The scene is the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in 1987. According to legend, an impromptu meeting in the principal's office between Ahmir Thompson and Tariq Trotter leads to a newfound friendship that would soon become the basis of chasing a dream.

Sharing a common love for hip-hop music, Thompson (a drummer) and Trotter (an MC) set out to make music and eventually dub themselves ?uestlove (or B.R.O.T.H.E.R. ?uestion) and Black Thought, respectively. Collectively, they call themselves The Square Roots.

Eventually, after spending years playing on the corners of South Street in Philly with homemade percussion, Black Thought meets rapper Malik B in 1991 when “We went to Millersville (University) to get away from gun clapping” and Malik joins the group. Bassist Leonard Hubbard (affectionately “Hub”) and keyboardist Scott Storch enter the foray, and The Roots are born.

In anticipation of upcoming European shows, The Roots record and release their debut album, Organix in 1993 on independent Remedy Records. A jazzy and playful record, Organix sets the tone for what would come in the next two years ...