Music

The Roots Reunion

The Disappearing Act Comes Back

by Michael Alan Goldberg

What's wrong with the Roots? The Philly hiphop group--renowned for a grueling tour schedule that normally has them playing 250-plus shows a year--has been conspicuously absent from the road. MC Black Thought (a.k.a. Tariq Trotter) has been preoccupied with both a solo album and his burgeoning acting career, while bassist Hub and keyboardist Kamal have busied themselves with a number of side projects. Human beatbox Rahzel bolted to nurture his solo career (replaced full-time by Scratch), and rapper Malik B. was given his walking papers last year, reportedly because of an unshakable drug habit. The band's sixth album, Phrenology, which was slated to drop in June, has been pushed back to October. And drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson--who's been logging countless studio hours with such Neo-Soul League All-Stars as Common, D'Angelo, and Erykah Badu--has been laying down percussion tracks for Christina Aguilera! What's the deal?! Are the Roots on the verge of collapse?

Not really. It's just that they've clearly been a victim of their own successes. Much like the Wu-Tang Clan, a surge in mainstream popularity plus wide respect and support throughout the music world opened doors to enticing individual endeavors, thereby relegating the group to the back burner.

But that should make this gig (a warm-up for their slot on this summer's revived Smokin' Grooves tour) all the more alluring, because as has so often been the case throughout their career, the Roots have something to prove. At first, it was validating their brand of hiphop--a marriage of accomplished soul-jazz instrumentation and Black Thought's formidable flow--within the popular context of gangsta rap and, subsequently, the sample-giddy Pee Doodies of the world. Then came the task of shaking the vague perception of the group as "the house band"--since members have always collaborated with many other artists--rather than a force in their own right (though backing Jay-Z during his recent Unplugged appearance may have hurt the cause).

Now the Roots have to demonstrate that not only are they unified once more, but they're ready to lead hiphop into uncharted waters. And when they've got something to prove, they bring it like few others can. Don't miss the boat.

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