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.
Glitches
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You live, you die
And spend the years in between asking the question
Why you've been through what you been
You lose, you win
You even pay for other sins
But you most always adore the skin you are in
I woke up and it was pouring down rain
I put my head on, it really wasn't no thing
One of them days I was feeling immune to the pain
Threw on, Alice Coltrane, smoked and sang
And wrote this flame compused to the rhythm of the droplets
And went whispering simliar to gossip
The kick slapping at the window glass
Slow down the globe so it don't spin too fast
Because, I been running like a river since
The age of my early innocence
It just made me ambitious
My grams used to tell me "Man listen,
If you can't burn, don't step into the kitchen"
You muscle your turn, the laws of the land viscious
We gotta stick to the plan, which is
Pursuing true riches, whether we trade stock or wash dishes
Throughout setbacks and few glitches
The Big Picture's the focus, fuckin being hopeless
Or helpless, we not selfish so we wrote this
Give it to ya, make you feel good
Know what I'm talkin about? C'mon
[Chorus]
[Black Thought]
Yo from the parquet floors to the fifty foot ceiling
I pull the heavy black curtain back, now revealing
The sun beneath the velvet, and like it was mine
No one elses, embracing the beams yo, I felt it
And stood there, feeling it, getting charged
Turn me loose upon the streets, a young poet at large
Out in the world, up against tremendous odds
Some'll let it break em and throw in they cards
But my squad remain focus when we goin for ours
And we don't, do it for chains or do it for cars
And we don't, do it for lames or do it for broads
And we don't, do it for fame, we do it because
It's for the young black gifted mind
Living the story of the most twisted kind
Turbulent times swirled around they dome like a turban
It gets disturbing, feelin alone in the urban
But maintain ya grip for just a little bit
I'd tell you it's all good but that's bullshit
Let's just try to feel good, yeah...know what I'm talkin bout
[Amel Larrieux]
A spirit knows we're meant to blow
A [unknown] rose by the seat of your soul
You past it all and seeds your soul
Are destined to grow even after you go
The song "Glitches" by The Roots featuring Amel Larrieux is a track that explores the themes of life, questioning the struggles and challenges that we face, and how we embrace our identity along the way. The chorus sets the tone, highlighting how we live, die, and everything in between, questioning why we have to go through certain experiences. Despite the hardships, we must continue to appreciate who we are and the skin we're in. Black Thought's verse delves deeper into this concept, sharing how he found solace in music on a rainy day. He reflects on his journey from a young age and how his ambition drove him to pursue true riches, not just material wealth, but a richness of experience and self-discovery. He acknowledges that setbacks happen, but the focus should always be on the big picture, staying optimistic and not getting lost in hopelessness.
Amel Larrieux's chorus brings a sense of spirituality to the song, reminding us that our souls are meant to bloom and grow, even after we're gone. It's a reflective and contemplative track that invites the listener to think about their own journey and how they can appreciate their identity, despite the difficulties that come their way. The song ends with the phrase "let's just try to feel good," emphasizing the importance of finding joy and happiness amidst the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
You live, you die
Life begins at birth and ends at death
And spend the years in between asking the question
Questioning the reason for one's existence
Why you've been through what you've been
Asking why certain life experiences have occurred
You lose, you win
Knowing that life is filled with both victories and losses
You even pay for other sins
Sometimes paying the price for someone else's wrongdoing
But you most always adore the skin you are in
Embracing and loving oneself, regardless of physical appearance
I woke up and it was pouring down rain
Starting the day with an unfavorable event
I put my head on, it really wasn't no thing
Reacting calmly and positively to the situation
Threw on, Alice Coltrane, smoked and sang
Using music and relaxation methods to cope with stress
The kick slapping at the window glass
The sound of raindrops hitting the window
Slow down the globe so it don't spin too fast
Staying grounded and not letting life pass by too quickly
If you can't burn, don't step into the kitchen
Only attempt something if you feel confident and capable
Throughout setbacks and few glitches
Experiencing obstacles and minor issues along the way
The Big Picture's the focus, fuckin being hopeless
Keeping the long-term goal in mind and not giving up hope
I pull(ed) the heavy black curtain back, now revealing
Moving past obstacles and gaining a new perspective
Out in the world, up against tremendous odds
Facing and overcoming challenges in the face of adversity
But my squad remain focus when we goin for ours
Staying determined and focused on achieving goals
And we don't, do it for chains or do it for cars
Not pursuing materialistic possessions or fame
It's for the young black gifted mind
The pursuit of bettering oneself and one's community
A spirit knows we're meant to blow
Feeling a sense of destiny or purpose
You past it all and seeds your soul
Growing and evolving beyond past experiences
Are destined to grow even after you go
The potential for growth and change extends beyond one's lifetime
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: AMEL LARRIEUX, GUESLEY LARRIEUX, SCOTT STORCH, SCOTT SPENCER STORCH, AHMIR K THOMPSON, TARIK TROTTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lateshia Childs
One of my favorite SDTK in my CD collection
aurelius rule
Super real live Music 🎶 for the Urban peace to Black thought 💠& Amel Larriex
Pyro Dutch
The Roots plus Amel!## classic
Robots Shark Tale And The Secret Of NIMH 2 Fan
Good song