Starting in the mid-'90s, Philadelphia's hip-hop heroes have graced the front of City Paper a whopping four times. (Or five? We put ?uestlove and the Tastytreats crew on a Music Issue in 2002, too.)

And why not?

The Roots are intriguing, original, always on the verge of something. Plus, you know, we dig their music.

In the early '90s, back when Margit Detweiler and Major Jackson wrote about music for CP on a regular basis, The Square Roots was a young, hungry band struggling to define itself in an insular and underrated Philly hip-hop scene. Photos by the sorely missed and recently departed Mpozi Mshale Tolbert document this era with a warm and wise eye. A scrawny Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and a small-haired Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson — a coupla recent CAPA grads — struck poses and played shows like they were born to do it. Like a live hip-hop band was the most natural thing in the world.

It's not, of course.

Even now, with a bunch of Grammys on their shelves, a bit of radio play and decent record sales — not to mention the impressive success of their Black Lily peers and protégés — The Roots always seem to be swimming upstream. It's not an easy lot, navigating the populist, hit-hungry waters of the hip-hop world with class, without pandering or leaning on caricature. For every high point along the way, there've been diminished expectations, label troubles and disappointments.

Neil Gladstone — who put The Roots on the cover in '96 and '99 (the seminal "Stakes Is High" story, photo by Dominic Episcopo) — has once again caught up with Ahmir, Tariq and the crew and found them once again on the verge. Hip-hop's critically acclaimed underdogs suddenly find themselves on Def Jam, and allied with the genre's most commercially successful hitmaker. But with Game Theory due to drop in two weeks, some are wondering whether Jay-Z — who let them create the freest, finest Roots record yet — intends to back them up with a real promotional push. Is the mainstream about to come to them, or are they simply Jigga's credibility write-off? Backed by photographer Mike Regan, Neil gets to the heart and soul of the smartest, hardest-working band in hip-hop. Oh yeah, they're still one of the only bands in hip-hop.

(pat@citypaper.net)

On a related note, I'm happy to announce that Pat is our newly minted arts and entertainment editor. During his tenure as music editor, Pat covered the local music scene more creatively and exhaustively than anyone in town; I can't wait for him to apply that ethos to the rest of the arts section.

One more thing. I have a favor to ask.

As part of our big 25th anniversary issue (issue date: 9/28), we're taking a look back at some of the most memorable stories that have appeared in these pages. We certainly have our opinions. But what I'm most interested is hearing yours. Whether you've been reading us for 25 years or just a few months, I'd like to know which stories have lingered in your brain.

Send your nominations to me at duane@citypaper.net with the subject line: "25 Stories." If we run your suggestion, I'll thank you in the paper. If we don't, I'll sit down, buy you a beer and tell you all about my days as almost-Root.

—Duane Swierczynski