Ranking the Best Roots Albums

The Roots are the greatest hip-hop band of all time.

Black Thought is in the running for greatest lyricist in hip-hop history.

Questlove has become renowned as one of the greatest historians in hip-hop today.

The Roots are walking, talking, breathing hip-hop history. Which is why this album ranking has been one of the most requested posts on this site for years – and one I’ve put off equally as long.

Because when you have a catalog as diverse, yet consistently strong as theirs, it’s nearly impossible to justify which albums are better than others.

But let’s give it a try. It’s time to FINALLY rank the Roots’ greatest works, from bottom to top. This list will feature studio albums only, excluding EPs, compilations and yes, even the live albums. However, I’ll throw in a few collabo albums to keep things interesting.

It’s been a long time coming, so let’s finally revisit one of the most consistent catalogs in rap history.

14. Wise Up Ghost (2013)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: Well, this is quite the collabo. Wise Up Ghost is the result of Elvis Costello linking up with the Roots on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, and it’s an interesting listening experience. The album is an eclectic mix of styles and sounds, with some (typically the more funky ones) working better than others. Props to Costello and the crew for trying something different but the results were uneven. There’s quite a few solid tracks, though.

Forgotten favorites: “Sugar Won’t Work,” “Stick out Your Tongue,” “Wise Up Ghost”

13. Organix (1993)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Edd said: What do The Roots, Anthony Hamilton and Eminem have in common? Well, most of y’all overlooked their true debut albums in favor of their major-label origins. The Roots were around long before turning heads in 1995 – Organix is their true origin, originally sold in Europe while the then-unsigned band was still trying to make a name for themselves. Even though the group was in its formative years, the talent is undeniable. Organix feels like a live cypher, giving it that rich, kinetic energy that’s typically reserved for live performances. That said, it’s definitely rough around the edges as they hadn’t quite refined their sound. It’s become a cult classic in some circles but it might feel a little dated to younger ears.

Forgotten favorites: “The Session,” “Grits,” “Popcorn Revisited”

12. … And Then You Shoot Your Cousin (2014)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: In just a few days from the posting of this ranking, we’ll hit one full decade since the Roots released their last LP. And it’s not a bad way to round out a career. In the latter stages of their run, the Roots were known for their experimentation, and that’s the story here. It features many sonic shifts, resulting in production that feels a little more desolate than their better known works. That’s not a bad thing – the paranoid aura looms over the project like a black cloud, giving context to their commentary about violence in our society. The emphasis on atmosphere instead of bars is really the only limitation.

Forgotten favorites: “The Dark (Trinity),” “When the People Cheer,” “Black Rock”

11. Wake Up (2010)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Here’s a project I’ve grown to appreciate much more in recent years, and that may be because it’s so relevant today.  John Legend and the Roots seamlessly link up like a Transformer gestalt to cover socially conscious soul classics. While I appreciated it in 2010, what really drew me in today was the effortless chemistry between all parties involved. It felt like they had been recording together for years. Every song strikes an emotional chord. In today’s socially charged atmosphere, this release is a must-listen. And it’s good to hear funky JL again instead of sappy lounge singer JL.

Forgotten favorites: “Little Drummer Boy,” “Hard Times,” “Our Generation”

10. The Tipping Point (2004)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Hello, my name is Edward and I’m a Tipping Point apologist. Don’t let the relatively “low” ranking fool you, I really like this album and expected it to wind up much higher, but hey, somebody’s gotta be unbiased on these Internets. The Tipping Point has a very mixed reception among fans and it’s easy to see why – this is a much more mainstream sound for the group. But the Roots have never allowed themselves to be boxed in, they bust boundaries for fun. On that note, the production is much more upbeat that usual but the bars are anything but sweet. The lack of standouts hold it back from placing higher but I think this album deserves a little more love.

Forgotten favorites: “Somebody’s Gotta Do It,” “In Love with the Mic,” “Din Da Da”

9. Betty Wright: The Movie (2011)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: The most fun part about doing these exhaustive album rankings/retrospectives is rediscovering albums you’ve completely forgotten about. And in the case of Betty Wright: The Movie, I bet most of ya’ll did too. One of the most influential yet overlooked vocalists of of her era, this was Betty’s first album in more than a decade and her next to last project before her passing in 2020. Everybody’s favorite auntie does what she always does – gives us feel good messages with that old-school wisdom. On “In the Middle of the Game (Don’t Change the Play),” She tells the fellas, “Take a ride somewhere nice to eat/Put a pair of Jimmy Choos on her feet” and sistas “Stop nagging on him all the time/Start bragging on him sometimes.” Being backed by production powerhouses like the Roots makes for a perfect combination. With a voice this good and production this solid, this is an easy win.

Forgotten favorites: “In the Middle of the Game (Don’t Change the Play),” “Surrender,” Old Songs”

8. Undun (2011)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: When it comes to Undun, fans either REALLY like it or really don’t get it. Consider me the former. Undun is an intriguing concept album, telling the story of the death and life of Redford Stevens. It’s a story told in reverse – we begin with his final days and unravel the life he led with every track. It’s basically the Memento of hip-hop. It’s very ambitious and while, creatively, I think pays off, it’s extremely layered, requiring a few listens to appreciate the narrative. My biggest complaint is that the album starts strong but putters to an anti-climatic finale at the end … or, technically the beginning, I guess? Whatever, “Kool On” is flames, had to mention that.

Forgotten favorites: “Kool On,” “The OtherSide,” Make My”

7. Rising Down (2008)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Rising Down comes off the heels of the great Game Theory (I’ll tell you just how great in just a minute…) and there’s lot of glaring similarities between the two. The production retains its stripped down feel (even more so, in some cases), the mood is equally menacing  and the social critique is just as biting. It’s a great release but it does feel a little too much like Game Theory II: The New Batch. But that’s not a bad album to emulate.

Forgotten favorites: “I Will Not Apologize,” “Rising Up,” “Rising Down”

6. Phrenology (2002)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: After the success of their previous release, anticipation was high for Phrenology and the Roots didn’t miss a beat. Phrenology features production that’s a bit more diverse than its predecessors, taking baby steps into the experimentation phase that will define the next few releases. But don’t worry, Black Thought’s intensity remains through the roof and the concepts are as focused as ever. The set also includes “Water,” often cited as one of the group’s best songs to date. Phrenology keeps their win streak alive.

Forgotten favorites: “Rock You,” “Water,” “Complexity”

5. How I Got Over (2010)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: I have only word for this album: beautiful. Scratch that, here’s another: inspiring. From the production to the messages, How I Got Over bursts with positivity and messages of rising above obstacles. It’s an almost spiritual experience at times. It’s a needed theme, especially at a time in hip-hop when conscious themes were becoming a rarity. But even through all that positivity, the Roots never lose their edge, with their realistic outlook on life keeping things grounded. How I Got Over is my pick for their most underrated release. This is Black empowerment.

Forgotten favorites: “Doin’ It Again,” “Dear God 2.0,” “Radio Daze”

4. Game Theory (2006)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: At this point, you can make a strong case for any of the top four on this list being in the No. 1 spot. Believe me, I considered all of them. Game Theory was a bit of a turning point for the group’s sound. Mostly gone are the multiple seven-minute songs, the deluge of interludes and trademark jazzy production. Instead, we have a stripped down, hard-hitting release that feels more like Black Thought’s Streams of Thought EP series than the usual Roots album. That plays in its favor, providing a tighter focus and more urgency for Thought’s lyrical sermons. There’s an urgency in Thought’s delivery that makes it such a compelling listen. If this album is No. 1 on your list, I can’t fault you.

Forgotten favorites: “Clock With No Hands,” “Can’t Stop This,” In The Music”

3. Things Fall Apart (1999)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: A couple months ago we celebrated 25 years since this album debuted, and it still stands as the group’s most recognized release. Part of those now-legendary Soulquarian sessions that produced D’Angelo’s Voodoo, Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun, and Common’s Like Water for Chocolate, its stands tall amongst neo-soul royalty. It’s not just the Roots highest-selling album – along with being the home of their biggest single, “You Got Me” – but it’s also one of their most consistent and best-sequenced releases. It’s the album that made them stars and one of the last great hip-hop records before the turn of the century.

Forgotten favorites: “Double Trouble,” “100% Dundee,” “Dynamite!”

2. Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: Like many fans who missed their indie debut, it was this, the sophomore effort, that served as my intro to the Roots. A trio of jazz-injected singles helped raise the group’s profile, but it’s the album cuts that make this a complete listening experience. Simply put, this album is just so much fun. There’s such a lighthearted energy that makes it so endearing, yet Thought’s masterful wordplay makes every bar equally intriguing. You can flip a coin between this one and the next album for the top spot. Ask me tomorrow and I’d probably swap places. They’re equally incredible.

Forgotten favorites: “Mellow My Man,” “I Remain Calm,” “What Goes On Pt. 7”

1. Illadelph Halflife (1996)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: So what makes Illadelph Halflife the Roots’ best album? Obviously it’s very good – but so are 95% of the albums on this list. But after revisiting all these albums for this ranking, it’s clear to me that Illadelph is the quintessential Roots experience. By 1996, they more than just entertaining musicians, they had evolved into hood reporters, ghetto teachers – thought leaders for the streets. It’s this project where they truly became the conscious of hip-hop, providing lessons that we may not want to hear, but we need for survival. It’s also home to arguably their best production to date. No it isn’t as sonically diverse as what would come, but those sounds are so fitting for the narratives of each story. The Roots have no shortage of great albums but, as of today, I’ll say this is the best.

Forgotten favorites: “No Alibi,” “Concerto of the Desperado,” “Section”

What’s your top Roots album? Actually, one isn’t enough – hit us with your top 3 below.