The Roots served as the house band on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The Philadelphia hip-hop group joined Jimmy Fallon when he became host of The Tonight Show in 2014. The band had already worked with Fallon on Late Night, where its musical versatility and comedic participation became an important part of the program’s identity.
Questlove, the group’s drummer and co-founder, also became the show’s bandleader. The Roots perform the opening music, accompany musical guests, and contribute to comedy segments. Their role is broader than that of a conventional studio backing band because the members frequently appear on camera.
The Roots are sometimes confused with the 8G Band, which is the house band on Late Night with Seth Meyers. They are also distinct from previous Tonight Show bands, including the Tonight Show Band led by Doc Severinsen during Johnny Carson’s era. The Roots’ appointment connected a major contemporary hip-hop act with a historic broadcast institution.