Scott Storch shares his tumultuous history with The Roots, calling the group ‘haters’ after his collaboration with Dr. Dre.
- The acclaimed producer recounts feeling underappreciated during his time with The Roots and being compared to ‘Pete Best.’
- Storch believes The Roots failed to recognize his contributions, leading to unsupportive remarks about his race and talents.
- He accused the group of resenting his growth and creativity after he left for new opportunities.
- Storch also touched on his challenges and efforts to help DMX in their shared battle against addiction.
Scott Storch did not hold back on his feelings towards his former group, The Roots, during a candid chat with podcaster Patrick Bet-David. While speaking on his time with the iconic group, Storch did not shy away from calling them “haters” when he ventured to work with Dr. Dre in the mid-90s. The producer, known for his flair on the keys, felt that he was never given proper credit for his significant contributions to the group’s core sound.
Storch spent a brief yet impactful stint with The Roots from 1993 to 1995, where he played a critical role in shaping the music they released during that time. However, he explained that upon leaving, he was quickly dismissed by the group, feeling like he was labeled as “the Pete Best of The Roots,” referring to the early drummer from The Beatles who also exited his band before they found worldwide fame.
The producer shared a personal anecdote, where even his girlfriend at the time left him, doubting his decision to leave the group. He defended his choice by highlighting his vision for bigger opportunities beyond being just ‘the white guy who plays keys in The Roots.’ Rather, Storch saw himself as a creative powerhouse, bursting with innovation.
He notably recalled a hurtful nickname they gave him, “the white devil,” which further exemplified the tension and animosity existing within the group at that time. This was allegedly due to his forward moves to collaborate with Dr. Dre on the acclaimed 2001 album.
Storch was candid about a more personal struggle he faced while trying to support DMX during his battle with addiction. Despite battling his own demons, he attempted to guide the rapper to sobriety by encouraging rehab stays. Storch admitted it was like “the blind leading the blind,” recognizing the irony of trying to help DMX while confronting his own issues with drugs.
Storch’s revelations highlight the complexities of personal and professional relationships in the music industry.
