Members - THE ROOTS

MEMBERS

The Roots' original lineup included Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (MC) and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson (drums), classmates at thePhiladelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on local streets, they added bassist Josh "The Rubberband" Abrams, who went on to form the jazz group The Josh Abrams Quartet. They later added another MC, Malik Abdul Basit-Smart ("Malik B.") and Leonard Nelson "Hub" Hubbard (bass), and Scott Storch (keyboards). Kenyatta "Kid Crumbs" Warren (MC) was in the band for Organix, The Roots' first album release Another MC, Dice Raw, joined the band in cameo appearances on later albums. The band filled Storch's position with Kamal Gray (keyboards), who continues in that capacity. Kamal Gray did not play with the Roots on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon between April or May and early September of 2012. His absence was not publicly explained, however on the September 17th, 2012 (NBC's 'Late Night' 700th) episode, Gray returned to the group. Beatboxer Rahzel was a band member from 1995 to 1999. Alongside Rahzel was turntablist/vocalist Scratch, who also DJ'd in live concerts. However Scratch left abruptly in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 1999 due to personal reasons but continued to record, making occasional cameos on some albums. Guitarist Ben Kenney, had a brief stint with the group and contributed to the Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus as bassist. Percussionist Frank Knuckles joined the lineup in 2002 and guitarist Kirk "Captain Kirk" Douglas replaced Kenney. Vocalist Martin Luther toured with The Roots in 2003 and 2004 and contributed to the Tipping Point album. The group announced in August 2007 that its longtime bassist Leonard Hubbard was leaving. Owen Biddle was the band's bassist in 2007-2011.
he band announced on August 25, 2011 that Owen Biddle left the band, replaced by Mark Kelley.

The Roots' current members are: Black Thought (MC, vocals), Questlove (drums), Cap'n Kirk (guitar, vocals), and Questlove protégé Frank Knuckles (percussion). Recent touring and Tonight Show lineups added Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson (sousaphone) and Mark Kelley (electric bass). On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, James Poyser plays additional keyboards.

Because the band members hail from Philadelphia and its surrounding area, they showed their support for the Phillies during the 2009 World Series against the Yankees, displaying Phillies memorabilia when performing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. On the episode which aired the day after the Yankees clinched the title, Questlove stated "No comment!" on the show's intro (when he usually states the episode number), and had a Yankees logo purposely displayed upside-down on his drum set. In 2010, the group showed support for the Flyers during their run to the Stanley Cup Final by having the team logo on their drum set.

BAND LINEUP

Current membersAs the Tonight Show Band, the Roots also include David Guy and Ian Hendrickson-Smith, two horn players previously known for their work with Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.[29]

Former members