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Why is The Roots known as "hip-hop's first real band"?
The Roots is an American hip-hop band formed in 1987 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by lead singer Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. The band serves as a resident band on NBC's "The Tonight Show" and is beloved for its unique musical style and exquisite live performances. In the music industry, The Roots are known for their jazz style and diverse musical expression, and their works have always been highly praised by the industry. ThoughtCo named them seventh on their list of "The 25 Best Hip-Hop Bands" and called them "hip-hop's first true band." So, what exactly makes The Roots stand out and win such an award?
"The Roots are not just playing music, they are creating a new musical language."
Band history
1987–1993: The early years
The origins of The Roots can be traced back to the two protagonists Tariq and Ahmir's music school days in Philadelphia. Initially, they performed on street corners, combining improvised hip-hop music with drumming. This brought them a lot of attention and quickly attracted the love of music fans. Their first official performance was at a talent show in 1989, debuting under the name Radio Activity.
“Our musical soul is deeply rooted in improvisation and collaboration.”
1994–1997: Exploring the First Album
In 1994, The Roots released their debut album "Do You Want More?!!!??!". The album showcased their unique musical style, incorporating elements of jazz and hip-hop, and was quite successful. In addition, the band's subsequent "Illadelph Halflife" also received widespread acclaim, allowing their status in the music industry to steadily rise.
"These works are not just music, but also our views on the world."
1998–2000: Breakthrough Things Fall Apart
The album "Things Fall Apart" released in 1999 is regarded as The Roots' breakthrough. Not only was the album a commercial success, it also earned them critical acclaim and was certified gold. The album's collaboration with Erykah Badu, "You Got Me," became a hit single and won a Grammy award that year.
2001–2005: Phrenology and its challenges
As the band grew, internal changes began to occur. Despite releasing the album Phrenology to commercial success and being nominated for a Grammy Award, the band members experienced some turmoil during this period. Especially the collaboration with Jay-Z reveals their diversity and depth in music.
“Continuous experimentation and innovation are how we survive.”
2006–2008: "Game Theory" and "Rising Down" in the Recording Era
During this period, The Roots' music began to shift toward deeper political themes. The album "Game Theory" explores the political situation in contemporary America and has been widely praised for its innovative music style. "Rising Down" further emphasizes social inequality and the band's profound musical insights.
2009–2014: Diversified cooperation
The Roots not only continued to release albums during this period, but also collaborated extensively with other artists. "Wake Up!" with John Legend is a successful example, showing that they are not only representatives of hip-hop music, but also contributors to pop music.
2015 to present: future prospects
Even in today's music environment, The Roots still maintain outstanding creative vitality. With the production plan of the new album "End Game", we are also constantly exploring the integration with modern music. Every creation makes people look forward to where their musical journey will lead.
The Roots not only changed the face of hip-hop music, but also used music as a means to explore various issues in life and society. As their music career continues to progress, the audience can't help but wonder: How will The Roots continue to lead the trend in the music industry in the future?
