Many artists dream of having influence, money, and legacy; however, few have solidified their position in the cultural consciousness as much as The Roots.
Originally from Philadelphia, USA, they started busking on the streets, unfortunately without much success. However, they didn’t let that discourage them as they relocated to London, England, where they continued their journey, developing a cult following throughout Europe.
Throughout the 1990s, they continued to work on their style and sound and finally had their first mainstream hit with their certified gold fourth studio album; Things Fall Apart. They have continued refining their jazzy, east coast hip-hop sound and have been consistently booked for shows around their country and the world.
Outside of hip-hop, they have been the house band for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon since 2009, positioning themselves as a household name for people worldwide. Their success has never been at odds with their social consciousness, which is reflected in their decision on multiple occasions to focus on environmental causes.
They played the Earth Day Climate Rally in Washington, D.C., and Green Carpet Bash and Pre-Grammy Jam in 2007, welcoming fellow musicians and friends to jam with them and raise alertness about green matters.
Their consistent focus on awareness surrounding climate change is incredibly commendable, as few mainstream artists prioritize good causes at perhaps the expense of profit. Their latest release is …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin, which you can check out on all platforms.
