Rootwords

•• “What's your name again?” •• Chuck D

Nominated for the 2018 Swiss Music Awards and described as "Hip Hop Elegante" by the program director of Peru's largest music festival, the artist ROOTWORDS has earned a reputation for performing a repertoire of high stature, with an absolute commitment to communicating the essence of music at it's most organic level.

•• “Bonobo likes the track.” •• Manager

The epitome of a "world citizen" (born in the USA of Zambian heritage and raised in Switzerland), ROOTWORDS began rhyming at the age of 16. He studied international relations and law, only to drop out in a radical rebellion against the system, with the intent of focusing on music. Ever since that drastic decision of 2007, having gathered a fair amount of underground experience in the music scene, ROOTWORDS released his first solo album The Rush in 2014.

•• “It sounds like real Hip Hop.” •• The Procussions

Since winning the renowned M4 Music “Urban Award”, as well as multiple other accolades, the lyricist has become a favourite of Swiss music lovers and more - having graced the stages of many regional and international festivals with his live band The Block Notes; including Paleo Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Rototom Sunsplash, Reggae Sun Ska, and Selvamonos Festival.

•• “Never stop rhyming.” •• Common

His Wu-Tang style British Clarks, reminiscent of the years he lived in the once ghetto but now trendy Hackney East London, have travelled with him from Beijing to New York, Berlin to Adelaide, Lima to Paris; all of which are places where he has performed and shared his music.

•• “A great groove with an important message.” •• Phil Collins

In autumn 2016, in an effort to support UNHCR in response to the refugee crisis, ROOTWORDS teamed up with jazz composer John Aram and virtuoso Jacob Collier for a humanitarian collaboration with the intention of raising money and awareness to the cause, while sharing a message of hope through the music. Otherwise when in his hometown, ROOTWORDS can be found teaching the basics of Hip Hop to the youth of today in his workshop, or hosting jam sessions.

•• “Come kick a freestyle on stage with me.” •• Jay Electronica

In the continuation of pursing his passion, fulfilling his life ambitions, and living his dream, ROOTWORDS dropped his second opus (Warning Signs) the 23rd of March 2018, to further plunge his auditors and supporters deeper into his evolving universe of inspiration.

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Performs on stage with his live band The Block Notes :
Benjamin Riggi (Drums/Pads)
Stan Breynaert (Bass/Sampler)
Julien Boss (Keyboards)
Vernon Pace (Sound Engineer)
Pierre-Nicolas Moulin (Light Engineer)