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.
Adventreus In Wonderland
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is the gospel of Wonderland, where
Street sands, are quick
To suck you down to the abyss
With the lure of pure bliss if you kiss the dicks
Of the niggaz? Never, Nosferatu's
Those witches and warlocks in blue
Government gumshoe, keepers of the first zoo
I'm the modern day vixen vampire slayer
Unauthorized player, in the capitalist contest
To see who "Gets Money"
No milk and honey, in this land
Cause justice has been banned
So it's play dirty or die by the hand
That's holding all the guns
Plunged, deep into religion was my first decision
To save me and my daughter's lives, but
I can't thrive off spirit and scripture
The picture grew clearer; I made the move to rear her
In a life wanting for nothing
So I got into this drug thing
Not doing, but dealing
Sealing fates and, healing struggle gaped, wounds
Of the doomed became my mission
Izm was just too small time
I had to find the best design to
Fuck with the massive motherfuckers minds, and pockets
So I sold ? kits and, alleyway thigh splits for two bits
And, five year old preschool pussy
And, once strong now bony backs and stretched out
Weary racks of snatch, in other words
I sold crack
Morality was buried deep, beneath the new Jeep,
Silk sheets and money heaps
Still the good mother, I sent my daughter off to
Boarding school to keep shit under cover
All the while envisioning myself, a champion of ghetto causes
Plus his, game I was playing, and winning
While sinning, against myself and soul to get the gold
I was the Female Don, the Crack Queen
To me I seemed unstoppable, my coffers full
I went buckwild, wanting more
Like the pipe worn whores I began to deplore
No time for playing with my coochie
Counting my man's mad lucci
While he was up inside some hoochie's loose piece
I signed the checks and, I counted out the cash
Wasn't saving ass for no niggaz sent upriver
I thought my shit was tight
Til my empire started to quiver
Taking every chance, under surveillance, being listened to
And watched, like Assata Shakur
My place on the top was no more sure
Loose lips flipped the script
The fantasy trip, swiftly ended
It took no time to blend in, with the population prison
My jaded vision, busted like a cherry
Every, dream I had, now tainted bad
I fucked and, I killed, to prosper
Upheld each tenant, of the ghastly gospel
Shift to a different Wonderland to pay the price for my vice
A land of fields to toil in like slaves
No lilies in this field just plenty of souls to save
Plenty of fat uniformed rats with
Below average size cocks that slither
Through cell locks, in the night
Lactating tits being licked, left and right
Plenty of coochie, burning with desire
Like black churches in the South
Black prayers and pussy on fire
Penned up behind barbed wire
Me and my fellow female mammals, animals
Bitches in cages, bodies racked with hormone rages
Minds haunted by our children's faces
They mace us, with promises of rehabilitation slash corruption
Place smoking guns in empty hands of, native sisters and sons
I joined in this nation's favorite pastime
On a quest to gets mine
Now I'm passing time standing on line
In the commissary to buy Maxi-Pads
Instead of shopping at Barney's for Chanel bags
Nana who raised me, went to bed a-dazed
Via my mistakes, and my daughter hates
Me for what I did
And I'm fucked, and I'm stuck
Doing the Devil's bid
Being locked in a moral corrupt crib
Psst, missing my kid, psst, hey girl,
You want to get finger fucked tonight?
I swear I'll stick it in and up tight just right
Yo sis, I've had to kill and shit
Just blow my head pretty and I'll give you a slip
Alright Ladies, lights out!
The song "Adventurous in Wonderland" by The Roots is a gritty tale of a woman's descent into drug dealing, prostitution, and ultimately imprisonment. The lyrics are raw and unfiltered, painting a picture of a society where violence and corruption are the norm. The woman, who starts out as a religious mother trying to save her daughter from this world, is forced to turn to selling drugs and sex to survive. She becomes known as the "Female Don, the Crack Queen," and her empire brings her great wealth and power, but ultimately leads to her downfall.
The lyrics in this song are a commentary on societal issues, including systemic racism and poverty, that force people into desperate situations. The characters in the song are oppressed, and their actions are a direct result of the society they live in. The woman is not portrayed as a villain or a hero, but rather as a victim of circumstance. The chorus of the song, "fuck, kill and prosper, is the gospel of Wonderland," highlights the brutal reality of living in such a world.
Overall, the lyrics of "Adventurous in Wonderland" are a powerful commentary on the realities of living in a society where systemic oppression and violence are the norm. The song paints a bleak picture of a world where those on the bottom rungs of society are forced to engage in illegal activities to survive, and where their actions are dictated by the oppressive system they live in.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck, kill, and prosper
The Wonderland gospel is all about achieving success through immoral actions.
Street sands, are quick
In Wonderland, the lure of quick success can lead you down a dangerous path.
To suck you down to the abyss
The temptations of Wonderland can lead to your downfall.
With the lure of pure bliss if you kiss the dicks
You may be tempted to commit immoral actions for the promise of success.
Of the niggaz? Never, Nosferatu's
The artist will not bow down to those trying to control them.
Those witches and warlocks in blue
The government and law enforcement are seen as evil forces in Wonderland.
Government gumshoe, keepers of the first zoo
Law enforcement are seen as oppressors who keep people in a restrictive environment.
Who? Me? I'm the modern day vixen vampire slayer
The artist sees themselves as a strong, independent figure fighting against oppression.
Unauthorized player, in the capitalist contest
The artist is not playing by the rules of the capitalist system to achieve success.
To see who "Gets Money"
Success in Wonderland is all about wealth and power.
No milk and honey, in this land
There is no abundance or prosperity to be found in this corrupt society.
Cause justice has been banned
The society in Wonderland lacks justice and fairness.
So it's play dirty or die by the hand
In order to survive, one must resort to immoral actions or be destroyed by the corrupt system.
That's holding all the guns
The corrupt system has all the power and control in Wonderland.
Plunged, deep into religion was my first decision
The singer initially turned to religion for salvation and guidance in this corrupt society.
To save me and my daughter's lives, but
The artist's motivations for religion were to protect herself and her loved ones from the dangers of Wonderland.
I can't thrive off spirit and scripture
The artist realizes that religion alone cannot protect her from the dangers of Wonderland.
The picture grew clearer; I made the move to rear her
The singer decides to take matters into her own hands and ensure her daughter has a better life.
In a life wanting for nothing
The singer is determined to provide her daughter with everything she needs to succeed in this corrupt society.
So I got into this drug thing
The artist turns to drug dealing in order to provide for her daughter and achieve success in Wonderland.
Not doing, but dealing
The artist becomes a drug dealer to make a successful living.
Sealing fates and, healing struggle gaped, wounds
The artist sees drug dealing as a way to help those struggling in Wonderland.
Of the doomed became my mission
The singer sees herself as a savior for those who are struggling and doomed in Wonderland.
Izm was just too small time
The artist moves on from small-time drug dealing to more profitable ventures in Wonderland.
I had to find the best design to
The singer is determined to find the most successful and profitable way to make money in Wonderland.
Fuck with the massive motherfuckers minds, and pockets
The singer is willing to manipulate and deceive those in power in order to succeed in Wonderland.
So I sold ? kits and, alleyway thigh splits for two bits
The singer sells drugs and sex in back alleys to make money in Wonderland.
And, five year old preschool pussy
The artist resorts to the despicable act of selling child sex to make money in Wonderland.
And, once strong now bony backs and stretched out
The artist sees the effects of drugs and prostitution on those she exploits for money in Wonderland.
Weary racks of snatch, in other words I sold crack
The singer eventually sells crack as a way to make money in Wonderland.
Morality was buried deep, beneath the new Jeep, Silk sheets and money heaps
The singer's morals are compromised by the wealth and luxury achieved through immoral means in Wonderland.
Still the good mother, I sent my daughter off to Boarding school to keep shit under cover
The artist sends her daughter away to protect her from the dangers and immoral actions of Wonderland.
All the while envisioning myself, a champion of ghetto causes
The artist sees herself as a champion for those struggling in the ghetto, despite her own immoral actions in Wonderland.
Plus his, game I was playing, and winning While sinning, against myself and soul to get the gold
The artist is aware of the immoral actions she is taking to achieve success in Wonderland, but continues to do so despite the consequences to her own soul.
I was the Female Don, the Crack Queen
The singer sees herself as a powerful and successful figure in Wonderland, despite her immoral actions and the harm she causes.
To me I seemed unstoppable, my coffers full
The artist is blinded by success and wealth in Wonderland, and feels invincible.
I went buckwild, wanting more
The singer becomes greedy for more success and wealth in Wonderland.
Like the pipe worn whores I began to deplore
The singer begins to see herself in the same light as the prostitutes she exploits for money in Wonderland.
No time for playing with my coochie
The singer is too focused on achieving success and wealth to care for herself or her own pleasure in Wonderland.
Counting my man's mad lucci
The artist is more focused on her partner's wealth than her own well-being in Wonderland.
While he was up inside some hoochie's loose piece
The artist's partner is unfaithful and engages in sexual activities with other women in Wonderland.
I signed the checks and, I counted out the cash
The singer is in control of her own success and finances in Wonderland, but continues to engage in immoral actions for profit.
Wasn't saving ass for no niggaz sent upriver
The singer is not willing to risk her own safety or success to help others in Wonderland.
I thought my shit was tight Til my empire started to quiver
The artist becomes overconfident in her success until she begins to experience setbacks and instability in Wonderland.
Taking every chance, under surveillance, being listened to And watched, like Assata Shakur
The artist is under constant surveillance and scrutiny by law enforcement in Wonderland, much like revolutionary activist Assata Shakur.
My place on the top was no more sure
The artist's position of power and success in Wonderland is no longer guaranteed.
Loose lips flipped the script The fantasy trip, swiftly ended
The singer's downfall in Wonderland is due to the betrayal of those she trusted and the truth about her immoral actions being revealed.
It took no time to blend in, with the population prison
The artist is quickly imprisoned and becomes just another face in the mass of prisoners in Wonderland.
My jaded vision, busted like a cherry
The singer's once confident and invincible outlook in Wonderland is shattered by the reality of her situation.
Every, dream I had, now tainted bad
The singer's dreams of success and wealth in Wonderland are now tainted by the reality of her immoral actions and imprisonment.
Being locked in a moral corrupt crib
The singer is imprisoned in a corrupt society where immorality is the norm in Wonderland.
Psst, missing my kid, psst, hey girl, You want to get finger fucked tonight?
The artist is propositioned for sex in prison, where human decency and morality are no longer present in Wonderland.
I swear I'll stick it in and up tight just right
The proposition for sex is crude, demoralizing, and highlights the immorality present in Wonderland.
Yo sis, I've had to kill and shit
The singer has committed immoral acts in order to succeed in Wonderland.
Just blow my head pretty and I'll give you a slip
The singer is willing to offer favors or services in exchange for someone's help or escape in Wonderland.
Alright Ladies, lights out!
The end of the song is a call to end the cycle of immorality and a warning against the dangers of participating in corrupt societies like Wonderland.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR K. THOMPSON, URSULA DESIRE RUCKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Ball
on Proceed V (Da Beatminerz remix)
So after purchasing “Do You Want More” the day it dropped, my guy the upped me from jump (pass the popcorn obvi) found this join on a European release and pressed play…the rest is history. But there in lies my question…what IS the history, the story on how, where, when, this was created? I need to know for context. Drop a link if there is one out there PLEASE! V 5 is a masterpiece!