The Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The… Read Full Bio ↴The Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The Foundation, are an influential, Grammy winning hip hop group based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation. Inspired by the "hip-hop band" concept pioneered by Stetsasonic, the Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and influenced later hip-hop and R&B acts.

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.

Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New
The Roots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What the fuck, what what what?
Nuttin' new, nuttin' new
What? Nuttin' new check
Nuttin' new, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin' nuttin' new
I represent the legendary fifth dynasty crew
Nuttin' new, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin' nuttin' new
Nuttin' new, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin', check shit out
It's nuttin' new, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin' nuttin' new

Nuttin' new, nuttin' new

Ghetto related with this hit the whole world awaited
Y'all Dorito-head cats that yak and stagnated
Black thought, the Doug E. most war vete-ran
Crown ruler, soul controller of this lyrical land
Spliff wizard kid, who is it?
Fifth dinosaur ghetto, beat detonator
Apex my level, next, my complex pattern of speech is like sex
I mastered the art of makin' you snap the necks
And chase Manhattan endorse my mic checks
Upset, poet threat
Just collectin' my debt, yo I'm overpaid in dues
Blood tears and sweat, when you fuckin' with the roots
That's as good as it get, ultra magnet
We pull you in a drag-net then brainwash your click
And extort your assets, then roadie all your homies
On some old school shit, roots crew represent
Life's a gamble, step up and place your bets
I drift through space, then make my escape on through the 'net
With CD's, cassettes, no C.O.D.'s or checks
Straight from the old school, aiyyo raw's in full effect
I'm like, Lex Luthor with rifles filled with kryptonite
When you grip the mic it's like c'mon kids, let's say goodnight
You don't like me but don't even know why should you hate me
You scared to face these so I still remain safely
Confidin', north Phil' where I'm residin'
Never let an outside nigga slide in
This ain't home plate, I dunk on you once inside the paint
Flow like this you can't, take me you out, you ain't

Nuttin' new, Nuttin' new, y'all not sayin Nuttin' new
Nuttin' new, Nuttin' new, y'all not sayin Nuttin' new
Nuttin' new, Nuttin' new, tell me what you could do
Yo we drop the funk and do the shit

Yo, head lost, sippin' this limbic framboise
Spittin' it for like whoever demand the answer
What's the cure for this hip-hop cancer? Equivalent
To this avalanche of black snow, rap flow
To get my people thinkin' mo', we at the brink of war
What does it all mean? What's it all for?
With knowledge of yourself, then you're through the first door
My people hungry and thirst for more next music explore
It's heavenly to your ebony daughter next door
So what you think the roots get the world respect for?
The splendid authentic hip-hop that's raw core
Severe, world premier, a superior sophomore
No doubt, wherever you dwell, that's where the bomb fell
Explodin' from the imperial en-sem-ble, for real
From the ven-ue to the avenue
We truly only got respect for a few, y'all ain't sayin' nuttin' new

Nuttin' new, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin' nuttin' new
Represent the legendary fifth dynasty crew
Roots crew comin' through, tell me what you could do
Yo you lookin' for me? Nah we lookin' for you
Nuttin' new, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin' nuttin' new
Represent the legendary with nuttin' to do
For you yo, lyrical one-two
Blow up y'all, it's nuttin' new, nuttin' new

Look at y'all you just a army ant, I'm a gi-ant, arm fist
King of my city, runnin' this shit, just like a ty-rant
Y'all clowns know what I meant, that's if we at war
Then my henchmen will be at your back door, uhh
Waitin', wise at debatin', trippin' over legos
Runnin' up the steps and lookin' for a weapon
But you come out wavin' a white flag, that's why
I just back slap that ass like Shaq did Ostertag
Either take me out or be taken, you think I'm goin' down?
Psych, the jury, they're still deliberatin'
I got half of they kids, tied up in a basement
Nah, I'm just playin' yo but that's how I'm playin' doe
Dig what I'm sayin yo? D I C E
Shove a mic in your mouth, like Ted Dibiase
When you come sloppy, fuck is y'all tryin' to do?
Y'all into, some wack shit, and ain't sayin' nuttin' new

Nuttin' new, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin' nuttin' new
Represent the legendary fifth dynasty crew
Roots crew comin' through, tell me what you could do
One two, one two, yo we lookin' for you
One two, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin' nuttin' new
Represent, fifty dynasty crew
Check it out, what? well one-two, one-two, one-two
Knahmsayin' yo? it's nuttin' new

Nuttin' new, nuttin' new, y'all not sayin' nuttin' new
Represent the legendary fifth dynasty crew
Roots crew, tell me what you could do
You lookin' for me we're lookin' for one-two, one-two
Ha hah hah! y'all ain't sayin' nuttin' new
Wha-wha-one-two, one-two

Represent the legendary fifth knahmsayin'
Blowin' your vent, yo, content yo, it's like that

Overall Meaning

The theme of The Roots's song Ain't Sayin' Nothin' New is self-referentiality, with the lyrics expressing the idea that they are doing nothing new in the rap game. The repetition of the phrase "Nuttin' new, nuttin' new" emphasizes their assertion. The song contains several specific references to the art of rap, such as the line "I mastered the art of makin' you snap the necks," indicating their skill in crafting their rhymes. The use of metaphors such as the "avalanche of black snow, rap flow" reinforce the idea that the Roots want to bring an intellectual and authentic voice to the rap industry.

The song can also be seen as a commentary on the state of rap music at the time of its release. The Roots were known for their alternative sound that didn't fit the mold of mainstream rap, and they saw the genre as becoming stagnant with a lack of creativity. The line "Y'all Dorito-head cats that yak and stagnated" highlights this sentiment.

Overall, the song is a self-affirmation of The Roots's position in the rap game, reasserting their creative and intellectual capabilities and calling out the industry's lack of progress.

Line by Line Meaning

What the fuck, what what what?
This is an expression of surprise and disbelief.

Nuttin' new, nuttin' new
Nothing new or interesting is being said or done.

Y'all not sayin' nuttin' new
The people being addressed are not providing any fresh or original ideas or content.

I represent the legendary fifth dynasty crew
I am a member of the respected and well-known fifth dynasty crew.

Check shit out
Take a look at what I have to show or share.

Ghetto related with this hit the whole world awaited
This song has a connection to the struggles and experiences of the ghetto, and people around the world have been eagerly anticipating it.

Y'all Dorito-head cats that yak and stagnated
You all are foolish and stagnant individuals who engage in pointless conversations.

Black thought, the Doug E. most war vete-ran
Black thought is a highly skilled and experienced rapper, comparable to the legendary Doug E. Fresh.

Crown ruler, soul controller of this lyrical land
I am the dominant and influential figure in the world of rap music and lyrics.

Spliff wizard kid, who is it?
I am a talented and skilled rapper, capable of orchestrating impressive lyrical performances.

Fifth dinosaur ghetto, beat detonator
I am a member of the fifth dynasty crew, which represents the old-school and raw essence of the ghetto, with the ability to create explosive beats.

Apex my level, next, my complex pattern of speech is like sex
I have reached the highest level of skill and my next move is to use my intricate and captivating style of rapping, which can be compared to the pleasure of sex.

I mastered the art of makin' you snap the necks
I have perfected the skill of creating music that is so powerful and captivating that it gets you to nod your head vigorously.

And chase Manhattan endorse my mic checks
Even a prestigious institution like Chase Manhattan would support and approve of my talent and performance on the microphone.

Upset, poet threat
I am a threat to the status quo and traditional poetic forms.

Just collectin' my debt, yo I'm overpaid in dues
I have worked hard and paid my dues, and now I am reaping the rewards and recognition that I deserve.

Blood tears and sweat, when you fuckin' with the roots
Being associated with The Roots is not easy and requires sacrifice and hard work.

That's as good as it get, ultra magnet
Being part of The Roots is the epitome of greatness, just like the influential group Ultramagnetic MCs.

We pull you in a drag-net then brainwash your click
We have the power to attract and captivate people, and can even influence and control their mindset.

And extort your assets, then roadie all your homies
We can manipulate and take advantage of your resources, and even convince your friends to support us instead.

On some old school shit, roots crew represent
We embody the essence and values of the old-school hip-hop culture, and proudly represent The Roots crew.

Life's a gamble, step up and place your bets
Life is unpredictable and risky, so take a chance and see what happens.

I drift through space, then make my escape on through the 'net
I navigate through different environments, both physical and online, and find freedom and escape through my music.

With CD's, cassettes, no C.O.D.'s or checks
I distribute my music in various formats, but I don't accept payment on delivery or checks.

Straight from the old school, aiyyo raw's in full effect
I maintain the traditional and authentic style of the old-school hip-hop, and it's still as impactful as ever.

I'm like, Lex Luthor with rifles filled with kryptonite
I am a powerful and formidable figure, like Lex Luthor from Superman, equipped with tools to overcome any opponent.

When you grip the mic it's like c'mon kids, let's say goodnight
When you attempt to perform or compete with me, it's essentially admitting defeat and acknowledging my superiority.

You don't like me but don't even know why should you hate me
You harbor negative feelings towards me without any valid reason or explanation.

You scared to face these so I still remain safely
You are afraid to confront the challenges and competition I present, and as a result, I am secure and unharmed.

Confidin', north Phil' where I'm residin'
I find comfort and solace in North Philadelphia, which is my place of residence.

Never let an outside nigga slide in
I am protective of my territory and don't allow outsiders to infiltrate my circle.

This ain't home plate, I dunk on you once inside the paint
Once you enter my domain, I overpower and dominate you, just like a basketball player dunking over an opponent.

Flow like this you can't, take me you out, you ain't
You can't match the strength and skill of my rap flow, and you have no chance of defeating me.

Look at y'all you just a army ant, I'm a gi-ant, arm fist
Compared to me, you are insignificant and powerless, while I am a giant with a strong punch.

King of my city, runnin' this shit, just like a ty-rant
I am the reigning authority and ruler of my city, controlling everything like a tyrant.

Y'all clowns know what I meant, that's if we at war
You foolish individuals understand the implications and consequences of our conflict.

Then my henchmen will be at your back door, uhh
I have loyal and powerful allies who will be ready to attack and confront you if necessary.

Waitin', wise at debatin', trippin' over legos
We are patient and strategic in our actions, analyzing and discussing our plans carefully, while you stumble over trivial obstacles.

Runnin' up the steps and lookin' for a weapon
As you frantically search for a way to defend yourself, I am already well-prepared and armed.

But you come out wavin' a white flag, that's why
You surrender and admit defeat, which is why I overpower and dominate you.

I just back slap that ass like Shaq did Ostertag
I deliver a forceful and humiliating blow to you, similar to Shaquille O'Neal's famous dunk over Greg Ostertag.

Like Ted Dibiase, When you come sloppy, fuck is y'all tryin' to do?
Similar to the wrestler Ted Dibiase, I will forcefully silence you if you approach me with a weak or unimpressive performance.

Y'all into, some wack shit, and ain't sayin' nuttin' new
You are involved in uninteresting and low-quality content, and you are not bringing any fresh or original ideas to the table.

What's the cure for this hip-hop cancer? Equivalent
What can fix or heal the destructive elements and negative influences in hip-hop? It's a difficult question.

To this avalanche of black snow, rap flow
The overwhelming and powerful impact of this raw and authentic rap music is like an avalanche of black snow.

To get my people thinkin' mo', we at the brink of war
I aim to inspire and provoke thought in my audience, as we are on the verge of conflict or struggle.

What does it all mean? What's it all for?
We question the purpose and significance of it all, searching for deeper meaning and understanding.

With knowledge of yourself, then you're through the first door
Once you understand and embrace your own identity and truth, you have taken the first step towards enlightenment and progress.

My people hungry and thirst for more next music explore
My community and supporters are eager and yearning for more innovative and thought-provoking music to discover and enjoy.

It's heavenly to your ebony daughter next door
My music brings joy and a heavenly experience to people, particularly to young Black women in the neighborhood.

So what you think the roots get the world respect for?
Have you ever wondered why The Roots have earned respect and recognition from around the globe?

The splendid authentic hip-hop that's raw core
It's because we create magnificent and genuine hip-hop music that embodies the raw essence of the genre.

Severe, world premier, a superior sophomore
We are intense and powerful, offering a world premiere of our second album that surpasses the quality of our debut.

No doubt, wherever you dwell, that's where the bomb fell
Without a doubt, wherever you reside, that's where we make the most significant impact and leave a lasting impression.

Explodin' from the imperial en-sem-ble, for real
We burst forth and emerge as a powerful and influential musical group, for real.

From the ven-ue to the avenue
Our music resonates and impacts audiences from small venues to the large streets.

We truly only got respect for a few, y'all ain't sayin' nuttin' new
We only hold respect for a select few, as most others are not bringing anything fresh or original to the table.

Represent the legendary fifth dynasty crew
We proudly represent the respected and influential fifth dynasty crew.

Roots crew comin' through, tell me what you could do
Prepare yourself for the arrival of The Roots crew, and show us what you are capable of.

Yo we drop the funk and do the shit
We create and deliver funky and impressive music that excites and engages our audience.

Yo, head lost, sippin' this limbic framboise
You are disoriented, indulging in this complex and intoxicating music.

Spittin' it for like whoever demand the answer
We are delivering our lyrics and message to those who are seeking answers and understanding.

Equivalent to this avalanche of black snow, rap flow
Our rap flow is as powerful and intense as an avalanche of black snow.

To get my people thinkin' mo', we at the brink of war
We strive to provoke thought and critical thinking among our community, as we approach a time of conflict or struggle.

What does it all mean? What's it all for?
We question the purpose and significance of it all, seeking deeper understanding and meaning.

With knowledge of yourself, then you're through the first door
Once you have self-awareness and understanding, you have taken the first step towards enlightenment and progress.

My people hungry and thirst for more next music explore
My community is eager and yearning for more innovative and thought-provoking music to discover and appreciate.

It's heavenly to your ebony daughter next door
Our music brings joy and a heavenly experience to people, particularly young Black women in the neighborhood.