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.
Essaywhuman?!!!??!
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keys check 1-2
Drums check 1-2
Its the roots,
Now what we want y'all to do is sit back y'all, and just relax y'all,
Sit back y'all, and just relax y'all,
Sit back y'all, and just relax y'all,
And if you dig it let me hear your mega snap y'all,
Lenoard Hubbard y'all he's on the bass right,
y'all, he's on the drums right,
Now who I am
(beat box)
Black thought.
(beat box)
Everybody say the name of this jam y'all
[Chorus]
Essaywhuman, essaywhuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman,
Essaywhuman, essaywhuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman,
Essay whuman,essay whuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman
Essay whuman,essay whuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman
I'm the
(beat box)
Rhyme displayer.
The vocal
(beatbox)
Player.
(beatbox)
I won't chill,
(beatbox)
So show us some freakin skill.
Now, wait a sec,
You got a
(beatbox)
Rep.
So, the jam,
The name of this jam,
[Chorus]
We got to blah, bring it on,
Steve cole is, on the horn.
In case you thought my guard was caught,
My name is
(beatbox)
Black thought.
I'm from the...roots clan,
Say common is my
(beatbox)
Man.
We got to
(beatbox)
Rock the jam!
[Chorus]
Be-doop get a taste,
Of leonard, bang! hubb on the base.
He, plays it sweet,
He doesnt boom, don't lose the beat.
Your words you heard just what I said.
So leonard's freakin' with my head,
But yo he's boom, bang still my man.
Rockin' the
(beatbox)
The name of this jam
[Chorus]
The song "Essaywhuman?!!!?!" by The Roots is a funky, upbeat track that is an ode to their own skills and abilities. The lyrics start with a call and response, as each member of the band checks their instruments before bringing in the beat. They then instruct the listener to sit back and relax before launching into their rhymes. Black Thought, the lead vocalist, introduces himself and his talent as a "rhyme displayer" and "vocal player," challenging others to "show us some freakin skill." The band then brings in some guest musicians and continues to rock the jam.
The lyrics are delivered with a playful and confident attitude, with the band members taking turns showing off their skills. They reference their own reputation as part of the "roots clan," and mention collaborating with other artists like Steve Cole and Common. Throughout the song, the band is clearly having fun and enjoying the groove, inviting the listener to join in the fun with the repeated chorus "essaywhuman, essaywhuman."
Line by Line Meaning
Bass check 1-2
Let's make sure the bass is working properly, let's test it.
Keys check 1-2
Let's make sure the keys are working properly, let's test it.
Drums check 1-2
Let's make sure the drums are working properly, let's test it.
Its the roots,
The Roots are here, ready to perform.
Now what we want y'all to do is sit back y'all, and just relax y'all,
We want the audience to sit back and relax, and enjoy the show.
And if you dig it let me hear your mega snap y'all,
If you're enjoying the performance, show it by snapping your fingers loudly.
Gods thought y'all, he on the keys right,
The musician called Gods Thought is playing the keyboard right now.
Lenoard Hubbard y'all he's on the bass right,
The musician named Lenoard Hubbard is playing the bass right now.
y'all, he's on the drums right,
Lenoard Hubbard is also the drummer for this performance.
Now who I am
I am about to introduce myself.
(beat box)
A beatbox sound effect.
Black thought.
The performer's name is Black Thought.
Everybody say the name of this jam y'all
The audience is asked to say the name of the song they are about to hear.
Essaywhuman, essaywhuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman,
The name of the song is "Essaywhuman?!?"
I'm the
Black Thought is about to describe himself.
(beat box)
Another beatbox sound effect.
Rhyme displayer.
Black Thought is a rapper, displaying his lyrical abilities.
The vocal
Black Thought is a vocalist.
(beatbox)
Another beatbox sound effect.
I won't chill,
Black Thought is ready to perform energetically.
(beatbox)
Another beatbox sound effect.
So show us some freakin skill.
Black Thought is calling on the other musicians to show off their skills.
Now, wait a sec,
Wait just a moment.
You got a
Referring to another musician.
(beatbox)
Another beatbox sound effect.
Rep.
This musician has a reputation for being talented.
So, the jam,
The song being performed right now.
The name of this jam,
The song being performed is called "Essaywhuman?!?"
We got to blah, bring it on,
We have to bring our best performance tonight.
Steve cole is, on the horn.
The musician Steve Cole is playing the saxophone.
In case you thought my guard was caught,
Just in case you think I'm not paying attention.
My name is
Introducing himself again.
(beatbox)
Another beatbox sound effect.
Black thought.
Repeating his name.
I'm from the...roots clan,
Black Thought is part of The Roots collective.
Say common is my
Referencing another artist.
(beatbox)
Another beatbox sound effect.
Man.
Common is someone Black Thought admires.
We got to
We need to.
(beatbox)
Another beatbox sound effect.
Rock the jam!
Let's give a great performance!
Be-doop get a taste,
Another sound effect, leading into a description of the bassist's playing.
Of leonard, bang! hubb on the base.
Mentioning the bassist's name, saying that he plays forcefully.
He, plays it sweet,
Suggesting that while the bass can be forceful, it is also played melodically.
He doesnt boom, don't lose the beat.
The bassist is able to play melodically without losing the rhythm.
Your words you heard just what I said.
The audience should be listening closely to what is being said.
So leonard's freakin' with my head,
The bassist is playing so well that Black Thought is impressed.
But yo he's boom, bang still my man.
Despite being impressed, Leonard is still part of the collective and a friend.
Rockin' the
Performing the music.
(beatbox)
Another beatbox sound effect.
The name of this jam
Referring to the song being performed, "Essaywhuman?!?"
Essaywhuman, essaywhuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman,
Repeating the name of the song.
Essaywhuman, essaywhuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman,
Continuing to repeat the name of the song.
Essay whuman,essay whuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman
Continuing to repeat the name of the song.
Essay whuman,essay whuman, essaywh-uman, essay whuman
Continuing to repeat the name of the song.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR K. THOMPSON, TARIK L. COLLINS, LEONARD N. HUBBARD, STEVE COLEMAN, JOSH ABRAMS, SCOTT SPENCER STORCH
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!