Listen up kids: The Roots’ importance goes wayyyy beyond their role as house band on The Tonight Show. To witness Questlove and Black Thought lead the nine-piece band live is more than just a “good” show—it’s an eclectic, jazz-infused experience that’ll cement Black Thought as one of the most skilled, entertaining, and versatile MCs of all time. If you need further proof of Black Thought’s dominance as a lyricist, head on over to his masterful 10-minute freestyle on Hot 97 with Funk Flex. Spoiler alert: You niggas could never.) Here’s another fun fact about Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter: Last year, he performed in Portland’s Pioneer Square, making a guest appearance during Portugal. The Man’s set at a March for Our Lives Rally. Having won three out of 14 Grammy nominations (including Best R&B Album for Wake Up with John Legend), the Roots are still sitting on their 17th studio album, End Game, which is rumored to include “Table of Contents: Part 4,” and a posthumous credit from J. Dilla. Oh, and their sets last forever.

by Jenni Moore