Formed in 1987, in Philadelphia, PA, the legendary Roots Crew, consists of Black Thought (MC), Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums), Kamal Gray (electronic keyboards), F. Knuckles (percussion), Captain Kirk Douglas (electronic guitar), Damon Bryson (sousaphone) and James Poyser (electronic keyboard). The collective has become one of most respected hip-hop acts in the business and one of the greatest live groups around, currently residing as the official house band of The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2016, The Roots' long out of print second major label effort and third studio album overall, Illadelph Halflife, is being reissued back on double vinyl as part of UMe's Respect The Classics campaign. Featuring stellar live musicianship, gritty production and thoughtful lyrics to go along with collaborations with Amel Larrieux, D'Angelo and Cassandra Wilson, The Roots achieved the perfect balance for a rap album here and the watershed release has been selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums of all time.