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.
Intro
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You ever see a painting by John Trumbull?
Founding fathers in a line, looking all humble
Patiently waiting to sign a declaration and start a nation
No sign of disagreement, not one grumble
The reality is messier and richer, kids
The reality is not a pretty picture, kids
What you're about to witness is no John Trumbull
The Hamilton Mixtape
The Roots's song "Intro" is a powerful opening to The Hamilton Mixtape, a collaboration album inspired by the critically acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton. In this song, The Roots provide insight into the complexity and messiness of the founding of the United States that is often overlooked in traditional portrayals.
The lyrics begin by referencing a famous painting by John Trumbull that depicts the founding fathers lined up, looking humble and unified as they sign the Declaration of Independence. However, The Roots quickly point out that this idealized image is not an accurate representation of the reality of the situation. They assert that the truth is much messier and richer, with disagreements and conflict being a regular occurrence, especially during cabinet meetings.
The final line of the song, "What you're about to witness is no John Trumbull," serves as a warning to listeners that what they are about to experience on this album is not a sanitized version of history, but instead a nuanced and complex exploration of the personalities and events that shaped the nation.
Overall, "Intro" is a powerful introduction to The Hamilton Mixtape, setting the stage for the rest of the album and emphasizing the need to acknowledge the complexity of history rather than embracing simplified and idealized versions.
Line by Line Meaning
You ever see a painting by John Trumbull?
Have you ever seen a picture painted by John Trumbull?
Founding fathers in a line, looking all humble
The founding fathers are depicted as standing in a row, with modest expressions.
Patiently waiting to sign a declaration and start a nation
They are patiently waiting to sign the declaration that will set the course for a new country.
No sign of disagreement, not one grumble
There is no indication of any conflict or complaints among the founding fathers in this scene.
The reality is messier and richer, kids
However, the truth is that the events and decisions that led to the creation of the United States were far more complex and multifaceted, young ones.
The reality is not a pretty picture, kids
It was not a simple or easy process, kids, and it wasn't always picturesque.
Every cabinet meeting is a full on rumble
Cabinet meetings were filled with heated debates and disagreements, rather than the peaceful discussions that are often imagined.
What you're about to witness is no John Trumbull
The events told in this story are not a depiction of the neat and tidy image that John Trumbull's paintings suggest.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David X
the music still gives me chills Quincy Jones did a superb job
Mr. Bill Thrower
This particular opening theme wasn't written by him
Lexx Phillips
Gives me chills every time.
Kunle Sotunde
Remember watching it as a young boy in London in 1977. Gave me an idea of what slavery was really like. The actors really did a terrific job.
Orange Lazarus
Happy 45th anniversary to ROOTS (premiered 45 years ago tonight on ABC). This theme song is one of the most underrated tracks of all time. Sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. Thanks to Alex Haley for the story, and to Gerald Fried for the music. This’ll probably keep haunting my nightmares for years to come!
Echad
I remember they used to air this in it's entirety every year.
animieluver10
Oh my god, I am in love with this series. We started watching it in my tenth grade English class about two weeks ago and were about half way through the series. It's a really great series that show and it can teach us alot about our history, whether it be good or bad.
sexymike1253
Watched this and The Next Generation in 2015. One of the most beautiful Mini Series of all time.
Andreas Connor
One of the best and most interesting series of all time. And probably the best opening ever on a serie this is
Dallas Martin
I wtched this and was amazed. It totally changed my outlook on life in general. I don't see it about being only about African-American sufferage, but about the human condition in general. I think Roots applies to every culture around. Loved the film. I think schools need to show everyone of their students both Roots films. It shows how every part of the human condition. Haley did a pretty good job on writing a heart warming story that conveyed beautiful meaning.