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.
Dear God
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dear God, I see your face in all I do
Sometimes it's so hard to believe it
But, God, I know you have your reasons
(Uh huh)
They said, "he's busy, hold the line, please"
Call me crazy, I thought maybe he could mind read
If everything is made in China, are we Chinese?
And why do haters separate us like we Siamese?
Technology turning the planet into zombies
Everybody all in everybody's dirty laundry
Acid rain, earthquakes, hurricane, tsunamis
Terrorists, crime sprees, assaults, and robberies
Cops yellin', "stop, freeze," shoot him before he try to leave
Air quality so foul, I gotta try to breathe
Endangered species and we runnin' out of trees
If I could hold the world in the palm of these
Hands, I would probably do away with these anomalies
Everybody checkin' for the new award nominee
Wars and atrocities; look at all the poverty
Ignoring the prophecies, more beef than broccoli
Corporate monopoly, weak world economy
Stock market topplin'
Mad marijuana, Oxycontin, and Klonopin
Everybody out of it?
Well, I've been thinkin' about
And I've been breakin' it down
Without an answer
I know I'm thinking out loud
But if you're lost and around
Why do we suffer?
Why do we suffer?
(Uh huh)
Yeah, it's still me, one of your biggest fans
I get off work, right back to work again
I probably need to go ahead and have my head exam
Look at how they got me on the Def Jam payment plan
Well, I'm in the world of entertainment and
Trying to keep a singing man sane for the paying fans
If I don't make it through the night, slight change of plans
Harp strings, angel wings, and praying hands
Lord, forgive me for my shortcomings
For going on tour and ignoring the court summons
All I'm trying to do is live life to the fullest
They sent my daddy to you in a barrage of bullets
Why is the world ugly when you made it in your image?
And why is livin' life such a fight to the finish?
For this high percentage when the sky's the limit
A second is a minute, every hour's infinite
Dear God, I'm trying hard to reach you
Dear God, I see your face in all I do
Sometimes it's so hard to believe it
The Roots’ song Dear God is a deeply introspective track that grapples with the fundamental questions of faith, belief, and humanity. The song addresses God directly, with the singer struggling to understand the rationale behind the world's harsh realities, including poverty, crime, and natural disasters. It opens with the singer trying to reach God, symbolizing the human desire for answers and guidance.
The verse then delves into the rampant negativity and chaos that exists in the world. The lyrics highlight issues like racism, technology, pollution, and animal extinction, culminating in an image of a world out of control. The uncertainty is heightened by the inability of the singer to connect with God and find answers.
The second verse focuses on the singer's personal struggles and contradictions. He reflects on the difficulties of living a public life in the entertainment industry, dealing with success and failure, and trying to stay sane through it all. The singer asks for forgiveness for his mistakes and for living life on his own terms.
The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the universal desire to connect with God and understand the reason for suffering. The song presents a heartfelt plea to God for answers, recognition, and solace.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear God, I'm trying hard to reach you
The singer is making an effort to connect with God.
Dear God, I see your face in all I do
The singer sees God's influence in everything they experience.
Sometimes it's so hard to believe it
Despite seeing God's influence, the singer still struggles with their faith.
But, God, I know you have your reasons
Despite their struggles, the artist has faith that God has a plan.
They said, "he's busy, hold the line, please"
The artist feels like God is not responding to their prayers.
Call me crazy, I thought maybe he could mind read
The singer hoped that God could understand their thoughts without them having to ask.
Who does the blind lead? Show me a sign, please
The singer is searching for guidance from God in a confusing world.
If everything is made in China, are we Chinese?
The artist questions identity and the interconnectedness of the world.
And why do haters separate us like we Siamese?
The artist questions why people are divided and kept apart.
Technology turning the planet into zombies
The artist criticizes how technology can numb people to reality.
Everybody all in everybody's dirty laundry
The singer criticizes how people are too involved in each other's personal lives.
Acid rain, earthquakes, hurricane, tsunamis
The artist describes natural disasters and their impact on humanity.
Terrorists, crime sprees, assaults, and robberies
The singer lists various types of violence and crime occurring in the world.
Cops yellin', "stop, freeze," shoot him before he try to leave
The singer criticizes police brutality and unjust use of force.
Air quality so foul, I gotta try to breathe
The singer criticizes pollution and its effect on air quality.
Endangered species and we runnin' out of trees
The artist criticizes the destruction of the environment and its impact on wildlife.
If I could hold the world in the palm of these
The artist is expressing a desire to control the world and fix its problems.
Hands, I would probably do away with these anomalies
The singer wants to get rid of various problems and issues in the world.
Everybody checkin' for the new award nominee
The singer criticizes society's obsession with fame and recognition.
Wars and atrocities; look at all the poverty
The artist points out the injustices and suffering in the world.
Ignoring the prophecies, more beef than broccoli
The artist criticizes how people focus on trivial matters and ignore important issues.
Corporate monopoly, weak world economy
The artist criticizes the domination of corporations and the resulting negative effects on the economy.
Stock market topplin'
The singer references the instability of the stock market.
Mad marijuana, Oxycontin, and Klonopin
The artist refers to various drugs and their negative impact on society.
Well, I've been thinkin' about
The singer is reflecting on their thoughts and feelings about the world.
And I've been breakin' it down
The singer is analyzing and examining the world's problems.
Without an answer
Despite their efforts, the singer has not found a solution to the world's problems.
I know I'm thinking out loud
The artist is aware that they are speaking their thoughts aloud.
But if you're lost and around
The artist is addressing God and hoping for guidance.
Why do we suffer?
The singer is questioning the existence of suffering in the world.
Yeah, it's still me, one of your biggest fans
The singer is reaffirming their faith in God.
I get off work, right back to work again
The artist is referring to the demands of their job and their constant workload.
I probably need to go ahead and have my head exam
The artist is acknowledging their own possible mental health issues that may need treatment.
Look at how they got me on the Def Jam payment plan
The artist is referring to how the music industry takes advantage of artists for profit.
Well, I'm in the world of entertainment and
The singer is noting their career and work in the entertainment industry.
Trying to keep a singing man sane for the paying fans
The artist is referring to the pressures of their job to maintain their own mental health while meeting the expectations of their fans.
If I don't make it through the night, slight change of plans
The singer acknowledges the risks of their lifestyle and career and the possibility of an early death.
Harp strings, angel wings, and praying hands
The singer references religious imagery and seeking divine guidance.
Lord, forgive me for my shortcomings
The singer is asking for forgiveness for their mistakes and imperfections.
For going on tour and ignoring the court summons
The artist is acknowledging a mistake they made by ignoring legal obligations while on tour.
All I'm trying to do is live life to the fullest
The artist wants to make the most of their life and experiences.
They sent my daddy to you in a barrage of bullets
The singer references the violent death of their father.
Why is the world ugly when you made it in your image?
The singer is questioning how the world can be filled with suffering when God created it.
And why is livin' life such a fight to the finish?
The artist is questioning why life is such a struggle and challenge.
For this high percentage when the sky's the limit
The artist criticizes the societal pressure to achieve success and the obsession with material wealth.
A second is a minute, every hour's infinite
The artist reflects on the concept of time and how it can feel endless and limited at the same time.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR THOMPSON, JAMES EDWARD JR OLLIGES, PEDRO MARTINEZ, RICHARD NICHOLS, TARIK TROTTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sakogekchyan7366
Seriously
I do a bit of emseein myself and I know a good lyricist when I hear one
I also wrote a verse about the big man upstairs
There is no Christ but the one who lives inside you
Gasping for air under the filth that deprives you
Long is the road on the journey to find the one who
Brought into being the very things that define you
Always in space but never in time he can't be defined the father the mother creator of all that is benign
Some have said that to order his holy name is a crime but Elohim comforts his children the sick and the dying
The week and the blind not one of us shall be left behind in his eyes every child is precious and one-of-a-kind
This is a God that many of us have long forgotten
And the son who dared to stand up to the crooked and rotten"
@deeughfolte5770
Nat B. Pain is just a monetary sensation of new neurological connections taking hold. What you are describing is Black Thought literally changing the very making of your brain with his poetic and prophetic words. First time I consciously and fully realized that this was happening, I was listening to Tupac...
He said "Plus this alcohol increases the chance to be deceased
I'm movin you stupid b****es, vicious telekinesis
Am I reachin your brain?
N** how can I explain?" - From, "No more pain - All eyez on me".
Hip Hop is more powerful than most realize, look around you. Look at what it has done to reality with just passion, poetry, love, hate, truth... It really is everything that encompasses life. This is not a far fetched exaggeration...
Embrace the pain, it's growth. Be blessed. No! More Pain! 😉
@brentdonhauser
This is what hip hop was intended to be. A message being spread through music. Not the garbage you hear on the radio. The Roots will always be in my rotation.
@corylackland8377
Mine too.✌🏾
https://youtu.be/f3a_si4A1vQ
@bruja212
❤
@JD-ry2zk
yes, and leave the video making professionals.
@JD-ry2zk
to
@aqilakiah-el165
He speaking nothing but facts💯🔥🔥🔥🔥He said this over 10 years ago.Now look what's goin on in our world now 🙏😇
@rachelzack4479
I've been meaning to check out the roots for so long. Boy am I glad I finally did. Unreal..
@YOGABEYO
Back here 10 years later during COVID19 and it’s fallout. Hello old friend
@peezyface
and more relevant than ever ... my fav is "mad marijuana, oxycontin, and kolonopin, everybody out of it ..."
@flashcat945
AMAZING!! This is what rap is all about, social consciousness, enlightenment, and great music. It doesn't get better than this! 1Love, Peace