The Roots

Guide Note

The Roots are a Grammy winning hip-hop band from Philadelphia, PA. They rely solely on live instrumentation and a full band to create their music, putting them in a unique category when compared to the vast majority of their hip-hop counterparts. After forming in the late '80s, the Roots moved to Europe to play for about a year in the early '90s. Strong sales of their debut record earned them a major label contract with DGC Records (who signed Nirvana) and brought them back to the United States.

The Roots proceeded to release numerous albums and build up their fanbase among hip-hop fans and alternative rock fans alike. They won a Grammy in 1999 (and would go on to receive three more nominations), played the Lollapalooza and Woodstock '99 music festivals, collaborated with many artists (including Eve, Erykah Badu, Common, and others), and released four RIAA gold-certified albums.

Fast Facts

1. Grammy Awards: 4
2. Record Label: Def Jam
3. Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
4. Current members: Black Thought, Questlove, Kamal Gray, F. Knuckles, Captain Kirk Douglas, Owen Biddle, Damon Bryson