The Roots

Released: December 2, 2016

Songwriter: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Producer: ?uestlove Black Thought

[Intro]
The Hamilton Mixtape
The Hamilton Mixtape

[Verse: Black Thought]
You ever seen a painting by John Trumbull?
Founding fathers in a line, looking all humble
Patiently waiting to sign a declaration and start a nation
No sign of disagreement, not one grumble
The reality is messier and richer, kids
The reality is not a pretty picture, kids
Every cabinet meeting is like a full-on rumble
What you're about to witness is no John Trumbull

[Outro]
The Hamilton Mixtape
The Hamilton Mixtape
The Hamilton Mixtape
The Hamilton Mixtape
The Hamilton Mixtape
The Hamilton Mixtape

The world’s premiere hip-hop band, The Roots were formed in Philadelphia in 1987 by MC Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and drummer and bandleader Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Since those early days, the band has weathered changes in personnel and record labels while performing hundreds of shows a year and releasing a string of well-regarded (if not always top-selling) albums.

While the musicianship of Thompson and the other band members, as well as their seemingly limitless repertoire, gets most of the attention, real hip-hop fans know that the rapping skills of Black Thought (along with former group member Malik B.) are the group’s hidden weapon. Thought, one of the few MCs brave enough to go toe to toe with Big Pun, handles any groove the band throws at him with aplomb, style, and flash.

Today, The Roots are seen by millions every night as the house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a move that has given the group the chance to indulge its not-insignificant comic side.

more tracks from the album

The Hamilton Mixtape

From the album

The Hamilton Mixtape (2016)

The Roots popular songs

No John Trumbull (Intro)The Roots

The Roots

The Hamilton Mixtape