The Roots — North Sea Jazz Festival, 2016

Full concert by The Roots at the North Sea Jazz Festival on 8 July 2016, in the Nile hall of Rotterdam Ahoy (Netherlands). Formed in Philadelphia, the collective led by drummer Ahmir « Questlove » Thompson and rapper Black Thought redefined hip-hop by performing it on stage with real instrumentalists. This live filmed concert captures the band’s full power: organic groove, Damon « Tuba Gooding Jr » Bryson’s sousaphone, Kirk Douglas’s guitar and Ray Angry’s keys, in a constant dialogue between rap, jazz, soul and afro-funk. At North Sea Jazz, one of Europe’s most prestigious festivals, The Roots show why they remain one of the most creative and prolific acts in the genre. An HD capture recommended for anyone who wants to grasp the union of hip-hop and live music: a dense, generous and technically flawless concert, carried by rare onstage chemistry and the deep musicianship of a band led by Questlove and Black Thought.