9/10/2026

Questlove and Black Thought at the Billboard House: R&B Hip-Hop 2026 panels held on September 09, 2026 in New York City, New York. Kristina Bumphrey/Billboard

On Wednesday, The Roots kicked off Billboard House for Billboard‘s R&B/Hip-Hop Week with an entertaining 30-minute conversation highlighting their road to prominence ahead of their Billboard Hip-Hop Hall of Fame induction.

At Ludlow House in New York City, the pioneering rap group reflected on their legacy in the studio and beyond. While Questlove gushed about Black Thought’s lyrical prowess in high school, his longtime rap counterpart returned the praise, thanking him for introducing a level of musicality that changed his approach to rhyming.

“I’d been rapping for years since I started high school, but never taken it seriously or teamed up with anyone since the first talent show that I did,” said Thought. “There was something about whoever was tasked with keeping the pace. Whether it was a human beat box or banging on their chest, the floor, or the table, there was a certain musicality in the way that Ahmir did it that felt like a drummer doing it. It was my first time really experiencing that pocket, and it was like, ‘Oh wow.’ There was a freedom in it.”

The pair also offered an update on their elusive Endgame album. As mentioned during their Hall of Fame interview in August, the long-awaited project is nearing completion. During their Billboard House conversation, Questlove admitted his perfectionism has delayed the album’s release.

“I realized that my habit of trying to top this idea with a better idea and better idea and better idea, I have to stop and let it go,” he said. “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?” added Thought. “We have to chisel out the statue from out of the mass.”

A few years ago, fans received a sample of what could be coming from Endgame when The Roots released “Misunderstood” featuring Erykah Badu and Tierra Whack. Though the album remains in the works, the group stayed mum about what — and who — else listeners can expect.

“You gotta wait. No spoilers,” quipped Questlove. “There’s some guests.”

The Roots’ storied legacy, of course, also includes a lengthy resume of legendary live performances. From backing Jay-Z for his famed MTV Unplugged set to joining him again at this year’s Roots Picnic, the group has spent decades proving its versatility onstage.

During the conversation, Billboard Executive Editor Carl Lamarre dove into the archives to revisit The Roots’ 2003 Grammy performance of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” Questlove recalled the excitement surrounding the moment — including getting an early listen to 50 Cent before his blockbuster Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and sharing a dressing room with No Doubt.

“All I remember was the excitement,” Questlove said. “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. I also remember sharing a dressing room with No Doubt. Their rider was way more elaborate. Eminem’s was plain and simple. Here’s some bread and cheese.

“But that whole period was the result of a tortoise-and-the-hare movement: the 10-year mark from busking on the corners to really working out in the gym in Europe and doing those festivals,” he added. “The ripple effect of Things Fall Apart, the jam sessions, and all the artists and like-minded people discovering us. That was the beginning stages of us being America’s band, if you wanna frame it that way.”

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox

Sign Up