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 Version )
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
It don't feel, it don't feel, I can't feel it no more
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
It don't feel, it don't feel, I don't feel it no more
Things don't feel right over here
Lately I ain't been seein' clear
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
It don't feel, it don't feel, I 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, and hold 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 comin' 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 makin' its paper from the prison
And that's the reason we livin' where they don't wanna visit
Where the dope slang and keep swayin' like Sonny Liston
The money missin' and there's mouths to feed
Yet the brain kickin', thinkin' of a thousand things
Remember back in the days, when the kitchen had eggs
And pancakes, thicken and greens and Kool Aid
When the 'fridgerator naked then the cupboard is bare
People got to strip naked, stick 'em up in the air
Wasn't lies when they told you wasn't nothin' to fear
Somethin' don't feel right out here, know what im sayin'? Check it out
[Chorus]
[Verse 2: Black Thought]
Look, my eyes open cause I'm really a rocksmith
And when inviting me thoughts, I'm really unboxin'
My main adversary in this silly concoction
Freeze your face like bosilium toxin
If you ain't tryin' to get popped, then give me a option
Helicopters choppin' from Philly to Compton
The Jones is the richest since the Smiths & the Johnson's
If you ain't sayin' nothin', you a 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 seekin' responses
I stand where the people got the heat in they pocket
You mesmerized by the calm nonchalant-ness
I spit a dart, rub on some John Hitchcock shit
If you ain't speakin' your life, your rhyme's adopted
If it don't feel right, then stop it, you nahmsayin'?
[Chorus]
[Verse 3: Black Thought]
Yo, field you work in, weapon producin'
Natural disaster got the planet in a panic
We all gots to make that livin'
Sex, drugs, murder, politics and religion
Forms of hustlin', watch who you put all your trust in
Worldwide, we coincide with who sufferin'
Who never had shit and ain't got nothin'
But most strugglin', and make you wanna run up in the ma' fuckin'
With hots on for a piece of the cake back
I can't work for it, I can certainly take that
I'm fired up, thinkin' about the payback, except
You fuck around and be a enemy of the state, black
I'll, but that'd be too real for TV
It's crazy when you too real to be free
If you ain'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
[Chorus]
The Roots's song Don't Feel Right is a powerful commentary on the state of the world and how it affects our personal lives. The chorus repeats "It don't feel right" and "I can't feel it no more" to express a sense of disconnection, discomfort, and disillusionment. The verses expand on this feeling, describing a world filled with trouble, subtle struggles, and systems that profit from misery. The lyrics touch on themes such as poverty, inequality, corruption, and the need to speak up and take action to change the status quo. Black Thought's verses are particularly strong, full of clever wordplay, metaphors, and social commentary. He denounces the prison-industrial complex, the music industry, the political system, and the media, while also acknowledging his own power and responsibility as an artist and a human being.
In summary, Don't Feel Right is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged song that captures the mood of a disillusioned and frustrated generation. Its lyrics are a call to action, a reminder that we should not accept the world as it is, but strive to make it better. The song's powerful message is supported by a dynamic and funky instrumental, with live instruments, samples, and scratch effects blending together to create a sound that is both timeless and contemporary.
Line by Line Meaning
It don't feel right, it don't feel right
Something feels off, something is wrong
It don't feel, it don't feel, I can't feel it no more
I can't feel the connection or the passion anymore
Things don't feel right over here
Things are not feeling right in my surroundings
Lately I ain't been seein' clear
Lately I have been feeling unclear or unsure
Seems to me nowadays things have changed
It seems that things have changed lately
I don't know if I feel the same
I'm not sure if I feel the same as before
Yo, in the land of the unseen hand, and hold trouble
In a world where hidden forces create trouble
Theorize your game, it's difficult to roll a double
Predicting the outcome is hard, it's like rolling dice and getting the same number twice
The struggle ain't right up in your face, it's more subtle
The issues or the fight are not obvious, they are hidden
But it's still comin' across like the bridge and tunnel vision
It's still apparent even though it's hidden
I try to school these bucks, but they don't wanna listen
I'm trying to educate or share knowledge with others, but they are not willing to listen
That's the reason the system makin' its paper from the prison
That's why the system is making money by incarcerating people
And that's the reason we livin' where they don't wanna visit
That's why we live in areas or neighborhoods that are avoided by others
Where the dope slang and keep swayin' like Sonny Liston
Where the drug trade is active and influential like Sonny Liston, a professional boxer in his time
People got to strip naked, stick 'em up in the air
People get robbed and have to raise their hands, as if they're being held up
Wasn't lies when they told you wasn't nothin' to fear
It was not a lie when they said there was nothing to fear
Look, my eyes open cause I'm really a rocksmith
My eyes are open and I'm aware because I'm a craftsman or expert at what I do
If you ain't tryin' to get popped, then give me a option
If you don't want to get in trouble, then give me a choice or an alternative
Helicopters choppin' from Philly to Compton
There are helicopters flying from Philadelphia to Compton, indicating issues or problems that need attention
Worldwide, we coincide with who sufferin'
Around the world, we have similar experiences with those who are experiencing suffering
Who never had shit and ain't got nothin'
Those who never had anything and still have nothing
But most strugglin', and make you wanna run up in the ma' fuckin'
But most are struggling to get by, and it can make you frustrated and angry
With hots on for a piece of the cake back
With a strong desire to get a share of what they deserve
If you ain't got no paper then steal this CD
If you don't have money, then take this CD for free
Listen man, I'll let you know how it feel to be me, it don't feel
I'm telling you what it feels like to be me, and it doesn't feel good
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
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
Jarod Tall
Game Theory is low key one of the best hip hop albums of all tomt
rsin190
this is by far one my favorite albums of all times. GOOD MUSIC = THE ROOTS
Concierge305
One of the Best bands ever, sadly they may not be appreciated till years down the line
bsilver887
game theory was an amazing, dark and refreshing album. any true rap fan should get it.
Kim Beavers
There have been heartbreaking tragedies both locally and internationally this week. This song is on my mind today. Much love to Oakland and Poland.
khoury1600
easily one of the most slept on groups, albums ever!! GAME THEORY...PHRENOLOGY...THINGS FALL APART...ILLADELPH HALFLIFE...classic body of work. Defjam should be ashamed for not promoting!!
- Devizco -
Roots Crew Once Again!!!! ...Hasta en Caracas, Venezuela son los duros!...Buen video! ODB
dakidfromhaiti
Great video, great album, great Hip Hop band!!
jazzefingers
love the mix, some classic songs here! ....love how they can cross genres with their melodies! check this group "INRG" for a new band with dope sounds!
johnwcreasy1
game theory is the album i play the most..every song was fire