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.
Episodes
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You won't believe the site you see before eyes
Just push the panic button on your remote control
Then enter the zone where our patrolers will get round cold soul
Diddly Bo leave for feelin' a saga foretold
Who got caught pon the block for gold got the old
Heads froze, they peepin' outta closed windows
Well this another episode with titanic panoramic view is dismantle
Depressin' um, load with this gun hold
Wild like a sun sold for cash
Guns traded for sensi and hash crack for ass
Entire crews pass not making the news flash
Brews pass a memory and spark not to blast
Whatever have transform to the war path
Pure wrath from north down to 24th and Task
Games store the half the niggas you were prayin the streets
Tainted with camouflage, guerrilla sabotage
My cousin's da ratatard was livin tight large
Got caught then blast crashed off on Broad and Lambar
So many so called hearts scared they buried in the yard
Lick shots at Babylon de one comfy bombard
Kids run far from traditional credit cards scams
Veterans is nipped in the butt with large plans
Stick up kids is jumpin' outta played the Dodge Rams to jam
You and your man it's mad drama and
Better believe it, cause it is coming
You won't believe the site you see before eyes
This is for all of my niggas that are RIP
You ain't missin' of life ain't what this should be
I pass a car soon you know who's the enemy
Lots of shit has changed and it's kinda fucked up to see
You remember Top see nigga think slice of dream
Yo I'm fast for the buck do anything for the cream
Never seen a case like this although it's quite contagious
He even got his little bother actin' all outrageous
From dusk to dawn and from dawn back to dusk
They do anything and everything tryin to come up
It's kinda sickenin' how the cash is so fucking addicted
And when I say some bout they say that that's conflicted
Ain't nothin' but a contradiction in this world we live in
Cause the loot is for the takin' and not for the givin'
Then ya got this world well I say I'ma die hustlin'
Fuck everybody except my brother who I'm trusted in
I guess the couple just did not know the truth
Cause the following week I seen threw him of the roof
And sometimes I wonder what the fuck I think about that
How nowadays kids get whap for somethin' less than a pat
But I guess that's how it goes when there ain't no more rap
Thought he was his brothers keep but fuck all that
Niggas causin' mayhem from the p.m.'s to a.m.'s
Americas worst nightmare guns against hands
Better believe it, cause it is coming
You won't believe the site you see before eyes
It was the year of '84 I was tryin ta get in the mix
The year the niggas roll with sheepskins gazelles and kicks
Even got the patten leather Adidas snatched of your feet
Man that talk is cheap the crippled can't walk for weeks
The first sto was word to Penn and Teller's
Strolled in the dollar house parties and search for Cinderella
Was just a little man real bold
Tryin to act grown and old so da respect can be shown
A Hip Hop a little copped in and break dancing
When niggas wore wind breakers plot to take lamb skins
Remember Zigglers? Uptown the bottom to Natrona and
St. Charles in South Phil the ooh mob gang
H-are-M Ogontz Ave. Brickyard to hollow
Niggas was snatching gazzeles and flipping pockets for the dallo
You run ya little wolf chain in West Oak Lane
And niggas from Logan came to extort we know the game
You proclaim this gangster bullshit talk
And never even seen your man shot a bodies in charge
Aggravated assault another weekend in the precinct
Take everybody for their ring man that's how we think
Back then you catch a sucker punch off guard
Niggas will pull you card trying to walk around all hard
Niggas quick to flip your pockets if you lip service
When you see fifty niggas deep with Scully's get nervous
It ain't no telling what they could do to you
So you clutch up thinking you knowing you getting stuck up
In another episode in my area code
It's another episode in my area code
The Roots's song "Episodes" delves into the inner-city life of Philadelphia and the struggles faced by the people who inhabit it. The song takes the listener through various episodes that highlight the poverty, violence, and corruption that affect urban communities. The lyrics speak to the lack of security that people feel in their own neighborhoods and the desperation that leads some to turn to crime. The chorus repeats the words "Better believe it, cause it is coming, You won't believe the sight you see before your eyes," emphasizing the impending danger that is always present in these neighborhoods.
One of the episodes describes the life of someone who has been caught up in the drug trade. The verse talks about how people trade guns, drugs, and other illegal activities for money. The desperation for cash leads people to do unthinkable things. Another verse describes the violence that people experience in their daily lives. The song speaks to the reality that people face in the inner city and highlights the need for change.
The song brings to light the experience of those who have grown up in impoverished areas and the struggles they encounter. It highlights the importance of addressing systemic issues, such as poverty and inequality, that contribute to the problems faced in these neighborhoods. The song urges the listener to see beyond the stereotypes and embrace a new perspective on urban life.
Line by Line Meaning
Better believe it, cause it is coming
You won't believe the site you see before your eyes.
Just push the panic button on your remote control
Enter the zone where our patrolers will get round cold soul.
Diddly Bo leave for feelin' a saga foretold
People leave for feeling something that has been told.
Who got caught pon the block for gold got the old
Whoever was caught on the block for gold was punished.
Heads froze, they peepin' outta closed windows
People are scared and look out from closed windows.
They not secure as they supposed I watched it all unfold
Their security is not as supposed and it is watched.
Well this another episode with titanic panoramic view is dismantle
Another episode is happening with a big view that is being dismantled.
Depressin' um, load with this gun hold
It is depressing, holding a gun.
Wild like a sun sold for cash
Wild things are happening to profit.
Guns traded for sensi and hash crack for ass
Guns are being traded for drugs and crack is being traded for sex.
Entire crews pass not making the news flash
Entire crews are passing without being mentioned in the news.
Brews pass a memory and spark not to blast
Drinks pass with no memory and no sparks.
Whatever have transform to the war path
Things have transformed into a war path.
Pure wrath from north down to 24th and Task
There is pure anger from the north down to 24th and Task.
Games store the half the niggas you were prayin the streets
The games store half of the people on the streets.
Tainted with camouflage, guerrilla sabotage
Things are done in secret and with guerrilla tactics.
My cousin's da ratatard was livin tight large
My cousin was living it up.
Got caught then blast crashed off on Broad and Lambar
He got caught then died.
So many so called hearts scared they buried in the yard
So many people are scared and hide away from the world.
Lick shots at Babylon de one comfy bombard
People are shooting at comfortable targets.
Kids run far from traditional credit cards scams
Kids avoid traditional credit card scams.
Veterans is nipped in the butt with large plans
Veterans are thwarted by big plans.
Stick up kids is jumpin' outta played the Dodge Rams to jam
Kids are jumping out of Dodge Rams and robbing people.
You and your man it's mad drama and
You and your friend are causing a lot of drama.
This is for all of my niggas that are RIP
This is for all my friends that have passed away.
You ain't missin' of life ain't what this should be
You are not missing anything because life is not what it should be.
I pass a car soon you know who's the enemy
Passing by a car and knowing who the enemy is.
Lots of shit has changed and it's kinda fucked up to see
A lot of things have changed and it is messed up to see.
You remember Top see nigga think slice of dream
You remember when people thought everything was a dream.
Yo I'm fast for the buck do anything for the cream
I am fast for money and will do anything for it.
Never seen a case like this although it's quite contagious
This is a unique but contagious situation.
He even got his little bother actin' all outrageous
He even influenced his little brother to act crazy.
From dusk to dawn and from dawn back to dusk
Things are happening all day and night.
They do anything and everything tryin to come up
People are doing anything to improve themselves.
It's kinda sickenin' how the cash is so fucking addicted
It is sickening how addicted people are to money.
And when I say some bout they say that that's conflicted
When I mention something they say it is conflicting.
Ain't nothin' but a contradiction in this world we live in
The world is full of contradictions.
Cause the loot is for the takin' and not for the givin'
People take the loot instead of giving it.
Then ya got this world well I say I'ma die hustlin'
This world is like this, so I will keep hustling until I die.
Fuck everybody except my brother who I'm trusted in
I only care about my brother who I trust.
I guess the couple just did not know the truth
The couple did not know the truth.
Cause the following week I seen threw him of the roof
Because of this, I threw him off the roof the next week.
And sometimes I wonder what the fuck I think about that
Sometimes I wonder why I did that.
How nowadays kids get whap for somethin' less than a pat
Kids get in big trouble for small things nowadays.
But I guess that's how it goes when there ain't no more rap
That is just how it goes when there is no more help.
Thought he was his brothers keep but fuck all that
He was thought to be his brother's keeper but that is not the case.
Niggas causin' mayhem from the p.m.'s to a.m.'s
People are causing chaos all day and night.
Americas worst nightmare guns against hands
The worst thing in America is guns against people with no weapons.
It was the year of '84 I was tryin ta get in the mix
It was 1984 and I was trying to be part of the scene.
The year the niggas roll with sheepskins gazelles and kicks
The year when people wore sheepskin coats, Gazelle sneakers, and kick ass shoes.
Even got the patten leather Adidas snatched of your feet
People even got their patent leather Adidas sneakers stolen right off their feet.
Man that talk is cheap the crippled can't walk for weeks
Talking is not enough, people need to take action.
The first sto was word to Penn and Teller's
The first stop was where Penn and Teller performed.
Strolled in the dollar house parties and search for Cinderella
Went to dollar house parties and looked for someone special.
Was just a little man real bold
I was small but brave.
Tryin to act grown and old so da respect can be shown
Trying to act older to earn respect.
A Hip Hop a little copped in and break dancing
Hip hop and break dancing was a little bit stolen.
When niggas wore wind breakers plot to take lamb skins
When people wore windbreakers, others plotted to steal their lamb skins.
Remember Zigglers? Uptown the bottom to Natrona and
Remember Zigglers? From uptown to Natrona and the bottom.
St. Charles in South Phil the ooh mob gang
Saint Charles in South Philadelphia belonged to the ooh mob gang.
H-are-M Ogontz Ave. Brickyard to hollow
From H-are-M Ogontz Avenue to Brickyard and Hollow.
Niggas was snatching gazzeles and flipping pockets for the dallo
People were stealing gazelles and taking money out of pockets for more money.
You run ya little wolf chain in West Oak Lane
You would wear your little wolf chain around West Oak Lane.
And niggas from Logan came to extort we know the game
People from Logan came to extort money, we know the game.
You proclaim this gangster bullshit talk
You talk about gangster bullshit.
And never even seen your man shot a bodies in charge
You have never seen someone close to you get shot.
Aggravated assault another weekend in the precinct
Another weekend with aggravated assault in the precinct.
Take everybody for their ring man that's how we think
People steal rings, that's how they think.
Back then you catch a sucker punch off guard
Back then you could get sucker-punched unexpectedly.
Niggas quick to flip your pockets if you lip service
People will immediately start stealing from you if you talk back.
When you see fifty niggas deep with Scully's get nervous
When you see a group of fifty people with Scully's, get nervous.
It ain't no telling what they could do to you
You never know what they could do to you.
So you clutch up thinking you knowing you getting stuck up
You clench up, thinking you know that you are getting robbed.
In another episode in my area code
There is another episode in my area code.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR K. THOMPSON, KARL B. JENKINS, MALIK SMART, MEL LEWIS, TARIK L. COLLINS, TRACEY MOORE
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!