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.
"What They Do"
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yo
Lost generation, fast paced nation
World population confront they frustration
The principles of true hip-hop have been forsaken
It's all contractual and about money makin'
Pretend-to-be cats don't seem to know they limitation
You wanna be a man? Then stand your own
To emcee requires skills; I demand some shown
I let the frauds keep frontin'
And roam like a cellular phone far from home
Givin' crowds what they wantin'
Official hip-hop consumption, the fifth thumpin'
Keepin' ya party jumpin' with an original somethin'
Yo, I dedicate this to the one dimensional
No imagination, excuse for perpetration
My man came over and said, "Yo, we thought we heard you"
Joke's on you; you heard a bitin'-ass crew, but um
Never do what they do, what they do, what they do
Thin is the line that run between love and hatred
The game is ill-natured; it's nothing sacred
Aiyyo, it's funny when I see some rap niggas due to make it
A few'll blow up, or go as far as they can take it
My nine to five is just to hit ya; get the party live
I'm black thought, used to rap for sport
Now the rhymes sayin' rent payin' life support
I take it very seriously within this industry
It's various crews that try to touch me
But I come with the beautiful things, and I bless the track plushly
Around the world crowds love me, from doin' tours
Recipient of applause from all of you and yours
Creator of original sounds to send to stores
You take home to absorb and sweat it out your pores
Now, who can stop the music runnin' through these veins?
Infinitely go against the grain; that's why my motto's to
Never do what they do, what they do, what they do
Livin' the life of limos and lights
Airplanes and trains, short days and long nights
Keyboards and mics, bass chords and drum kicks
And my mental thick to hit my head like brick
As I embark on a mission welcomin' to the dark
When I first spark the arts, when the listenin' start
Open your head wide, and let the thought inside
My style fortified by all of Philadel-phi
I've dealt more stealth than all the wicked wealthy
Mentality undetectable by the naked eye
Then I get paid when the record is played
To put it short "I want it made" like Ed; 'nuff said
Then after that, I'm puttin' on my cousin Hamed
We let the ladies blend with the dark skin thoroughbred
And discover my level is that of no other
And Roots crew reign official and true while I'm continuin' to
Never do what they do, what they do, what they do
The Roots’s song “What They Do” is a critical commentary on the state of rap music in the late 90s. The song’s chorus, “never do what they do,” is repeated throughout the verses and points to the idea that rappers who focus solely on money and fame have lost touch with the true principles of hip-hop. The first verse discusses how many contemporary rappers are mere imitations of each other, sucking the creativity out of hip-hop in favor of what sells. The second verse touches on the cutthroat nature of the music industry, where many rappers get ahead by stepping on others. The third verse focuses on Black Thought’s experience as a successful rapper, highlighting the hard work, dedication, and originality necessary to maintain a successful career as a true hip-hop artist.
In addition to its critical commentary on the music industry, “What They Do” stands out for its unique sound. The song features a funky bass line and a catchy guitar riff, along with live instrumentation and scratching. The Roots, known for their innovative sound and use of live instruments, showcase their legendary musicianship in “What They Do.”
Line by Line Meaning
Lost generation, fast paced nation
The current generation is moving too quickly and may be lost as a result.
World population confront they frustration
People all over the world are facing frustration and challenges.
The principles of true hip-hop have been forsaken
The fundamental aspects of hip-hop and authenticity have been abandoned in favor of commercialization.
It's all contractual and about money makin'
The focus of the industry has shifted towards making money, rather than the art and originality of hip-hop.
Pretend-to-be cats don't seem to know they limitation
Artists who pretend to be something they're not don't seem to understand their limitations and abilities.
Exact replication and false representation
Artists who copy and imitate others and put on a false persona.
You wanna be a man? Then stand your own
To truly be a man, an artist must stand alone and be true to themselves.
To emcee requires skills; I demand some shown
Being a good emcee requires skill, and the artist is calling for artists to show their ability.
Givin' crowds what they wantin'
Providing the audience with what they want to hear and enjoy.
Thin is the line that run between love and hatred
There is a thin line between love and hate.
The game is ill-natured; it's nothing sacred
The music industry can be cruel and unforgiving, with no room for loyalty or friendship.
Aiyyo, it's funny when I see some rap niggas due to make it
The artist finds it amusing when he sees aspiring rappers trying to make it in the industry.
A few'll blow up, or go as far as they can take it
Only a select few will become successful in the industry and reach their full potential.
My nine to five is just to hit ya; get the party live
The singer's job is to entertain and energize the crowd, creating a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.
It's various crews that try to touch me
Other music groups may try to approach or compete with the singer.
You take home to absorb and sweat it out your pores
The artist's music is meant to be absorbed and enjoyed, even to the point of sweating from the experience.
Infinitely go against the grain; that's why my motto's to
The artist goes against the norm and embraces originality, which is why their motto is to never do what others do.
Livin' the life of limos and lights
The singer is living a life of luxury and fame, with limousines and bright lights.
My style fortified by all of Philadel-phi
The singer's unique style is reinforced by their hometown of Philadelphia.
Mentality undetectable by the naked eye
The artist's mindset is not easily visible or apparent to others.
Then I get paid when the record is played
The artist receives payment each time their music is played.
To put it short "I want it made" like Ed; 'nuff said
The artist wants to become successful, like Ed (Ed McMahon?) and doesn't need to say anything else.
And Roots crew reign official and true while I'm continuin' to
The Roots crew is authentic and true, and the singer will continue to be original and unique.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR K. THOMPSON, JIMMY GRAY, LEONARD N. HUBBARD, RAPHAEL SAADIQ, TARIK L. COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@A1isDopee
How is blak thought not talked about when it comes to top lyricists? Mad underrated 🤦🏾♂️🔥 he bodied this shyt effortlessly.
@jeffreylittlejohn9584
One the best to do it!
@Eliinfamous14
Yea I never understood that. He has spit some of the best verses of all his peers back then
@wilsonmuholo4121
Black thot, AZ, Nas,Eric sermon, method man, Red man, Dre, warren g,big L, etc always underated
@patriceadelemua2366
I agree 100%
@mwauraedward7556
Underrated! No, I don't think so. He not mainstream that's why they don't talk of him alot
@Amari19_
The 90s decade was and still is the best decade of Hip Hop Music!!
@NorthPhilly-zr7xc
We came from this to this smh
@stevenstrube726
ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@triphop1681
80s 🤙