The Roots
The Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The Foundation, are an influential, Grammy winning hip hop group based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation. Inspired by the "hip-hop band" concept pioneered by Stetsasonic, the Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and influenced later hip-hop and R&B acts.
The Roots' original lineup included Black Thought (MC vocals) and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums) Read Full BioThe Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The Foundation, are an influential, Grammy winning hip hop group based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation. Inspired by the "hip-hop band" concept pioneered by Stetsasonic, the Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and influenced later hip-hop and R&B acts.
The Roots' original lineup included Black Thought (MC vocals) and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added another MC named Malik B., bassist Leonard Hubbardand keyboardist Scott Storch. Another MC, Dice Raw, frequently made album appearances with the group from 1995 to 1999 before leaving to record a solo album. Scott Storch also left to pursue career as a producer following the Do You Want More?!!!??! album, He produced songs such as Still D.R.E. by Dr Dre. The Roots filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal who is still a member. A beatboxer named Rahzel also joined the group and contributed from 1995-1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist, Scratch who greatly contributed to The Roots' sound, most notably in live concerts. He left the group in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 2000. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, enjoyed a short stint with the group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus. A percussionist, Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk") repleaced Kenney. A vocalist, Martin Luther toured with The Roots in 2003 and 2004 and contributed to their album The Tipping Point. The current members of The Roots are Black Thought (MC vocals), ?uestlove (drums), Hub (bass), Kamal (keyboard), Knuckles (percussion), and Captain Kirk (guitar).
The Roots' debut album, Organix released in 1993, was actually a live recording from a concert in Germany that the Roots sold at their shows. The album earned enough industry buzz to earn the Roots offers from major record labels, and they signed with DGC records, which at the time was better known for its grunge music releases.
The Roots' first album for DGC, Do You Want More?!!!??! (recorded live without the use of samples), was a moderate hit on alternative radio. Their 1996 release Illadelph Halflife was the group's first album to crack the Top 40 on Billboard's album chart, spurred in part by MTV's airplay of the video for "What They Do", a parody of rap video clichés such as the "beatdown shot," and "Clones" which was their first to single to reach the top five on the rap charts.
In 1999, The Roots released Things Fall Apart (named after a novel by Chinua Achebe), their breakthrough album. The track "You Got Me", duet with R'n'B singer Erykah Badu, earned them a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.
In 2000, Dice Raw left the group to record his solo debut album, Reclaiming the Dead.
The Roots' reputation as a hip-hop live band made Jay-Z call on them for his MTV Unplugged album in 2002. The album featured good recreations of many of his great songs, played by the band with a little help from female vocalist Jaguar Wright.
2002's Phrenology introduced a more mainstream sound for the Roots, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. The album's sales were boosted by radio and TV airplay for two duets on the album, "Break You Off" (featuring Musiq Soulchild) and "The Seed 2.0" (featuring Cody ChestnuTT). The video for "The Seed 2.0" earned a nomination for the MTV2 Award at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. "The Seed" was also featured on the soundtrack to the Mandy Moore movie Chasing Liberty. Phrenology was certified gold (signifying U.S. sales of at least 500,000 units) in June 2003.
The Roots' 2004 release, The Tipping Point, took its name from a 2000 book by Malcolm Gladwell. The album earned two more Grammy nominations: one for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track "Star", and another for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for the track "Don't Say Nuthin'". The album was an immediate hit, debuting at #4 on the Billboard album chart and selling over 100,000 copies in its first week of release.
On November 15, 2005 The Roots released two compilation albums, Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots, Volumes 1 & 2. These two separately sold discs are a compilation of past hits, live performances, and rare remixes compiled by ?uestlove himself. They also feature 70 pages of liner notes written by ?uestlove. These two albums marked the Roots' last releases on Geffen Records.
The Roots' album, Game Theory, was released on August 29, 2006. The album, which features a track that samples the song "You and Whose Army" by Radiohead, was released on Jay-Z's Def Jam.
The Roots next album 'Rising Down' was released on April 29th 2008. Features tracks with Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saigon, and other greats.
The Make Me Songfacts reports that The Roots' eleventh album, undun, is their first concept album. It tells the story of a man called Redford Stephens who died in 1999 at the age of 25. We hear Redford retelling his life post-mortem and attempting to deconstruct what led to his undoing.
The Roots are also the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airing first on March 2nd, 2009.
The Roots' original lineup included Black Thought (MC vocals) and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums) Read Full BioThe Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The Foundation, are an influential, Grammy winning hip hop group based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation. Inspired by the "hip-hop band" concept pioneered by Stetsasonic, the Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and influenced later hip-hop and R&B acts.
The Roots' original lineup included Black Thought (MC vocals) and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added another MC named Malik B., bassist Leonard Hubbardand keyboardist Scott Storch. Another MC, Dice Raw, frequently made album appearances with the group from 1995 to 1999 before leaving to record a solo album. Scott Storch also left to pursue career as a producer following the Do You Want More?!!!??! album, He produced songs such as Still D.R.E. by Dr Dre. The Roots filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal who is still a member. A beatboxer named Rahzel also joined the group and contributed from 1995-1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist, Scratch who greatly contributed to The Roots' sound, most notably in live concerts. He left the group in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 2000. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, enjoyed a short stint with the group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus. A percussionist, Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk") repleaced Kenney. A vocalist, Martin Luther toured with The Roots in 2003 and 2004 and contributed to their album The Tipping Point. The current members of The Roots are Black Thought (MC vocals), ?uestlove (drums), Hub (bass), Kamal (keyboard), Knuckles (percussion), and Captain Kirk (guitar).
The Roots' debut album, Organix released in 1993, was actually a live recording from a concert in Germany that the Roots sold at their shows. The album earned enough industry buzz to earn the Roots offers from major record labels, and they signed with DGC records, which at the time was better known for its grunge music releases.
The Roots' first album for DGC, Do You Want More?!!!??! (recorded live without the use of samples), was a moderate hit on alternative radio. Their 1996 release Illadelph Halflife was the group's first album to crack the Top 40 on Billboard's album chart, spurred in part by MTV's airplay of the video for "What They Do", a parody of rap video clichés such as the "beatdown shot," and "Clones" which was their first to single to reach the top five on the rap charts.
In 1999, The Roots released Things Fall Apart (named after a novel by Chinua Achebe), their breakthrough album. The track "You Got Me", duet with R'n'B singer Erykah Badu, earned them a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.
In 2000, Dice Raw left the group to record his solo debut album, Reclaiming the Dead.
The Roots' reputation as a hip-hop live band made Jay-Z call on them for his MTV Unplugged album in 2002. The album featured good recreations of many of his great songs, played by the band with a little help from female vocalist Jaguar Wright.
2002's Phrenology introduced a more mainstream sound for the Roots, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. The album's sales were boosted by radio and TV airplay for two duets on the album, "Break You Off" (featuring Musiq Soulchild) and "The Seed 2.0" (featuring Cody ChestnuTT). The video for "The Seed 2.0" earned a nomination for the MTV2 Award at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards. "The Seed" was also featured on the soundtrack to the Mandy Moore movie Chasing Liberty. Phrenology was certified gold (signifying U.S. sales of at least 500,000 units) in June 2003.
The Roots' 2004 release, The Tipping Point, took its name from a 2000 book by Malcolm Gladwell. The album earned two more Grammy nominations: one for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track "Star", and another for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for the track "Don't Say Nuthin'". The album was an immediate hit, debuting at #4 on the Billboard album chart and selling over 100,000 copies in its first week of release.
On November 15, 2005 The Roots released two compilation albums, Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots, Volumes 1 & 2. These two separately sold discs are a compilation of past hits, live performances, and rare remixes compiled by ?uestlove himself. They also feature 70 pages of liner notes written by ?uestlove. These two albums marked the Roots' last releases on Geffen Records.
The Roots' album, Game Theory, was released on August 29, 2006. The album, which features a track that samples the song "You and Whose Army" by Radiohead, was released on Jay-Z's Def Jam.
The Roots next album 'Rising Down' was released on April 29th 2008. Features tracks with Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Saigon, and other greats.
The Make Me Songfacts reports that The Roots' eleventh album, undun, is their first concept album. It tells the story of a man called Redford Stephens who died in 1999 at the age of 25. We hear Redford retelling his life post-mortem and attempting to deconstruct what led to his undoing.
The Roots are also the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon airing first on March 2nd, 2009.
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You Got Me
The Roots Lyrics
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
Somebody told me that this planet was small
We use to live in the same buildin' on the same floor
And never met before
Until I'm overseas on tour
And peep this Ethiopian queen from Philly
Takin' classes abroad
She studyin' film and photo, flash, focus, record
Said she workin' on a flick, and could my click do the score?
She said she loved my show in Paris at Élysée Montmartre
And that I stepped off the stage and took a piece of her heart
We knew from the start that things fall apart and tend to shatter
She like that shit don't matter
When I get home get at her
Through letter, phone, whatever
Let's link, let's get together
Shit, you think not, think that Thought went home and forgot
Time passed, we back in Philly now she up in my spot
Tellin' me the things I'm tellin' her is makin' her hot
Startin' buildin' with her constantly 'round the clock
Now she in my world like hip-hop
And keep tellin' me, yo
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
Yo, I'm the type that's always catchin' a flight (uh-huh)
And sometimes I gotta be out at the height of the night
And that's when she flip and get on some old
Another lonely night
Seems like I'm on the side you only lovin' your mic
I know you gotta get that paper, daddy, keep that shit tight
But yo, I need some sort of love in my life, you dig me?
While politicin' with my sister from New York City
She said she know this ball player and he think I'm pretty
Psych, I'm playin' boo, you know it's just wit you I'm stayin' boo
And when cats be poppin' game I don't hear what they sayin' boo
When you out there in the world, I'm still your girl
With all my classes I don't have the time for life's thrills
So when you sweatin' on stage think of me when you rhyme
And don't be listenin' to your homies they be leavin' you blind
Yeah, so what you sayin' I can trust you?
Is you crazy? You my king for real
But sometimes relationships get ill
No doubt
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
That snake could be that chick and that rat
Could be that cool cat
That's whisperin' "she tryin' to play you for the fool Black"
If something's on your chest then let it be known
See I'm not your every five minutes all on the phone
And on the topic of trust, it's just a matter of fact
That people bite back and fracture what's intact
And they'll forever be, I ain't on some, "Oh, I'm a celebrity"
I deal with the real so if it's artificial let it be
I've seen people caught in love like whirlwinds
Listenin' to they squads and listenin' to girlfriends
That's exactly the point where they whole world ends
Lies come in, that's where that drama begins, she like, yo
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
If you were worried 'bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby, don't worry, you know that you got me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Tarik L. Collins, Jill H. Scott, Ahmir K. Thompson, Scott Spencer Storch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
They found me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry, you know that you got me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
Somebody told me that this planet was small
We used to live in the same building on the same floor
And never met before until I'm overseas on tour
And peep this Ethiopian Queen from Philly taking classes abroad
She's studying film in photo flash focus record
Said she working on a flick and could my clique do the score
She said she love my show in Paris at Elyse Montmartre
And that I stepped off the stage and took a piece of her heart
We knew from the start that things fall apart
Intense and shatter, she like, that shit don't matter
When I get home, get at her, pull out her phone
Whatever, let's lay, let's get together, shit, you think that not?
Think that dog went home and forgot?
Time passed, we back in Philly, now she up in my spot
Telling me the things I'm telling her is makin' her hot
Started building with her constantly 'round the clock
Now she in my world like hip-hop and keep telling me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry, you know that you got me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
Yo, I'm the type that's always catchin' a flight
And sometimes I got to be out at the height of the night
And that's when she flip and get on some, another lonely night?
It seems like I'm on the side, you only lovin' your mic
I know you gotta get that paper daddy, keep that shit tight
But yo, I need some sort of love in my life, you dig me?
While politickin' with my sister from New York City
She said she know this ball player and he think I'm pretty
Sike, I'm playin' boo, you know it's just with you I'm stayin' boo
And when cats be poppin' game I don't hear what they sayin', boo
When you out there in the world, I'm still your girl
With all my classes I don't have the time for life's thrills
So when you sweatin' on state, just think of me when you rhyme
And don't be listenin' to your homies, they be leadin' you blind
Yeah, so what you sayin' is I can trust you
Is you crazy? You my king, for real
But sometimes, relationships get ill, no doubt
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry, you know that you got me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
That snake could be that chick and that rat
Could be that cool cat that's whisperin'
She's trying to play you for the fool, black
If something's on your chest then let it be known
See I'm not your every-five-minutes, it's all on the phone
And on the topic of trust, it's just a matter of fact
That people bite back and fracture what's in tact
And they'll forever be, I ain't on some oh, I'm a celebrity
I deal with the real, so if it's artificial, let it be
I seen people caught in love like whirlwinds
Listening to they squalls and listenin' to they girlfriends
That's exactly the point where they whole world ends
Lies come in, that's where the drama begins and she like yo
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry, you know that you got me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry, you know that you got me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
If you don't worry 'bout where I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Johh Walker
I use to perform this privately to my wife. I lost her to breast cancer this year. Baby i still got you. And will always miss you.
Wilbert Martin
😢
Cherylgyrl
My sincerest condolences, may she rest in peace and power
Yavuz 19
🚬
Gypsy
God bless u and her memory. Ul see her again, i promise.💖
Peter Ngoatse
I hope you're still holding on strong
Aubrey Norton
This is hip hop at its finest. A classical masterpiece. Still banging in 2022 and beyond.
Tifany Mitchell
2022 it never gets old
Ben Bell
2022 bro 👌🔥
sun tsi
facts.