Tariq Trotter (born October 3, 1971), better known as Black Thought , is an American rapper , actor and the lead MC of the Philadelphia -based hip hop group The Roots , which he co-founded with drummer Questlove (Ahmir Thompson). Regarded as "one of the most skilled, incisive, and prolific rappers of his time" by Andy Kellman of AllMusic , he is widely lauded for his live performance skills, continuous multisyllabic rhyme schemes, complex lyricism, double entendres, and politically aware lyrics. With the Roots, he is a singer and rapper on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , frequently playing games with Fallon and his guests.

De La Soul ( / ˌ d eɪ l ɑː ˈ s oʊ l / ) is an American hip hop trio formed in 1988 in the Amityville area of Long Island, New York . They are best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres. The members are Posdnuos , Trugoy and Maseo . The three formed the group in high school and caught the attention of producer Prince Paul with a demo tape of the song " Plug Tunin' ". With its playful wordplay, innovative sampling, and witty skits, the band's debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising , has been called "a hip hop masterpiece."