>curious, what's the general vibe in
>your own mind when you
>think of the roots?

best hip-hop ever, probably the best music ever (although I find it's silly to compare different genres of music for quality)

>are they legendary?

What do you mean by legendary? If you mean am I going to listen to them forever? HELL YES! Tell my kids about them? HELL YES! Will their music last the test of time? HELL YES!

>is it the live, organic, hip-hop
>band thing?

Yes.


>is it acessibility or distance?

Yes.

>are they a bunch of dudes
>with individual styles?

Yes.


>or is black thought and ?uestlove?

Yes.

>or is 'the roots' just ?uestlove
>to you?

Yes.

Okay, player, I wasn't trying to sound like a yes-man there, but all that ish is true. I like how they are a live band, rather than a emcee and dj, I like that each member of the band gets his turn in the spotlight rather than just being a supporting figure (like when most emcess play with a band). I love that these amazingly talented musicians picked hip-hop, when you know they could have rocked it with any style.

I love that I can e-mail ?, I love that he replies to our posts, I love that he created this awesome web-community, completely innovative. There's nothing like this around. I love that Angiee (who is kind of like the mother of okayplayer), a woman with so much class, technical ability, and style runs it her way and makes it so homey.

I love that they play small venues, and most of the ardent, real fans will probably have a chanve to meet them, because they are so accessible and open to their fans. I love the fans themselves(aka okaypleyrs). Rarely do I meet someone who is down with the Roots who I can't relate to on a few levels.

It's kind of like BT and ? in terms of the focal points of the bands, since they started it together, but in terms of fan relations (aka posting to this site, it's just ?). They each have their own role in every aspect of the band (and it works to perfection).

>is thought's rhymes or ?uestlove's writings/posts?

Thought rhymes are the best ever. ?'s posts are the only one of their kind (although the black eyed peas kind of do the same thing).

>underdog/local heroes perhaps.

This too, I love how they rep Philly, and talk about it in every fucking track. I love how they could rip apart any hip-hop band in the world, especially the commerically successful ones. I like the swagger and confidence they carry around knowing this.

>don't mean the music so much
>as the image.

Speaking of image, and not rying to sound like a dick-rider (I know I probably do by now), I liek the way they dress. Very rarely do I go to a show and not be impressed by a nice pair of cargos or a cool hooday or something they have on.

>what's your mental picture/definition.
>
>hub, kamal, malik b., rahzel, scratch..

love 'em all. I would explain why, but that would take way too long.

>did/does coming to this site make
>any difference?

all the difference in the world. It's like, the Roots would still be the best musicians I have ever heard wihtout this, but knowing it's here, I can't imagine a world without it.

>those that have met them can
>chime in too.

not yet, but hopefully soon.

hope this helps.