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.
Can't Stop Won't Stop
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its official state P representnas....Woo. .....Woo
DJ Enough...
Uh....Youngunas...Chris and Neef......chia ..Uh
Its official state P representnas ....Woo. .....Woo
[Chorus]
Can't stop, won't stop
We get down baby, we get down baby
Girls to girls they love us
Cause we stay fresh to deaf
We the best nuthin' less
They don't make us so break us
When they make-up to break up
See the Jay cup
Fix the lil make up
That's them youngunas Chris and Lil Neefy
Wishin' they was the one
But Chris got Lil Kee Kee
Home base Sham Coo back dere
Keep ya mouth shut
We might do that dere
Yep, its only right
That the whole block stares
Hop out the Bimp
With blue and white airs
When I say move
Nigga lets go and get Left yo
Mommie feelin my Baguess yo
My neck glow
Say I'm young but I can sex tho
Now could it be I'm the 1
Ladies check fo
Yes hoe
Got grown women
My moma age
Fuck me all kinda ways
Suck and swallow everythin'
Way before them rhymin' days
Naw it ain't 'bout the age
Its all in da stroke
Bitches thought I was a joke
'Til they got my jammies
Hey
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Yep, its only right
We don't treat them no cash
We ain't fleein' pass soon
When we see 'em we pass 'em
Yep
I know they hate
Cause we seein' that cash
And seein' right pass 'em
And I don't want to access 'em
No, no don't make me the bad one
Then negotiate when the man wit the badge come
You know the rules when a nigga was yappin'
Ain't no rappin'
When we see 'em we clappin'
Plastic bag 'em
Den we findin' a ditch (Yea)
Toss the magnum
Den we findin' dis bitch (Yea)
Take a step ova
The shit we left ova
Now I gotta and tell my niggas
What happen
Niggas betta believe we the youngest in charge (Yea)
Ain't takin' a deal
Man, I run wit a charge (Yea)
Chris and Neef
We runnin' dis rap shit
State Property poppin'
And you want it
You basterds
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
They see the Younguna
All the gurlie gurlies want to see the Younguna
Once they see the Rocawear (Wear!)
Little bit of jewels
Plus I treat 'em like I care (Care!)
Safe home base I jus treat 'em like a spare (Yea)
You know I stay wit a beautiful little thing
And afta me its Neef
Abusin that little thing, look (together)
You betta talk to you're gurl if she hot fam (together)
Cause I'm pretty sure she a rock fan
Mommie do you want
Us or him
Treat no I in a team
Fuck wit me, fuck wit dem
Get the ride for my dogs
That's the game baby gurl
Ain't no shame
Keep it clean
Keep a eye on my dogs you know
Neva brag
Neva blab wut you saw
Let dem mothafuckers kno you just as fast on the draw (for sho)
Let 'em know you need sum cash
For the drawls (Wooo)
Keep the shit between us
So they be blast on the saw
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
The Roots's song Can't Stop Won't Stop is a collaboration with State Property, represented by the young rappers Chris and Neef. The song starts with a shoutout to their DJ, DJ Enough, and an introduction of themselves as the official State P representa. The central theme of the song is their unstoppable momentum as they reference their success and popularity with girls, stating that they are the best, nothing less. The chorus reflects their unrelenting drive, as they declare that they cannot stop and won't stop, especially as representatives of Rocafella Records.
The verses utilize explicit and often violent language, referencing their willingness to use force to protect their cash and come out on top. They assert their dominance over other rappers and stay winning with their money, jewels, and cars. Despite their youth, they claim to be just as skilled, able to satisfy women sexually and handle business in the streets. The song, as a whole, is a celebration of their power and success, with an unshakeable belief in their ability to keep climbing to the top.
Overall, Can't Stop Won't Stop by The Roots featuring State Property is a bold, uncompromising reflection of their unbreakable momentum and confidence in their abilities as young rappers.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh....Youngunas...Chris and Neef...chia ....Uh
Introducing Youngunas, Chris and Neef
Its official state P representnas....Woo. .....Woo
Representing the official state, P representnas
DJ Enough...
Shoutout to DJ Enough
Can't stop, won't stop
We won't stop
Rocafella Records cause
Representing Rocafella Records
We get down baby, we get down baby
We know how to party
Girls to girls they love us
We're popular with the ladies
Cause we stay fresh to deaf
We always look fresh and stylish
We the best nuthin' less
We're the best and won't settle for less
They don't make us so break us
Others will try to bring us down
When they make-up to break up
When they try to make up after breaking us down
See the Jay cup
Jay Z's influence is present
Fix the lil make up
Fixing the small things
That's them youngunas Chris and Lil Neefy
Introducing Youngunas Chris and Lil Neefy again
Wishin' they was the one
Others wish they were in our position
But Chris got Lil Kee Kee
Chris has Lil Kee Kee as his girl
Home base Sham Coo back dere
Referring to their hometown Sham Coo
Keep ya mouth shut
Don't speak too soon
We might do that dere
We might do that thing
Yep, its only right
It's only fitting
That the whole block stares
Everyone is watching
Hop out the Bimp
Getting out of the car
With blue and white airs
Wearing blue and white sneakers
When I say move
Let's go
Nigga lets go and get Left yo
Let's go and have some fun
Mommie feelin my Baguess yo
Ladies are feeling my designer bag
My neck glow
My necklace is shining
Say I'm young but I can sex tho
Age doesn't define my abilities
Now could it be I'm the 1
Am I the chosen one?
Ladies check fo
Ladies are checking for me
Yes hoe
Affirmative
Got grown women
Attracting older women
My moma age
Around the same age as my mother
Fuck me all kinda ways
Being intimate in various ways
Suck and swallow everythin'
Performing oral sex
Way before them rhymin' days
Before we started rapping
Naw it ain't 'bout the age
Age doesn't matter
Its all in da stroke
It's all in the technique
Bitches thought I was a joke
Others didn't take me seriously
'Til they got my jammies
Until they experienced my skills
Yep, its only right
Once again, it's fitting
We don't treat them no cash
We don't treat females like objects
We ain't fleein' pass soon
We won't be running away anytime soon
When we see 'em we pass 'em
We acknowledge but keep moving
I know they hate
I'm aware of the hate
Cause we seein' that cash
Because we're successful and wealthy
And seein' right pass 'em
Ignoring the naysayers
And I don't want to access 'em
I don't want to deal with them
No, no don't make me the bad one
Don't make me look like the bad guy
Then negotiate when the man wit the badge come
Negotiating with the police
You know the rules when a nigga was yappin'
You know the consequences of talking too much
Ain't no rappin'
There's no talking to get out of trouble
When we see 'em we clappin'
We'll shoot if necessary
Plastic bag 'em
Dispose of the body
Den we findin' a ditch (Yea)
Hiding the evidence
Toss the magnum
Throwing away the gun
Den we findin' dis bitch (Yea)
Finding the target
Take a step ova
We take control
The shit we left ova
What we left behind
Now I gotta and tell my niggas
Now I have to tell my friends
What happen
What went down
Niggas betta believe we the youngest in charge (Yea)
Don't doubt our power and authority
Ain't takin' a deal
We won't compromise
Man, I run wit a charge (Yea)
I'm on a mission
Chris and Neef
Referring to Chris and Neef again
We runnin' dis rap shit
We're taking over the rap game
State Property poppin'
Representing State Property
And you want it
You can't have it
You basterds
Insulting the competition
They see the Younguna
People notice us
All the gurlie gurlies want to see the Younguna
Girls are attracted to us
Once they see the Rocawear (Wear!)
Our fashion sense is a plus
Little bit of jewels
We wear jewelry
Plus I treat 'em like I care (Care!)
We treat women nicely
Safe home base I jus treat 'em like a spare (Yea)
We keep a backup plan
You know I stay wit a beautiful little thing
We're always with beautiful women
And afta me its Neef
And after me, it's Neef's turn
Abusin that little thing, look (together)
Being intimate with women
You betta talk to you're gurl if she hot fam (together)
You should talk to your girl if she's interested in us
Cause I'm pretty sure she a rock fan
She's probably a fan of our music
Mommie do you want
Ladies, do you want us?
Us or him
Do you want us or someone else?
Treat no I in a team
It's a team effort
Fuck wit me, fuck wit dem
Mess with me, mess with my crew
Get the ride for my dogs
We'll do anything for our friends
That's the game baby gurl
That's just how things are
Ain't no shame
No need to be ashamed
Keep it clean
Keep it classy
Keep a eye on my dogs you know
Watch out for your friends
Neva brag
Don't boast
Neva blab wut you saw
Don't talk about what you saw
Let dem mothafuckers kno you just as fast on the draw (for sho)
Let them know you can be quick to react
Let 'em know you need sum cash
Demand some money
For the drawls (Wooo)
In exchange for sexual favors
Keep the shit between us
Keep things confidential
So they be blast on the saw
Avoid causing trouble
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH JR MODELISTE, DWIGHT MYERS, ARTHUR LANON NEVILLE, LEO NOCENTELLI, GEORGE JOSEPH JR PORTER, MARLON LU'REE WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Taxidermistification
This song is one of the greatest samples and most uplifting things I've ever heard. How poignant. It never gets old.
J Dilla R.I.P
The GREAT
Yes
I so much agree 💯 I
Zinskey
Yes yes yes J Dilla aint no one more real'a
okagaming
For real
2piecewithabiscuit
never
roboque88
💯
arch
The way Black Thought flows on this is so amazing .. Donuts always help overcome bad mood n shit.. Thanks Dilla
Timo van Galen
"It's very easy to say he's in a better place, but I personally just want to be selfish enough to say I wish he was still here."
PanthaDoggTV
Who said that? 👊
Pelle Stroika
Its okay to be selfish at times...