The Roots

The Roots are an American hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for a having a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip-hop which includes live instrumentals. Their debut album was released in 1993 and they have collaborated with a wide range of artists from different genres, including Roy Ayers and Cody Chesnutt. The Roots have generated a lot of critical acclaim and influenced many rap and R&B acts.

The group’s original lineup was formed in Philadelphia around 1987.[1] They began to do shows around Philly and in 1992 or 1993, then left to perform in Europe. They rented out a flat in London and performed in Europe for approximately one year. In order to sustain themselves financially, The Roots released what would be known as their debut album: Organix. The album went on to sell about 150,000 copies. Following the release of Organix, several major record labels offered deals and the band signed with DGC Records, which at the time was better known for its grunge music releases. With their new record deal, the quintet headed back to the states.