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), 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 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), 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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The Seed
The Roots Lyrics
Knocked up nine months ago
And what she's fittin' to have she don't know
She wants neo soul cause hip hop is old
She don't want no rock and roll
She want platinum, ice and gold
She want a whole lot of somethin' to fold
If you a obstacle she just drop you cold
'Cause one monkey don't stop the show
Little Mary's bad
In these streets she done ran
Ever since when the heat began
I told the girl, look here
Calm down I'mma hold your hand
To enable you to keep the plan
'Cause you was quick to learn
And we can make money to burn
If you allow me the latest game
I don't ask for much but enough room to spread my wings
And a world fittin' to know my name
I don't ask, for much these days
And I don't bitch and whine if I don't get my way
I only want to fertilize another behind my lover's back
I sit and watch it grow standin' where I'm at
Fertilize another behind my lovers back
And I'm keeping my secrets mine
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary dropped my baby girl tonight I would name her rock and roll
Cadillac needs space to roam
Where we headin' for she don't know
We in the city where the pro shake rattle and roll
And I'm a god dang rollin' stone
I don't beg, I can hold my own
I don't break, I can hold a chrome
And it's weighin' a ton and I'm a son of a gun
My code name is the only one
And Black Thought is bad
These streets he done ran ever since when the game began
I never played the fool
Matter of fact I've been keeping it cool
Since money been changin' hands
And I'm left to shine, the legacy I leave behind be the seed that'll keep the flame
I don't ask for much but enough room to spread these wings
And a world fittin' to know my name, now listen to me
I don't beg from a rich man
And I don't scream and kick when his shit don't fall in my hands, man
'Cause I know how to still
Fertilize another against my lovers will
I lick the opposition cause she don't take no pill
Oh you know the deal you'll be keeping my legend alive
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary drops my baby girl tonight I would name her rock 'n roll
Oh break it down, down for me
I push my seed somewhere deep in her chest
I push it naked cause I've takin' my test
Deliverin' Mary it don't matter the sex
I'm gonna name it rock 'n roll
I push my seed in her bush for life
It's gonna work because I'm pushin' it right
If Mary drops my baby girl tonight
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name her rock 'n roll
I would name it rock 'n roll
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chestnutt Cody, Tarik L. Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Thriva Avirht
Russia. Grr ‘tis sooo hard for me to talk on phone ... sooo I beg one of you to phone whatever fucking number there military is before I fully Die ...
feel better if I could die with some form of justice and show you what these fucks cost you/all counters and how much they loved to hurt there Owen .... this is no life ...aftermath ain’t ever going to be same I want off earth before I go I Strive to show you just how much to hurt your. Countery these 4+ and police department did ... are I die in 30 days. I don’t see me to fail less you all pussy Americans/puppets =Russian be like no deel
Thriva Avirht on YouTube why I try forgot I still mad at Russia for not one reach out after I try for years over 10-30 email no replySill you be a nice Russia ppl are typical Canadian the worst kind
I need help/5min meating with government officials that have hella high clearance ... I bet my life 0- 60 day to prove
are allow death as payment by when prefer death you don’t got long I’m there
sooooo I beg you for Kids/science FUCKING HELP! I’m starting a smear tactic to get one meating I tried all other ways lots of hackers fucked my stuff email that I don’t get I constantly get stalked and played with by police... some times like now on eggshells play a lot on me get inside dash cam last0-90 days omfg u would not bleach what my brain can do conversation in drivers seat you want less covers up o ready mainly last 14 days-23 and why it can hense why all cops around here play and #1 locker room Talk is abusing authoritie to get me to react / brain to do shit aka adult grooming I’m not in cars. Yet amount play got to have slipped Meh. Offer polygraph like I begged for years 7 years other topic
Over 6 for police officers for abusing and adult grooming /stalking abuse of authority. Only pinchercreeks.
Shame shame shame came to this ... I hate attention don’t want fame I do not want to live surpressed wtf is left any idea how many times gangstalked based on what brain could do... are how many attempts to contact like half recorded on my YouTube channel ... ffs you all ignore worse then USA.
After one proper contacts will erase most 3-4+ years of begging for help only to have ppl do there best ta fuck over me an names on a list all brand same way ... can beg family for hand they be like meh fuck off Jeff over 10years don’t like me to talk about it yet refuse do any thing except make it hella hard and dangerous for me and the names on list let alone family ... sometimes criminal charges ain’t enough took one fucking phone call pos Kunk maggot Alberta
Here is a list of landlords 2 police tenants that tried for my suiside and net/bait me. Try to make me change to be ugly...hint hint if u go to a school I want you dead after I beg and beg and beg for a hand and only get what bastardized plays soo a burnet that’s live right by #5 stardust and half fat fuck live with / nexts door (all we’re there) like toward the end when it’s that male police officer kunk that live right there I scream top of my lungs for about 1 year str8te (check when I speak on what they did as they run inside. (Diss for peeair black haired bimbo). Did landlord like to stay across street tell 4:30 am 4 day a week after getting who out of trailorcourt Cindy... There part of what fag hacked my shite
not one at my door and who beg for who to call police. (ME) Watch them try to make me insain as the bang and bang trying to make me bang and run inside (very mature eh) . peeair and black haired bimbo get caught a lot at this). peeair the trailer theygo over to some what one year 3-6 ago burnet there a little. The male pig there quite a bit more THINK HE STILL THERE phone. Military police ask for help and guess who I see (coincidence) Maybe here not 21 days ago when stalking
like to go over and visit same pedifile rapist insinuator to drive Jeff up a wall (Cuss what do I hate the most) (as they joined in with him to try for my suiside espeshally them 3. And that burnet. That male still apart of stalked and try to make me commit suiside and covered for them 4 the other one identified is. Over at house by my parents one day (after another I call out loud and go to townhall wate for what part to tell me go to VLT i normally play this. Sometime show up to tell me sometime don’t new being stalked soooo I demand one across bar. If I should pass guess who’s bitch ass there aka London then stalk plays on me try to make me afraid for what family again. After. How many times I bin stalked and had what insinuated (never with a face are duh? On it . so can’t identify easily faces to insidence I call him London about one year ago just over are under ... find complaint are he what’s neighbors/ relative (After what physic plays) like who has to be across street from bar with a flashlight if Part of brain tell me to put 20 in VLT( says one word it’s up for fail not me. They new hardly ever fail) as I go bla bla bla luck ain’t reel and I’ll prove again and again (that’s three. Not counting what ones in last 90 days. Well 60 if not counting last 7 Days Mofos. So I don’t got internet who kept fucking with usb... find that half fat half bald simmered to a buzz cut mofo and then all internet connected stuff over here...
Dusty the 2nd
@feske007 I know but they do not get the meaning. Let me tell you. Here you go from 3 comments from some wise people.
I'm definitely going to have to side with to be forgotten on this one. Guys, The Roots aren't like Eminem or Q-Tip, their lyrics tend to actually be poetic and have hidden meanings. I don't think you can just accept the literal interpretation for this song.
I interpret the song to mean that they are attempting to unite the rock and roll and hip hop genres. In this case, they are trying to plant the seed of hip hop within the womb of rock and roll. He's having to do "fertilize another against my lover's will" because hip hop is resistant to integrating other musical styles. This interpretation is supported by the lines in the first verse that go:
"She don't want no rock-n-roll
She want platinum or ice or gold
She want a whole lotta somethin' to fold"
The lines are describing the hip hop culture obsession with money and "bling." Whereas, "I lick the opposition because she don't take no birth control" signifies that rock and roll is open and willing to integrate influences from other genres.
If you're still doubtful, just listen to the beats underlying the song. You have the heavy beats that are commonplace in hip hop and then the distinct guitar riff.
deranged_one_13on March 06, 2005 Link
1 ReplyLog in to reply
+4
General Comment
I think...that Black Thought..or Cody ChestnuTT, the narrator in general, is trying to leave his mark on the world. This is obvious, however, with "keep my legend alive." However, he's not just trying to leave his legacy of himself, but the actual legacy of music, more specifically, Rock & Roll.
However, he's..."fertilizing another behind my lover's back," thus making Rock & Roll the estranged child. Possibly noting the actual birth of Rock & Roll, which is 'the estranged child of Jazz'.
Absolutely brilliant song.
tobeforgottenon December 30, 2004 Link
No RepliesLog in to reply
+2
General Comment
ROFL at hastalavictoria
i agree with the theory that the song is about the narrator leaving his mark on the world, through a child, and musically aswell.
"She want neo-soul, this hip-hop is old
She don't want no rock-n-roll
She want platinum or ice or gold"
i think this part was talking about the changes in mainstream, mainly hip hop music.
uhh duh. but that's my two cents :-)
So what do you guys think now?? D2
Mariana Carmona
2020 and still epic.
Whiteman Weis
Good Music is timeless,not only in 2021...if we would live in the Year 2500 we would hear it!
Yuri Manso da Silva
Ainda épico em 2021
Nam Vu
2021
randomnobody playthrough
2021 and still epic.
Kirsty rose-marie Brown
Yess 2021
Nyiko Gift
2021 and still banging this song
KLSeba
2021 / 5th April ..... 🤘🏼
G. Lang
The Roots must be one of the most underrated bands ever
Daiane Cler
Concordo . Monster Magnet e Volbeat tmb entram nessa lista. são criminalmente subestimados