The Roots: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

The Roots turned Philadelphia street-corner busking into hip-hop's definitive live band, with Questlove's crate-digging scholarship and Black Thought's rhyme craft as twin engines. This mix traces the jazz-rap forebears, obscure 1970s funk records, Philly soul lineage and Soulquarian alliances that shaped them — and the generation of band-driven, musician-led hip-hop and jazz they made possible.

The Kynda mix for The Roots

• Key Influence · The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest (1991). The record that proved hip-hop could be built on jazz bass and breathing space rather than dense samples — the exact premise The Roots turned into a live band. Questlove has repeatedly placed Tribe at the center of his formation, and the two groups shared the Native Tongues-adjacent orbit; Q-Tip later worked within the Soulquarians circle alongside Questlove, making the lineage a working relationship as well as an inheritance.
• Influencia Obscura · Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis (1974). A commercially ignored one-man-band record — Otis played guitar, keys and drum machine himself — that became a touchstone for the 1990s neo-soul underground Questlove helped curate. Its hazy, hand-played electronics and loose rhythmic feel map closely onto the Soulquarian aesthetic of Things Fall Apart and Voodoo, where human imprecision was treated as the point rather than a flaw.
• Local Roots · Back Stabbers by The O'Jays (1972). The Sound of Philadelphia in full flower: Gamble and Huff's songwriting, MFSB's string-laden grooves and Earl Young's hi-hat work, all recorded at Sigma Sound blocks from where The Roots formed. Questlove's father was a Philly doo-wop and soul singer, so this orchestral-soul vocabulary was a household inheritance before it became the band's harmonic and rhythmic home base.
• Beyond the Medium · Wattstax by Mel Stuart (1973). A concert documentary that frames Black music as a civic and political event, intercutting Stax performances with Watts residents talking about their lives. The Roots have always treated the album as a social document — Things Fall Apart's cover imagery of civil-rights era turmoil and Undun's narrative arc work the same way, using performance to make an argument about Black American life rather than merely soundtrack it.
• Peer · The Score by Fugees (1996). The other mid-1990s hip-hop act built as a group of musicians with live-performance instincts and soul-singing DNA, emerging on the same festival and college-radio circuit as The Roots. Both crews pushed against the sample-and-rapper formula toward ensemble identity, and the Fugees' Philadelphia and New York touring overlap with The Roots defined the era's alternative-rap mainstream.
• From the Canon · Things Fall Apart by The Roots (1999). Cut largely at Electric Lady during the Soulquarian sessions that also produced Voodoo and Mama's Gun, this is the band's thesis statement: live instrumentation pushed toward sampled grit, "You Got Me" with Erykah Badu and Jill Scott's co-writing, and a cover that framed hip-hop inside civil-rights history. It made The Roots platinum without compromising the band premise.
• Key Collaborator · Voodoo by D'Angelo (2000). Questlove co-produced and drummed across this album, built in the same Electric Lady Soulquarian sessions as Things Fall Apart, with the two musicians explicitly studying J Dilla's lagging rhythmic feel and translating it to a human kit. It is the purest document of Questlove as collaborator rather than bandleader, and the record that defined neo-soul's rhythmic philosophy.
• Legacy · Black Radio by Robert Glasper Experiment (2012). Glasper's Grammy-winning fusion of jazz band, rappers and soul singers extends the proposition The Roots established: that a working ensemble, not a producer's hard drive, could be hip-hop's engine. Glasper has moved freely between the jazz and hip-hop worlds that The Roots bridged first, and his circle overlaps heavily with the Soulquarian alumni network Questlove built.

What influenced The Roots

• Blue Note Records. States that The Roots' early album cover art was directly inspired by the visual style of Blue Note Records. “He liked to design the covers in classic Blue Note style.” (Complex)
• The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest (1991). The Low End Theory (A Tribe Called Quest) — titan for The Roots “The Roots drummer Ahmir Thompson's stage name "Questlove" was inspired by A Tribe Called Quest, whom he cited as his favorite group, stating, "They're my Beatles." The group's name serves as the inspiration for the name of electronic mus…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958). Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe) — culture for The Roots “=== 1998–2000: Breakthrough with Things Fall Apart === The group released Things Fall Apart in 1999 (named after Things Fall Apart, a novel by Chinua Achebe, which in turn was named after a line from "The Second Coming" by W.B.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Wu-Tang Clan. The article identifies the Wu-Tang Clan as an influence on the band's sound. “The band's sound would take a darker turn during this period, heavily influenced by the Wu-Tang Clan and the RZA 's grimy and haunting production style, replete with samples from old jazz and classical music.” (Wikipedia)
• RZA. The article identifies RZA's production style as an influence on the band's sound. “The band's sound would take a darker turn during this period, heavily influenced by the Wu-Tang Clan and the RZA 's grimy and haunting production style, replete with samples from old jazz and classical music.” (Wikipedia)
• The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats. Achebe's novel takes its title from a line of Yeats's poem. (via Things Fall Apart) “The group released Things Fall Apart in 1999 (named after Things Fall Apart , a novel by Chinua Achebe , which in turn was named after a line from " The Second Coming " by W.B. Yeats).” (Wikipedia)
• Sign o' the Times by Prince (1987). Sign o' the Times (Prince) — titan for The Roots “The Roots jam session, produced by Okayplayer, Goodtime Girl Entertainment, and Keldof, has been attended by celebrities ranging from Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Tom Cruise to Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven, and Prince, with impromptu performances fr…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• The Payback by James Brown. The Payback (James Brown) — titan for The Roots (musicbrainz.org)
• Inspiration Information by Shuggie Otis. Inspiration Information (Shuggie Otis) — ghost for The Roots (musicbrainz.org)
• Composite Truth by Mandrill (1973). Composite Truth (Mandrill) — ghost for The Roots (musicbrainz.org)
• Wattstax by Mel Stuart (1973). Wattstax (Mel Stuart) — culture for The Roots (themoviedb.org)
• Style Wars by Tony Silver (1983). Style Wars (Tony Silver) — culture for The Roots (themoviedb.org)

Peers and kindred spirits

• D'Angelo. D'Angelo is named among the group's album collaborators. (also via Things Fall Apart, Voodoo) “The album is also notable for its many guests and collaborators, including Common , D'Angelo , Q-Tip , and others.” (Wikipedia)
• Tramp. Establishes Tramp as the art director who designed the cover art for The Roots' EP From the Ground Up. (via From the Ground Up, Do You Want More?!!!??!, Illadelph Halflife) “He did our EP From the Ground Up, he did Do You Want More?!!!??! and he also did Illadelph Halflife.” (Complex)
• Common. Common is named among the group's album collaborators. (also via Resurrection) “The album is also notable for its many guests and collaborators, including Common , D'Angelo , Q-Tip , and others.” (Wikipedia)
• Erykah Badu. Badu is identified as a duet partner on the Roots track. (also via Mama's Gun) “The track " You Got Me ", a duet with R&B singer Erykah Badu and Eve and Jill Scott intended by Black Thought for the "unconscious" population,” (Wikipedia)
• Jay-Z. The Roots backed Jay-Z at his MTV Unplugged concert. “The same year, they backed Jay-Z for his Reasonable Doubt Concert, a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the release of his first album.” (Wikipedia)
• Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen. The Roots performed Call Me Maybe with Jepsen. “Jimmy Fallon, Carly Rae Jepsen & The Roots Sing "Call Me Maybe" (w/ Classroom Instruments) - YouTube” (YouTube)
• Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke. The Roots performed Blurred Lines with Thicke. “Watch Tonight Show: Jimmy Fallon Clip: Jimmy Fallon, Robin Thicke & The Roots Sing "Blurred Lines" (w/ Classroom Instruments) - NBC.com” (NBC)
• Hello by Adele. The Roots performed Hello with Adele. “Watch Tonight Show: Jimmy Fallon Clip: Jimmy, Adele & The Roots Sing "Hello" (w/Classroom Instruments) - NBC.com” (NBC)
• Runaway by Janet Jackson. The Roots performed Runaway with Jackson. “Watch Tonight Show: Jimmy Fallon Clip: Jimmy Fallon, Janet Jackson & The Roots Sing "Runaway" (Classroom Instruments) - NBC.com” (NBC)
• Enter Sandman by Metallica. The Roots performed Enter Sandman with Metallica. “Watch Tonight Show: Jimmy Fallon Clip: Jimmy Fallon, Metallica & The Roots Sing "Enter Sandman" (Classroom Instruments) - NBC.com” (NBC)
• CAPA Foundation. The Roots' founding members helped establish the foundation. “[CAPA] cultivated us. It educated us. [Creating the foundation] is more than just pay-it-forward or celeb guilt. This is necessary.” (Philadelphia Magazine)
• Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Both founding members attended the named school. “That’s what The Roots band members—and CAPA alumni—Questlove and Black Thought asked when they found out about the cuts, and decided to create the CAPA Foundation.” (Philadelphia Magazine)
• Cody Chesnutt. ChesnuTT is featured on the Roots song The Seed 2.0. (also via Serve This Royalty) “The song "The Seed 2.0" featuring Cody ChesnuTT was featured in the movies Collateral and I Think I Love My Wife , as well as the Without a Trace episode "Candy."” (Wikipedia)
• Dave Chappelle (1973). The Roots performed in Dave Chappelle's Block Party. “Several musical artists, including Kanye West , The Roots , Erykah Badu , Mos Def , Dead Prez and Jill Scott , are featured in the movie” (Wikipedia)
• The Score by Fugees (1996). The Score (Fugees) — peer for The Roots “=== 2006–present: Later years === The three Fugees reunited and performed on September 18, 2004, at the concert in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn featured in the film Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2004), headlining a star-studded bill that…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Resurrection by Common (1994). Resurrection (Common) — peer for The Roots “The album is also notable for its many guests and collaborators, including Common, D'Angelo, Q-Tip, and others.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Voodoo by D'Angelo (2000). Voodoo (D'Angelo) — collaborator for The Roots “The album is also notable for its many guests and collaborators, including Common, D'Angelo, Q-Tip, and others.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu (2000). Mama's Gun (Erykah Badu) — collaborator for The Roots “The track "You Got Me", a duet with R&B singer Erykah Badu and Eve and Jill Scott intended by Black Thought for the "unconscious" population, peaked at No.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Donuts by J Dilla (2006). Donuts (J Dilla) — collaborator for The Roots “The late J Dilla is honoured on different occasions throughout the album.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Soulquarians. The article links the Roots' collaborations to the formation of the Soulquarians. “These collaborations would provide the foundation for the creation of the Soulquarians and forged the Roots' association with the neo-soul subgenre.” (Wikipedia)
• Q-Tip. Q-Tip is named among the group's album collaborators. “The album is also notable for its many guests and collaborators, including Common , D'Angelo , Q-Tip , and others.” (Wikipedia)
• Mos Def. Mos Def contributed to a Roots track. “Mos Def contributed to the track entitled "Double Trouble". The track "Act Too" features Common .” (Wikipedia)
• Patrick Stump. Stump collaborated with the group on Birthday Girl. “In the weeks before the album's release, the original first single "Birthday Girl", a radio-friendly collaboration with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump was removed from the album reportedly because it did not fit in with the album's tone.” (Wikipedia)
• Serve This Royalty by Cody Chesnutt. The article reports a planned cover of Chesnutt's song. “A cover of Cody Chesnutt 's song "Serve This Royalty" was expected to be covered on the album, similar to the group's reworking of his single for " The Seed 2.0 " on Phrenology .” (Wikipedia)
• Celestial Blues by Andy Bey. The group reinterpreted Celestial Blues with its original artist. “Rather than relying on samples, the album was recorded live, with covers (including "Celestial Blues", featuring the song's original artist, Andy Bey ) being reinterpreted by the band.” (Wikipedia)
• John Legend. The Roots made Wake Up! with John Legend. “The Roots collaborated with R&B singer John Legend on the album Wake Up! .” (Wikipedia)
• Betty Wright. The Roots and Betty Wright collaborated on an album. “The Roots also collaborated with R&B singer Betty Wright on the 2011 album Betty Wright: The Movie , credited to Betty Wright and the Roots.” (Wikipedia)
• Elvis Costello. The Roots released Wise Up Ghost with Costello. “The Roots and Elvis Costello released Wise Up Ghost on September 17, 2013, via Blue Note Records .” (Wikipedia)
• Usher. The Roots performed as Usher's backing band. “In September 2016 The Roots backed up Usher at a Global Citizen benefit concert in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, launching speculation of a major collaboration between the two acts.” (Wikipedia)
• BT. The Roots collaborated with BT on Tao of the Machine. “The band also collaborated with musician BT on the song "Tao of the Machine," which was featured in the film Blade II along with the Japanese bonus disc for the album Emotional Technology .” (Wikipedia)
• Dave Matthews Band. The Roots guest-performed with the Dave Matthews Band. “The band guest-performed with the Dave Matthews Band during their 2007 summer tour.” (Wikipedia)
• True Love by Toots and the Maytals. The Roots appeared on Toots and the Maytals' album. “The Roots were featured on the album True Love by Toots and the Maytals , which won the Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Reggae Album,” (Wikipedia)
• Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2. The Roots covered U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday. “In 2007, the band performed at an NAACP tribute to Bono , covering U2 's " Sunday Bloody Sunday " and " Pride (In the Name of Love) ."” (Wikipedia)
• Pride (In the Name of Love). The Roots covered U2's Pride (In the Name of Love). “In 2007, the band performed at an NAACP tribute to Bono , covering U2 's " Sunday Bloody Sunday " and " Pride (In the Name of Love) ."” (Wikipedia)
• Lying Ass Bitch by Fishbone. The Roots played part of Fishbone's song on Late Night. “For her entrance, the Roots controversially played a snippet from Fishbone 's 1985 song, "Lying Ass Bitch"” (Wikipedia)
• True Love by Toots & the Maytals. The album tracklist credits The Roots as guests on Toots & the Maytals’ recording of “Funky Kingston.” “08. Trey Anastasio - Sweet And Dandy 09. Bootsy Collins & The Roots - Funky Kingston 10. Ken Boothe & Marcia Griffiths - Reggae Got Soul” (Ben Harper)
• Bootsy Collins. The album tracklist jointly credits Bootsy Collins and The Roots on “Funky Kingston.” “08. Trey Anastasio - Sweet And Dandy 09. Bootsy Collins & The Roots - Funky Kingston 10. Ken Boothe & Marcia Griffiths - Reggae Got Soul” (Ben Harper)
• Yasiin Bey. Things Fall Apart (The Roots) — peer for Yasiin Bey (via Things Fall Apart) “In April 2008, he appeared on the title track for a new album by The Roots titled Rising Down.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Beyoncé. The Roots — Contemporary (Adjacent Contemporary) for Beyoncé · hand-labeled by Tony Brancato, 2022 “The group hosts a highly anticipated jam session every year the night before the Grammys. The Roots jam session, produced by Okayplayer, Goodtime Girl Entertainment, and Keldof, has been attended by celebrities ranging from Jay-Z, Beyonc…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Back Stabbers by The O'Jays (1972). Back Stabbers (The O'Jays) — geography for The Roots (musicbrainz.org)

…and 3 more on the map above.

Who The Roots influenced

• Black Radio by Robert Glasper Experiment (2012). Black Radio (Robert Glasper Experiment) — legacy for The Roots “At the same time, Robert was forging a friendship with his New School-mate Bilal, as well as a musical bond that saw them embedded in a burgeoning hip-hop and neo soul movement alongside era-defining artists such as Jill Scott, The Roots…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Malibu by Anderson .Paak (2016). Malibu (Anderson .Paak) — legacy for The Roots (musicbrainz.org)
• The Listening by Little Brother (2003). The Listening (Little Brother) — legacy for The Roots (musicbrainz.org)