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.
I Remain Calm
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the 'I remain calm' but for jurge to erk
Come out my humble go berzerk and make you swallow your smirk
I splurge most and bash, capacitate mass
I fascinate as I assassinate and show task
Characters and egos, get crushed in trust
And my words stampede like herds in a dusk
When heated up, I gets hotter cause I'm proper
You never knew the levitude the clever few
Different tax for revenue man if you ever knew
The tac-tic, strategies, of word, ca-pa-bil-ities
Display, de-cease
The rhythm, and man how it swerved and curved
Made a niggas dream but his hope deferred then stirred
Dig the mentals, Papermate, Bic's and Number 2 pencils
My credentials blow on instrumentals
I write an anthem throw a tantrum and remain handsome
Mysterious vibes, like I was the phantom
Erupt abruptly, then conduct amaze
You're fucked when the lyrics get bucked because I graze
Never animosity, on my property
Niggas acropoly, or they feel extreme monstrosity
Wreakin leak out the verbals ? don't forget it
The chief of edit then Malik'll shred it yeah I said it
I remain calm, lyrically I got the bomb, when you put me on, I remain calm
That nigga Thought flows like a river, I deliver styles like Domino's
Eyes closed I inhale, equality follow me now son
Listen, my divisions advance, I surpass one half of the rap mass
The other half want my autograph
Because I got soul, plus a ghetto stroll, similar to Shaft
It's the mic rapers, splittin Phillies in the cellar
My acapella verse, can stomp, I delete comp
My rated X, larynx, wrecks your context
I'm complex, confusin, lyrically amusin, I drink brews
Then when I'm groovin I'm no longer human
I'd like to take this time, to give a shout to all the money makers
In the house galore, they help me turn it out
I whip the cap to the max, I'm laid back, like your gramps
I make, niggas embarrased like they spendin food stamps
I take, my time when I rhyme lovely, me nah like
Ugly like, God we get odd to the rhythms
Rappers thinkin of steppin up, what the fuck you're doin?
I amplify the hymn, to bring your empire to ruin
Who's your girl screwin fellas? Jealous because I'm fly
Keep my sneakers dry, when you cry-baby
See, I can have you headin for the border, like a ReFugee from Haiti
Aiyyo, this brother drivin my cab, tried to flip, saying
"Pay me in advance" -- I asked him if he ever danced
In the dark, with the rap devil, Black Thought
See niggas who get caught off guard remain scarred
Into air, with headphones remainin on the domes, they hair
I resound and astound and scare, I reign terror
Into another nigga rap era, my rhymes sedate
I lubricate, like aloe vera
I'm extreme, restin in the land of the plot and the scheme
Peace to ? Rock and the Equal Team
I remain calm, lyrically I got the bomb, when you put me on, I remain calm
The Roots's song "I Remain Calm" speaks about the rapper's confidence and skill when it comes to lyricism. The lyrics focus on how he remains calm but powerful when he is put in the spotlight. The song is written in a clever, complex way that highlights the rapper's unique abilities. His lyrics are meant to intimidate and inspire awe in the listener. He speaks of his ability to crush characters and egos with his words, making them feel small in comparison to his prowess.
The song also references the rapper's humble beginnings and his rise to success. He didn't always have everything he needed to succeed, but he is now one of the most respected rappers in the industry. The song's overall message is that the rapper remains calm and confident no matter what is thrown his way. He will always be ready to deliver high-quality lyrics that will leave listeners in awe.
Line by Line Meaning
I remain calm, lyrically I got the bomb, when you put me on, I remain calm
I keep my cool, even when I’m on top of my game lyrically. I remain focused and in control.
It's the 'I remain calm' but for jurge to erk
This is like my signature phrase, my mantra that helps me stay chill in any situation.
Come out my humble go berzerk and make you swallow your smirk
Although I may seem mild and modest, I have the power to unleash fury and wipe that smug grin off your face.
I splurge most and bash, capacitate mass
I spend my talents and abilities freely and generously to uplift and engage the masses.
I fascinate as I assassinate and show task
I intrigue and captivate my listeners as I skillfully take down other rappers and demonstrate my superior skills.
Characters and egos, get crushed in trust
I have no patience for pretentious personas or big egos. My trust is earned through honesty and authenticity.
And my words stampede like herds in a dusk
My rhymes charge forward like a stampede of animals at twilight, creating a powerful and untameable force.
Cream of all crops, topics I drop with Trotter
I am the best of the best, dropping top-quality topics and lyrics with my fellow Roots member, Trotter.
When heated up, I gets hotter cause I'm proper
When I'm fired up, I only get better because I know exactly how to handle the heat and maintain my composure.
You never knew the levitude the clever few
Most people can't even imagine the level of skill and genius required to write rhymes like mine.
Different tax for revenue man if you ever knew
If you were aware of the level of talent I possess, you would understand that I deserve a higher income than the average rapper.
The tac-tic, strategies, of word, ca-pa-bil-ities
I am a master of wordplay, honed through countless tactics and strategies, and I have the abilities to back it up.
Display, de-cease
I can bring out my true power and reveal my true self when I rap, and then easily switch back to my humble self.
The rhythm, and man how it swerved and curved
The rhythm of my rhymes is so complex and unpredictable that it feels like it's swerving and curving through the air as I rap.
Made a niggas dream but his hope deferred then stirred
My rhymes can inspire and uplift, but they can also expose the harsh realities of life and make people face their struggles.
Dig the mentals, Papermate, Bic's and Number 2 pencils
I pour my heart and soul into my rhymes, using the simplest tools like pencils and paper to create something truly profound.
My credentials blow on instrumentals
My skills as a rapper and lyricist are so impressive that they can shine through even when the beat drops out.
I write an anthem throw a tantrum and remain handsome
I can write a powerful, inspiring anthem, but I can also throw a temper tantrum and still look cool while doing it.
Mysterious vibes, like I was the phantom
There's something enigmatic and otherworldly about my rhymes, like I'm a ghostly presence floating through the music.
Erupt abruptly, then conduct amaze
My rhymes can erupt suddenly and unexpectedly, but then quickly become a thing of beauty that amazes those who hear it.
You're fucked when the lyrics get bucked because I graze
When I start spitting fire, you're in trouble because I'll tear you apart like a grazing animal.
Never animosity, on my property
I don't hold grudges or have bad blood with anyone on my turf. I believe in peace and mutual respect.
Niggas acropoly, or they feel extreme monstrosity
Other rappers may feel like they're on top of the world, but they'll soon realize that the view from the top can be lonely and monstrous.
Wreakin leak out the verbals ? don't forget it
I can unleash a torrent of vicious rhymes if I need to, so don't forget that I'm not to be messed with.
The chief of edit then Malik'll shred it yeah I said it
I'm the one who calls the shots when it comes to editing and producing my own music, and Malik is there to make sure everything sounds perfect.
That nigga Thought flows like a river, I deliver styles like Domino's
Black Thought's rapping is as unstoppable and ever-changing as a river, while I deliver rhymes that are as consistent and reliable as a Dominos pizza.
Eyes closed I inhale, equality follow me now son
I can take a deep breath and close my eyes, knowing that I am a voice for equality and justice, and that my message will resonate with others.
Listen, my divisions advance, I surpass one half of the rap mass
I am always pushing myself to improve and break barriers, and I have already surpassed many of my fellow rappers.
The other half want my autograph
The other half of rappers are in awe of my skills and want to get close enough to me to get my autograph.
Because I got soul, plus a ghetto stroll, similar to Shaft
My rapping is full of soul and personality, and my swagger resonates with listeners who appreciate the grit and toughness of street life that Shaft embodies.
It's the mic rapers, splittin Phillies in the cellar
Me and my fellow rappers are true masters of the mic, sharing our skills while enjoying a fine cigar in the comfort of the basement.
My acapella verse, can stomp, I delete comp
I can drop a verse without any music and still come out on top, erasing the competition with ease.
My rated X, larynx, wrecks your context
My X-rated lyrics and aggressive delivery will completely destroy your worldview and challenge everything you thought you knew.
I'm complex, confusin, lyrically amusin, I drink brews
I am a complex and confusing figure, but my rhymes are always entertaining and clever. Plus, I enjoy a good beer while doing it.
Then when I'm groovin I'm no longer human
When I'm in the zone and feeling the music, I transcend normal human limitations and become something greater.
I'd like to take this time, to give a shout to all the money makers
I want to take a moment to acknowledge all the people who work hard and hustle to make money and provide for themselves and their families.
In the house galore, they help me turn it out
These hardworking folks are the ones who make it possible for me to keep doing what I love and turning out great music and performances.
I whip the cap to the max, I'm laid back, like your gramps
I turn my baseball cap around to its fullest and take a laid-back, easygoing approach to my music, like your grandfather might.
I make, niggas embarrased like they spendin food stamps
My rhymes hit hard and expose people's weaknesses, making them feel embarrassed like they're on food stamps.
I take, my time when I rhyme lovely, me nah like
I am a patient craftsman, taking my time to ensure that every rhyme I produce is beautiful and polished.
Ugly like, God we get odd to the rhythms
My rhymes may seem strange and odd at first, but eventually they will sync up perfectly with the music and create something truly divine.
Rappers thinkin of steppin up, what the fuck you're doin?
Other rappers might think they have a chance against me, but they're just wasting their time and making themselves look foolish.
I amplify the hymn, to bring your empire to ruin
Through my powerful rhymes, I can amplify the causes and beliefs that matter to me and bring down the corrupt entities that stand in my way.
Who's your girl screwin fellas? Jealous because I'm fly
Not only am I a skilled rapper, but I also have a way with the ladies that makes other guys jealous.
Keep my sneakers dry, when you cry-baby
I'm always one step ahead of my competition and never let them see me sweat or falter.
See, I can have you headin for the border, like a ReFugee from Haiti
I have the power to scare and intimidate even the toughest opponents, making them retreat like a refugee running away from a dangerous situation.
Aiyyo, this brother drivin my cab, tried to flip, saying
Even the most unassuming people can sometimes try to challenge my authority or get in my way.
"Pay me in advance" -- I asked him if he ever danced
I don't let pushy people try to get the upper hand with me. Instead, I turn the tables and make them look foolish with a witty comeback.
In the dark, with the rap devil, Black Thought
When faced with the dark forces of the music industry and its corrupting influences, Black Thought and I have the power to defeat the demons and come out on top.
See niggas who get caught off guard remain scarred
People who underestimate my skills and get caught off guard by my rhymes will always come out with scars, both physical and emotional.
Into air, with headphones remainin on the domes, they hair
My rhymes can lift people up and transport them to another world, leaving their headphones and hair standing on end in awe.
I resound and astound and scare, I reign terror
My rhymes are so powerful and unique that they can make people tremble with fear and awe.
Into another nigga rap era, my rhymes sedate
My rhymes are so timeless and universal that they can create a new era of rap music, while also inspiring a sense of calm and peace.
I lubricate, like aloe vera
My rhymes are smooth and calming, like the healing properties of aloe vera on dry skin.
I'm extreme, restin in the land of the plot and the scheme
My rhymes are intense and extreme, but I maintain my cool and stay in control in the midst of any situation.
Peace to ? Rock and the Equal Team
I want to show respect and appreciation to my fellow Roots members and the entire team that helps me create my music and succeed in my career.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MALIK SMART, TARIK L. COLLINS
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!