)
The Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The Foundation, are an influential, Grammy winning hip hop group based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation. Inspired by the “hip-hop band” concept pioneered by Stetsasonic, the Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and influenced later hip-hop and R&B acts.
The Roots’ original lineup included Black Thought (MC vocals) and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added another MC named Malik B., bassist Leonard Hubbardand keyboardist Scott Storch. Another MC, Dice Raw, frequently made album appearances with the group from 1995 to 1999 before leaving to record a solo album. Scott Storch also left to pursue career as a producer following the Do You Want More?!!!??! album, He produced songs such as Still D.R.E. by Dr Dre. The Roots filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal who is still a member. A beatboxer named Rahzel also joined the group and contributed from 1995-1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist, Scratch who greatly contributed to The Roots’ sound, most notably in live concerts. He left the group in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 2000. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, enjoyed a short stint with the group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus.
The Roots’ original lineup included Black Thought (MC vocals) and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added another MC named Malik B., bassist Leonard Hubbardand keyboardist Scott Storch. Another MC, Dice Raw, frequently made album appearances with the group from 1995 to 1999 before leaving to record a solo album. Scott Storch also left to pursue career as a producer following the Do You Want More?!!!??! album, He produced songs such as Still D.R.E. by Dr Dre. The Roots filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal who is still a member. A beatboxer named Rahzel also joined the group and contributed from 1995-1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist, Scratch who greatly contributed to The Roots’ sound, most notably in live concerts. He left the group in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 2000. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, enjoyed a short stint with the group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus.
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Top Albums
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Undun
The Roots
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How I Got Over
The Roots Buy- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $9.10
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The Tipping Point
The Roots Buy- Download Album
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Phrenology
The Roots Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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PrettyFlacko wrote:
Wooooah How i Got Over was a good album
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schloppypoppy wrote:
@Mistah_BH yeah, Bilal's a fucking genius, very underrated. all of you should check out his Airtight's Revenge album, very ambitious and hard-hitting like oh whatdya know undun.
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FinalPizzaHut wrote:
Undun is one of the top 50 albums of 2011! http://watchthetapes.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/top-50-albums-of-2011/
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-Gingergirl- wrote:
The Roots' 'Undun' has been featured in At the Sinema's Top 50 Albums of 2011, take a look here: http://atthesinema.co.uk/?p=5769
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barryvs wrote:
The OtherSide is my favorite too.
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janas91 wrote:
Redford...magic ;)
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presspreston wrote:
otherside
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MaybeIamALeo wrote:
<3 I love 'Spleep'
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jussi_m wrote:
Organix is easily better than undun for me.. And How I Got Over is the worst.
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EclecticStatic wrote:
Undun <3
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KRS-TW0 wrote:
Undun was perfect
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sillygoosey11 wrote:
100 percent Dundee.
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KingHeff wrote:
undun is the worst roots album since organix
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Jaanisk wrote:
To Power (3rd Movement)
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VK1990 wrote:
Finality (4th Movement)
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kubA89 wrote:
considering what their albums sound like these days, not really.
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i_love_mangos wrote:
would i be wrong if i tagged them as "hip hop big band"? I would like some feedback please....:)
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presspreston wrote:
love you guys
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Mistah_BH wrote:
Bilal just made one of the greatest choruses I've heard in years.. damn... "The Otherside" = definetly my highlight of "undun".
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DanielCondex wrote:
I agree, a 10/10 album for me. UGHH! why didn't I listen to this before starting my top 2011 list D: I'm getting a grandiose, a'la MBDTF, feel from Undun that I just wallow in.
Videos
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Events
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Feb
11
The Roots
House Of Blues (Sunset Strip), West Hollywood, Los Angeles CA, United States
1 going
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May
25
Sasquatch! Music Festival 2012
Gorge Amphitheatre, George WA, United States
48 going
21 shouts
- May 31 Mountain Jam 2012 Hunter Mountain, Hunter, NY, United States
News
Amazon Daily Deal: The Roots "Things Fall Apart" Album Only $3.99!
1 Nov 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/theroots
Get The Roots "Things Fall Apart" Album For Only $3.99 on
Amazon as part of their Daily Deal! Click here to purchase
http://idj.to/rootstfaHOW I GOT OVER ...
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Amazon Daily Deal: The Roots "Things Fall Apart" Album Only $3.99!
1 Nov 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/theroots -
1 Nov 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/theroots -
12 Jul 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/theroots
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Recent Activity
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swzzpck, ljboston22, ejgonzale1116 and 25 other people added The Roots to their libraries. 1 hour ago
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eucaine wrote about The Roots in Favorite Albums of 1999. yesterday evening
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quiteaheartbeat, batmangrl03, luisbanuelos and 3 other people added The Roots to their libraries. yesterday evening
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djkbru tagged The Roots with hip hop and soul. yesterday afternoon
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goldingjack, peggywaite, alimacx and 37 other people added The Roots to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
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JeroenKlomp wrote about The Roots in a deleted journal. Sunday evening
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JeroenKlomp wrote about The Roots in stats 'n stuff (under construction). Sunday evening
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MiBougie, booker-t-4e, bismark_fuuu and 18 other people added The Roots to their libraries. Sunday evening
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NamjuYoon wrote about The Roots – Undun in a deleted journal. Sunday afternoon
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NamjuYoon wrote about The Roots – Undun in Favorite Albums 2011. Sunday afternoon
Related Journals
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Favorite Albums of 1999
by eucaine |
5 Feb 2012 | Add comment
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Favorite Albums 2011
by NamjuYoon |
5 Feb 2012 | Add comment
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Seen Live
by DemonFK |
2 Feb 2012 | Add comment
Groups (409)
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Black Thought
56 members
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Live Hip Hop Bands
54 members
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Philadelphia 76ers fans
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Hip Hop is a Culture
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Spike Lee
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