Artist profile

The Roots

The Roots formed in Philadelphia in the early 1990s, with core members including Black Thought, Questlove, and Kamal Gray. Their sound grew from the city's...

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Editor's note

The Roots built hip-hop with live instruments.

A Philadelphia band that brought jazz and soul into hip-hop through raw, organic albums.

For a sense of their sound, check out "You Got Me" or "The Seed (2.0)". They frame the band's mix of hip-hop with live instrumentation and thoughtful lyrics.

The Roots used live instrumentation when hip-hop was mostly samples and drum machines, giving their sound a distinct, grounded feel. Songs like "You Got Me" and "What They Do" showed how their approach could fit the genre while staying unique. Their 2021 track "The Seed (2.0)" kept that thread alive, reflecting on community and change.

They formed in Philadelphia in the early 1990s, with core members including Black Thought, Questlove, and Kamal Gray. Their debut album "Organix" had a raw, organic feel, and later albums like "Things Fall Apart" and "Phrenology" blended hip-hop with jazz and soul in exploratory ways.

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The Roots formed in Philadelphia in the early 1990s, with core members including Black Thought, Questlove, and Kamal Gray. Their sound grew from the city's jazz and soul scene, using live instrumentation at a time when hip-hop was dominated by samples and drum machines. Their debut album "Organix" arrived with a raw, organic feel that set them apart from the start.

They built a following through albums like "Things Fall Apart" and "Phrenology," which blended hip-hop with jazz and soul in ways that felt both grounded and exploratory. Songs like "You Got Me" and "What They Do" showed how their approach could work within the genre while still sounding like their own thing. Their 2021 track "The Seed (2.0)" continued this thread, reflecting on community and change.

Black Thought handles most of the lyrics, while Questlove's drumming gives the band its rhythmic foundation. Kamal Gray's bass lines and occasional vocals add another layer to their sound.

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Where should I start with The Roots on LyroVerse?

The Start here section opens with I'm Out Deah, Kool On (feat. P.o.r.n.), and Long Time so you can move through the artist's stronger lyric pages first.

How many lyric pages are live for The Roots?

LyroVerse currently has 146 visible lyric pages for The Roots.

Does The Roots have photos on LyroVerse?

Yes. There are 1 photo available, and the preview gallery on this page links to the full photos section.

Does LyroVerse have an editor's note for The Roots?

Yes. The editor's note on this page is a short LyroVerse team guide, not a final verdict on the artist.

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