The American hip-hop & alternative band The Roots have partnered with OkayPlayer to launch their own channel OkayAfrica. OkayPlayer is an online hip-hop and alternative website comprised of news and music. It also contains streaming radio, member chat, and message boards. Now with OkayAfrica users will be able to access this new cultural guide to all the latest music, culture, and politics coming from Africa and the Diaspora. Some features include blogs, artist highlights, and the OkayAfrica store where you can buy cool and funky African-inspired clothing, accessories, drum sticks, and music. If you’re a Roots fan, there is a great selection of t-shirts and accessories to fit your style.
The Roots were formed in 1987 by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They truly are a unique hip-hop group that feature live instrumentals. They are known for having a jazzy and eclectic sound. The Roots are even the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. In 1993 their debut album Organix was released independently. This album generated some buzz for The Roots and they eventually got offers from various music labels. After they signed with DGC, they released their second album Do You Want More?!!!??! in 1995. Their third album Illadelph Halflife was the group’s first album to hit the Top 40 on the Billboard Top 200. Since then, The Roots have been critically acclaimed and praised as one of the best hip-hop groups in the game. They are currently working on their 11th studio album called &TYSYC, which is said to have a slightly different sound from their latest album Undun.
Check out The Roots’ channel OkayAfrica and get the latest news from the mother land!
The Roots Band Members:
- Black Thought – MC (1987–present)
- Questlove – Drums (1987–present)
- Kamal Gray – Electronic keyboard (1994–present)
- F. Knuckles – Percussion (2001–present)
- Captain Kirk Douglas – Electric guitar (2003–present)
- Damon “Tuba Gooding Jr.” Bryson – Sousaphone (2007–present)
- James Poyser – Electronic keyboard (For Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and occasional performances only)
- Mark Kelley – Bass (2011–present)
- Former Members:
- Malik B. – MC (1987–1999)
- Kid Crumbs (Kenyatta Warren) – MC (1993)
- Rubberband (Josh Abrams) – Bass (1992)
- Rahzel – Beatbox (1995–2001)
- Dice Raw – MC (1995–2001) (Frequent collaborator of The Roots)
- Scott Storch – keyboards (1993–1995)
- Ben Kenney – guitar/bass (2000–2003)
- Martin Luther – vocals (2003–2004)
- Scratch – Beatbox (1996–2003)
- Leonard Hub Hubbard – Bass (1992–2007)
- Owen Biddle – Bass (2007–2011)
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