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 all likenesses
Really I don't wanna see em having to fight for this
Story of the family biz, I'mma 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 yeah
I'm trying to make a black diamond or a pearl out yeah
And hit the people to the way the world twirl out yeah
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, Buddha, 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 tryin' to 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 lyrics to The Roots's song "Hustla" are a heartfelt expression of a parent's hopes and dreams for their children. The singer wants the best for their kids and believes that the way to achieve this is through hard work, determination, and the ability to hustle. They understand that life is tough and that it takes sacrifice to succeed, but they're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure their family is taken care of. The line "if not, then you're only a customer" seems to suggest that if you're not a hustler, you're just another person in the world, trying to get by.
The singer also touches on the idea of destiny, questioning whether their daughter or son is destined to follow in their footsteps as a hustler. They want their kids to have options, to be lawyers or doctors if they choose to be. But at the same time, there's a sense of pride in being a hustler, a sense of power in being able to make your own way in the world.
Overall, "Hustla" is a song about hope and ambition. It's a reminder that the way to achieve your dreams is through hard work, determination, and a willingness to take risks. The singer wants their kids to have the best possible life, and they believe that the way to get there is through the hustle.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me tell you what priceless is, some advice to give
I'm about to drop some wisdom on you that's invaluable
A sacrifice is what I made for the wife and kids
I've given up a lot to support my family
They say life's a bitch, but it's one life to live
Life can be tough, but it's the only one we've got
I want my baby where that cake and the icing is
I want the best for my child, a life of luxury and comfort
Out of them crisis-es, off of them vices-es
I want my kid to stay away from danger and temptation
They see what we do and grow up in all likenesses
Children learn from their parents by example
Really I don't wanna see em having to fight for this
I don't want my kids to struggle like I have
Story of the family biz, I'mma rewrite the script
I plan on changing the course of my family's history for the better
Daughter of a hip-hopper, hustla like her grandpoppa
My daughter is following in the family tradition of being a hard worker and determined go-getter
Her destiny done been determined so you can't stop her
My daughter's path is set and no one can hold her back
From being independent, earning paper and proper
I want my daughter to be self-sufficient and successful, making her own money and living comfortably
More like a lawyer or a doctor, not a man-watcher
I hope my daughter becomes something prestigious and respectable, not just someone who relies on a man for support
That's where your man got ya, it's a big world out yeah
If you rely too heavily on a man, you can get hurt or taken advantage of - the world is a big and unpredictable place
I'm trying to make a black diamond or a pearl out yeah
I want my daughter to shine and be special, a rare and valuable jewel
And hit the people to the way the world twirl out yeah
I want my daughter to have a positive impact on the world and help others understand how to navigate its complexities
And when I thank heaven for my little girl
My daughter is a true blessing and I'm grateful for her
Please let her be a hustla, baby be a hustla
I hope my daughter grows up to be a hard worker and a go-getter
Hope my baby girl grows up to be a hustla
I want my daughter to succeed in life and be a strong, independent woman
Better be a hustla, baby be a hustla
Being a hustler means working hard and achieving success - I want that for my child
If not, then you're only a customer
If you don't work hard to succeed, you'll only be someone who pays others for their goods or services
Sugar Slim, I'm slicker than a squid, nigga no kids
I'm a smooth operator and I don't have any children
No baby mama, Sugar free from the drama
I don't have any ex-partners with whom I share children or drama
Sugar be where he wanna, no sweat like a sauna
I have the freedom to do what I want without any worries or stress
No judge, your honor can't tell me to raise mine
I don't have to answer to anyone else when it comes to raising my children
Figured that in due time, if and when I do find
I know that someday I might find someone with whom I want to have children
True love, Buddha, maybe you can blue-line
If I find true love, maybe we can discuss having a family together
Ooh, I'm caught up in the moment for the meantime
For now, I'm happy to enjoy my freedom and not worry about being a parent
G, I'm all about the green like tree pines
I'm focused on making money and being successful
See I'm tryin' to get the scratch like a feline
My goal is to make as much money as possible, like a cat trying to scratch up as much as it can
Hopin' that my seed don't know the struggle like me, I'm
I don't want my children to experience the hardships and difficulties that I've had to endure
Hustlin' to make a buck, make a buck and fuck it up
I'm working hard to earn money, but sometimes I blow it all and have to start over again
Fuck it up and suck it up, then go and make another buck
Even when things go wrong, I keep pushing forward and trying to earn more money
Get the money, get the money, that's what I know
My focus is always on making money and being successful
I'm hopin' that my seeds know a little more than I know
I hope that I can impart some wisdom to my children so that they can be even more successful than I am
If we ever settle down, well baby this what I hope
If I ever decide to have a family, I hope my children will be successful and happy in their lives
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR THOMPSON, DON PRICE, TARIK TROTTER, THOMAS WESLEY PENTZ
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!