Groove Theory
Every once in a while, musicians emerge who seem able to redefine their chosen genre. Groove Theory is made up of such musicians. Bryce Wilson and Amel Larrieux come from the streets – Wilson was part of Mantronix, and Larrieux was a shy, poetry-writing kid from NYC who listened to the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. Together, they deal with the cold grayness of the modern urban landscape with more of a groove than gangsta rap, and with the "inside out" of soul. The duo received wide critical acclaim for their self-titled recording in 1995. After disbanding in 1999, the group reunited in 2010.
Jill Newman Productions »
Soulive
Not many bands can say they've recorded with Chaka Khan, Dave Matthews, Talib Kweli, and John Scofield. Similarly, few open for The Rolling Stones on one tour and have Stevie Wonder sit in with them on the next. Brothers Neal and Alan Evans, along with guitarist Eric Krasno, make up Soulive, a group that draws from jazz, hip-hop, rock, soul, funk, R&B, and blues to create their unique sound. In 2010, Soulive released Rubber Soulive, their take on Beatles classics to rave reviews. The future of funk is in good hands with this band.
Riq & Rah
Rahzel M. Brown, also known as simply Rahzel, is an American musician and beatboxer, formerly a member of The Roots. Nicknamed the "Godfather of Noyze," he is known for an ability to sing or rap while simultaneously beatboxing, as evidenced in his performances of "Iron Man" and his signature song "If Your Mother Only Knew," a hidden track on Make the Music 2000 (1999). His talents can be heard in his various solo projects as well as on Ben Harper’s 2000 single "Steal My Kisses." Tariq Trotter, better known as Black Thought, is an American hip-hop artist who is the lead emcee of the Philadelphia-based hip-hop group The Roots, as well as an occasional actor. Black Thought, who co-founded The Roots with drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Thompson), is widely lauded for his live performance skills and his complex and politically aware lyrical content. Together, these two renowned artists make up Riq & Rah.
?uestlove
Ahmir Khalib Thompson, known professionally as ?uestlove or Questlove, is an American drummer, DJ, music journalist, and record producer. He is best known as the drummer and joint frontman (with Black Thought) for the Grammy Award-winning band The Roots, which is now the in-house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He has produced for artists such as Common, D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Jay-Z, Nikka Costa, and more recently, Al Green, Amy Winehouse, and John Legend. He is also member of the production teams The Soulquarians, The Randy Watson Experience, and The Grand Wizzards.
