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.
Birthday Girl
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What is it we wanna do?
Now that I'm allowed to be alone with you
Birthday Girl its your birthday
Wherever you wanna go
Now you are old enough to go and see the are-rated show now
Are-rated show
[Black Thought]
Backstage in high heels and painted on jeans
Probably had the most devious eyes I'd ever seen
Told me she was twenty-two she was only seventeen
She had sumthin' to hide she snuck in from outside
And got everybody gassed like the car I drive
With all that grown lady ass and my for rap vibe
She said she came to see them roots boy fallout live
But listen,
[Chorus]
Verse 2 [Black Thought]
You see the girls look good but they brains not ready
I talk to a woman, he mind more steady
Probably something in the way they designed just more steady
I just let you recite cause the line so heavy
But I shoulda known better cause now I feel like America's underbelly
R. Kelly got a smart better less, internet predators, chat-room irregulars
This not my twist
You trying to send me to the therapist
[Chorus]
Verse 3: [Black Thought]
Now she told me cheddar cheese grits
Two tomato fried fish
Cause she heard its my dish
Tryna be my sidekick
All the people all around thinking she was my chick
Saying DAMN the girl thick
But she ain't no twenty-six
Looking at me like am up to sumthin' on the funny tip
Like I ever been the one to honey jib
Its your birthday so let me know the gift you wanna get
In fact blow out the candles on the cake and make a wish for me
Hook [Patrick Strump]
They can't really seem to look away
So they tried asking her to stay
Fake I.D. you won't get turned away
You look lovely tonight
Now you are old enough to buy a gun
So many better ways of having fun
Right now I can only think of one
You look lovely tonight.
[Chorus]
The song “Birthday Girl” by The Roots narrates a story of a young girl who sneaks into an Are-rated show with a fake ID. The song is all about the temptations and dangers of being young, attractive and looking mature beyond one’s years. The lyrics suggest that the girl has something to hide and she's not as innocent as she looks. The song sends a message about the dangers young people can face while growing up too quickly.
The first verse sets the tone of the song, where Patrick Strump asks the girl what she wants to do as she is now old enough to be alone with him. He then sings "birthday girl, it's your birthday, wherever you wanna go." The second verse by Black Thought explores how young women may look attractive, but their minds and thoughts may not be mature enough. It includes the line, "You see the girls look good, but they brains not ready." The third and final verse talks about the girl trying hard to impress Black Thought and winning his heart with her wit and charm, and sets the stage for chorus. The chorus talks about the girl sneaking in like a pro with a fake ID and encourages her to enjoy the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
What is it we wanna do?
Asking what do they wanna do now that they are alone?
Now that I'm allowed to be alone with you
Since they are alone together now, what do they wanna do?
Birthday Girl its your birthday
Acknowledging that it's the Birthday Girl's birthday.
Wherever you wanna go
Asking the Birthday Girl where she wants to go.
Now you are old enough to go and see the are-rated show now
The Birthday Girl is now old enough to see an R-rated movie.
Are-rated show
Referring to the R-rated movie that the Birthday Girl can now see.
Yo, She said she was a magazine editor named Jenning
Black Thought is talking about a girl named Jenning who claimed to be a magazine editor.
Backstage in high heels and painted on jeans
Describing how Jenning looked when she met Black Thought backstage.
Probably had the most devious eyes I'd ever seen
Black Thought noticed that Jenning had a mischievous look in her eyes.
Told me she was twenty-two she was only seventeen
Jenning lied about her age and told Black Thought that she was 22 when she was actually 17.
She had sumthin' to hide she snuck in from outside
Black Thought suspects that Jenning had something to hide because she snuck in from outside.
And got everybody gassed like the car I drive
Jenning created excitement and hype, similar to the way Black Thought's car creates hype when he drives it.
With all that grown lady ass and my for rap vibe
Black Thought and Jenning had a connection because of their mutual interest in rap music and Jenning's attractive physique.
She said she came to see them roots boy fallout live
Jenning claimed that she came to see The Roots perform live.
You see the girls look good but they brains not ready
Black Thought comments that some girls might have attractive looks, but they are not mature enough intellectually.
I talk to a woman, he mind more steady
Black Thought prefers women with more stable and mature minds.
Probably something in the way they designed just more steady
There might be something innate or inherent in women's design that makes them more mentally stable.
I just let you recite cause the line so heavy
Black Thought lets his female partner do the talking because she has a more profound and significant input.
But I shoulda known better cause now I feel like America's underbelly
Black Thought feels like he should have known better because he is now starting to feel like he is part of America's corrupt side.
R. Kelly got a smart better less, internet predators, chat-room irregulars
Black Thought is commenting on the dark side of the entertainment industry where singers like R. Kelly and predators can thrive online.
This not my twist
Black Thought does not condone these acts and behaviors.
You trying to send me to the therapist
Black Thought feels like he needs to go to therapy to deal with the dark side of the entertainment industry.
Now she told me cheddar cheese grits
Black Thought brings up an example of conversation he had with Jenning, discussing cheddar cheese grits.
Two tomato fried fish
Jenning told Black Thought that she likes two tomato fried fish.
Cause she heard its my dish
Jenning pretended to like Black Thought's dish to create a connection.
Tryna be my sidekick
Jenning is trying to be Black Thoughts' companion or partner in crime.
All the people all around thinking she was my chick
People around them started thinking that Jenning was Black Thought's girlfriend.
Saying DAMN the girl thick
People were admiring Jenning's physique.
But she ain't no twenty-six
Black Thought is pointing out that Jenning is not as old as people thought.
Looking at me like am up to sumthin' on the funny tip
Jenning is looking at Black Thought suspiciously as if he is up to something.
Like I ever been the one to honey jib
Black Thought would never deceive or play games with a woman.
Its your birthday so let me know the gift you wanna get
Black Thought is asking the Birthday Girl what gift she wants for her birthday.
In fact blow out the candles on the cake and make a wish for me
Black Thought is encouraging the Birthday Girl to make a wish and blow out the candles on her cake.
They can't really seem to look away
People are finding it hard to take their eyes off the Birthday Girl.
So they tried asking her to stay
People are trying to convince the Birthday Girl to stay longer.
Fake I.D. you won't get turned away
Even if the Birthday Girl has a fake I.D., she will still be allowed to stay.
You look lovely tonight
Complimenting the Birthday Girl on how she looks tonight.
Now you are old enough to buy a gun
The Birthday Girl has reached the age where she can legally buy a gun.
So many better ways of having fun
There are better ways to have fun than buying a gun.
Right now, I can only think of one
The only thing that Black Thought can think of right now is enjoying the Birthday Girl's company.
You look lovely tonight
Repeating the compliment to the Birthday Girl on how she looks tonight.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR K. THOMPSON, TARIK L. COLLINS, PATRICK STUMP, KELLI ANNE SCARR, SHANE CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jazzin
I listen to this song every year on my birthday since I was 14, I turn 19 today. Still hold so much love for this song
Dasia Amis
I'm sure a million other people have, so isn't that just special
An Om
Im the same!!! Turning 31 now listening since 21!
Karen
Same turning 30 🌟
Agata Tarasiuk
I listen to this song every year on my birthday since I was 16. Today I turn 30 :)))))
Camila Garcia
You must turning 25 now 😢
ThatAwkwardTitan
This song randomly popped into my head today. Couldn’t find it on Spotify, glad it’s still here!
Kiro_osix
It is in spotify, I found it there
Isi Manu
@Kiro_osix lies
Kiro_osix
@Juliana Bisson or look for the album "Rising down" by The Roots, it should be there