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.
Proceed II
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Check it, check it, Black Thought, is in the house
and uhh, Malik B, is in the house
We're groovin out, yes in the house
*discordant talk*
...
Just get on the mic with your master plan
Verse One: Malik B
I can make you dance, I can make you shout
The scripts in the scroll turned the whole party out
Inject my lyrics in a sec with dialect
Why accept, because it's from the highest eye and depth
Rap extrordinaire share me never ever
See through because I be true, Malik's together
Intox your cells till your brain vein swells
Niggaz'll claim terror when their never parellel
Once I have a hunch that there's MC's that front
I just crunched a whole bunch, in one big munch
I always stand firm, under any term
My actions never squirm cuz my tracks is perm
I have a tendency to defend this MC
My residency is simply in sensei
I makes it vivid, on different continents of earth I pivot
It seems extreme and exquisite but ask it is it
My style is like a cat from a seventies flick
Talkin jive as he strut with his afro pick
Or a predator, just before he stalks his pray
When I talk this way, I do dismay
See you're puzzled, now how I think you're trying to juggle
My mind is like a nine M double, now there's trouble
The Roots bring you styles and all types of creed
I sign off but I shall proceed
Chorus:
I shall, proceed, and continue, to rock the mic (4X)
Verse Two: Black Thought
Yo, we could get fly, we could get fly
We could get fly that's the anthem of my
crew not to glorify but it's sorta high
Troubles of the world bring tears to my eye wonder why
my man, can't vaccinate, y'all know the fate
Similar to the way I'm a disease on tape
To escape Metropolis is such a violent state
I spill words over pages, styles over phrases
from the world's different stages for crowds of different ages
Though not a nova, you witness like Jehovah
Now niggaz beg for lyrical plague to pass them over
Righ right niggaz is like stick up kids
Doin bids you got caught, enter the Black Thought
I interface with bass when I communicate
Crowds I elevate, to another mindstate of
rap thinking, see musically the Black thinking rhythm
therefore, I give em what I'm giving, therefore
I give em what I'm giving that's the hardcore
The Roots'll keep it real for sure, and I shall proceed
Chorus
Rockin on the microphone I do this well (repeats)
*crowd cheers*
The Roots, The Roots!
The Roots feat. Roy Ayers's song Proceed II is an intense rap song that is performed by two rappers, Black Thought, and Malik B. The song starts with a brief introduction of the band, followed by a line from Black Thought welcoming the audience. The first verse is performed by Malik B, who talks about how he can make people dance and shout with his lyrics in a second with his dialect. He claims that his lyrics are authentic and come from the depth of his soul. He defends his position as an MC and stresses on standing firm in any term.
Black Thought takes over in the second verse, talking about how the world's troubles bring tears to his eyes. He talks about how he communicates through bass, and how his rap elevates crowds to another mind state. He brings up the theme of hardcore hip hop and how The Roots keep it real.
Line by Line Meaning
Check it, check it, Black Thought, is in the house
Black Thought is present, pay attention
and uhh, Malik B, is in the house
Malik B is also present, listen up
We're groovin out, yes in the house
We're having a good time
*discordant talk*
General noise and commotion
I can make you dance, I can make you shout
My music is engaging and energizing
The scripts in the scroll turned the whole party out
My lyrics have the power to entertain a group of people
Inject my lyrics in a sec with dialect
I can easily and quickly incorporate dialect into my lyrics
Why accept, because it's from the highest eye and depth
You should accept my lyrics because they come from a place of great skill and talent
Rap extrordinaire share me never ever
I am a true master of rap
See through because I be true, Malik's together
My music is honest and authentic to who I am as an artist
Intox your cells till your brain vein swells
My music has a powerful effect on the listener's body and mind
Niggaz'll claim terror when their never parellel
Other rappers may try to match my skill, but they will never come close
Once I have a hunch that there's MC's that front
As soon as I suspect that other rappers are not being truthful, I take action
I just crunched a whole bunch, in one big munch
I quickly dismiss and defeat any dishonest rappers
I always stand firm, under any term
I am always confident and unwavering in my music
My actions never squirm cuz my tracks is perm
I never falter because my music is permanent in its excellence
I have a tendency to defend this MC
I fiercely protect myself and my music from detractors
My residency is simply in sensei
I am a master of rap
I makes it vivid, on different continents of earth I pivot
My music is vivid and impactful no matter where in the world it is heard
It seems extreme and exquisite but ask it is it
My music may seem over the top, but it is true to my artistry
My style is like a cat from a seventies flick
My style is smooth and cool, like a character from a classic film
Talkin jive as he strut with his afro pick
I exude confidence and swagger in my music, like a character from that era
Or a predator, just before he stalks his pray
I am like a predator, poised and ready to strike with my music
When I talk this way, I do dismay
My words and style may surprise and amaze listeners
See you're puzzled, now how I think you're trying to juggle
My music may be difficult to understand or process at times
My mind is like a nine M double, now there's trouble
My mind is powerful and complex, making it hard for other rappers to compete
The Roots bring you styles and all types of creed
The Roots offer a diverse range of styles and messages in their music
I shall, proceed, and continue, to rock the mic (4X)
I will continue to make great music
We could get fly, we could get fly
We can elevate and transcend with our music
We could get fly that's the anthem of my
This is the message and theme of our music
Troubles of the world bring tears to my eye wonder why
I am moved by the struggles of the world and question why they exist
Similar to the way I'm a disease on tape
My music is infectious and spreads rapidly
To escape Metropolis is such a violent state
Fleeing from the violence of the city is necessary
I spill words over pages, styles over phrases
I have a lot to say and I say it stylistically
from the world's different stages for crowds of different ages
I aim to reach audiences of all ages and backgrounds
Though not a nova, you witness like Jehovah
I am not a star, but I am still someone who demands attention and respect
Now niggaz beg for lyrical plague to pass them over
Other rappers wish to avoid the competition I bring
Righ right niggaz is like stick up kids
Other rappers are reckless and aggressive
Doin bids you got caught, enter the Black Thought
My music is a welcome alternative to the dangerous lifestyle of other rappers
I interface with bass when I communicate
I use the rhythm of the music to connect with my audience
Crowds I elevate, to another mindstate of rap thinking
My music has the power to uplift and inspire my listeners
see musically the Black thinking rhythm
My musical style is unique and reflective of my identity
therefore, I give em what I'm giving, therefore
I give my music because it reflects who I am and what I believe
I give em what I'm giving that's the hardcore
My music is intense and serious, never soft or easy listening
The Roots'll keep it real for sure, and I shall proceed
The Roots are committed to authenticity and I will continue to make great music
Contributed by Benjamin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@errolneal9789
This video is just everything I love about hip hop. Classic cipher.. just MCs in a circle exercising their craft. No video vixens.. no fancy cars.. no dude flashing guns or money. Just sick lyrics over a tight beat!
@jaz97
FACTS!!!!
@sauditate4562
HIPHOP
@yanksgiants7385
Hip hop for real. Been listening to these dudes since the mid 90s. Hip hop will never be the same. Today's "hip hop" = garbage
@miltongreenjr3883
@@yanksgiants7385 Facts
@JonahIsrael
Facts!!!!!!!
@jayc.3511
This is one of the many moments in the early Roots catalog where Malik outshines Tariq. Rest in Power.
@MentalPistol
Malik B was a terror on the mic. I been saying that since 199x
@nasibnwalker6759
Straight facts 💯 🎯💯
@torocruz1192
Sadly yea RIP