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".
Witness
Roots Manuva Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well well well
Well well well
Taskmaster burst
The bionic zit splitter
We drown ten pints of bitter
We lean all day
And some say that ain't productive
But that depends upon the demon that you're stuck with
'Cause right now
I see clearer than most
I sit here contented with this cheese on toast
I feel the pain of a third world famine
Segue
We count them blessings and keep jamming
'Tis him
Scumbag scum of the earth
His worth was nil
Until he gained the skill of tongues
From 15 years young straight to my grey back self
I stay top shelf material
Jerk chicken jerk fish
Break away slave bliss
Generate G's and then we stash them in the Swiss
Fools can't see this
Audio pistols
A fistful of hip hop donzai
Progressin' in the flesh
Esoteric quotes most frightening
Duppy took hold of my hand while I was writing
Let go me ting Duppy
Let go me hand
I summon up the power of banana clan
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Swigging that deep root juice
Now we deh 'pon it boost
Set them spirit them loose
Go 'head go slash up the noose
With conclusive proof of both the truth
The right
'Cause whether we hitch hike or push bike
Or travel kinda trash
Manifest that
With wholesome roots rap
Manifest that yeah
I do my zing way
Ain't nothing else I know
Gone up in the life
With this I-ragged born flow
Squeeze the pain from my belly and set my soul free
Travel over ocean land and sea
Faced enough stress and difficulty
Flung back from the brink
Gwan'ing kind of stink
We don't give a frig about what them fools think
Frig your network
Our net work will speak for itself
Proof of the trophy
And the champion belt
Come sun come rain come hailstone pelt
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Bwana Simit
With some old time shit
Let the whole world know
We on some off key tip
Mega manic
When time the pressure start lick
By the hook or by the crook
By the poop or by the kick
He's sickly cryptic
Spitting the code
And most proud to present that cruffatin mode
And it shows that they bro's done
Seen a few sleights
Life throws scenarios
Reality bites
We in collision with the beast
Lost we religion and we can't get no peace
Idiot weakheart want to take I for chief
Stoop to their level and we plotting cold grief
But we should know that
Discipline maketh the geez
Separation of the DAT from the rat that's a must
Proceed set speed with the cruffatin touch
Proceed set speed
Crufatin yow
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
Witness the fitness
The cruffatin liveth
One hope one quest
The song Witness by British rapper Roots Manuva is a critique of societal norms and a call to individuality and self-expression. The lyrics begin with a reference to the "Taskmaster burst", an allusion to the idea of being controlled and oppressed by a higher authority. The following lines touch on the idea of drowning one's sorrows in alcohol and the perception of productivity as subjective, depending on the individual's "demon". The song then goes on to highlight the importance of gratitude and positivity, even in the face of adversity, as seen in the mention of counting blessings and "keep jamming".
Later lyrics touch on Roots Manuva's personal journey, from being a "scumbag scum of the earth" to gaining the skill of language and becoming a successful artist. The song ultimately celebrates non-conformity and the pursuit of one's own path, rather than adhering to societal expectations. Through references to Jamaica, the singer of the song draws on his personal cultural heritage and creates a universal message of staying true to oneself.
Overall, the song is a powerful and uplifting call to action for listeners to embrace their individuality and reject societal norms that may not align with their values.
Line by Line Meaning
Taskmaster burst
The singer asserts their dominance and declares their readiness to work.
The bionic zit splitter
The singer references a powerful tool that can overcome even the most stubborn obstacles.
Breakneck speed
The singer indicates their fast pace and willingness to take risks.
We drown ten pints of bitter
The artist and their comrades consume alcohol to numb themselves from the difficulties of life.
We lean all day
The artist admits to being unproductive and wasting time.
And some say that ain't productive
The singer acknowledges that others may view their actions as unproductive.
But that depends upon the demon that you're stuck with
The singer suggests that external factors influence their lack of productivity.
'Cause right now I see clearer than most
The artist claims to have a clear understanding of their situation.
I sit here contented with this cheese on toast
The artist is grateful for the small blessings in life.
I feel the pain of a third world famine
The artist empathizes with the struggles of those in underprivileged countries.
Segue We count them blessings and keep jamming
The singer transitions to focusing on the positives and persists in their daily life.
'Tis him Scumbag scum of the earth
The artist refers to someone unpleasant and inferior.
His worth was nil Until he gained the skill of tongues
The singer recognizes the value of language skills and how they can elevate one's status.
From 15 years young straight to my grey back self
The singer has experienced the passage of time and the effects of aging.
I stay top shelf material Jerk chicken jerk fish
The singer considers themselves valuable and elevated in status, referencing specific foods associated with luxury.
Break away slave bliss Generate G's and then we stash them in the Swiss
The artist references the joy of freedom from oppression and how they earn and save money.
Fools can't see this Audio pistols
The artist feels superior and suggests that only intelligent people can grasp their ideas.
A fistful of hip hop donzai Progressin' in the flesh
The singer suggests that they are skilled in music and that they are making progress in real life.
Esoteric quotes most frightening
The singer uses obscure quotes that may intimidate others.
Duppy took hold of my hand while I was writing
The artist references a supernatural force that aided them while they were being creative.
Let go me ting Duppy Let go me hand
The artist commands the supernatural force to leave them.
I summon up the power of banana clan
The artist references a fictional tribe for inspiration.
Swigging that deep root juice Now we deh 'pon it boost
The singer drinks a special beverage for energy.
Set them spirit them loose Go 'head go slash up the noose
The artist encourages others to free themselves from their restraints and obstacles.
With conclusive proof of both the truth The right
The singer has evidence to support their beliefs and actions.
'Cause whether we hitch hike or push bike Or travel kinda trash
The singer has no preference or judgment when it comes to their modes of transportation.
Manifest that With wholesome roots rap Manifest that yeah
The singer promotes their music and its positive message.
I do my zing way Ain't nothing else I know
The artist knows and sticks to their unique style.
Gone up in the life With this I-ragged born flow
The artist has risen in status through their music despite their humble beginnings.
Squeeze the pain from my belly and set my soul free Travel over ocean land and sea Faced enough stress and difficulty
The singer has overcome physical and emotional obstacles and is now free to travel and enjoy life.
Flung back from the brink Gwan'ing kind of stink
The singer has narrowly escaped a dangerous situation but remains confident and resilient.
We don't give a frig about what them fools think
The artist doesn't care about the opinions of others who they deem unintelligent.
Frig your network Our net work will speak for itself
The artist is not interested in relying on the connections of others and prefers to let their work speak for itself.
Proof of the trophy And the champion belt
The artist has achieved success and recognition for their work.
Come sun come rain come hailstone pelt
The singer is ready to face anything that comes their way.
Bwana Simit With some old time shit
The artist references a person and a certain type of music or style.
Let the whole world know We on some off key tip
The singer wants to promote their unconventional style to the world.
Mega manic When time the pressure start lick
The singer becomes extremely energetic when under pressure.
By the hook or by the crook By the poop or by the kick
The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.
He's sickly cryptic Spitting the code
The artist references someone who is mysterious and communicates in a complex way.
And most proud to present that cruffatin mode
The artist is proud of their unique style and wants to share it with others.
And it shows that they bro's done Seen a few sleights
The singer has witnessed and overcome many difficulties over time.
Life throws scenarios Reality bites
The singer acknowledges that life can be challenging and painful at times.
We in collision with the beast Lost we religion and we can't get no peace
The artist is struggling with a difficult situation and feels that they are unable to find peace or solace in spiritual matters.
Idiot weakheart want to take I for chief Stoop to their level and we plotting cold grief
The artist encounters someone who is trying to exert power over them, but the artist refuses to lower themselves to their level and instead plans revenge.
But we should know that Discipline maketh the geez
The artist acknowledges the power of discipline and its importance in achieving success.
Separation of the DAT from the rat that's a must
The singer wants to separate themselves from negative influences or people in order to succeed.
Proceed set speed with the cruffatin touch Proceed set speed Crufatin yow
The artist encourages themselves and others to move quickly with their unique style and approach to life.
Witness the fitness The cruffatin liveth One hope one quest
The singer wants to promote their style of music and remind others of their positive message and goals.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited
Written by: Rodney Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dembladessufc1229
"fools cant see this, audio pistols a fistfull of hiphop donzai progressing in the flesh, esoteric quotes most frightening, duppy took a hold of my hand while i was writing, let go mi ting duppy let go mi hand i summon up the power of banana clan" best ending of a verse i've ever heard! lyrical genius and so underrated...
@leemichael2154
Facts
@jameslane3991
Some black belt level lyrics on this one. Still coming back to it regularly in 2023.
@philipmulville8218
What a brilliant track. Can’t believe it’s nearly 20’years old. Love it.
@boru25
Really?
@cvasey1992
That makes me feel old.
@philipmulville8218
boru25 Yes, 2001!
@chappo8403
Big tune!!!
@michaelpolack5274
Sweet 🥰
@fastcakes
A turtle brought me here