The members of the group met while studying at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The group consists of Kentucky and Oakland, California natives Skinny DeVille, B. Stille, Ron Clutch, Big V, R. Prophet, and Fishscales.
Their debut album Country Fried Cess was released in 1998. Eventually, they were signed to the major label Atlantic Records and rose to fame with their first album on the label, 2002's Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz. The album featured the singles "Headz up", "Awnaw" (whose remix featured Marcos Curiel), and "Po' Folks" (featuring Anthony Hamilton). Their next album Wooden Leather, released in 2003, featured the singles "Roun' the Globe" and "Sick and Tired" (featuring Anthony Hamilton). This critically acclaimed, major label follow up album, "Wooden Leather" featured production from Kanye West, David Banner and Lil Jon.
Since the release of Wooden Leather they are back to being independent artists, and have started their own label, N.R.E.G (Nappy Roots Entertainment Group) with distribution through Fontana/Universal Music Group. On July 31, 2007, they released their first album as independent artists, Innerstate Music featuring singles "Good Day" and "Keep It Real". This was actually an internet album, similar to a modern day mixtape. It was intended to be a precursor to their 2008 album, The Humdinger which was released on August 5th 2008.
In 2008, the Nappy Roots returned to the spotlight with an internet campaign targeting the mega-popular hip-hop sites such as Allhiphop, HiphopDX, Sohh, 2dopeboyz, Dubcnn, XXL Mag and BallerStatus, etc.[3] The critically-acclaimed album, The Humdinger features guest appearances from Anthony Hamilton, Greg Nice, Greg Street and Slick & Rose, with production from Sol Messiah, Groove Chambers, Big Al, Joe Hop and more. The Humdinger entered the Billboard Rap Charts at #7 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at #13.
Nappy Roots last toured across the country on the "Pursuit of Nappyness" tour. Fish Scales, Skinny DeVille, and Big V began their Humdinger Winter Tour on January 14, 2009 in Chicago, IL.
In 2009, NREG anticipates the release of 40 Akerz from Fish Scales and Skinny DeVille as well as an independent project from Big V.
Nappy Roots will kick off 2010 with their highly anticipated new album, "Pursuit of Nappiness", due to release April 20, 2010. The album will feature songs produced by a quickly emerging production duo from Atlanta, GA by the name of Phivestarr Productions.
Be Alright
Nappy Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Imma be okay
Long as I got you
I got a brighter day
Imma be alright
Imma be okay
Long as I got you
We gon' find a way...aye, aye, ayyyeee!
[Buffalo Stille]
I'm filled with mirth and I'm smilin'
Find me in a church on Mount Zion
I used to think I was cursed like "The Shinin'"
A lot of folks is worse off than I am
I'm truly blessed no denyin'
They say do your best, and I'm tryin'
But sometimes your best just ain't good enough
You get yourself in a mess, but things lookin' up
So before they break us,
We're gonna make it like 40 acres
People do anything for this paper
Get a shape up with a sporty taper
Just so you can look fresher than your next door neighbor
Make yourself seem major and impress some stranger
Found Christ and now I got a new lease on life
You can hate all ya want...IMMA BE ALRIGHT
Chorus
[Fish Scales]
No way in hell I can transcribe this verse lol
Me and you step out
The whole hood with us baby
Ain't nobody left out
Ain't nobody ?????
Cuz they know we here to help out
Ballin' in the spots where our grandparents ??????
Man it's a new day, listen to the kids
Let 'em know it's them we care 'bout
When I hit the dance floor, tell 'em take the snare out
Turn the bass up and start a soul train line
It's a Nappy Roots record, let the whole thing ride
Still can't believe how the soul train died
We gon' bring it back like it's "Coltrane Live"
It's all in a moment's notice, ain't lyin'
Granny got tears in her eyes, but she ain't cryin'
It must be the joy that she feel when I rhyme
At least I'm on TV for somethin' other than crime
If haters gon' hate me for that then ?????
Cuz God say I'm cool with him, I'm busy tryin'
Chorus
[Skinny DeVille]
Yo, and we gon' make it through these hard times
Life has a way of gettin' good when you keep tryin'
Never givin' up with you think you fallin' behind
Always on your way up sometimes you have to remind
Ourself to keep it movin' fast forward, never rewind
Do what ya gotta in the process, try to be kind
Try to keep it positive and things will start to rebound
And sooner than you know it opportunity will peek out
Get yourself together, keep it cool and never freak out
Take it one day then the next and haters keep out
Your business cuz they'll try to stop your motivation, bring down
Your spirits and your chances for success at the same time
But not for long, after rain there comes the sunshine
Take it as a blessin', it can only happen one time
In ya life, and if it never happens twice take advantage of the day
Cuz in the end...
Chorus
The Nappy Roots song "Be Alright" is a testament to the power of hope and positivity in facing the challenges that life throws our way. The lyrics convey a positive message, emphasizing that even when things are tough, as long as we have each other, we can face anything that comes our way. The chorus reiterates this sentiment twice, with the lines, "Imma be alright / Imma be okay / Long as I got you / We gon' find a way." This emphasizes the importance of having supportive relationships in our lives when challenges arise.
In the first verse, Buffalo Stille talks about how he used to feel cursed, but now he feels truly blessed. He acknowledges that sometimes, even when we try our best, things don't go as planned, and we find ourselves in a mess. However, he also emphasizes that things can look up with a positive attitude, and that before they break us, we will find a way to make it. This is reflected in the line, "So before they break us, / We're gonna make it like 40 acres." The verse ends with the powerful refrain, "You can hate all ya want...IMMA BE ALRIGHT," emphasizing the importance of focusing on our own path and not letting others bring us down.
Line by Line Meaning
Imma be alright
I will be alright and manage through tough times
Imma be okay
I will be okay and handle any situation
Long as I got you
As long as I have your support, I can persevere
I got a brighter day
A better day is ahead of me
We gon' find a way
Together, we will discover a solution and overcome adversity
I'm filled with mirth and I'm smilin'
I feel immense joy and am smiling
Find me in a church on Mount Zion
You can locate me at a church on Mount Zion
I used to think I was cursed like 'The Shinin''
Previously, I believed I was cursed like in 'The Shinin'' film
A lot of folks is worse off than I am
Many people have it worse than me
I'm truly blessed no denyin'
I am undoubtedly fortunate
They say do your best, and I'm tryin'
They say to give my best effort, and I am endeavoring to do so
But sometimes your best just ain't good enough
Occasionally, even your best effort falls short
You get yourself in a mess, but things lookin' up
Sometimes you find yourself in a predicament, but things improve over time
So before they break us,
Before others bring us down,
We're gonna make it like 40 acres
We will persevere and succeed like the obtained 40 acres
People do anything for this paper
People will do anything for money
Get a shape up with a sporty taper
Some people get a stylish haircut to look impressive
Just so you can look fresher than your next door neighbor
They do it to appear more attractive than their immediate neighbor
Make yourself seem major and impress some stranger
They make themselves seem important and impress someone they do not know
Found Christ and now I got a new lease on life
I found Jesus Christ and now have renewed energy and enthusiasm for life
You can hate all ya want...IMMA BE ALRIGHT
You can hate all you want, but I will still persevere and be okay
Me and you step out
You and I go out together
The whole hood with us baby
Our entire neighborhood is with us
Ain't nobody left out
No one is excluded
Ain't nobody ????
Unknown
Cuz they know we here to help out
They know we are there to assist
Ballin' in the spots where our grandparents ????
Enjoying life and having fun in the places our grandparents used to
Man it's a new day, listen to the kids
It is a new day, and we must pay attention to the next generation
Let 'em know it's them we care 'bout
We need to let them know we care about them
When I hit the dance floor, tell 'em take the snare out
When I dance, ask them to remove the snare from the music
Turn the bass up and start a soul train line
Increase the bass volume and begin a soul train line
It's a Nappy Roots record, let the whole thing ride
It is a Nappy Roots song, and we should let it play entirely
Still can't believe how the soul train died
I am still stunned by the end of the soul train era
We gon' bring it back like it's 'Coltrane Live'
We will revive it like it is 'Coltrane Live'
It's all in a moment's notice, ain't lyin'
It can happen at any moment, and I am not lying
Granny got tears in her eyes, but she ain't cryin'
Granny is crying tears of joy
It must be the joy that she feel when I rhyme
She feels elated when I rap
At least I'm on TV for somethin' other than crime
At least I am on television for something other than unlawful activity
If haters gon' hate me for that then ????
If people want to hate me for that, then it is their problem
Cuz God say I'm cool with him, I'm busy tryin'
Because God approves of me, I am focusing on my objectives
Yo, and we gon' make it through these hard times
We will make it through these challenging periods
Life has a way of gettin' good when you keep tryin'
Life improves when you persist
Never givin' up with you think you fallin' behind
Do not relinquish attempting when you feel you are lagging
Always on your way up sometimes you have to remind
You are constantly improving, and it is important to remind yourself of this
Ourself to keep it movin' fast forward, never rewind
Keep moving forward rather than dwelling on the past
Do what ya gotta in the process, try to be kind
Do what you must in the process, and strive to be compassionate
Try to keep it positive and things will start to rebound
Maintain a positive attitude, and things will improve
And sooner than you know it opportunity will peek out
Opportunity will arise unexpectedly
Get yourself together, keep it cool and never freak out
Collect yourself, remain calm, and do not panic
Take it one day then the next and haters keep out
Take each day as it comes, and block out the detractors
Your business cuz they'll try to stop your motivation, bring down
It is none of their business because they will attempt to thwart your drive and demolish your spirits
Your spirits and your chances for success at the same time
They will harm your spirits and decrease your chance of success at the same time
But not for long, after rain there comes the sunshine
However, the situation will not last long because after a storm, there is sunshine
Take it as a blessin', it can only happen one time
Consider it a blessing because it will only occur once
In ya life, and if it never happens twice take advantage of the day
In your life, and if it never happens again, make the most of the day
Cuz in the end...
After everything, in the end...
Contributed by Kaelyn C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Erin
I am so grateful for talented musicians who share their talents with the world without restraint. This song touches my soul. I discovered it when I needed encouragement the most, and it lifted me right out of the darkness. 💚
Joy
this song lifts me up when I'm having a bad day
DragonSlayer524
Try Good Day. Same artists
Josh S
Love this song. Gets me thru hard times every time.
SteezNager
Going through hella shit right now, this helped a lot :)
Thomas Portella
This song will forever keep me moving!!! Keep it Nappy!!!!
Calvin Smith
love you guys, helping people keep our heads up!
Max
Just discovered Nappy Roots and damnnn i'm in love !
Jacqueline Moore
Love this song!
Mimi Baby
how is nappy roots not more popular