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.
Long Time
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oooh
It's been a long time
Since I been back around the way
It's been a long time
Let it spin let spin let it spin
Since I been back around your way
It's been a long time
[Verse]
[Black Thought]
Struck by the luck of the draw
Real life preservation
What I'm hustling for
My name black thought
The definition of raw
I was born in South Philly
On a cement floor
I had nothing at all
Had to knuckle and brawl
They swore I'd fall
Be another brick in the wall
Another life
Full of love
That lost
That's silly
This Philly
Y'all really ain't stoppin
The boy with the pen
Like Willie
On top of the hall
Pure soul is what the city
Most popular for
Hear the tones
That will ease you
Smooth
As Bunny Sigler's soundtrack
Keepin your head boppin and all
It's something in the water
Where I come from
They used to sing it on the corner
Where I come from
Making somethin outta nothing
Because everybody fifty cents
From a quarter
Where I come from
Yeah
The streets ain't timid
But I feel at home in it
Gotta see a couple people
I ain't got at
In a minute
Yeah
You can take a brother outta South Philly
Can't take it outta him really
I forever represent it
And it's
[Chorus]
[Peedi Peedi]
Live and dirvet
I don't need no mic check
Remember mommy told me
You ain't write that
It started in the bathroom taking a dump
Listening to Ultramagnetic
Ego tripping you won't
Pressure my word
I'm the urban vision
Of you chump
Stomped on a different ground
Sound second to none
Synthesizers tweet
To improvise your feet
I calculated every lyric to arrive on a beat
It's free
Come get high on me
Before a nine millimeter shell
Hit my pelle pelle
In the p
Yeah
It's somethin in the water
Where I come from
They used to sing it on the corner
Where I come from
Making somethin outta nothing
Because everybody
Fifty cents from a quarter
Yo
Where I come from
It's just a natural reaction
For crack to make it happen
Let the pen ink sink
Into the paper of the pad
Think back
When I was younger
Ghetto could have took me under
Young Peedi can't mess with North Philly
Never had
You don't know about me
You ain't stroll my streets
Look familiar
I feel ya
Longtime no see
[Chorus]
[Black Thought]
Uhh
Clap somethin
But whatever you clap
Clap to the record spinnin
While I'm takin you back
To the top paper era
Baby big on that
Picture the pool room
Where the money getters was at
And street people
With feather in the cap
Or their bossolino Pullin paper
As if it's a small casino
I was a young boy
Sweepin the floors
And runnin to stores
But all those old heads
Would talk to me About the way
To clutch the eagle
On a buck and truck
And if I'm down
How to get back up
Just survival kid
And it's a struggle worldwide
I'm positive
Shit the ghetto might as well
Be the Gaza Strip
You know where all the monsters is
Street walkers
You don't see no consciousness I'm coming back to where
The core of the problem is
We on the job again
Y'all know what time it is
[Chorus]
The Roots's song Long Time is a tale of coming back to one's roots and reminiscing about the past. The opening chorus sets the mood and shows how much time has passed since the singer was last in the area. The first verse is delivered by Black Thought, who starts with a somewhat grim reflection on how he came from nothing and had to fight to get where he is. He then talks about Philly, his home city, and how it has shaped him as an artist. Black Thought ends his verse by expressing his desire to see some old friends he hasn't seen in a while. The second verse is delivered by Peedi Peedi, also a Philly native, who talks about his start in music and how he developed his skills. He also talks about how the streets of Philly have influenced his music and how he overcame the odds to make something out of nothing. Peedi Peedi ends his verse by saying it's just a natural reaction for crack to make things happen in Philly, highlighting the harsh reality of the streets.
Overall, the song is a nostalgic look back at the rapper's hometown and the challenges they faced while growing up there. It speaks to the power of resilience and the importance of staying connected to one's roots even when life takes one far from home.
Line by Line Meaning
Oooh
Expressing excitement and anticipation
It's been a long time
It has been a significant amount of time
Since I been back around the way
Since I last returned to my old neighborhood
Let it spin let spin let it spin
Allowing things to unfold naturally
Long time long time
A repetition emphasizing the length of time
Struck by the luck of the draw
Faced with unexpected circumstances
Real life preservation
Survival in challenging situations
What I'm hustling for
My motivation and drive
My name black thought
Identifying oneself as Black Thought
The definition of raw
Representing authenticity and raw talent
I was born in South Philly
I originated from South Philadelphia
On a cement floor
In a humble and challenging environment
I had nothing at all
I possessed no material wealth
Had to knuckle and brawl
Engaging in physical fights to survive
They swore I'd fall
Others expected me to fail
Be another brick in the wall
To blend in and conform
Another life
An alternate existence
Full of love
Filled with compassion and kindness
That lost
That was defeated or overcome
That's silly
That is foolish or impractical
This Philly
Referring to Philadelphia
Y'all really ain't stoppin
Others cannot deter or hinder me
The boy with the pen
The artist who writes
Like Willie
Comparable to the legendary musician Willie
On top of the hall
At the forefront of recognition and success
Pure soul is what the city
The essence of the city is genuine and heartfelt
Most popular for
Known and celebrated for
Hear the tones
Listen to the sounds
That will ease you
That provide comfort and solace
Smooth
Soft and effortless
As Bunny Sigler's soundtrack
Like the music of Bunny Sigler
Keepin your head boppin and all
Maintaining a rhythm and ensuring enjoyment
It's something in the water
Referring to a unique quality or influence
Where I come from
In the place of my origin
They used to sing it on the corner
They would sing it on the streets
Making somethin outta nothing
Creating value from limited resources
Because everybody fifty cents
Because everyone is only halfway there
From a quarter
From achieving their full potential
The streets ain't timid
The streets are not shy or fearful
But I feel at home in it
I feel comfortable and familiar
Gotta see a couple people
I need to meet some people
I ain't got at
I haven't seen in a while
In a minute
For a long time
You can take a brother outta South Philly
You can remove someone from South Philadelphia
Can't take it outta him really
The essence of South Philly remains within him
I forever represent it
I constantly embody and honor it
And it's
And it is
Live and dirvet
Lively and full of energy
I don't need no mic check
I don't need to test my microphone
Remember mommy told me
I recall my mother telling me
You ain't write that
You didn't write those lyrics
It started in the bathroom taking a dump
The creative process began in a private moment
Listening to Ultramagnetic
Listening to the music of Ultramagnetic
Ego tripping you won't
Being confident and unaffected by ego trips
Pressure my word
Challenge or question my word
I'm the urban vision
I embody the essence of urban life
Of you chump
Of someone foolish or gullible
Stomped on a different ground
Moved and made an impact elsewhere
Sound second to none
Sound of the highest quality
Synthesizers tweet
Synthesizers produce melodic sounds
To improvise your feet
To inspire movement and dancing
I calculated every lyric to arrive on a beat
I carefully crafted each lyric to fit the rhythm
It's free
It's liberating and unrestricted
Come get high on me
Experience pleasure and euphoria through my music
Before a nine millimeter shell
Before a bullet potentially ends my life
Hit my pelle pelle
Hit my leather jacket
In the p
In the dangerous and volatile environment
It's somethin in the water
There is a unique quality or influence
Yo
Hey
It's just a natural reaction
It is an instinctive response
For crack to make it happen
For the drug crack cocaine to cause chaos
Let the pen ink sink
Allow the words written to be absorbed
Into the paper of the pad
Into the surface of the notebook
Think back
Reflect on the past
When I was younger
During my earlier years
Ghetto could have took me under
The difficult environment could have defeated me
Young Peedi can't mess with North Philly
I, as a young individual, cannot compete with North Philadelphia
Never had
Never possessed or experienced
You don't know about me
You are not familiar with my experiences
You ain't stroll my streets
You haven't walked the same paths as me
Look familiar
Seem recognizable or relatable
I feel ya
I understand you
Longtime no see
A form of greeting after a significant time apart
Uhh
Expression of hesitation or contemplation
Clap somethin
Give an applause or recognition
But whatever you clap
Applauding regardless of the subject
Clap to the record spinnin
Applaud the spinning of the record
While I'm takin you back
As I transport you to the past
To the top paper era
To the pinnacle of hip-hop's prominence
Baby big on that
Fully immersed and knowledgeable about it
Picture the pool room
Imagine the atmosphere of the pool hall
Where the money getters was at
Where the hustlers gathered
And street people
And those living on the streets
With feather in the cap
With a sense of accomplishment or pride
Or their bossolino Pullin paper
Or their fashionable hat earning money
As if it's a small casino
As if it's a mini gambling establishment
I was a young boy
I was a child
Sweepin the floors
Cleaning the floors
And runnin to stores
And running errands
But all those old heads
But the older individuals
Would talk to me About the way
Would offer advice about how
To clutch the eagle
To hold a firearm
On a buck and truck
On the lookout for danger and able to escape
And if I'm down
And if I'm feeling low or defeated
How to get back up
How to regain strength and resilience
Just survival kid
Merely focused on survival
And it's a struggle worldwide
The struggle to survive is a universal experience
I'm positive
I remain optimistic
Shit the ghetto might as well
In the ghetto, it could easily
Be the Gaza Strip
Be as chaotic and dangerous as the Gaza Strip
You know where all the monsters is
You know where all the dangerous individuals are
Street walkers
Individuals who walk the streets
You don't see no consciousness I'm coming back to where
You don't witness any awareness, I'm returning to where
The core of the problem is
The root cause of the issue
We on the job again
We are actively engaged once more
Y'all know what time it is
You all understand the situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Y, ANDRE GRAY
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!