The Roots
Philadelphia hip-hop band
The Roots is an American hip-hop band from Philadelphia, founded in 1987 and known for live instrumentation rather than sampling or programmed beats.
The group has served as the house band for *The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon* since 2014.
Their name evokes foundational elements—returning to the roots of music by playing instruments in a genre dominated by turntables and drum machines.
Unified group or outfit
- collectiveJointly organized group
- groupAssembled collection of things
- quintetGroup of five
- quartetEnsemble of four
trio · duo · combo · musicians · performers · artists · lineup · members
Quick sharp blow
- emceeingLeading a performance event
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- rhymesMatching word endings
bars · lyricism · cypher · beatboxing · spitting · conscious rap · turntablism · DJ
Patterned stress and silence
- funkDepression or groove music
- soulInnermost animating essence
- beatRhythmic pulse or strike
- basslineLow-register musical foundation
percussion · drumming · syncopation · tempo · swing · jam · vibe · polyrhythm
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- fusionJoining into unity
- bebopFast, complex jazz style
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- saxophoneReed instrument, brass body
trumpet · double bass · piano · drums · harmony · melody · standards · scat
Having considerable effect
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
- seminalFoundational and influential
trailblazing · originators · innovators · respected · acclaimed · Grammy · Tonight Show · longevity
ensemble
Unified group or outfit
- collectiveJointly organized group
- groupAssembled collection of things
- quintetGroup of five
quartet · trio · duo · combo · musicians · performers · artists · lineup · members · vocalists
rap
Quick sharp blow
- emceeingLeading a performance event
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- flowUnbroken forward movement
rhymes · bars · lyricism · cypher · beatboxing · spitting · conscious rap · turntablism · DJ · MC
rhythm
Patterned stress and silence
bassline · percussion · drumming · syncopation · tempo · swing · jam · vibe · polyrhythm · backbeat
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
saxophone · trumpet · double bass · piano · drums · harmony · melody · standards · scat · live performance
influential
Having considerable effect
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
seminal · trailblazing · originators · innovators · respected · acclaimed · Grammy · Tonight Show · longevity · discography
- Grammy WinnersAdele, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin
- Philadelphia IconsWill Smith, Kevin Hart, Patti LaBelle, Questlove, Boyz II Men
- Neo-SoulErykah Badu, D'Angelo, Maxwell, Lauryn Hill, Bilal
- talk showstalk shows, late night, late-night, guest host, panel show
The RootsMilli Vanilli
Fraudulent vocal duo
Vanilla Ice · one-hit wonders · Iggy Azalea · boy bands · 50 Cent
root, roots, rooted, uproot, rooting, uprooting, uprooted, rootstock, rootlet