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.
Been Thru The Storm
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Best of the Legendary Roots Crew!
(STEVIE WONDER)
Been thru the storm
thru the cold and rain
everything's still the same
sometimes it's hard to keep it real
you see the love of your life
with the fortune and fame
like them Caddilacs with Sun-roofs man
so many ways to make a Dollar
Ha,
Sometimes I think about my father
You see my Papa was broke and my Momma was young
tryin to blend in with dem city folk
everyday landlord knocking down my door
(BLACK THOUGHT)
Listen
everybody wanna be famous
??(Son, ever) how funny the game is
they want it if its gonna be painless
they don't want it if it's gonna be strange
full of tunnels and changes
I aint gonna front
ask my 5 year old son what he want
he said he want the World to know what his name is
I said be smart boy
and told him he should follow his heart
cause if you tryng to run from it it's dangerous
we livin in a Era where the people is shameless
they 'onna do whatever for the paper, you name it
some come up real smooth
anybody will try you
some wanna use you
some wanna be used by you
don't get it confused, yo
thats the key to survival
choose your own view
if you dont see it as I do
but it's all substantial
I'm telling you its of the handle
thats the reason I'ma set an example
I've been thru...
(STEVIE WONDER)
Been thru the storm
thru the cold and rain
everything's still the same
can't control how I feel
sometimes it's hard to keep it real
you see the love of your life
with the fortune and fame
like them Caddilacs with sun-roofs man
so many ways to make a Dollar
Ha,
Sometimes I think about my father
You see my Papa was broke and my Momma was young
tryin to blend in with dem city folk
everyday landlord knocking down my door
(BLACK THOUGHT)
Yeah,
look, everybody wanna get nice
but every thing come at a price, right?
Err'body got their own price
thats something I learned
when peole too nice
it's something that they want in return
a lot a times out of ten
what they wannting is YEARN(?)
or they just a little concerned,
of something to burn
people talk about respect
that's something that's earned
people that don't wanna give it when they know it's deserved
but it's real hot
and that kinda life they want it now
when the wheel starts spinning
it's tough to slow it down, Black
wanna get the people involved
and show em how
if they don't wanna tell you the truth,
you know it now
it's bout life '
pressing in persuit of that paper
and people worldwide on their worst behavior
and folks that was never really movers and shakers
gettin anxious
suddenly they wanna be gangsta
but
(STEVIE WONDER)
Been thru the storm
thru the cold and rain
everything's still the same
can't control how I feel
sometimes it's hard to keep it real
you see the love of your life
with the fortune and fame
like them Caddilacs with sun-roofs man
so many ways to make a Dollar
Ha,
Sometimes I think about my father
You see my Papa was broke and my Momma was young
tryin to blend in with dem city folk
everyday landlord knocking down my door
The song "Been Thru The Storm" by The Roots feat. Stevie Wonder describes the struggles of life and how hard it is to keep it real. They mention how people desire fame and fortune and envy others who have it. This may also have to do with their personal experiences as artists in the music industry, where people often fake their image and pretend to be something they are not just to gain fame and success. Through their verses, they encourage listeners to follow their heart, make wise decisions, and stay true to themselves. The lyrics mention the importance of earning respect, the dangers of being too nice, and the harsh reality of pursuing money over everything else. Overall, the song emphasizes that life is full of ups and downs and one has to weather the storm and stay strong to come out of it.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released on The Roots' album "Game Theory," which was their first album on the Def Jam Recordings label. Another interesting fact is that Stevie Wonder is a harmonica player and he plays the harmonica solo on this song. The harmonica solo was recorded in one take, making it an impressive feat. The song's beat was produced by a relative newcomer to the music industry, B.K. One, who also produced several other tracks on the album. The lyrics were written by Black Thought, who is one of the founding members of The Roots. "Been Thru The Storm" was the fourth single released from the "Game Theory" album. The song has a slow and melodic beat, which is different from the high-energy beats The Roots are known for.
Chords: G, C, D, Em
Line by Line Meaning
Been thru the storm
Survived difficult times
thru the cold and rain
Despite adverse conditions
everything's still the same
Life hasn't significantly changed
can't control how I feel
Emotions are beyond personal control
sometimes it's hard to keep it real
Difficult to stay true to oneself
you see the love of your life
Noticed someone special
with the fortune and fame
Having wealth and notoriety
like them Cadillacs with sun-roofs man
Celebrity status and luxury
so many ways to make a Dollar
Numerous opportunities to gain money
Ha,
Expressing amusement or irony
Sometimes I think about my father
Reflecting on family
You see my Papa was broke and my Momma was young
Parents struggled financially and were young when starting a family
tryin to blend in with dem city folk
Attempting to fit in with urban society
everyday landlord knocking down my door
Possibly facing eviction due to financial difficulties
Listen
Paying attention
everybody wanna be famous
Desire for notoriety is common
??(Son, ever) how funny the game is
Acknowledging the irony of the music industry
they want it if its gonna be painless
Wishing for an easy path to success
they don't want it if it's gonna be strange
Avoiding unconventional or risky methods
full of tunnels and changes
Full of obstacles and unpredictable situations
I aint gonna front
Not going to pretend
ask my 5 year old son what he want
Asking his son's opinion
he said he want the World to know what his name is
Desiring fame as a child
I said be smart boy
Offering advice
and told him he should follow his heart
Encouraging his son to pursue his passions
cause if you tryng to run from it it's dangerous
Stressing the risk of avoiding one's true calling
we livin in a Era where the people is shameless
An era with a lack of dignity or morals
they 'onna do whatever for the paper, you name it
Some people are willing to do anything for money
some come up real smooth
Some people achieve success without issue
anybody will try you
People will try to take advantage of you
some wanna use you
Others will use you for their own gain
some wanna be used by you
Some people seek to be taken advantage of
don't get it confused, yo
Do not be misled
thats the key to survival
Being aware of people's intentions is essential
choose your own view
Select your own perspective
if you dont see it as I do
If you disagree with me
but it's all substantial
However, it's all important
I'm telling you its of the handle
Informing you that it is challenging
thats the reason I'ma set an example
Acting as an example for others
Yeah,
Expressing agreement or understanding
look, everybody wanna get nice
People want to improve their situation
but every thing come at a price, right?
Success requires sacrifice
Err'body got their own price
Everyone has a price or value
thats something I learned
Reflecting on past experiences
when peole too nice
When people are too kind or accommodating
it's something that they want in return
Expecting something in exchange for their kindness
a lot a times out of ten
Most of the time
what they wannting is YEARN(?)
What they truly desire is unclear
or they just a little concerned,
Potentially anxious or preoccupied
of something to burn
A need for excitement
people talk about respect
Discussions of dignity or honor
that's something that's earned
Respect must be earned, not demanded
people that don't wanna give it when they know it's deserved
People who withhold respect when it is deserved
but it's real hot
Life can be intense or difficult
and that kinda life they want it now
Desiring a certain lifestyle immediately
when the wheel starts spinning
When life becomes hectic or chaotic
it's tough to slow it down, Black
Difficult to settle down when life is moving quickly
wanna get the people involved
Motivated to engage others
and show em how
Teaching or leading by example
if they don't wanna tell you the truth,
If people avoid being honest with you
you know it now
You understand the truth even if they don't admit it
it's bout life '
Life is about
pressing in persuit of that paper
Striving for financial success
and people worldwide on their worst behavior
People acting negatively across the globe
and folks that was never really movers and shakers
People who were never influential or important
gettin anxious
Becoming excited or restless
suddenly they wanna be gangsta
Suddenly desiring to act tough or intimidating
Contributed by Blake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tommy Long
geez. black thought is one of a kind man. bland? nobody, not anybody, can rap like him. not saying he's the best, but he's definitely 100% unique and NOT bland.
wolfflow
Strange, I've replayed this track some 30 times tonight and it hasn't lost its ring.
John Mcclaine
Good stuff. Glad to see legends like Stevie on a track withThe Roots who are also legends. Black Thought is one of the greatest lyricist to touch earth. Especially Philly and we can't forget Sudan!
Mr. Shabazz
This type of music makes me want to keep on living for sure. Proud to be Black and all that...Get over, get by, and get through it all! Hip Hop is such a rich and wealthy culture being robbed by Black and White Devil's alike!
Khadiatou Diallo
Excellent. Hip hop isn't dead
Juan.Woodstock
This joint right here gives me the goosebumps every single time I listen to it. fkin lovin it
Br C
one of the dopest tracks ever
joan stone
LOVE IT !
TheCardsfan2
Black thought has crazy skill, no doubt. But as hard as it had to be to get Stevie Wonder on the original from Busta's Big Bang album, i don't think they should've fucked w/this. Besides that, Busta killed this, made it a personal song that alot of peeps can relate to.
Hacim24
LOVE IT