The Roots

The Roots are a Grammy Award-winning, American alternative hip hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals. Their debut album was released in 1993 and they have collaborated with a wide range of artists from different genres. In March 2009, The Roots became the house band on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

During Elmo's April 15, 2009 appearance on Late Night, The Roots played back-up as Elmo and Jimmy led the audience in singing the Sesame Street theme song. Also during Elmo and Rosita's November 9, 2009 the band played the Pinball Number Count and sang with the Muppets.

During the November 2009 appearance, Elmo stated that the Roots should come on Sesame Street.

On the November 11, 2009 episode of Late Night, to introduce Joan Cusask and her involvment in "Cookies for Kid's Cancer," the band played the song "C is for Cookie."

On March 20, 2009 Statler & Waldorf appeared amid the band on Late Night to heckle Jimmy Fallon and guest Jason Segel.

Drummer Questlove remarked about meeting Elmo on his Twitter stream in April 2009, stating: "Dog i know this shit sounds weak, but this mofo Elmo got me star struck like a mo&^&*&%$$r"&lt;ref&gt;&lt;/ref&gt;. When Elmo returned to the show in November Questlove tweeted that