The Roots’ MC Black Thought was born Tariq Trotter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 3, 1971. He first connected with his longtime collaborator Questlove while attending Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts.The group released their debut album “Organix!” on May 19, 1993. The release was initially issued through the group’s own independent label and then re-issued through a label called Cargo. The album became an underground hit throughout the group’s hometown of Philadelphia and eventually helped them sign a deal with David Geffen’s DGC Records.