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.
Don't Feel Right
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
Yo, in the land of the unseen hand that holds trouble
Theorize your game, it's difficult to roll a double
The struggle ain't right up in ya face, it's more subtle
But it's still coming across like the bridge and tunnel vision
That's the reason the system making this paper from the prison
And that's the reason we living where they don't wanna visit
Where the dope slangin' keep swangin' like Sonny Liston
The money missing and there's mouths to feed
Get the brain kicking, thinking of a thousand things
Remember back in the days, when the kitchen had eggs
And pancakes, chicken and greens and Kool Aid?
When the refrigerator naked and the cupboard is bare
People got to strip naked, stick 'em up in the air
Was it lies when they told you wasn't nothing to fear?
Something don't feel right out here
It don't feel right, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
Look, my eyes open cause I'm really a watchman
And when I'm writing my thoughts out, really I'm boxing
My main adversary any silly concoction
Freeze your face like botulinum toxin
If you ain't trying to get popped, then give me a option
Helicopters chopping from Philly to Compton
The Jones, the Richardsons, the Smiths and the Johnsons
If you ain't saying nothing, you the system's accomplice
It should play with your conscience, do away with the nonsense
I'm overseeing anything within my circumference
This ain't a press junket, I ain't seeking responses
I stand where the people got the heat in they pockets
You mesmerized by the calm nonchalantness
I spin a dark web on some John Hitchcock shit
If you ain't speaking your life, your rhyme's adopted
If it don't feel right, then stop it, you know what I'm sayin'?
It don't feel right, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seeing clear
It don't feel right, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
Yo, children working, weapon producing
Natural disaster got the planet in a panic
We all got to make that living
Sex, drugs, murder, politics and religion
Forms of hustling, watch who you put all your trust in
Worldwide, we coincide with who suffering
Who never had shit and ain't got nothing
But more struggling, it makes you wanna run up in the motherfuckin'
Hot zone for a piece of the cake back
I can't work for it, I can certainly take that
I'm fired up, thinking about the payback, ASAP
You fuck around, be a enemy of the state, black
Ill, but that's too real for TV
It's crazy when you too real to be free
If you don't got no paper, then steal this CD
Listen man, I'll let you know how it feel to be me
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
The Roots' "Don't Feel Right" is a politically charged song that delves into issues such as racial inequality, police brutality, poverty, and corruption. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and disillusionment with the current state of society, and how things have changed for the worse. The chorus, "It don't feel right, don't feel right, can't feel it no more," is a poignant reflection of how many people feel about the world today.
The song's verses touch on themes of social and economic injustices that are still prevalent today. The line "The struggle ain't right up in ya face, it's more subtle" speaks to the insidious nature of systemic oppression, which can often go unnoticed and unaddressed. The song also makes references to the prison industrial complex, poverty, and inner-city violence.
The lyrics also call on listeners to take action and not be complicit in the systems that perpetuate inequality. The line "If you ain't saying nothing, you the system's accomplice" emphasizes the need to speak out against injustice and inequality, rather than remaining silent.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't feel right, don't feel right, can't feel it no more
I'm feeling uneasy and something is off. It's been going on for a while and it's not getting any better.
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
The world has changed and not for the better. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what's wrong, but things just aren't the way they used to be.
Yo, in the land of the unseen hand that holds trouble
We're living in a world where things are controlled by unseen forces that are causing problems.
Theorize your game, it's difficult to roll a double
It's hard to succeed in this world, even if you have a good strategy. Winning is like rolling a dice and hoping for the best.
The struggle ain't right up in ya face, it's more subtle
The problems we're facing aren't always obvious. Sometimes they're hidden and hard to recognize.
But it's still coming across like the bridge and tunnel vision
Even though the problems are subtle, they're still affecting us strongly. It's like we're looking at the world through a narrow viewfinder.
I try to school these bucks, but they don't wanna listen
I'm trying to educate people and make them aware of what's going on, but they're not interested in hearing the truth.
That's the reason the system making this paper from the prison
The criminal justice system is profiting off of imprisoning people, which is a major problem.
And that's the reason we living where they don't wanna visit
The world is becoming a less desirable place to live, and people are staying away because of all the problems.
Where the dope slangin' keep swangin' like Sonny Liston
Drugs are being sold and used everywhere, much like the famous boxer Sonny Liston.
The money missing and there's mouths to feed
Money is tight, and people are struggling to take care of themselves and their families.
Get the brain kicking, thinking of a thousand things
All of these problems are causing us to think deeply and critically about the state of the world and our place in it.
Remember back in the days, when the kitchen had eggs
We used to have more food and resources, but now we're struggling to make ends meet.
And pancakes, chicken and greens and Kool Aid?
We used to have more variety in our diets, but now we're limited in what we can afford to eat.
When the refrigerator naked and the cupboard is bare
We don't have enough food to keep us sustained, and our resources are running out.
People got to strip naked, stick 'em up in the air
When resources are scarce, people will do whatever it takes to survive.
Was it lies when they told you wasn't nothing to fear?
People used to believe that everything was going to be okay, but it turns out that there are plenty of things to be afraid of.
Look, my eyes open cause I'm really a watchman
I'm paying close attention to the state of the world and trying to stay informed about what's going on.
And when I'm writing my thoughts out, really I'm boxing
I'm using my words and my thoughts as a way to fight back against the problems in the world.
My main adversary any silly concoction
Anything that's not truthful or that tries to obscure the facts is my main opponent.
Freeze your face like botulinum toxin
I want people to be shocked and surprised by the truth, almost like their face has been frozen in shock.
If you ain't trying to get popped, then give me a option
If you're not willing to take any risks, then you need to give me a real solution to the problems we're facing.
Helicopters chopping from Philly to Compton
The police are constantly monitoring us and using force to control us, no matter where we live.
The Jones, the Richardsons, the Smiths and the Johnsons
No matter what our last name is, we're all struggling to survive in this world.
If you ain't saying nothing, you the system's accomplice
If you're not speaking out against the problems in the world, then you're helping to perpetuate them.
It should play with your conscience, do away with the nonsense
We should all be aware of the problems in the world and work to fix them, instead of ignoring them and hoping they go away.
I'm overseeing anything within my circumference
I'm keeping an eye on everything that's happening around me, and trying to make a positive impact within my sphere of influence.
This ain't a press junket, I ain't seeking responses
I'm not trying to get attention or publicity. I'm just trying to spread the truth and make a difference.
I stand where the people got the heat in they pockets
I'm on the side of the people who are experiencing the most struggles and difficulties in life.
You mesmerized by the calm nonchalantness
People are often fooled by a calm demeanor, even when there are major problems lurking underneath.
I spin a dark web on some John Hitchcock shit
I'm shining a light on the darker aspects of the world and exposing the truth, much like the famous artist John Hitchcock.
If you ain't speaking your life, your rhyme's adopted
If you're not rapping about your own experiences and the truth of the world around you, then your rhymes are not authentic.
If it don't feel right, then stop it, you know what I'm sayin'?
If something feels wrong or off, we need to take action and make a change.
Yo, children working, weapon producing
Children are being exploited and forced to work in dangerous conditions, often producing weapons that cause harm and destruction.
Natural disaster got the planet in a panic
The world is facing major natural disasters that are causing widespread fear and panic.
We all got to make that living
We're all struggling to make ends meet and provide for ourselves and our families.
Sex, drugs, murder, politics and religion
These are all major issues and problems that are affecting us on a global scale.
Forms of hustling, watch who you put all your trust in
There are people out there who will try to take advantage of you, so it's important to be careful and not trust just anyone.
Worldwide, we coincide with who suffering
We're all suffering and struggling, no matter where we live or what our situation is.
Who never had shit and ain't got nothing
There are people out there who have been disadvantaged and marginalized their whole lives, and they continue to struggle to make ends meet.
But more struggling, it makes you wanna run up in the motherfuckin'
When things get really bad and you're struggling to survive, it can make you feel like you're at the breaking point and want to take drastic action.
Hot zone for a piece of the cake back
People will do whatever it takes to get their fair share of resources and make a better life for themselves and their families.
I can't work for it, I can certainly take that
When it's hard to make a living and put food on the table, people will resort to more extreme measures to survive.
I'm fired up, thinking about the payback, ASAP
I'm motivated to make a difference and get back at those who have exploited and marginalized me and my community.
You fuck around, be a enemy of the state, black
When you speak out against the system and the forces that are controlling us, you become a target and labeled as a dangerous enemy.
Ill, but that's too real for TV
The truth is often too harsh and dark to be portrayed on TV or in the media.
It's crazy when you too real to be free
When you speak the truth and stand up for what you believe in, you can become a victim of the system and lose your freedom.
If you don't got no paper, then steal this CD
If you can't afford to buy the album, then take it for free and listen to the truth.
Listen man, I'll let you know how it feel to be me
I'm sharing my experiences and my perspective with you, so you can better understand the struggles and issues that I face every day.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RONALD D. BELL, CLAYDES SMITH, ROBERT MICKENS, DONALD BOYCE, RICHARD WESTFIELD, DENNIS RONALD THOMAS, ROBERT EARL BELL, GEORGE BROWN, LEROY BONNER, MARSHALL JONES, RALPH MIDDLEBROOKS, WALTER MORRISON, NORMAN NAPIER, ANDREW NOLAND, MARVIN PIERCE, ALLEN WEB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ant Los
[Hook 2: Maimouna Youssef]
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
[Verse 1: Black Thought]
Yo, in the land of the unseen hand that holds trouble
Theorize your game, it's difficult to roll a double
The struggle ain't right up in your face, it's more subtle
But it's still coming across like the bridge and tunnel vision
I try to school these bucks, but they don't wanna listen
That's the reason the system making this paper from the prison
And that's the reason we living where they don't wanna visit
Where the dope slanging, keep swangin' like Sonny Liston
The money missing and there's mouths to feed
Get the brain kicking, thinking of a thousand things
Remember back in the days, when the kitchen had eggs
And pancakes, chicken and greens and Kool Aid?
When the refrigerator naked and the cupboard is bare
People got to strip naked, stick 'em up in the air
Was it lies when they told you wasn't nothing to fear?
Something don't feel right out here
[Hook 2: Maimouna Youssef]
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
[Verse 2: Black Thought]
Look, my eyes open 'cause I'm really a watchman
And when I'm writing my thoughts out, really, I'm boxing
My main adversary any silly concoction
Freeze your face like botulinum toxin
If you ain't trying to get popped, then give me a option
Helicopters chopping from Philly to Compton
The Jones, the Richardsons, the Smiths and the Johnsons
If you ain't saying nothing, you the system's accomplice
It should play with your conscience, do away with the nonsense
I'm overseeing anything within my circumference
This ain't a press junket, I ain't seeking responses
I stand where the people got the heat in they pockets
You mesmerized by the calm nonchalantness
I spin a dark web on some John Hitchcock shit
If you ain't speaking your life, your rhyme's adopted
If it don't feel right, then stop it, you know what I'm saying?
[Hook 2: Maimouna Youssef]
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately, I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
[Verse 3: Black Thought]
Yo, children working, weapon-producing
Natural disaster got the planet in a panic
We all got to make that living
Sex, drugs, murder, politics and religion
Forms of hustling, watch who you put all your trust in
Worldwide, we coincide with who suffering
Who never had shit and ain't got nothing
But more struggling, it makes you wanna run up in the motherfuckin'
Hot zone for a piece of the cake back
I can't work for it, I can certainly take that
I'm fired up, thinking about the payback, ASAP
You fuck around, be a enemy of the state, black
Ill, but that's too real for TV
It's crazy when you too real to be free
If you don't got no paper, then steal this CD
Listen, man, I'll let you know how it feel to be me
[Hook 2: Maimouna Youssef]
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
Jim Robinson
Best track off a serious hip hop classic album
Jose Chagwene Alberto Cuvelo
Agree
I'm_not_an_expert_but
I knew they weren't fucking around when Black Thought said:
"....It's crazy when you too real to be free
If you ain't got no paper then steal this CD"
Realness and epicness, much love and respect!
skeelo69
Look at the CD artwork above .... it's part of the lyrics as described above.
Burst644
I'm confused on what it means
Buil Dinit
SUPER UNDER RATED MASTERPIECE
Jose Chagwene Alberto Cuvelo
This is a true Masterpiece
Ant Los
[Hook 2: Maimouna Youssef]
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
[Verse 1: Black Thought]
Yo, in the land of the unseen hand that holds trouble
Theorize your game, it's difficult to roll a double
The struggle ain't right up in your face, it's more subtle
But it's still coming across like the bridge and tunnel vision
I try to school these bucks, but they don't wanna listen
That's the reason the system making this paper from the prison
And that's the reason we living where they don't wanna visit
Where the dope slanging, keep swangin' like Sonny Liston
The money missing and there's mouths to feed
Get the brain kicking, thinking of a thousand things
Remember back in the days, when the kitchen had eggs
And pancakes, chicken and greens and Kool Aid?
When the refrigerator naked and the cupboard is bare
People got to strip naked, stick 'em up in the air
Was it lies when they told you wasn't nothing to fear?
Something don't feel right out here
[Hook 2: Maimouna Youssef]
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
[Verse 2: Black Thought]
Look, my eyes open 'cause I'm really a watchman
And when I'm writing my thoughts out, really, I'm boxing
My main adversary any silly concoction
Freeze your face like botulinum toxin
If you ain't trying to get popped, then give me a option
Helicopters chopping from Philly to Compton
The Jones, the Richardsons, the Smiths and the Johnsons
If you ain't saying nothing, you the system's accomplice
It should play with your conscience, do away with the nonsense
I'm overseeing anything within my circumference
This ain't a press junket, I ain't seeking responses
I stand where the people got the heat in they pockets
You mesmerized by the calm nonchalantness
I spin a dark web on some John Hitchcock shit
If you ain't speaking your life, your rhyme's adopted
If it don't feel right, then stop it, you know what I'm saying?
[Hook 2: Maimouna Youssef]
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately, I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
[Verse 3: Black Thought]
Yo, children working, weapon-producing
Natural disaster got the planet in a panic
We all got to make that living
Sex, drugs, murder, politics and religion
Forms of hustling, watch who you put all your trust in
Worldwide, we coincide with who suffering
Who never had shit and ain't got nothing
But more struggling, it makes you wanna run up in the motherfuckin'
Hot zone for a piece of the cake back
I can't work for it, I can certainly take that
I'm fired up, thinking about the payback, ASAP
You fuck around, be a enemy of the state, black
Ill, but that's too real for TV
It's crazy when you too real to be free
If you don't got no paper, then steal this CD
Listen, man, I'll let you know how it feel to be me
[Hook 2: Maimouna Youssef]
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seeing it clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Don't feel it, don't feel it, can't feel it no more
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
I don't know if I feel the same
Brent Blayone Blayone
If you aint saying nothing, you the system's accomplice. perfectly stated
MAFTV10
💜💪🏾