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.
Hustla
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A sacrifice is what I made for the wife and kids
They say life's a bitch, but it's one life to live
I want my baby where that cake and the icing is
Out of them crisis-es, off of them vices-es
They see what we do and grow up in our likenesses
Really I don't wanna see 'em having to fight for this
Story of the family biz, I'ma rewrite the script
Her destiny done been determined so you can't stop her
From being independent, earning paper and proper
More like a lawyer or a doctor, not a man-watcher
That's where your man got ya, it's a big world out'chea
I'm tryna make a black diamond or a pearl out'chea
And hip the people to the way the world twirl out'chea
And when I thank heaven for my little girl
Please let her be a hustla, baby be a hustla
Hope my baby girl grows up to be a hustla
Better be a hustla, baby be a hustla
If not, then you're only a customer
Please let him be a hustla, baby be a hustla
Hope my baby boy grows up to be a hustla
Better be a hustla, baby be a hustla
If not, then you're only a customer
Sugar Slim, I'm slicker than a squid, nigga no kids
No baby mama, Sugar free from the drama
Sugar be where he wanna, no sweat like a sauna
No judge, your honor can't tell me to raise mine
Figured that in due time, if and when I do find
True love, boo'd up, maybe you can blue-line
Ooh, I'm caught up in the moment for the meantime
G, I'm all about the green like tree pines
See I'm tryna get the scratch like a feline
Hopin' that my seed don't know the struggle like me, I'm
Hustlin' to make a buck, make a buck and fuck it up
Fuck it up and suck it up then go and make another buck
Get the money, get the money, that's what I know
I'm hopin' that my seeds know a little more than I know
I know, I know, but baby this what I know
If we ever settle down, well baby, this what I hope
Please let her be a hustla, baby be a hustla
Hope my baby girl grows up to be a hustla
Better be a hustla, baby be a hustla
If not, then you're only a customer
Please let him be a hustla, baby be a hustla
Hope my baby boy grows up to be a hustla
Better be a hustla, baby be a hustla
If not, then you're only a customer
The Roots's song “Hustla” talks about the struggles and daily struggles of a hustler in the streets. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation and constant grind that the singer has to undergo to make ends meet. The opening lyrics describe the singer’s meals, consisting of a cheese sandwich, pork rinds, and a soda pop. The hustler tries to evade the police and is desperate to reach the county line to sell weed. The singer is aware of the risk they are taking but has to do it due to a lack of choices. The chorus emphasizes the need to put in the work and the struggles that come with it.
The lyrics also describe the day-to-day life of a hustler; the struggles, risk-taking, and the poverty that comes with it. The singer's constant grind leads to the desire for a better life, as described in the lyrics, where he talks about wanting to drive big bodies with bubble-eye. The desperation and frustration are evident in the words, where they say that they feel like they don't have anything to live for and have to put their hands to dirty work to make ends meet.
Overall, “Hustla” depicts the harsh reality of the streets and the struggles that come with trying to make a living.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a cheese sandwich on the hunnid spoke
I have a cheap car with 100 spoke rims
Pork rinds and a soda pop
I have cheap snacks and drinks
I told a cop I'd beat it, lost
I tried to escape the police but failed
At 3 a.m., they told up 'stop'
The police told us to stop at 3 a.m.
We got it real real, to the top
We have achieved success
A G like 30 feet away from the county line
I am a gangster close to crossing the county line
The weed flyin, the golden smilin
We are smoking weed and feeling happy
Wip it nice an then they sign
We enjoy driving fast and showing off
Man, fuck
I am frustrated
How denyin' my damn luck
I can't deny my bad luck
This ain't no find if we get stuck I'm doin time
If we get caught, I will go to jail
Don't get messy with the Prezzy
Don't mess with the drugs I'm selling
A quarter pound ain't worth the rizzy
A quarter pound of drugs is not worth the risk
Drunk as hell, then hurl the fifth
I am very drunk and about to vomit
Back an forth we swerve and dip
We are driving recklessly
Pumpkin pie
I don't have a specific meaning for this line
Bust a cop
I am trying to evade the police
I'll be damned, they took my crop
I am shocked that the police confiscated my drugs
Shook 'em wit that lead foot an hit about a hunid fi (105)
I sped away quickly and reached a speed of 105 mph
Miles per hour
I am emphasizing my speed
In the country wit the pudin, good an chunky
I am in the countryside with my drugs, which are of good quality
40 acre, mule an donkey, hell with that, just get the money
I don't care about owning land, I just want to make money
Got to be that early bird
I need to start working early
To grind an get what I deserve
To work hard and earn what I deserve
Quick to burn an an can't mesquite it
I have a tendency to waste money and can't control it
Lord I need it fore the third
I am desperate for money
Serve anybody? Hell naw, got to be for sure
I only serve people I trust
Standin on the standard curb
I am standing on the street corner
Days begin to bend an blurred
The days are becoming twisted and hazy
Homegrown bacon
I have drugs that were produced locally
Yeah, I'm havin the wage
I am making money
Tendency of a 50 hit, when its about gettin payed
I have a tendency to spend money when I receive payment
Came along with a ragin thief hidin under the shade
I am associated with a dangerous criminal who hides under cover
An momma won't quit buggin me about my heathenish ways
My mother keeps bothering me about my sinful lifestyle
Now I've wasted more tears then my mouth cold beer
I have cried more than I have drunk beer
Gotta be a Man on these rolls, overcomin my fears
I need to be strong and overcome my fears
Body too quick to gaze, with they head on bob
People admire my body and can't help but stare
Get dee, life is foul but the dirt is hard, yeah! (hustla)
Life is difficult and unfair, but I am determined to succeed (hustler)
If you play the cards you delt, then you struggle, got to put in work (hustla)
If you accept the circumstances you were given, then you will face challenges and need to work hard (hustler)
And I got to be the early bird to grind and get what I deserve (hustla)
I need to start working early and put in effort to achieve what I deserve (hustler)
Ain't no tenth, 35%
There is no 10%, only 35%
Dent in my hub caps, sticks in my dove sacks, fifth till I cuts that
My hub caps are damaged, drugs are hidden in my bags, and I will use a knife
Look, my baby husband got to eat some mo
I need to make more money to support my family
Dough is what I'm reachin fo
I am striving for money
Money low, need some mo
I don't have much money left, I need more
Hustlin these streets alone
I am working as a hustler on the streets by myself
Now everyday I work, 75
I work hard every day and give 75%
A&R tellin me lies
Record labels and artists are deceiving me
Fore I die, want to drive big bodies wit bubbla die
Before I die, I want to drive luxurious cars with sparkling rims
Now peep the otha side, ova them hills
Now look at the other side, beyond the hills
Rich dude that own them mills
There is a wealthy person who owns factories
Tha candy sto is open for sale
The drug store is open for business
These junkies gone smoke it to death
Drug addicts will consume the drugs until it kills them
Money, hos, clothes, auto-mobiles, gold grills
I want money, women, fancy clothes, expensive cars, and gold teeth grills
No scrill, no deal, fifth weel, big grill
Without money, there is no deal, my car has a fifth wheel, and I have a large gold grill
Wood grain sturnweel, weigh it up, be still
My steering wheel has a wood grain design, evaluate the situation, remain calm
Lay it on the fish scales
Weigh the drugs on the scales used for measuring fish
I'm assed out in the back seat of the Pont-I-ac
I am broke and sitting in the back seat of a Pontiac
Got a cup full of Con-I-ac
I have a cup filled with Cognac
Quarter out of hunny sacks
I took a quarter out of a bag of $100 bills
Tell me get my money back
Someone is telling me to retrieve my money
Still broke, feel like I ain't got shit to live fo
I am still poor and feel like I have nothing to live for
So much to kill fo
I have a strong desire to achieve success
C'mon, this niggas transition, ain't no use in sittin round wishin
Come on, this is a transitional phase, there's no point in sitting around and wishing
But my hands itch in, poppa need a new transmission
I have an urge to take action, my father needs a new car transmission
Get my grind on, hustle that bustle to make my grip in any time zone
I need to work hard and hustle to make money no matter the location
Bundle that bubble, lets make it split
Let's package the drugs and make a profit
We buy: peices, ounces, keys, weed, Xs, Zs
We buy drugs in different quantities
Nigga, please, anything you ask fo, we got what you need
I have everything you need, no need to ask
To these college degrees we applyin to streets, cause I'm a (hustla)
We are using the knowledge from our college degrees in the streets because we are hustlers
Hustla. Carry many meanings..
The term 'hustler' has multiple interpretations
Whether you a crook in them books
Whether you are cheating in school
Whether you usin your mind or usin a 9
Whether you are using your intelligence or a gun
Bootleg alcohol, or runnin the ball
Selling illegal alcohol or playing sports
You must get it in
You must work hard and achieve success
You was born a hustla
You were born with the mentality of a hustler
An you a die a hustla
And you will die as a hustler
Prophit, hit 'em wit it
A wordplay on the artist Prophit, indicating success in the hustle
I pause and refine a mighty floss, et cetera
I take a break and improve my flashy style, and so on
For life in a balance, of it
For a balanced lifestyle
Lyin an shinin a beddy ro
Telling lies and showing off in a bed of roses
I gotta be worse than a hust fa mine (I mean)
I need to outperform other hustlers for my own benefit
If I don't crush it then Imma bust the 9
If I don't succeed, I will resort to violence
I tell ya dog, get on the blocks in over-alls, its over y'all
I advise you to start selling drugs on the street, it's the end for everyone else
Wit all dem boys stay hot, said if we blow out finna go a billion time
With all the guys, we are attracting attention; they say we could be very successful
Ya know me dog, neva be a oldie dog
You know me, I will never become irrelevant
My state of mind's on the grind like a eighths of raw
I am focused on working hard like a portion of uncut drugs
Don't go trickin 'em all, Imma have you bust for all my yiggas
Don't deceive everyone, I will have you taken down for all my friends
Live for the days so we can hustle 'em all, aww!
We live for the days when we can outperform everyone, oh!
What? What? What? Aw! Aww!
Sudden exclamations, expressing excitement or surprise
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Thomas Wesley Pentz, Tarik L Collins, Don Carlos Eugene Price, Ahmir K Thompson
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!