The Root 100 is our annual list of some of the most influential Black Americans. Each year, we look to sports, entertainment, politics and business to find leaders who are making moves in a big way and leaving their mark on the culture. Weโll share the list live on The Root, and weโll honor all of the extraordinary changemakers at a special event at the legendary Apollo Theater on December 5.
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This year, comedian and former correspondent for Comedy Centralโs The Daily Show, Roy Wood Jr. will host this night of celebration and special performances, and we couldnโt be more excited.
So as we put the finishing touches on this yearโs list, we thought weโd share the top 5 reasons why Roy Wood Jr. is the perfect host:
The Root 100 is a celebration of some of this yearโs most influential Black Americans, which is why thereโs no better emcee than someone whoโs always rooting for everybody Black.
Check out this clip from The Daily Show of him explaining the concept of Peak Blackness to Trevor Noah after Moonlight won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017.
โPeak blackness is a rare metaphysical anomaly that can only occur when an amalgam of Black excellence comes together at the same societal intersection,โ he said. In other words, โitโs when a lot of dope Black [expletive] happens at the same time.โ
You can always count on Roy Wood Jr. to keep it real in the most hilarious way. Just take this clip from a standup routine explaining why Black folks donโt write patriotic songs.
โBlack peopleโwe donโt sing about America,โ he said. โWe sing about specific cities where you can have a good-ass time.โ
Wood adds that if you donโt understand the Black experience in America, the Blues will explain it all.
โBlack folks been trying to tell yโall forever that theyโve had some issuesโฆWe invented the blues!โ he said. โWe literally invented an entire genre of music based on sadness, thatโs how sad we were.โ
These days, the news is laser focused on the issues that divide our country. But on an episode of The Daily Show, Roy Wood Jr. tried to get two people with completely conflicting views talking with this hilarious Extreme Team Building exercise he did with a far right Republican and a left-leaning liberal. With the help of a company called Survival Systems USA, Wood forced the two to endure simulated disaster scenarios together. And after lots of back and forth on the issues, they finally put their beef aside during a simulated plane crash.โYou want to quiet the political noise? Just make sure people are under water at all times,โ he said.
Gentrification is reality in cities around the country. With the cost of living getting higher, Black people are being priced out of neighborhoods theyโve lived in for years. The stats are bleak. But somehow, Roy Wood Jr. broke down the depressing facts and made us laugh at the same time in this clip where he explains the realities of a gentrified Brooklyn.
โThe trojan horse of gentrification seemed to increase the volume of nut milks while decreasing actual necessary food supply,โ he said. โAnd the only thing rising faster than the number of man buns is the real estate.โ
If you needed any more proof that Roy Wood Jr. is the host with the most, we should remind you that heโs already managed one of the most difficult hosting jobs around as host of the 2023 White House Correspondentsโ Dinner. No topic was off limits. He poked fun at everyone from Tucker Carlson to Don Lemon to President Biden himself. And if he can get a room full of journalists and politicians to laugh, you know heโs going to bring down the house at the Apollo Theater.
Donโt miss your chance to check out Roy Wood Jr. and the amazing Root 100 honorees at the legendary Apollo Theater on December 5 at 7:00 pm. Get your tickets now. And stay tuned for more information about our special guests. This is one show you wonโt want to miss.
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