With love and rhythm, empathy and energy, Questlove and Black Thought gave the classic venue new life, ushering in the new year with hope.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 01-03-2025
As the final hours of 2025 faded, the Walt Disney Concert Hall (WDCH) became a sanctuary of rhythm and rhyme. Once The Roots took the stage for their early show, they demonstrated why they have remained hip-hop’s most essential live act for more than three decades. At the heart of the magic was the telepathic leadership of and deep connection between singer Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.
Founding the group in 1987 on the streets of Philadelphia, long before they became Grammy winners and late-night icons, the two friends have maintained their loyalty and faith. By bringing their band to the WDCH, the LA Phil showed that the classical giant remains plugged into the current musical scene. Indeed, they understand the vibrancy of a New Year’s Eve celebration.
At the WDHC, Questlove sat at the center of the stage, his drumming the metronomic heartbeat of the entire evening. Beside him, Black Thought commanded the mic with lyrical precision, underscoring why he is widely considered one of the greatest emcees of all time. From the first song to the last, their dedication to the music was undeniable.
Moreover, the synergy between the two founders felt like a masterclass in musical history. Drawing on a deep discography that spans from the raw energy of 1993’s Organix to today’s sophisticated compositions, the concert showcased the best of their musical careers. The set was a seamless, nonstop flow of energy, blending jazz, R&B, and soul into a single, breathing organism.
As the band shifted through genres, the audience was invited to let their hair down and toast to the coming year. The audience’s interaction with the band was lively and exciting. Without question, the band pushed the people out of their seats and onto their feet.
A highlight of the night was guitarist Captain Kirk Douglas’s jaw-dropping virtuosity, a central figure in the band since 2003. His solo was a textured explosion of sound, shifting effortlessly from gritty blues to psychedelic rock. Blending guitar and vocals, he created a fabulous synthesis of musical invention.
Indeed, the Captain bridged the group’s hip-hop roots with a broader, more melodic horizon. His fingers danced across the strings, creating a wall of pure emotion. This display of individual brilliance perfectly complemented the evening’s deeper purpose of fostering communal connection.
Questlove once captured this feeling, stating: “Resistance here doesn’t mean revolution. It doesn’t mean storming the barricades. Resistance means using art for the things that it does best, which is to create human portraits and communicate ideas and forge a climate where people of different races or classes are known to you because they make themselves known.”
“In the simplest terms, art humanizes,” Questlove continued. “It opens the circuit of empathy. And once that process happens, it’s that much harder to think of people as part of a policy or a statistic. Art reverses the alienation that can creep into society.”
As the final notes echoed through the hall, it was clear the “genre-bending pioneers” had succeeded in making the moment feel human. We walked out into the Los Angeles night, not just ready for 2026 but feeling more connected than when we arrived. After a night of dynamic celebration, we were ready to face whatever the new year had to offer.
