Should hip hop bands such as The Roots be compared to hip hop producers?

Question by Mechanical: Should hip hop bands such as The Roots be compared to hip hop producers?
To avoid confusion, in this question, when I say The Roots, I mean The Roots minus Black Thought.

Essentially, The Roots do the same thing as DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, etc. They provide background music for hip hop. Is it reasonable to compare The Roots to producers? If not, to whom are you supposed to compare The Roots? If so, answer these questions:

1. The Roots or DJ Premier?
2. Where would The Roots rank in your Top ??? producers if you were to include them?

BONUS: Who is your favorite hip hop band other than The Roots?

Best answer:

Answer by King of the Ozone
yes-because they by definition, they are producing hip hop…

1. Premier
2. i dont do rankings

bonus: gym class heroes

Add your own answer in the comments!