The Roots

USA, 1987–now

Philadelphia band led by Questlove and Black Thought, formed in 1987 — hip-hop played by a live band. Do You Want More?!!!??! and Things Fall Apart fused jazz, soul and lyrical rap, later making them America's most famous late-night house band.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced The Roots and 0 artists The Roots influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced The Roots?

• A Tribe Called Quest — The Roots' jazzy, live-band hip-hop shares the jazz-rap DNA A Tribe Called Quest pioneered.
• Public Enemy — Public Enemy's dense, politically charged rap is part of the conscious hip-hop tradition behind the Roots.