Stro Elliot has joined The Roots

Stro Elliot has joined The Roots

After producing for Phonte and Eric Roberson, performing with the Wu-Tang Clan, and having his own Beats 1/Soulection radio show, producer/emcee/multi-instrumentalist Stro Elliot continues this year’s winning streak: he has joined The Roots as their latest member.

After spotting him as part of The Roots’ daily appearance in The Tonight Show two days ago, the news has been confirmed with several clips on social media, some of which can be found below.

Especially the first video is worth watching: shared by Questlove, showing The Roots hearing Stro Elliot drum for the very first time. Insane finger drumming on pads, that is. Or, as fellow producer QWSTN puts it, “playing drums on the pads like a spider weaving it’s intricate web.”

Having been fans of The Procussions since 2005 as well as of the solo work of both Mr. J and Stro (resulting in collaborations for our The Find Rewind cassette tape, and a limited edition blue 7″ record), it’s truly inspiring to have seen him evolve from being an independent artist to becoming part of The Legendary Roots Crew. But, with a personal sidenote, as explained by him below.

Speaking of which: we’re highly looking forward to The Roots’ 17th studio album, titled End Game, reportedly also including production work by Stro. As Questlove explained a couple of months ago on Instagram, the album will be approached with a method they also used for their 1996 album, Illadelph Halflife: jamming during the day, and then sampling the sessions at night.

“Moments like this are less about me, more about the people like me that slept in hostels, vans, did shows in bars with crappy sound equipment and no security. My brothas Res, Mr. J Medeiros, Chris Karns, Mikey Merriman know. Super talented people some of which are still crawling through the mud on their elbows. It’s a bit much to be honest, to be in this band that’s accomplished so much before me. But I’m super excited for everything that follows.” – Stro

The Faces Of @TheRoots hearing @StroElliot drum for the first time

Een bericht gedeeld door Questlove Gomez (@questlove) op

So…I had a convo with my brotha @phontigallo at the Roots Picnic after he found out about this new gig. Moments like this are less about me, more about the people like me that slept in hostels, Vans, did shows in bars with crappy sound equipment and no security. My brothas @res_nate @mrjmedeiros @chriskarnsmusic @mikeymerriman Know. Super talented people some of which are still crawling through the mud on their elbows. It’s a bit much to be honest, to be in this band that’s accomplished so much before me. But I’m super excited for everything that follows. Already learning a ton, and having too much fun. The whole @theroots / @fallontonight family have been amazing welcoming me with open arms. Love to my Playlist fam, @djjazzyjeff ,the glue @lynettectownes @nic61974 for so many things. @streetcornerscm fam. @ableton @soulection fam. My actual fam especially. Ya’ll know. Also…lol at the synchronized @roland_us gear under the TV Jeff. ?

Een bericht gedeeld door Stro Elliot (@stroelliot) op

Just an ordinary guy always on the hunt for extraordinary music. Not just as the founder of The Find Magazine & Rucksack Records, but also as a freelance music journalist (bylines at Tracklib, Bandcamp, Wax Poetics, DIG Mag, among others) and—above all—out of love for all kinds of good music.