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The Roots perform at Loyola on Friday

News-Letter article · 91st session · dated November 6, 2003

Reporting about the SGA, not a record of it: The Johns Hopkins News-Letter published this and the SGA did not write it, file it, or approve it. The archive holds it because the article itself uses the phrase “student government”.

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The Roots perform at Loyola on Friday

By Mallary Lerner · The Johns Hopkins News-Letter · November 6, 2003

The Loyola Student Government Association presents The Roots, an alternative hip-hop group with a very distinct sound. They have no DJ or turntables and use no samples -- the Roots are a truly unique group. They will perform at Loyola College on Friday, Nov. 7 in the Reitz Arena. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 9 p.m.?

Hailing from Philadelphia, the group was originally started by Tariq Trotter (Black Thought) and Ahmir Khalib (?uestlove). Their first album Organix, released in 1993, showcased the group's original and innovative talents which include beat boxing and other improvisational techniques. Organix was hugely popular in Europe, giving the group an opportunity to travel and perform and leading to a record deal with Geffen Records, their first record label.

The Roots now features seven members: rappers Black Thought and Malik B., drummer ?uestlove, bassist Hub, beat boxers Rahzel the Godfather of Noyce and Scratch, and keyboardist-guitarist Kamal.

Their fourth and possibly most well recognized album, Things Fall Apart, was released after the group signed with MCA records, and includes the song "You Got Me," with Erica Badu. The Roots released their fifth album, Phrenology just a few months ago, featuring an "organic hip-hop jazz" sound. The album, which includes popular songs such as The Seed, with Cody Chestnut, has since gone platinum.

After receiving a Grammy in 1999 for Best Rap Group or Duo for the song You Got Me, they made history as the first performers in the hip-hop category to perform at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center in New York, a traditional venue for opera and classical music performances.

Tickets are $22 dollars each and some are still available, so make sure to go to http://www.ticketmaster.com or call (410)-481-SEAT, and order your ticket as soon as possible. For more information on The Roots, visit http://www.okayplayer.com/theroots/.