The Illettantes are a hip hop duo consisting of Nate D (lyricist) and Root (producer).

When they enrolled in a course entitled “Computer and Electronic Music Composition” during their sophomore year at Princeton University, Nate and Root discovered that they shared a similar interest in the production of quality hip hop music.

Over the course of their college careers, they performed and recorded many tracks under the name “Word is Born,” and developed a following on campus (albeit a small one).
After graduating from Princeton in 2006 (Nate with a degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Root with one in Economics), they continued honing their craft and adopted the new name of “The Illettantes” to explain that their non-professional status as musicians is not indicative of wackness.

Currently, Nate lives in San Diego, CA, where he works as an engineer in the aerospace industry, and Root is pursuing an MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. All the music they produce is made in their apartments, and they don't care that it's unglamorous.

The Illettantes released their debut album "Renaissance Men" in May 2011.