The Roots are an American hip hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1987 by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. The Roots’ current lineup includes drummer Questlove, bassist Mark Kelley, guitarist \u200bKirk Douglas, keyboardist Kamal Gray, and vocalist F. Knuckles. The Roots are known for a jazzy and eclectic approach to hip hop which includes live instrumentals.
The Roots have released eleven studio albums, two EPs, and two collaboration albums with other artists. Their first four albums were released in the mid-90s, with their fifth album Things Fall Apart becoming their most successful record, certified gold in the US. The band’s sixth album Phrenology was also certified gold. Their next two albums Rising Down and How I Got Over were released to critical acclaim, and The Roots have become known for their live shows, which often incorporate elements of jam band due to the improvisational nature of their music. The Roots were also the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for five years. They are currently the house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
| Name | The Roots |
| Genre | Hip hop, neo soul, jazz |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Members | Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson (drums, percussion) Kamal Gray (keyboards, bass, melodica) Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter (vocals) Kirk “Captain Kirk” Douglas (guitar) James Poyser (keyboard, percussion) |
| Past Members | Leonard “Hub” Hubbard (bass) Frank Knuckles (drums, percussion) Rahzel (beatboxing) |
| Ahmir Thompson | January 20, 1971 |
| Kamal Gray | August 8, 1974 |
| Tariq Trotter | October 3, 1972 |
| Kirk Douglas | October 25, 1967 |
| James Poyser | April 25, 1972 |
10 Best The Roots Quotes
“I’m not a person who’s trying to be a leader. I just want to be a part of a conversation that’s pushing things forward.”
– Black Thought, from Interview Magazine
“We’re still here and we’re still striving for excellence. We’re still trying to push the boundaries and do something that’s never been done before.”
– Questlove, from Rolling Stone
“There’s a lot of talk about change and a lot of talk about revolution. I think that hip hop is a great vehicle for that, and I think The Roots have always tried to take that on as a mission.”
– Black Thought, from The Guardian
“I don’t think we’ve ever wanted to be a band that’s a slave to trends. We want to create our own sound and our own identity.”
– Questlove, from Billboard
“We’re not trying to be the most popular band in the world. We’re just trying to be the best at what we do.”
– Black Thought, from The Guardian
“We have to be sober and prepared. We have to be at our best, because you never know where that next opportunity is going to come from.”
– Questlove, from Rolling Stone
“We want to be known as a band that can take any song and make it our own. We want to be known as a band that can make an original song and make it sound like a classic.”
– Black Thought, from Interview Magazine
“We want to be the band that is the best at what we do and that is respected for our music and our artistry.”
– Questlove, from Billboard
“We want to be a band that can be embraced by a wide range of people and that can be appreciated by people who appreciate music.”
– Black Thought, from Red Bull Music Academy
“We want to be a band that can take on any challenge and come out on top.”
– Questlove, from Red Bull Music Academy
7 Inspirational The Roots Quotes
“You have to be able to take the criticism and then take the compliment and just be able to be the same person.”
– Tariq Trotter, from The Guardian
“The best way to be able to make a great record, is to make sure that you have a great team.”
– Ahmir Questlove Thompson, from Vibe
“I think that it’s important to always stay humble, no matter what success you achieve.”
– Tariq Trotter, from NBC News
“I think it’s important to be able to look at yourself and be honest with yourself, and to be able to take criticism without getting defensive.”
– Ahmir Questlove Thompson, from Vibe
“The thing that has kept us together is that we all have the same mission — to make sure that we can make the best music that we can make.”
– Ahmir Questlove Thompson, from Vibe
“You have to be able to have the courage to stand for what you believe in and to be able to accept the consequences of that.”
– Tariq Trotter, from NBC News
“You have to be able to take the criticism and then take the compliment and just be able to be the same person.”
– Ahmir Questlove Thompson, from The Guardian
8 Famous The Roots Quotes
“I think that’s why we need to stay in that space of being creative. Making sure that we’re in a space of being creative, of being able to express ourselves and to really express the truth”
– ?uestlove, from Youtube
“It’s not about having a hit record. It’s about having a hit group”
– Black Thought, from Youtube
“I think the idea of The Roots is to create something that is timeless, something that could fit in any era, something that can live forever”
– ?uestlove, from Youtube
“You have to stay in that creative space, where you’re constantly challenging yourself and kind of just re-inventing yourself”
– ?uestlove, from Youtube
“In our music, we’re hoping to create a space for black people to be unapologetically themselves”
– Black Thought, from Youtube
“I think that’s what we do best. We bring a little bit of everything to the table”
– ?uestlove, from Youtube
“It’s about the journey, it’s about the experience, it’s about the music, and it’s about the appreciation for the culture”
– ?uestlove, from Youtube
“I think our music has always been a reflection of the times, so it’s something that people can relate to”
– Black Thought, from Youtube
6 The Roots Quotes About Love
“I think the biggest thing I ever learned, that we all try to teach our children and our families, is to love. Love is the ultimate law, and everybody wants to be loved.”
– Questlove, from The New York Times
“I think love is the most important thing in the world. It’s the only thing that matters.”
– Black Thought, from XXL Magazine
“The most important thing is to be able to love.”
– Kamal Gray, from Billboard Magazine
“Love is the most important thing.”
– Tariq Trotter, from Billboard Magazine
“If it’s not about love, then it’s not about anything.”
– Questlove, from Interview Magazine
“Love is the most powerful form of energy.”
– Questlove, from The Guardian
8 The Roots Quotes About Life
“I think life is a little bit like music. It has different tones, different colors, different tempos.”
– Black Thought, from The Philadelphia Tribune
“Life is a cycle that’s constantly spinning.”
– Black Thought, from The Philadelphia Tribune
“Life is constantly changing, evolving and moving.”
– Questlove, from The Philadelphia Tribune
“Life is an experiment and you’re constantly learning and growing.”
– Black Thought, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a lesson, and you’ve got to learn it.”
– Black Thought, from Rolling Stone
“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”
– Questlove, from Vogue
“Life is a bunch of grandiose experiences that you have to go through in order to get to the next level.”
– Black Thought, from Vogue
“Life is hard, and then you die, so you might as well take a few risks and try something new.”
– Questlove, from Esquire
6 Quotes About The Roots
“The Roots are able to make hip-hop that is as thoughtful as it is infectious—and that’s a rare combination.”
– Jake Paine, from Grammy.com
“The Roots are the greatest band alive.”
– Dave Chappelle, from Rolling Stone
“The Roots have been one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time.”
– Matt Kiser, from Willamette Week
“The Roots, who formed in 1987, are one of the most accomplished and respected hip-hop groups in history.”
– Patrick Hosken, from MTV News
“The Roots are a living laboratory of what happens when hip-hop and jazz collide.”
– Justin Farrar, from Jambase
“The Roots are an amazing band who have managed to remain relevant and influential over the years.”
– Keith Harris, from The Guardian
Interview with The Roots
Frequently Asked Questions About The Roots
1. What are some of the most popular Roots quotes?
The Roots are one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time. Known for their thought-provoking lyrics and socially conscious rhymes, they have inspired generations of hip-hop fans. Here are some of the most popular Roots quotes:
- “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good, oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.”
- “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with bein’ proud of where you come from.”
- “You can’t stop the fire, you can only hope that it will burn brighter.”
- “The truth is hard to swallow, but it’s the only way to get ahead.”
- “One love, one heart, one destiny.”
- “Life is a circle, and it’s always gonna come around.”
- “Stay true to yourself, no matter what the cost.”
- “The only way to get ahead is to keep pushing forward.”
- “It’s never too late to start over.”
- “It’s not where you’re from, it’s where you’re at.”
2. What is the origin of the Roots’ quotes?
The Roots, an American hip hop group, have been credited with some of the most thought-provoking and inspiring quotes of all time. But where do these quotes come from?
- Some originate from the group’s lyrics, such as Black Thought’s line in the song, “The Fire”, which goes “Unlock the chains, set my people free, for the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
- Others come from interviews and events the group has been involved in. For example, Questlove’s quote, “Be the light that you want to see in the world,” was taken from a speech he gave at the 2017 BET Awards.
- Finally, some of the quotes are attributed to the individual members. For example, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter has been quoted as saying, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
No matter the source, the Roots’ quotes have had a lasting impact on generations of fans and have been a source of inspiration for many.
3. Are there any Roots quotes about life and love?
The American hip-hop group, The Roots, have been known to offer profound insights on life, love, and relationships. Here are some of the most inspiring quotes by The Roots about life and love:
- “Life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna get.” – The Roots
- “Love is a strong emotion that can bridge any gap.” – The Roots
- “Life’s a journey, not a destination.” – The Roots
- “Love is patient, love is kind.” – The Roots
- “Life is too short to be wasted on hating.” – The Roots
- “Love is what makes the world go round.” – The Roots
- “Life is full of surprises and joys if you just open your heart to them.” – The Roots
- “Love conquers all.” – The Roots
4. What is the Most Profound Roots Quote?
The Roots are an iconic hip-hop group whose music is filled with meaningful, thought-provoking lyrics. Their songs contain a wealth of wisdom and knowledge, and many of their quotes can be applied to everyday life. Here is a list of some of their most profound quotes:
- “Not everyone can understand and appreciate your vision, but that doesn’t mean you should stop having one.”
- “You can’t get something from nothing, you have to work for what you want.”
- “Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward.”
- “Life is not about having everything you want, but learning to be content with what you have.”
- “The best way to make a difference is to start with yourself.”
The most profound Roots quote is, “The best way to make a difference is to start with yourself.” This quote emphasizes the importance of self-improvement and personal growth, and reminds us that we can make a positive impact on the world by starting with ourselves.
5. How can Roots quotes be used to inspire and motivate?
Roots quotes can be used in many different ways to inspire and motivate. Here are five ways to do just that:
- Write down a Roots quote every morning and keep it in view to remind yourself of your goals and aspirations.
- Read a Roots quote aloud to yourself for motivation before embarking on a difficult task.
- Share a Roots quote with someone who needs a pick-me-up or a boost of confidence.
- Use Roots quotes as the basis for a discussion in a team meeting or class.
- Put a Roots quote in a place where you will see it often, such as on your desk or refrigerator.
Using Roots quotes to inspire and motivate yourself and others is a great way to stay focused and motivated on your goals. Whether you write down a quote, share it with someone, or just keep it in view, the power of a Roots quote can be a great source of inspiration and motivation.
Conclusion
The Roots Band has been a major force in the music industry for over two decades. With their unique blend of hip-hop and jazz, they have not only created a sound that has been embraced by fans around the world, but they have also become a beacon of hope and inspiration to aspiring musicians. Their music continues to inspire, and the quotes they have shared will remain relevant for years to come. The Roots Band have shown us that there is no limit to what can be achieved with passion and dedication.
