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.
Get Busy
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My band bout seventy strong just like fela
Yeah part Melly Mel part Van Halen
And we represent illadel where they still rebellin'
A yo sicko show like mike moore's
My city ain't nothing like your's
Slippin' into darkness like war! night-crawl
With the lights off, you see a lot of life loss for the white horse
All on the red carpet, guns from the black market
Hey who got the politicians in they back pocket
Pimp slap pump that gimme that profit
When you make contact gimme that gossip
If you break contract you'll be that hostage
They getting busy in the city it's raw
Better deadbolt the door it ain't safe no more
Southside get busy yall
Northside get busy yall
Westside get busy yall
Worldwide get busy yall
Approach with caution be cautious when talking to bosses
I feel I've been through a metamorphosis
I'm mutated by unknown forces
The feelin' of course is something thats hard to describe I'm half dead never felt more alive
Reborn removed the gold coins from my eyes
I've been down but now I'm back up
Bout to act up boy you better back up
When you see me set up shop know to pack up
I crack up when a rapper gets slapped up
Number one reason yall should give rap up
Dice it's mine, I got it all wrapped up
I'm kinda W.E.B. Dubois meets Heavy D and the boys smooth as a Rolls Royce
Built like a tank smoking on dank
I'm walking through the Guggenheim Raw Life Black Ink
Southside get busy yall
Northside get busy yall
Westside get busy yall
Worldwide get busy yall
Now on your mark get set
Go cop everything you ever heard by P.Crack Dice Raw and Black
Fuck the internet buy a baseball bat break a bootlegger
Leg all I listen to is vets, your fresh of the step
I come directly at your OG neck
I'm used to the one two check not the one two step
Um strapped I'll leave every cat among you wet
Now lets go! you know I'm politically incorrect
At the show I start it with a can I get a ho and the hoes go retarded
The popo tape off the stage for caution, its badlands north philly get it in!
Its crack man, used to backspin now I spend stacks in sack's and
Uncle Sam tryin' to tax all my hard earned raps damn!
We makin' yin, pesos, euros, we representin'
Southside get busy yall
Northside get busy yall
Westside get busy yall
Worldwide get busy yall
The song "Get Busy" by The Roots is a high-energy rap song with a powerful message about revolution and rebellion. The first verse begins with a comparison of the band members to mandrills and Nelson Mandela, emphasizing their power and resilience. They also reference the legendary Fela Kuti, an iconic Nigerian musician and activist. The lyrics go on to describe the injustice and violence in their hometown of Philadelphia, using vivid imagery to describe the darkness and danger that lurks in the city. The second verse delves deeper into the personal transformation and growth of the rapper, who feels he has undergone a metamorphosis and become a more powerful force for change. The chorus urges people to "get busy" and take action, whether they live on the Southside, Northside, Westside, or anywhere in the world.
One interesting fact about "Get Busy" is that it was released in 2002 as part of The Roots' sixth studio album, Phrenology. The album was a critical and commercial success, receiving rave reviews and selling over 300,000 copies in the United States alone. Another notable fact is that the song's hook ("Southside get busy, Northside get busy") was sampled in the popular hip-hop song "O Let's Do It" by rapper Waka Flocka Flame in 2009. The Roots have been known for their socially conscious lyrics and activism, and "Get Busy" is no exception. The song's message of rebellion and empowerment is echoed in many of their other tracks.
In terms of musical style, "Get Busy" features a heavy bassline, upbeat drums, and catchy horns. The band incorporates elements of jazz, funk, and soul into their sound, which has won them many fans and accolades over the years. The song also features several impressive rap verses from different members of the band, showcasing their individual talents and styles.
Chords: Gm, F, D7, G, A
Overall, "Get Busy" is a dynamic and important song that speaks to the heart of social and political change. Its message of empowerment and resistance is as relevant today as it was when it was released nearly 20 years ago, making it a timeless classic in the annals of hip-hop music.
Line by Line Meaning
Look my squad's half mandrill half Mandela
My team is a mix of strong and free-willed individuals, part monkey and part great leader, just like Nelson Mandela.
My band bout seventy strong just like fela
My ensemble is a group of approximately seventy people, like the legendary Fela Kuti's band.
Yeah part Melly Mel part Van Halen
I have a bit of the streetwise rapper Melly Mel and the rock musician Van Halen in me.
And we represent illadel where they still rebellin'
We come from Philadelphia, where people still resist and fight against the system.
A yo sicko show like mike moore's
Our show is unbelievable, like Mike Moore's thought-provoking documentaries.
My city ain't nothing like your's
My city is unique and distinct from anywhere else you've been.
Slippin' into darkness like war! night-crawl
Our community is falling into a dangerous place, similar to the darkness of war and night.
With the lights off, you see a lot of life loss for the white horse
When everything is concealed, you see a lot of death and destruction that serves no purpose.
Regardless, the charges makin' us all targets
Despite the circumstances, we are all being accused and blamed by others.
All on the red carpet, guns from the black market
Our high-profile appearance attracts danger, and we're forced to acquire firearms from illegal sources.
Hey who got the politicians in they back pocket
Who bribed the politicians for their own gain?
Pimp slap pump that gimme that profit
Beat down and take the money from those who exploit others for personal gain.
When you make contact gimme that gossip
When you talk to someone, give me all the juicy details.
If you break contract you'll be that hostage
If you fail to fulfill the contract, you'll be held prisoner.
They getting busy in the city it's raw
People are struggling to survive and thrive in our city, and it's tough.
Better deadbolt the door it ain't safe no more
It's become unsafe in the city, so we need to lock our doors for safety purposes.
Approach with caution be cautious when talking to bosses
Be very careful when speaking to people in power, as they hold all the cards.
I feel I've been through a metamorphosis
I've changed a lot and grown as a person.
I'm mutated by unknown forces
I'm constantly changing due to various unknown circumstances and influences.
The feelin' of course is something thats hard to describe I'm half dead never felt more alive
It's a complicated feeling that I can't easily explain, but I feel both alive and half-dead.
Reborn removed the gold coins from my eyes
I feel like I've been reborn, and I no longer have blinders on that block my vision.
I've been down but now I'm back up
I've struggled in the past, but I've made a comeback.
Bout to act up boy you better back up
I'm about to get wild and rambunctious, so people should stay out of my way.
When you see me set up shop know to pack up
If you see me deciding to do something, it's best for you to leave because I'm about to take over.
I crack up when a rapper gets slapped up
It's amusing to me when a rapper gets beaten up.
Number one reason yall should give rap up
The best reason why people should stop doing rap music is because they're not good at it.
Dice it's mine, I got it all wrapped up
I'm the best rapper around, and I have everything under control.
I'm kinda W.E.B. Dubois meets Heavy D and the boys smooth as a Rolls Royce
I'm a mix of intellect and brawn, like W.E.B. Dubois and Heavy D, and I'm effortlessly stylish.
Built like a tank smoking on dank
I'm tough and indestructible, and I'm also currently smoking marijuana.
I'm walking through the Guggenheim Raw Life Black Ink
I'm up-and-coming in the art world, with a life that is real and raw, like black ink.
Now on your mark get set
We're about to start something big.
Go cop everything you ever heard by P.Crack Dice Raw and Black
Get everything that you can by these amazing musicians.
Fuck the internet buy a baseball bat break a bootlegger
Don't use the internet to pirate music, instead, use a baseball bat to beat up those who do.
Leg all I listen to is vets, your fresh of the step
All I listen to is old-school rap veterans, and you're a newcomer.
I come directly at your OG neck
I'm very direct with the original gangster that I encounter.
I'm used to the one two check not the one two step
I'm used to checking someone's moves in a fight, not following their rhythm in a dance.
Um strapped I'll leave every cat among you wet
I'm carrying weapons, and I won't hesitate to shoot anyone who opposes me.
Now lets go! you know I'm politically incorrect
Let's get started! You know that I say things that are not politically correct.
At the show I start it with a can I get a ho and the hoes go retarded
When I perform at a concert, I kick things off by getting everyone hyped up.
The popo tape off the stage for caution, its badlands north philly get it in!
The police tape off the concert stage for safety because we're in the dangerous area of North Philadelphia.
Its crack man, used to backspin now I spend stacks in sack's and
It's amazing, back in the day I was a breakdancer, but now I'm making a lot of money and spending it in Saks Fifth Avenue.
Uncle Sam tryin' to tax all my hard earned raps damn!
The government is trying to take a big chunk of my hard-earned money from my music career.
We makin' yin, pesos, euros, we representin'
We're making money from all over the world, representing our craft and getting paid.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRENT REYNOLDS, CHUCK RIO, PEDRO ZAYAS, TARIK COLLINS, VINCENT DAVIS, KARL JENKINS, BERNARD MCKENNA, CHARLES PATIERNO, JOEL ROPER
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!