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.
Game Theory
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've got to let me know baby
So I can go, I'd have to fake it
I could not make it
You could not take it
Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac
Rock bottom where them cops gotta problem at
Where them outsiders getting popped for they wallet at
I had nothin' but I made somethin' outta that
Now I'm the first out the limo like Charlie Mack
From 215 it's him the livest one
And he's representin' Philly to the fullest
Blacks the realest
You can't touch him and not for nothin'
If you bout hip hop then you gots to love it
If not then fuck it
I'm still handlin'
Smokin' more reefer than Redman and them damaging MC's
And my name's Rick Gees you endangered species
For what I do I'm about to up the fees
I'm paper-chase motivated I ain't the one to play with
These cats get set ablaze
You can't have it y'all way but I'd rather parlay
Just smoke OG and get cabbage all day
The way thought play causes your main thing to say
Your style so splendid you bout your business
You arousing my interests
You sharper than a Shogun
You know the way it go, huh, game know what I'm talkin' bout
Hus, that's short for hustlers
We Black Inc Raw Life productions
Tryin' to find our spota amongst the ruckus
And be sucker free, flea chumps and busters
Man yeah, Get 'em hus, get 'em hus, get 'em hus
Hey yo I'm tryin' to get it at any cost so it's no remorse
When I'm blastin' off like you been askin' for it
When Black step in the door all hats is off
Your hands up in the air goin' back and forth
I'm about ready for a classic massacre
I'll make it hotter than when Shaft in Africa
Jump outta a black Porsche huffin' a fat cigar
Night ridin' on 'em like my last name Hasselhoff
Voted unlikely to succeed cause my class was full
Of naysayers, cheaters and thieves
All it gave me was a good enough reason to leave
And put the writing on the wall for y'all to read it and weep
Cause I'm the force of the Lord, the rage of hell
You'd rather head for the hills and save yourselves
My Man rip drums like He ringin' the bells
The King of the Realm you seen Him do His thing in a film
Come on
Hus, that's short for hustlers
We Black Inc Raw Life productions
Tryin' to find our spota amongst the ruckus
And be sucker free, flea chumps and busters
Man yeah, Get 'em hus, get 'em hus, get 'em hus
Dreams when M16's with infrared beams
Blowin' up presidents' cribs with cans of kerosene
High-jack the limousine with a strategic routine
Then blast my enemy, head for the Caribbean
Militant guerrilla camp is ready for war
Lay your corner face down, place down your jewels cash and four four
When I score prepare for torture
Fuck around and make your town Warsaw
I'm from Illadel the land where the killas dwell
My technique is to ambush you guerrilla style
My instinct is of a killer whale bang you up from head to toe
With lyrics I pack like a nine millimal
My types subliminal mentality switched to criminal
Importing heroin internash from Senegal
A soldier takes a stripes from a general
Used the mike of iron or lead
You choose your mineral
This is a game, I'm your specimen
You've got to let me know baby
So I can go, I'd have to fake it
I could not make it
You could not take it
The opening lines of The Roots’s song Game Theory suggest a game that the singer is unwilling to play. He says, “This is a game, I’m your specimen. You’ve got to let me know, baby, so I can go. I’d have to fake it. I could not make it. You could not take it.” The language is straightforward, but it is difficult to determine what the game is, who the singer is playing it with or why he is unwilling to participate. The lyrics are followed by a rap that takes us on a tour of the rapper’s city, Philadelphia, and highlights the realities of crack cocaine’s impact on the urban poor. The rapper takes us through a journey of struggle and self-determination, with images of police brutality and rampant crime.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of urgency and struggle, fueled by the rapper’s desire to survive in a city that is drastically changing. There is a hint at the idea that survival is the goal, and those who do not adapt or play the game are likely to fail. Game Theory seems to be a reflection on the idea that we are all part of a larger game, but the question is what kind of game it is and who is ultimately in control.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a game, I'm your specimen
The singer is stating that life is like a game and that they are the subject being studied
You've got to let me know baby
The singer is asking to be informed about the rules of the game
So I can go, I'd have to fake it
The singer will pretend to know the rules if they are not informed
I could not make it
The artist feels that they wouldn't be able to succeed if they don't know the rules
You could not take it
The artist is warning that they wouldn't be able to handle the consequences of failing at the game
Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
The singer is introducing where they are from and how they are involved in the situation
Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
The singer is describing their hometown as a place where reality is harsh
It wasn't really that ill until the start of crack
The artist is referencing the impact that the crack epidemic had on their community
Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac
The artist is highlighting the violence that has become commonplace in their community
Rock bottom where them cops gotta problem at
The artist is expressing that the police has a difficult task trying to handle the rampant crime in their community
Where them outsiders getting popped for they wallet at
The singer is referencing the fact that visitors to their community are likely to become victims of theft
I had nothin' but I made somethin' outta that
The artist is reflecting on their own success, in spite of growing up with very little
Now I'm the first out the limo like Charlie Mack
The singer is explaining their current position of success and the privileges that come with that success
From 215 it's him the livest one
The singer is referencing their area code, indicating their pride for their hometown
And he's representin' Philly to the fullest
The singer is proud of their identity and their representation of their city
Blacks the realest
The artist is expressing pride in the black community
You can't touch him and not for nothin'
The artist is indicating their widespread influence that cannot be ignored
If you bout hip hop then you gots to love it
The singer is expressing their love for hip hop culture, acknowledging its impact on mainstream culture
If not then fuck it
The singer does not care if someone does not like hip hop
I'm still handlin'
The artist is describing their ability to handle the pressure that comes with their success
Smokin' more reefer than Redman and them damaging MC's
The artist is referencing their love for marijuana and their ability to outperform other rappers in the game
And my name's Rick Gees you endangered species
The artist is describing their unique position in the industry as an artist who is both respected and successful
For what I do I'm about to up the fees
The singer is recognizing their value and is about to request more money for their work
I'm paper-chase motivated I ain't the one to play with
The artist is describing their work ethic and their refusal to be taken advantage of
These cats get set ablaze
The singer is conveying that they have the power to destroy their competition
You can't have it y'all way but I'd rather parlay
The singer will not let others control their path, but will instead enjoy their wealth in their own way
Just smoke OG and get cabbage all day
The singer is referencing their leisure activities and their enjoyment of marijuana and money
The way thought play causes your main thing to say
The artist is suggesting that their intelligence and strategy can influence others
Your style so splendid you bout your business
The artist is complimenting someone for their unique style and their ability to stay focused on their goals
You arousing my interests
The singer is expressing their attraction to someone's talents
You sharper than a Shogun
The singer is comparing someone's intelligence to that of a skilled samurai
You know the way it go, huh, game know what I'm talkin' bout
The artist is indicating their familiarity with the game and the challenges that come with it
Hus, that's short for hustlers
The artist is introducing their crew and referencing their profession
We Black Inc Raw Life productions
The artist is explaining the name of their production company
Tryin' to find our spota amongst the ruckus
The singer is expressing the difficulty of their journey while trying to succeed in a competitive industry
And be sucker free, flea chumps and busters
The artist is indicating their desire to not be taken advantage of by others who do not have their best interest in mind
Man yeah, Get 'em hus, get 'em hus, get 'em hus
The singer is hyping up their crew and themselves, expressing their desire to succeed
Hey yo I'm tryin' to get it at any cost so it's no remorse
The singer will do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means showing no mercy
When I'm blastin' off like you been askin' for it
The singer is comparing their success to a rocket launch that cannot be stopped
When Black step in the door all hats is off
When the artist arrives, they command respect from others in the room
Your hands up in the air goin' back and forth
The artist is asserting their dominance and causing others to move to their command
I'm about ready for a classic massacre
The singer is confident in their ability to outperform others, and will do so with ease
I'll make it hotter than when Shaft in Africa
The singer is referencing a popular movie and comparing their performance to the heat and intensity of the film
Jump outta a black Porsche huffin' a fat cigar
The artist is describing their extravagant lifestyle, exuding a sense of confidence and control
Night ridin' on 'em like my last name Hasselhoff
The artist is referencing an actor and comparing themselves to the character he played in a popular TV show, expressing that they are unstoppable
Voted unlikely to succeed cause my class was full
The artist is referencing their difficult upbringing and the fact that others did not believe in their potential
Of naysayers, cheaters and thieves
The singer is describing the people who doubted them and those who tried to take advantage of them
All it gave me was a good enough reason to leave
The artist is explaining that their difficult upbringing motivated them to work harder and leave their past behind
And put the writing on the wall for y'all to read it and weep
The singer is suggesting that their current success is undeniable and that others should acknowledge it
Cause I'm the force of the Lord, the rage of hell
The singer is expressing their confidence and power, and that they have a divine purpose
You'd rather head for the hills and save yourselves
The singer is suggesting that their competition is likely scared of them and can only run away
My Man rip drums like He ringin' the bells
The artist is complimenting their friend who is a skilled drummer
The King of the Realm you seen Him do His thing in a film
The artist is referencing their own success and comparing themselves to a king who has already established themselves
Dreams when M16's with infrared beams
The singer is referencing their violent fantasies
Blowin' up presidents' cribs with cans of kerosene
The singer is expressing their desire to commit violent acts against political leaders
High-jack the limousine with a strategic routine
The artist is describing a hypothetical situation where they would take control of a limousine with a pre-planned strategy
Then blast my enemy, head for the Caribbean
The artist is expressing that their violent fantasies extend beyond just their own community and they would escape to the Caribbean after committing a violent act
Militant guerrilla camp is ready for war
The artist is suggesting that they are prepared for any sort of conflict
Lay your corner face down, place down your jewels cash and four four
The singer is describing a hypothetical situation where they would rob someone of their valuables and weapons
When I score prepare for torture
The artist is suggesting that they are willing to go to extreme measures to achieve success
Fuck around and make your town Warsaw
The singer is warning that they can single-handedly destroy a community
I'm from Illadel the land where the killas dwell
The singer is referencing their hometown and expressing that danger is always present
My technique is to ambush you guerrilla style
The singer is describing their strategy of surprise attacks in order to gain an advantage
My instinct is of a killer whale bang you up from head to toe
The artist is expressing their predatory nature and their ability to defeat their enemies
With lyrics I pack like a nine millimal
The artist is comparing their words to bullets from a gun, asserting their power as a rapper
My types subliminal mentality switched to criminal
The singer is expressing that their thoughts and actions can be dangerous
Importing heroin internash from Senegal
The singer is referencing their involvement in the drug trade, importing drugs from other countries
A soldier takes a stripes from a general
The artist is referencing their ability to outperform those who are higher-ranked than them
Used the mike of iron or lead
The artist is suggesting that they use the power of their words to control and manipulate others
You choose your mineral
The artist is suggesting that listeners have a choice in how they respond to the message conveyed in the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MALIK SMART, S. STEWART, TARIK L. COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DEM0
This is a game, I'm your specimen
You've got to let me know baby
So I can go, I'd have to fake it
I could not make it
You could not take it
Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
It wasn't really that ill until the start of crack
Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac
Rock bottom where them cops gotta problem at
Where them outsiders getting popped for they wallet at
I had nothin' but I made somethin' outta that
Now I'm the first out the limo like Charlie Mack
From 215 it's him the livest one
And he's representin' Philly to the fullest
Blacks the realest
You can't touch him and not for nothin'
If you bout hip hop then you gots to love it
If not then fuck it
I'm still handlin'
Smokin' more reefer than Redman and them damaging MC's
And my name's Rick Gees you endangered species
For what I do I'm about to up the fees
I'm paper-chase motivated I ain't the one to play with
These cats get set ablaze
You can't have it y'all way but I'd rather parlay
Just smoke OG and get cabbage all day
The way thought play causes your main thing to say
Your style so splendid you bout your business
You arousing my interests
You sharper than a Shogun
You know the way it go, huh, game know what I'm talkin' bout
Hus, that's short for hustlers
We Black Inc Raw Life productions
Tryin' to find our spota amongst the ruckus
And be sucker free, flea chumps and busters
Man yeah, Get 'em hus, get 'em hus, get 'em hus
Hey yo I'm tryin' to get it at any cost so it's no remorse
When I'm blastin' off like you been askin' for it
When Black step in the door all hats is off
Your hands up in the air goin' back and forth
I'm about ready for a classic massacre
I'll make it hotter than when Shaft in Africa
Jump outta a black Porsche huffin' a fat cigar
Night ridin' on 'em like my last name Hasselhoff
Voted unlikely to succeed cause my class was full
Of naysayers, cheaters and thieves
All it gave me was a good enough reason to leave
And put the writing on the wall for y'all to read it and weep
Cause I'm the force of the Lord, the rage of hell
You'd rather head for the hills and save yourselves
My Man rip drums like He ringin' the bells
The King of the Realm you seen Him do His thing in a film
Come on
Hus, that's short for hustlers
We Black Inc Raw Life productions
Tryin' to find our spota amongst the ruckus
And be sucker free, flea chumps and busters
Man yeah, Get 'em hus, get 'em hus, get 'em hus
Dreams when M16's with infrared beams
Blowin' up presidents' cribs with cans of kerosene
High-jack the limousine with a strategic routine
Then blast my enemy, head for the Caribbean
Militant guerrilla camp is ready for war
Lay your corner face down, place down your jewels cash and four four
When I score prepare for torture
Fuck around and make your town Warsaw
I'm from Illadel the land where the killas dwell
My technique is to ambush you guerrilla style
My instinct is of a killer whale bang you up from head to toe
With lyrics I pack like a nine millimal
My types subliminal mentality switched to criminal
Importing heroin internash from Senegal
A soldier takes a stripes from a general
Used the mike of iron or lead
You choose your mineral
This is a game, I'm your specimen
You've got to let me know baby
So I can go, I'd have to fake it
I could not make it
You could not take it
J J
Dreams when M16's with infrared beams
Blowin' up presidents' cribs with cans of kerosene
High-jack the limousine with a strategic routine
Then blast my enemy, head for the Caribbean
Militant guerrilla camp is ready for war
Lay your corner face down, place down your jewels cash and four four
When I score prepare for torture
Fuck around and make your town Warsaw
I'm from Illadel the land where the killas dwell
My technique is to ambush you guerrilla style
My instinct is of a killer whale bang you up from head to toe
With lyrics I pack like a nine millimal
My types subliminal mentality switched to criminal
Importing heroin internash from Senegal
A soldier takes a stripes from a general
Used the mike of iron or lead
You choose your mineral
Terence Williams
RIP Malik B! One of Illadelph's Finest MC's to ever rock a Mic!!!
BAGAKOOS
instant classic album. the beats get better and better with every listen and thought's lyrics are crazy on this one.
Sizwile Mahleka
The energy on this track. Hectic!
IceMann402
i luv the roots not only for their hip hop but becuz they can excel in any genre of music they really want to cuz their also actual musicians. they are truly talented man, thats why i own all their albums :)
DEM0
This is a game, I'm your specimen
You've got to let me know baby
So I can go, I'd have to fake it
I could not make it
You could not take it
Yeah, where I'ma start it at, look I'ma part of that
Downtown Philly where it's realer than a heart attack
It wasn't really that ill until the start of crack
Now it's a body caught every night on the Almanac
Rock bottom where them cops gotta problem at
Where them outsiders getting popped for they wallet at
I had nothin' but I made somethin' outta that
Now I'm the first out the limo like Charlie Mack
From 215 it's him the livest one
And he's representin' Philly to the fullest
Blacks the realest
You can't touch him and not for nothin'
If you bout hip hop then you gots to love it
If not then fuck it
I'm still handlin'
Smokin' more reefer than Redman and them damaging MC's
And my name's Rick Gees you endangered species
For what I do I'm about to up the fees
I'm paper-chase motivated I ain't the one to play with
These cats get set ablaze
You can't have it y'all way but I'd rather parlay
Just smoke OG and get cabbage all day
The way thought play causes your main thing to say
Your style so splendid you bout your business
You arousing my interests
You sharper than a Shogun
You know the way it go, huh, game know what I'm talkin' bout
Hus, that's short for hustlers
We Black Inc Raw Life productions
Tryin' to find our spota amongst the ruckus
And be sucker free, flea chumps and busters
Man yeah, Get 'em hus, get 'em hus, get 'em hus
Hey yo I'm tryin' to get it at any cost so it's no remorse
When I'm blastin' off like you been askin' for it
When Black step in the door all hats is off
Your hands up in the air goin' back and forth
I'm about ready for a classic massacre
I'll make it hotter than when Shaft in Africa
Jump outta a black Porsche huffin' a fat cigar
Night ridin' on 'em like my last name Hasselhoff
Voted unlikely to succeed cause my class was full
Of naysayers, cheaters and thieves
All it gave me was a good enough reason to leave
And put the writing on the wall for y'all to read it and weep
Cause I'm the force of the Lord, the rage of hell
You'd rather head for the hills and save yourselves
My Man rip drums like He ringin' the bells
The King of the Realm you seen Him do His thing in a film
Come on
Hus, that's short for hustlers
We Black Inc Raw Life productions
Tryin' to find our spota amongst the ruckus
And be sucker free, flea chumps and busters
Man yeah, Get 'em hus, get 'em hus, get 'em hus
Dreams when M16's with infrared beams
Blowin' up presidents' cribs with cans of kerosene
High-jack the limousine with a strategic routine
Then blast my enemy, head for the Caribbean
Militant guerrilla camp is ready for war
Lay your corner face down, place down your jewels cash and four four
When I score prepare for torture
Fuck around and make your town Warsaw
I'm from Illadel the land where the killas dwell
My technique is to ambush you guerrilla style
My instinct is of a killer whale bang you up from head to toe
With lyrics I pack like a nine millimal
My types subliminal mentality switched to criminal
Importing heroin internash from Senegal
A soldier takes a stripes from a general
Used the mike of iron or lead
You choose your mineral
This is a game, I'm your specimen
You've got to let me know baby
So I can go, I'd have to fake it
I could not make it
You could not take it
God Guzzlord
This instrumental is insane
J J
Dreams when M16's with infrared beams
Blowin' up presidents' cribs with cans of kerosene
High-jack the limousine with a strategic routine
Then blast my enemy, head for the Caribbean
Militant guerrilla camp is ready for war
Lay your corner face down, place down your jewels cash and four four
When I score prepare for torture
Fuck around and make your town Warsaw
I'm from Illadel the land where the killas dwell
My technique is to ambush you guerrilla style
My instinct is of a killer whale bang you up from head to toe
With lyrics I pack like a nine millimal
My types subliminal mentality switched to criminal
Importing heroin internash from Senegal
A soldier takes a stripes from a general
Used the mike of iron or lead
You choose your mineral
rsin190
i think this is my favorite roots song of all time, followed by what they do and Act too
Progress24/7
Classic! Found this back in Junior year of High school ! 🔥
J J
Malik B. the only emcee to stand or match Black Thought...nobody comes close
May ALLAH be pleased w/ Our Brother