Black Thought, the legendary lead emcee and co-founder of the groundbreaking and hugely influential Philadelphian hip hop group The Roots, has today released his new single “Good Morning” with Pusha T, Killer Mike, and Swizz Beatz. The three-minute track features Black Thought with the opening verse in signature fashion, before Pusha T comes in heavy […]
With the tragic news of The Roots’ founding member Malik B’s passing echoing through the Hip Hop and music worlds, it’s saddening that more bad news is coming out of the Soulquarian camp, as Philly native Jaguar Wright makes some serious accusations about The Roots’ handling of Malik B’s terminal cancer diagnosis and Wright’s own […]
One of the founding members of the Hip Hop group, The Roots, passed away according to his cousin Don Champion. “Mourning my beloved cousin today,” wrote Champion on Twitter. “He was so talented and had a huge heart. I still remember when he and The Roots were starting out. He’d give me and my dad […]
The Roots Picnic may not be able to take a physical form this year but it will not be completely gone as a virtual version will hit online Saturday, June 27. The picnic now will combine with Michelle Obama and her When We All Vote nonprofit. The picnic will have performances from H.E.R., Lil Baby, […]
You can now get cooking with Questlove and his famous friends. The world-renowned member of The Roots will hit Food Network for an hourlong special, which will bring him to the kitchen of celebrity friends as they share recipes. Page Six reports the show will be called Questlove’s Potluck and bring in Zooey Deschanel, Tiffany […]
Amir “Questlove” Thompson and Tarik “Black Thought” Trotter of The Roots have signed a first-look TV deal with NBC’s Universal TV. The three-year deal will allow for the Hip-Hop duo to develop scripted and unscripted series on multiple platforms. Questlove and Black Thought have had a relationship with NBC as the long time live band […]
On this date in 1997, the debut album from neo-soul queen Erykah Badu entitled Baduizm was released on Universal Records through the Kedar imprint. This LP catapulted the Texan songstress into the Grammy Award-winning music icon that she has become two decades later. Produced primarily by Madukwu Chinwah, Bob Powers, who is known from ATCQ’s […]
On this date in 1965, Jeffrey Townes, better known to Hip Hop and television fans as “Jazzy Jeff” was born in the City of Brother Love and has become one of the best to ever place their hands on a pair of Technics 1200s. Originally known as the DJ for rapper/actor The Fresh Prince aka […]
On this date in 1995, Black Thought, Questlove, Dice Raw, Rahzel and the original Roots crew dropped the Philly Hip Hop collective’s second LP Do You Want More?!!!??! on DGC Records. Recognized as a classic fusion of Hip Hop and jazz, Do You Want More?!!!??! was the first major full-length debut from the Philly-based group. […]
It seems like Ahmir Thompson aka Questlove is one of the busiest people in the world. He often claims he has 14 jobs. Not only is he the co-founder of the legendary Roots with Black Thought, but he’s the bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, a DJ, producer, designer, music educator, and bestselling […]
Legendary lyricists Black Thought and super-producer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots are executive producers of a six-part docuseries entitled Hip-Hop: The Songs That Shook America on AMC. On each episode of this new series put emphasis on a trailblazing song that was critical to the transformation of American music and popular culture. The artists […]
“If my memory serves correct, I think we did the first-ever Coachella, right?” – Questlove “We did do the first Coachella — I remember I had a broken foot.” – Black Thought Sure, no one forgets that time they had to perform in front of thousands in the middle of a desert with a broken […]
For the past ten years, The Roots have furnished The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as the official house band, giving the pretense an organic hip-hop flavor. In a recent episode, the Philadelphia collective’s lead MC Black Thought broke into a rap session about the multiple amount of candidates for the 2020 United States presidential election. Fallon, in […]
On this date in 1997, the debut album from neo-soul queen Erykah Badu entitled Baduizm was released on Universal Records through the Kedar imprint. This LP catapulted the Texan songstress into the Grammy Award-winning music icon that she has become two decades later. Produced primarily by Madukwu Chinwah, Bob Powers, who is known from ATCQ’s […]
On this date in 1995, Black Thought, Questlove, Dice Raw, Rahzel and the original Roots crew dropped the Philly Hip Hop collective’s second LP Do You Want More?!!!??! on DGC Records. Recognized as a classic fusion of Hip Hop and jazz, Do You Want More?!!!??! was the first major full-length debut from the Philly-based group. […]
Words by Rashad Grove The hardest working band in music, the legendary Roots crew will close out the year with a short tour of the East Coast. Along with creating material for their forthcoming and highly anticipated new album, and playing behind Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s The Tonight Show, the Roots will end the year […]
Born on this date in 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, Black Thought, the lead emcee of the legendary Hip Hop band The Roots, has created his key to success with simply one word; longevity. Thought has always been regarded as one of the most lyrical post-Golden Era emcees, yet received very little […]
Ariana Grande has been added to the star-studded list of performers set to perform for Aretha Franklin’s burial service Friday, Franklin’s marketing specialist has affirmed to CNN. The Sweetener singer earned her spot on the bill after her emotional The Roots-assisted performance of “Natural Woman” on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon went viral. Advertisement […]
Knowledge of Hip-Hop history will reveal the genre is respective to the narrative of the young black male. The official track for Paramount Network’s upcoming documentary Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story has been released and not only is it a sneak peek into the film but an oracular call for justice with The […]
During the late 1990s up to the present time, former Roots member and producer Scott Storch has been responsible for the sounds of some of Hip Hop’s biggest smash hits. From the keyboard line on Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.” to Beyonce’s “Me, Myself And I,” Storch’s versatility behind the boards has made a living legend […]
