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.
Black Rock
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Same as yesterday
Oh that's right cheeseburger and a 40 ounce
Hey, what's for dinner? Nothing nigga
But last night I had dreams of a porterhouse
For real for real I feel like
Cattle in a slaughterhouse
But fuck that grow another here's a quarter ounce
Them niggas look like casper what the fuck do I know
At the end of this tunnel, it's red and blue lies
You got to pay the price you can never do right
One thing I know all I did is wrong
Maybe there ain't nowhere I belong
The only thing in front of me is a bullet in the head
They hoping one day that they find me dead
Until then I make a place in this world
For me and my baby girl
Yo, the dead drop way until the A.M
Mumbo Jumbo niggas onomatopoeian
Call it how I see them ain't no rhyme or reason
I'm on some different bullshit everyday just like per diem
I damn with animal anguish
So love no bitch die richer than language
Guilty of sin depending on the reeds shaking in the wind
Just a question never answered out here looking for its end
At the end of this tunnel, it's red and blue lies
You got to pay the price you can never do right
One thing I know all I did is wrong
Maybe there ain't nowhere I belong
The only thing in front of me is a bullet in the head
They hoping one day that they find me dead
Until then I make a place in this world
For me and my baby girl
The lyrics of the song "Black Rock" by The Roots depict the struggle of living in poverty and facing the harsh realities of life. The first verse highlights the lack of resources and the repetitive cycle of consuming cheap, unhealthy food and alcohol to cope with the daily struggles. The line "For real for real I feel like cattle in a slaughterhouse" suggests a feeling of being trapped and controlled by societal systems that perpetuate poverty. The reference to "casper" could be a reference to the whitewashing of society, where people of color are marginalized and overlooked.
The second verse continues to explore the injustices of society and a feeling of hopelessness. The line "At the end of this tunnel, it's red and blue lies" could refer to the political polarization and systemic racism in the United States. The line "You got to pay the price you can never do right" highlights the feeling of being punished no matter what choices are made. The singer seems resigned to the fact that they have made mistakes in life and may never find a place where they belong. The line "The only thing in front of me is a bullet in the head" is a powerful metaphor for a violent end to a life filled with struggle.
Overall, "Black Rock" is a powerful commentary on the cycles of poverty, systemic injustices, and the struggle to survive in a world that seems designed to hold some down.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey what's for breakfast?
Asking about breakfast, the same question repeated daily.
Same as yesterday
The same breakfast as every other day before.
Oh that's right cheeseburger and a 40 ounce
Having a cheeseburger and a large bottle of alcohol.
Hey, what's for dinner? Nothing nigga
Asking about dinner, but receiving no answer.
But last night I had dreams of a porterhouse
Having dreams of a well-cooked steak.
For real for real I feel like cattle in a slaughterhouse
Feeling oppressed and trapped like livestock about to be killed.
But fuck that grow another here's a quarter ounce
Overcoming challenges and finding a solution, even if it's not perfect.
It ain't no hydro, but it gets you high though
Using an inferior substance, but still achieving the desired effect.
Them niggas look like casper what the fuck do I know
Feeling disconnected from other people and questioning one's own knowledge.
At the end of this tunnel, it's red and blue lies
In the end, society's problems are politically polarized and full of deception.
You got to pay the price you can never do right
No matter what, there will always be negative consequences for one's actions.
One thing I know all I did is wrong
Feeling guilty for past actions and behavior.
Maybe there ain't nowhere I belong
Feeling like an outsider and not fitting in anywhere.
The only thing in front of me is a bullet in the head
Feeling like life is hopeless and pointless, with death seeming like the only possible outcome.
They hoping one day that they find me dead
Having the feeling that others wish for one's death.
Until then I make a place in this world
Finding purpose and meaning in life by creating a space for oneself and others.
For me and my baby girl
Making a better life for oneself and one's child.
Yo, the dead drop way until the A.M
Living a dangerous and risky lifestyle, pushing limits until dawn.
Mumbo Jumbo niggas onomatopoeian
Describing people who use meaningless words and sounds to communicate.
Call it how I see them ain't no rhyme or reason
Viewing situations and people simply as they are, without trying to make sense of them.
I'm on some different bullshit everyday just like per diem
Living life in one's own way, constantly changing and adapting to new situations.
I damn with animal anguish
Hating and condemning others with deep, emotional pain.
So love no bitch die richer than language
Refusing to be attached to anyone, instead valuing the power of words and communication.
Guilty of sin depending on the reeds shaking in the wind
Feeling guilty for actions that may or may not be harmful, depending on the outcome.
Just a question never answered out here looking for its end
Searching for answers to life's difficult questions, but never finding complete resolution.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARCHIE L. TURNER, CORNELL MCFADDEN, KARL B. JENKINS, KIRK DUDLEY, WILLIE E. PETTIS
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!