The Roots Update Fans on ‘Endgame’ & Relive Performing With Eminem at 2003 Grammys: ‘The Beginning Stages of Us Being America’s Band’

On Wednesday, The Roots took the stage at Billboard House for R&B/Hip-Hop Week, sharing a 30-minute conversation about their journey to stardom ahead of their upcoming induction into the Billboard Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. The group, known for their musical prowess, reminisced about the evolution of Black Thought's lyrical skills and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's approach to rap.

Thompson shared how he first experienced musicality and rhythm when working with the group, explaining, "There was something about whoever was tasked with keeping the pace, the musicality in Ahmir's playing, that felt like a drummer doing it. It was my first time really experiencing that pocket..."

The conversation also covered the long-awaited Endgame album, which The Roots have been working on for years. Questlove admitted that his perfectionism had delayed the project, but he was relieved that Black Thought had stopped contributing new songs, stating, "No one was more relieved than this guy [Black Thought] when I said I'm contributing no more new songs to it. We're still in the narrowing-down process, but that's enough, right?"

The Roots' history of unforgettable live performances was also discussed. From backing Jay-Z at his MTV Unplugged set to performing alongside him at the Roots Picnic, the group has showcased its versatility on stage for decades. During the conversation, Billboard Executive Editor Carl Lamarre revisited the group's 2003 Grammy performance of Eminem's "Lose Yourself," recalling the excitement surrounding the moment, including being among the first to hear 50 Cent's upcoming album.

Questlove shared, "All I remember was the excitement. Number one, 50's Get Rich or Die Tryin’ hadn’t come out yet. I remember us being one of the first people to hear what was about to come out on [Em’s] label."