Smith made his recorded debut in 1994 as part of IQ Procedure through Suburban Base’s short-lived hip hop imprint Bluntly Speaking Vinyl. He debuted as Roots Manuva the same year on Blak Twang's "Queen’s Head” single, before releasing his own single, “Next Type of Motion” the following year. 1996 saw the release of his collaborations with Skitz (“Where My Mind Is At”/”Blessed Be the Manner”). The release of “Feva” followed in 1997; this was also the year that saw the first releases from Big Dada, a collaboration between Coldcut’s Ninja Tune label and hip hop journalist Will Ashon.
Releasing for Coldcut's renowned experimental/hip-hop label Ninja Tune in 1998, some of his music may be seen as a predecessor of grime. The following year he released his fearsome debut album, “Brand New Second Hand”. Manuva was rewarded for his breakthrough with a MOBO as Best Hip Hop Act that year. He has also relesed 2001's “Run Come Save Me”, followed the next year by “Dub Come Save Me” in, which features dub remixes of five songs from the previous album alongside new work. This was followed up with the release of “Awfully Deep” in 2005 and “Alternately Deep” in 2006.
The lyrics of his songs are usually known to take a distinctly British edge, with many critics highlighting his references of eating cheese on toast and drinking bitter as examples of this. His warm and easily recognizable voice can be heard on many songs he performed with other artists such as Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5 & Ozomatli), DJ Shadow, U.N.K.L.E., Nightmares on Wax, The Cinematic Orchestra, Beth Orton and Leftfield. He also made an appearance on the Gorillaz album, Demon Days, lending his distinctive vocals to the track, "All Alone".
Movements
Roots Manuva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bona fide what you hear, tis the sound of pain
But pain leads to gain so we dare not stagnate
We elevate to that next state, motion divine
Glisten like crystal ball and stand tall
With this knowledge and overstanding
Enterprise landing, bringing dem new brands of buff
Yes, we come proper with potency
I dance on a thin line of sane and deranged
And it's all criss once I get neatly in the cipher
Chat like pickney to the piper that pied
As this natural mystic blows through the air
These lessons of life become crystal clear
Precision of my vision is ital
Separating sharks from the blessed is vital
Now I can smell a rat coming from a mile round the corner
One time I bored ya, twice you can't couf
No, we won't stop rebuke thee
You satanics, you fools can't recruit me
Not now while there's
[Chorus]
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right
I'll slap the bacon out your mouth, dance upon your sarnie
Rolling with Jah bredren dem, God-blessed army
How the hell you gon stop this tide from steady coming
Run and catch in tune with the elements
At speed we proceed, traction for action
Hot 125, government goons get dashed to the side
Too big to slide now, though they try to disguise
I can still recognize devilworks when I see it
Weakheart disciples keep weakheart friends
Always had a hate for what their weakhearts defend
They fiend for that crack, ain't no one to tax
We might run home and smoke a brown bag of seed
Best believe that these times is treacherous
And I know not how else I'm supposed to act
But stand close to culture roots-fi
See me getting deft with that two-step shuffle
Haggling others who for the cause
Reigning with that roots type terror
Freaking at your weakhearty era but
We build, move and prove that we don't suffer fools
[Chorus 2x]
In the opening lines of Roots Manuva's "Movements," he brings "tents and girth to this homegrown range." The tents and girth here serve as metaphors for bringing something new and fresh to a worn-out scene. He's not afraid to be genuine and real, as "tis the sound of pain" that he brings. However, this pain can lead to gain, and he encourages his listeners to keep pushing forward and not to stagnate, to elevate to the next level. He speaks of moving with "motion divine" and to "glisten like a crystal ball and stand tall" with knowledge and understanding, bringing in new brands of buff. He continues to declare his strength and power with his liquid soul and his ability to balance on the line between sane and deranged, dancing in the cipher and chatting like a child to the piper that pied.
The song's central message is clear: to keep moving, to make movements, and to do so with purpose and conviction. The chorus reinforces this idea, as typhoons grow and move forward, coasting through whatever obstacles come their way. Roots Manuva picks up on this idea, stating that he'll "slap the bacon out your mouth" and dance on your sarnie, declaring himself part of a "God-blessed army" that can't be stopped. He refers to government goons getting dashed to the side as he moves forward, too big to slide now. He recognizes "devilworks" and weakheartedness, stating that these times are treacherous and that he will "stand close to culture roots-fi."
Overall, "Movements" encourages its listeners to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity, and to do so with strength and purpose. It's a call to action to make movements, to move forward through anything that comes your way, and to do so with authenticity and conviction.
Line by Line Meaning
I bring you tents and girth to this homegrown range
I am providing you with the resources and support needed to thrive in this community
Bona fide what you hear, tis the sound of pain
The stories being told are authentic and often difficult to hear
But pain leads to gain so we dare not stagnate
We must push through the difficulties in order to grow and improve
We elevate to that next state, motion divine
We constantly strive to reach a higher level of understanding and spiritual enlightenment
Glisten like crystal ball and stand tall
We radiate with clarity and confidence
With this knowledge and overstanding
Through our understanding and wisdom, we are able to see things clearly
Enterprise landing, bringing dem new brands of buff
We are creating and introducing innovative and exciting new ideas and products to the community
Yes, we come proper with potency
We are strong and effective in our actions and initiatives
Ain't no blood in my body, it's liquid soul in my vein
My essence and spirit are the driving force in my life
I dance on a thin line of sane and deranged
I am able to balance rationality with creative and unorthodox thinking
And it's all criss once I get neatly in the cipher
Everything comes together perfectly when I am fully immersed in my creative process
Chat like pickney to the piper that pied
Speak joyfully and openly like a child in response to the music
As this natural mystic blows through the air
There is a powerful and transformative energy present
These lessons of life become crystal clear
Through our experiences and reflections, we gain a deeper understanding of the world
Precision of my vision is ital
My vision is crucial and essential to my success
Separating sharks from the blessed is vital
It is important to distinguish between those who are harmful and those who are positive influences
Now I can smell a rat coming from a mile round the corner
I am able to identify potential issues and negativity from far away
One time I bored ya, twice you can't couf
I may have let you slide once, but I will not allow it to happen again
No, we won't stop rebuke thee
We will continue to call out and reject negative influences
You satanics, you fools can't recruit me
I will not be swayed or manipulated by those with malicious intentions
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
It is imperative that we take action and push forward, despite any obstacles
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
We are resilient and powerful, and will continue to succeed despite any opposition
I'll slap the bacon out your mouth, dance upon your sarnie
I am so confident in my abilities that I will even humiliate my opponents
Rolling with Jah bredren dem, God-blessed army
I am joined by a community of like-minded individuals who are blessed by God
How the hell you gon stop this tide from steady coming
Our progress and forward momentum cannot be stopped by anyone or anything
Run and catch in tune with the elements
We harmonize and work in sync with the natural world
At speed we proceed, traction for action
We move quickly and decisively, with purpose and determination
Hot 125, government goons get dashed to the side
We are too powerful and influential for the government to try and stop us
Too big to slide now, though they try to disguise
Our impact and influence is too great to be ignored or disregarded
I can still recognize devilworks when I see it
I am able to identify and reject any negative, destructive forces at work
Weakheart disciples keep weakheart friends
Those who lack strength and resolve often surround themselves with similar individuals
Always had a hate for what their weakhearts defend
They are envious and resentful of those who have the courage and determination to pursue their dreams
They fiend for that crack, ain't no one to tax
They are addicted to negativity and lack the ability to control their own lives
We might run home and smoke a brown bag of seed
We may take a break and relax, but we are always working towards our goals
Best believe that these times is treacherous
The world is full of danger and obstacles, but we press on regardless
And I know not how else I'm supposed to act
I am guided by my instincts and spirit, and am unsure of any other way to live
But stand close to culture roots-fi
I stay true to my cultural roots and heritage
See me getting deft with that two-step shuffle
Watch me dance gracefully and confidently
Haggling others who for the cause
I am joined by many other individuals who are passionate about the same goals
Reigning with that roots type terror
We are a powerful and unstoppable force, rooted in our cultural heritage
Freaking at your weakhearty era but
We are disgusted and frustrated with the current state of the world and the weakness we see around us
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Rodney Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sähikäinen
I bring you tents and girth to this homegrown range
Bona fide what you hear, tis the sound of pain
But pain leads to gain so we dare not stagnate
We elevate to that next state, motion divine
Glisten like crystal ball and stand tall
With this knowledge and overstanding
Enterprise landing, bringing dem new brands of buff
Yes, we come proper with potency
Ain't no blood in my body, it's liquid soul in my vein
I dance on a thin line of sane and deranged
And it's all criss once I get neatly in the cipher
Chat like pickney to the piper that pied
As this natural mystic blows through the air
These lessons of life become crystal clear
Precision of my vision is ital
Separating sharks from the blessed is vital
Now I can smell a rat coming from a mile round the corner
One time I bored ya, twice you can't couf
No, we won't stop rebuke thee
You satanics, you fools can't recruit me
Not now while there's
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right
I'll slap the bacon out your mouth, dance upon your sarnie
Rolling with Jah bredren dem, God-blessed army
How the hell you gon stop this tide from steady coming
Run and catch in tune with the elements
At speed we proceed, traction for action
Hot 125, government goons get dashed to the side
Too big to slide now, though they try to disguise
I can still recognize devilworks when I see it
Weakheart disciples keep weakheart friends
Always had a hate for what their weakhearts defend
They fiend for that crack, ain't no one to tax
We might run home and smoke a brown bag of seed
Best believe that these times is treacherous
And I know not how else I'm supposed to act
But stand close to culture roots-fi
See me getting deft with that two-step shuffle
Haggling others who for the cause
Reigning with that roots type terror
Freaking at your weakhearty era but
We build, move and prove that we don't suffer fools
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
Movements fi make, typhoons grew
Strong and cold-sheist them a still coast through
Left, right, left, right, left, right, left, right
gmshadowtraders
This track actually sounds ethereal. It's unreal, you literally cannot date this. Pure genius.
Cj Rider
of course you can put a date to it listen its gotta 90s feel
Sigmundy Freud
old roots manuva produced SOME FINEST HIP HOP SONG IN HISTORY ! it smell london street so much this guy has done something unreal you R right 20 years after it sounds better and better as good aged wine !
Stephen Jackson
@Sigmundy Freud yes we come proper........ south london vibes....
Stephen Jackson
left right left right...
Stephen Jackson
its called class ...... u buy this vibe... i have to listen to this at least once a month.... brings it back proper.
Taiwan Mc
Roots Manuva should be awarded a Nobel Prize for improving humanity
David van Schoor
Never heard another track that hit me the way this does. Takes me back, leads me forward, keeps me in the moment. Liquid soul.
Sigmundy Freud
Roots done many great songs
WHITEGOSHAWK
Literally timeless. I found this album in highschool back in '08 and was blown away by the fact it was from 99. Still blows me away 14 years later.