Since 1987, they’ve made an unquestionable mark on music – not just Hip-Hop music, but quite possibly the entire history of recorded song. Pulling from their hard-knock hometown’s storied past and their own unique blend of lyrical and instrumental talents, The Roots have become synonymous with artistry and longevity.
Anchored by the foundations of the group – rapper Black Thought and drummer ?uestlove – The Roots are members of rap’s elite 10+ Club, having recorded 10 studio and one collaboration albums in the 25 years since their “Illadelph inception” at Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts.
Times have changed, and the industry is nearly unrecognizable when compared to rap’s Old School and Golden Eras, where The Roots first showed signs of greatness. Still, as Black Thought would agree, when an artist or group’s foundation is sturdy and timeless, the old fans remain loyal and the new fans become mesmerized by the new material – such as the critically-praised undun album, released in early December 2011. The work also remains steady – touring and a long-term house band gig on “The Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Show” hold The Roots down between albums.
Black Thought welcomed AllHipHop.com into his amazing home on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, where we received a schooling on how to create a genius concept album and also received some scoop on what’s next for The Roots:
The Black Thought exclusives aren’t over! Check back all this week for our interview all up in the crib of The Roots MC!