The Roots Tickets Continued
The Roots' original lineup included Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (MC) and
Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High
School for Creative Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets,
they added a bassist named Josh "The Rubberband" Abrams, who went on to form the
Jazz group The Josh Abrams Quartet. They later added another MC named Malik Abdul
Basit-Smart ("Malik B."), a new bassist Leonard Nelson Hubbard, and a keyboardist
named Scott Storch. Another MC, Kid Crumbs, was a part of the group for their first album,
Organix, but did not appear on any later albums. Another MC, Dice Raw, joined on for
cameos in later albums. Scott Storch also left to pursue a producing career following the
Do You Want More?!!!??! album, though the split was on amicable terms, and Storch
continues to produce tracks for The Roots' albums to this day. The Roots
filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal Gray, who is still a member. A beatboxer
named Rahzel also joined the group and contributed from 1995-1999. Alongside Rahzel
was vocal turntablist Scratch, who DJ'd for them during live concerts. He abruptly left in
2003. Malik B. left the group in 1999 due to drug problems but continued to record, making
occasional cameos on future albums. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, had a short stint with the
group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus as their
bassist. A percussionist, Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a.
"Captain Kirk") replaced Kenney. A vocalist, Martin Luther, toured with The Roots in
2003 and 2004 and contributed to their Tipping Point album. The current members of
The Roots are Black Thought (MC), ?uestlove (drums), Hub (bass), Kamal
(keyboard), Knuckles (percussion), and Captain Kirk (guitar). All members have worked with
PETA to promote animal compassion and vegetarian lifestyle.
