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.
15
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's quite plain, it's not the rain
But a brother who don't claim or aim
To be a preacher or ordained
I have Black Thoughts, therefore my name's the same
Don't question my ability, in a studio facility
As I utilize my God-given utility
Which I design, with what? The mind
Leave MC's blind with amnesia
Chop 'em into salad and my name ain't Caesar
Think twice before you approach
Get benched by the coach like exit post
I wrote murder, so you can say it's Murder He Wrote
You think I'm Hell sent, so you repent to the Pope
Don't walk when the sign says not to
And don't talk when Black Thought's about to
When I say, ?Maestro? and bro starts to play it
If you got a rhyme in your mind, then don't say it
Save it for the weaker, pack your portable speaker
And utilize the treads on your sneaker
Take your sorry crew back an' forget about rappin'
Forget you ever saw me and forget this ever happened
'Cause you might have nightmares of MCs bein' slain
And I'll be to blame when you go insane
In The Roots's song 15, Black Thought, the lead vocalist, talks about his skill as a rapper and how he got his nickname. He references the idea of a "brother to blame" and how it's not external factors like the rain that bring him down but rather his own lack of claiming and aiming for his goals. He notes that he has the moniker "Black Thoughts" because of the deep and introspective nature of his lyrics.
The lyrics also touch on his ability to create music on the spot and his confidence in his abilities. He mentions how he can leave other MCs "blind with amnesia," essentially meaning that his rhymes are so good they forget their own. Black Thought also talks about murdering other MCs with his rhymes, suggesting that he is a formidable opponent in the rap game. He closes the song by saying that he is not responsible for anyone else's insanity if they cannot handle the intensity of his raps.
Line by Line Meaning
The name of the brother to blame
The person responsible for the situation is a specific individual.
It's quite plain, it's not the rain
The root cause of the problem is not the weather.
But a brother who don't claim or aim
The individual who caused the problem does not accept responsibility.
To be a preacher or ordained
This individual is not interested in a religious calling.
I have Black Thoughts, therefore my name's the same
The artist feels a kinship with the group 'The Roots' because of similar ideas.
Don't question my ability, in a studio facility
The singer is confident of their skill in a recording studio.
As I utilize my God-given utility
The singer feels that their talent is a gift from a higher power.
On time, I get behind and push along a rhyme of mine
The artist is skilled at rapping and can create rhymes quickly.
Which I design, with what? The mind
The artist uses their intelligence to craft their rhymes.
Leave MC's blind with amnesia
The artist is so talented that other rappers cannot match their skill.
Chop 'em into salad and my name ain't Caesar
The singer can easily defeat other rappers in a battle.
Think twice before you approach
Other rappers should be cautious around the artist.
Get benched by the coach like exit post
The singer can easily defeat other rappers in a battle.
I wrote murder, so you can say it's Murder He Wrote
The singer is able to create violent rap lyrics.
You think I'm Hell sent, so you repent to the Pope
The singer believes that some people believe their music is satanic, even if it is not.
Don't walk when the sign says not to
Other rappers should follow the artist's lead.
And don't talk when Black Thought's about to
Other rappers should not interrupt the artist.
When I say, ?Maestro? and bro starts to play it
The singer has control over the music during a performance.
If you got a rhyme in your mind, then don't say it
Other rappers should not interrupt the singer and try to rhyme over their performance.
Save it for the weaker, pack your portable speaker
Other rappers should practice and improve their skills before trying to compete with the artist.
And utilize the treads on your sneaker
Other rappers should take their performance seriously and be prepared physically.
Take your sorry crew back an' forget about rappin'
Other rappers should go back to their group and practice more rather than trying to compete with the artist.
Forget you ever saw me and forget this ever happened
Other rappers should recognize the singer's talent and ability.
'Cause you might have nightmares of MCs bein' slain
Other rappers may have negative feelings about their inability to compete with the artist.
And I'll be to blame when you go insane
The singer accepts that other rappers may resent them for being so talented.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TARIK L. COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clear Blue Skies
[Verse: Black Thought]
The name of the brother to blame, it's quite plain
It's not the rain but a brother who don't claim or aim
To be a preacher or ordained
I have black thoughts, therefore my name's the same
Don't question my ability, in a studio facility
As I utilize my God-given utility
On time, I get behind and push along a rhyme
Of mine which I design with wealth of mind
Leave MC's blind with amnesia
Chop 'em into salad and my name ain't Caesar
Think twice before you approach
Get benched by the coach, like eggs you're poached
I wrote murder, so you can say it's murder he wrote
You think I'm Hell sent, so you repent to the Pope
Don't walk when the sign says not to
And don't talk when Black Thought's about to
When I say "Maestro" and bro starts to play it
If you got a rhyme in your mind, then don't say it
Save it for the weaker, pack your portable speaker
And utilize the treads on your sneaker
Take your sorry crew back and forget about rappin'
Forget you ever saw me and forget this ever happened
Cause you might have nightmares of MC's bein' slain
And I'll be to blame when you go insane
Clear Blue Skies
[Verse: Black Thought]
The name of the brother to blame, it's quite plain
It's not the rain but a brother who don't claim or aim
To be a preacher or ordained
I have black thoughts, therefore my name's the same
Don't question my ability, in a studio facility
As I utilize my God-given utility
On time, I get behind and push along a rhyme
Of mine which I design with wealth of mind
Leave MC's blind with amnesia
Chop 'em into salad and my name ain't Caesar
Think twice before you approach
Get benched by the coach, like eggs you're poached
I wrote murder, so you can say it's murder he wrote
You think I'm Hell sent, so you repent to the Pope
Don't walk when the sign says not to
And don't talk when Black Thought's about to
When I say "Maestro" and bro starts to play it
If you got a rhyme in your mind, then don't say it
Save it for the weaker, pack your portable speaker
And utilize the treads on your sneaker
Take your sorry crew back and forget about rappin'
Forget you ever saw me and forget this ever happened
Cause you might have nightmares of MC's bein' slain
And I'll be to blame when you go insane
djghos
SPITTIN
315Ness
dude was a beast at 15
therealsoulproduct
Black Thought. One of the illest MC's in the game since the 80's, as evidenced by this recording. And it clearly sounds like he was influenced by Rakim.
AetherStar
Look at that flow to clapping!!!
wm young
Black Thought = BEAST
Cam H
best fucking MC
Dustin Risinger
Big daddy baybe
Incessant_Genius
@Ginga Yep. The title would literally be 'Black Thought @ 15' as in 15 years old...
Ginga
Was this recorded when Thought was a kid?