The Roots Members, Gear & Sound

US hip hop group

Genre

Rock Hip Hop Jazz Alternative rock Neo soul Southern hip hop Alternative hip hop Political hip hop Funk East Coast hip hop Jazz rap Hardcore hip hop Conscious hip hop Soul philly rap indie r&b

Members

Select a The Roots band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Questlove

Roles:

Drummer Keyboardist

Groups:

The Plastic Ono Band All Star Tribute Soulquarians Artists Against AIDS Worldwide The Grand Wizzards The Randy Watson Experience The Philadelphia Experiment The Soulquarians The Soultronics The Grand Negaz

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Ben Kenney

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Groups:

Incubus Time-Lapse Consortium The Division Group Supergrub

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DJ Jazzy Jeff

Roles:

Music Producer DJ

Groups:

Zulu Nation DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Bunch of Dope DJs A Touch of Jazz Beats By Dre Band The Stop the Violence Movement DJ AM & DJ Jazzy Jeff

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Scott Storch

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer

Groups:

G. Love & Special Sauce The Grand Wizzards The Grand Negaz

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"Captain" Kirk Douglas

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

The Tonight Show Band The Dust Rays

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Mark Kelley

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

The Tonight Show Band The Dust Rays

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Adam Blackstone

Roles:

Singer Bassist Music Producer

Groups:

Tennessee Kids The Origin Band Roc Boys That's My Jam Band Beats By Dre Band Bassic Black Band

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Stro Elliot

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer DJ

Groups:

The Procussions The Tonight Show Band

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James Poyser

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

The RH Factor Soulquarians The Grand Wizzards The Randy Watson Experience The Soulquarians Freakquency The Soultronics

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Leonard Hubbard

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

The Grand Wizzards

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Kamal Gray

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

The Grand Wizzards

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J.PERIOD

Roles:

Music Producer DJ

Groups:

The Fugees

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Jake Morelli

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Jonas Brothers

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Frank "Knuckles" Walker

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

The Soultronics

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Ray Angry

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer

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Omar Edwards

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer

Groups:

Roc Boys That's My Jam Band Bassic Black Band

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Rahzel

Roles:

Rapper Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Freaks of Nature

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Black Thought

Roles:

Rapper

Groups:

Money Making Jam Boys The Grand Wizzards The Grand Negaz

Needs more gear

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Dave Guy

Roles:

Trumpeter

Groups:

The Budos Band Silk Sonic Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings El Michels Affair Menahan Street Band The Hooligans The Sugarman 3 Antibalas Lee Fields & The Expressions Dujeous

No gear added

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Scratch

Roles:

Rapper

Groups:

The Dino 5

No gear added

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Joshua Abrams

Roles:

Bassist Music Producer

Groups:

Joan of Arc Natural Information Society Hamid Drake & Bindu Rob Mazurek Quintet Joshua Abrams Quartet Town and Country Mike Reed’s Loose Assembly DRMWPN

No gear added

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Owen Biddle

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Squeeze Edit Bunker The Trolleyvox Mister Barrington Aerobe Pepper's Ghost

No gear added

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Dice Raw

Roles:

Rapper

Groups:

Money Making Jam Boys The Grand Wizzards Nouveau Riche

No gear added

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Damon Bryson

Roles:

Drummer

No gear added

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Ian Hendrickson-Smith

Roles:

Saxophonist

Groups:

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

No gear added

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Hub

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

The Grand Wizzards

No gear added

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Martin Luther McCoy

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Groups:

Town Bizness

No gear added

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Joseph Simmons

Roles:

Rapper Music Producer

Groups:

The Grand Negaz

No gear added

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Ebony Joi

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

The Shady Band Roc Boys Bassic Black Band

No gear added

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Kevin Hanson

Roles:

Guitarist Music Producer

No gear added

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About

The Roots is a highly influential American musical group originating from Philadelphia, known for their innovative blend of hip hop, jazz, soul, and funk. Formed in 1987, the group was founded by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson (drums, percussion) and Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (vocals). Over the years, the lineup has included talented musicians such as Hub (Leonard Hubbard, bass), Kamal Gray (keyboards), and Frank "Knuckles" Walker (percussion), among others. The Roots have gained acclaim not only for their live performances and dynamic music but also for their role as the house band for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon".

How to Sound Like The Roots

The Roots' music is characterized by a rich, organic sound that fuses live instrumentation with hip hop beats and soulful melodies. Their compositions often feature complex, rhythmic drumming from Questlove, utilizing cymbals like the Zildjian 24" K Light Ride to add both subtlety and power. The group's sonic depth is further enriched by warm, groove-laden bass lines, often seen in the use of instruments like the Lakland USA Series 44-60. The keyboard work, sometimes employing the Korg Triton, adds layers of harmonic texture, while Black Thought's lyrical prowess and dynamic vocal delivery bring a raw, emotive edge to their sound. The interplay of these elements creates a vibe that’s both timeless and contemporary, making The Roots a unique fixture in the music landscape.

Discography

Do You Want More?!!!??!

1995

Illadelph Halflife

1996

Things Fall Apart

1999

The Roots Come Alive

1999

Phrenology

2002

The Tipping Point

2004

Game Theory Deluxe Edition (Explicit Version)

2006

Game Theory

2006

Rising Down

2008

How I Got Over

2010

Wake Up!

2010

Betty Wright: The Movie

2011

Undun

2011

...and then you shoot your cousin

2014

The Roots Come Alive Too: DYWM30 Live at Blue Note NYC

2025

Get the The Roots Sound

Want to sound like The Roots? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.