Even most young hood nikkas from my generation (90s) didn't give a fukk about the Roots and I guarantee them nikkas STILL couldn't tell you who Questlove is.
The Roots had to fight for their respect in hip hop for most of their relevant career.
The internet, okayplayer, and the black hipster/afropunk movement saved them.
I'm saying this as a nikka that copped DYWM?!?!, Illadeph Halflife, and Things Fall Apart all on the first day and still consider them three of the greatest hip hop albums ever made.