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.
Adventures 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 Roots' song "The Adventures In Wonderland" is a vivid portrayal of the journey of a woman in the drug trade in a world where justice has been banned. The song addresses issues of morality, desperation, and survival in a system where there are limited opportunities for people living in poverty. The lines "Fuck, kill, and prosper/Is the gospel of Wonderland" allude to the cutthroat nature of this world where succeeding in the drug trade requires ruthless tactics.
The singer of the song is a mother who initially turns to religion to save her and her daughter's lives. However, she eventually realizes that spirituality alone is not enough to give her daughter the life she desires. As a result, she enters the drug trade, selling crack and engaging in unsavory activities to ensure that her child has everything she needs to succeed. As her empire grows and she becomes the "Female Don, the Crack Queen," she slowly gets consumed by her greed for money and power. Eventually, she is caught by the authorities and sentenced to serve time in prison.
The song captures the desperation felt by those who live in impoverished communities, where there seem to be no opportunities for success. However, it also highlights the moral and ethical implications of engaging in criminal activity, and the price one pays for breaking the law. It is a thought-provoking and poignant critique of the consequences of poverty and the limited opportunities available to those who struggle to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck, kill, and prosper
Engage in ruthless and immoral actions in order to succeed
Is the gospel of Wonderland, where
This hedonistic lifestyle is embraced as the norm
Street sands, are quick
The dangerous and chaotic streets
To suck you down to the abyss
To drag you into a dark and destructive path
With the lure of pure bliss if you kiss the dicks
Promising temporary pleasure if you submit to those in power
Of the niggaz? Never, Nosferatu's
Refusing to submit to powerful predatory figures
Those witches and warlocks in blue
Referring to corrupt government officials
Government gumshoe, keepers of the first zoo
Law enforcement authorities, maintaining control like zookeepers
Who? Me?
Asking rhetorically if she is the one defying authority
I'm the modern day vixen vampire slayer
She sees herself as a powerful and rebellious figure fighting against oppression
Unauthorized player, in the capitalist contest
She is an outlaw challenging the capitalist system
To see who 'Gets Money'
Competing for financial success and power
No milk and honey, in this land
There are no rewards or benefits in this harsh reality
Cause justice has been banned
Justice and fairness are nonexistent
So it's play dirty or die by the hand
Resorting to unethical tactics or facing severe consequences
That's holding all the guns
The oppressors have complete control and dominance
Plunged, deep into religion was my first decision
She sought refuge in religion to protect herself and her daughter
To save me and my daughter's lives, but
Religion was seen as a means of survival
I can't thrive off spirit and scripture
She realizes that faith alone cannot secure their well-being
The picture grew clearer; I made the move to rear her
She made the decision to provide her daughter with a life of luxury
In a life wanting for nothing
Ensuring her daughter lacked nothing materialistic
So I got into this drug thing
She turned to drug dealing to maintain their lavish lifestyle
Not doing, but dealing
Engaging in the sale of drugs, rather than consuming them
Sealing fates and, healing struggle-gaped wounds
She played a role in determining outcomes and alleviating hardships
Of the doomed became my mission
Helping those trapped in a cycle of despair became her purpose
Izm was just too small time
She aspired for greater influence and impact
I had to find the best design to
She sought out a more effective strategy
Fuck with the massive motherfuckers minds, and pockets
Manipulating and exploiting the wealthy and powerful
So I sold ? kits and, alleyway thigh splits for two bits
Engaging in the sale of drugs and selling sexual services
And, five year old preschool pussy
Even involving young children in her illicit activities
And, once strong now bony backs and stretched out
Using vulnerable and desperate individuals for profit
Weary racks of snatch, in other words
Exploiting and degrading women
I sold crack
Her drug of choice for distribution was crack cocaine
Morality was buried deep, beneath the new Jeep
Her material possessions overshadowed her sense of right and wrong
Silk sheets and money heaps
Living a life of luxury and excessive wealth
Still the good mother, I sent my daughter off to
Despite her immoral actions, she prioritized her daughter's well-being
Boarding school to keep shit under cover
Sending her daughter away to maintain a facade of normalcy
All the while envisioning myself, a champion of ghetto causes
Seeing herself as a hero fighting for the underprivileged
Plus his, game I was playing, and winning
She was adept at manipulating the system and achieving success
While sinning, against myself and soul to get the gold
Engaging in immoral actions, compromising her values for material wealth
I was the Female Don, the Crack Queen
She saw herself as a powerful and influential figure in the drug trade
To me I seemed unstoppable, my coffers full
She believed she was invincible and financially secure
I went buckwild, wanting more
She succumbed to greed and desired greater wealth and power
Like the pipe-worn whores I began to deplore
Reflecting on her own degradation and despising others in similar circumstances
No time for playing with my coochie
She prioritized her business pursuits over personal pleasure
Counting my man's mad lucci
Managing her partner's significant earnings
While he was up inside some hoochie's loose piece
Her partner was unfaithful, engaging in casual relationships
I signed the checks and, I counted out the cash
She was in control of the finances and distribution of funds
Wasn't saving ass for no niggaz sent upriver
She didn't engage in relationships with incarcerated individuals
I thought my shit was tight
She believed she had secure control over her operation
Til my empire started to quiver
Her criminal empire began to crumble
Taking every chance, under surveillance, being listened to
Being constantly monitored and aware of the authorities' watchful eyes
And watched, like Assata Shakur
Similar to the activist Assata Shakur, she was targeted by law enforcement
My place on the top was no more sure
Her position of power and control was no longer guaranteed
Loose lips flipped the script
Someone revealed incriminating information
The fantasy trip, swiftly ended
Her luxurious and glamorous lifestyle abruptly came to an end
It took no time to blend in, with the population prison
She found herself confined and assimilated within the prison population
My jaded vision, busted like a cherry
Her once cynical and hardened perspective shattered
Every dream I had, now tainted bad
Her aspirations and ambitions were corrupted and ruined
I fucked and, I killed, to prosper
She engaged in immoral and violent acts for personal gain
Upheld each tenant, of the ghastly gospel
She actively embraced and lived by the cruel principles of this destructive world
Shift to a different Wonderland to pay the price for my vice
Transitioning to a new location to face the consequences of her actions
A land of fields to toil in like slaves
A place where she must labor tirelessly, reminiscent of slavery
No lilies in this field just plenty of souls to save
No beauty or tranquility, only countless individuals trapped in despair
Plenty of fat uniformed rats with
Corrupt prison officials and guards
Below average size cocks that slither
Symbolizing their lack of power and dominance
Through cell locks, in the night
Asserting control and dominance over the imprisoned women
Lactating tits being licked, left and right
Sexual exploitation and abuse occurring within the prison walls
Plenty of coochie, burning with desire
Sexual frustration and longing prevalent among the incarcerated women
Like black churches in the South
Intense passion and fervor, similar to religious gatherings
Black prayers and pussy on fire
An allusion to both religious devotion and sexual desire
Penned up behind barbed wire
Imprisoned and confined within a heavily fortified environment
Me and my fellow female mammals, animals
Referring to herself and the other imprisoned women as dehumanized creatures
Bitches in cages, bodies racked with hormone rages
Female inmates locked up, grappling with intense emotions
Minds haunted by our children's faces
Constantly tormented by thoughts of their separated children
They mace us, with promises of rehabilitation slash corruption
Authorities manipulate and deceive them with false promises of redemption
Place smoking guns in empty hands of, native sisters and sons
Planting false evidence to incriminate innocent individuals
I joined in this nation's favorite pastime
Becoming caught up in the widespread corruption and criminality
On a quest to gets mine
Determined to secure her own survival and gain personal benefits
Now I'm passing time standing on line
Spending her days waiting in line, enduring the prison routine
In the commissary to buy Maxi-Pads
Making mundane purchases while incarcerated
Instead of shopping at Barney's for Chanel bags
Contrasting her previous life of luxury and high-end shopping
Nana who raised me, went to bed a-dazed
Her grandmother, who provided for her, ended up confused and saddened
Via my mistakes, and my daughter hates
Her daughter resents her for the choices she made
Me for what I did
Her daughter blames her for her current situation
And I'm fucked, and I'm stuck
She feels trapped and hopeless
Doing the Devil's bid
Being forced to engage in immoral actions for survival
Being locked in a moral corrupt crib
Trapped in an environment of moral decay and corruption
Psst, missing my kid, psst, hey girl
Whispering her desperation and longing for her child
You want to get finger fucked tonight?
Propositioning someone for sexual gratification
I swear I'll stick it in and up tight just right
Offering pleasure and satisfaction in exchange for intimacy
Yo sis, I've had to kill and shit
Acknowledging the violent actions she has taken
Just blow my head pretty and I'll give you a slip
Performing a sexual act in order to receive a favor
Alright Ladies, lights out!
Ordering the other inmates to go to sleep for the night
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!