With the premiere of "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on March 2, 2009, The Roots instantly became one of the coolest house bands in late night television history.

The Roots are the influential and critically acclaimed Philadelphia-based band described by Rolling Stone as "one of the greatest live acts in the world" and by the Boston Globe as the "greatest hip-hop band in the land." The band has paved the way for live instrumental rap and have won numerous awards for their eclectic jazz-influenced approach to hip-hop, including two Grammys and a 2007 NAACP Image Award.

Since their debut album "Organix" in 1993, The Roots have developed a diverse fan base and have played such notable venues and festivals as NYC's Radio City Music Hall, Lollapalooza, Montreux Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Theater, performing over 200 shows annually. "Illadelph Halflife," the follow up to the band's first major-label release, "Do You Want More?!!!??!," reached the Top 40 on Billboard's album chart, and their single "Clones" reached the top five on the rap charts. Their 1999 release "Things Fall Apart" reached No. 4 on the Billboard chart and 2004's "The Tipping Point" debuted in the same position.

The Roots have hosted the highly anticipated Jam Session, which takes place each year the evening before the Grammys. Their music has been heard in numerous television shows, video games and movies including "Entourage," "Project Gotham Racing 4," and "Superbad."

The Roots' lineup includes original members rapper/MC Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson (drums), who met in 1987 and were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. They later added Owen Biddle (bass), James "Kamal" Gray (keyboards), Frank "Knuckles" Walker (percussion), Kirk "Captain Kirk" Douglas (guitar) and Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson (saxophone).

Discography:

• Rising Down (2008)
• Game Theory (2006)
• Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots (2005)
• The Tipping Point (2004)
• Phrenology (2002)
• The Roots Come Alive (1999)
• Things Fall Apart (1999)
• Illadelph Halflife (1996)
• Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995)
• Organix (1993)

Visit The Roots' official website at www.okayplayer.com.