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.
Rhymes And Ammo )
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For all y'all folks who were hopin' and wishin'
And I can assault, tryin'a take my position
Stop wishin', and sit yourself back and listen to
A'yo, cause when I put rhymes in they minds yo
For all y'all folks who were hopin and wishin'
And I can assault, tryin'a take my position
Stop wishin', and sit your ass back
A'yo when I say pump that, y'all say shit up
Pump that! (Shit up)
Pump that! (Shit up)
When I say stand up, y'all say get up
Stand up! (Get Up)
Stand up! (Get Up)
When I say rise up, y'all say now
Rise up! (Now)
Rise up! (Now)
When I say lick a shot, say blaow
Lick a shot! (blaow)
Lick a shot! (blaow)
A'yo everybody on they jawns
Cartoons is hardcore porn
It ain't no after school paper routes and mowin' lawns
Kids got backpacks full of yayo and heron
Coming to school shootin' up the auditorium
Yo its anthrax maniacs on the TV
The least of y'all worries should be Thought's CD
The chairman of the board coppin' twice weekly
They done caught the minister with a pork b.l.t.
If my shit ain't hot, it probably try to drive me
Psyhce, its somethin' I can never let myself see
Can't see, I'm thorough-bread, nothin' fancy
The maker, no matter what the circumstance be
Its the principle, pillowcase full of nickel
Smacked like I'm ? leave him crippled
Keep talkin' greasey I'm a big lip you
A'yo your man'll can get slid with you
You and the squad takin to galoshes
I hold the engineer for hostage
And spit from a dirty cartridge
Its L for whoever try to front on Thought's shit
I'm sendin' them goons to your mom's apartment
A'yo when I say pump that, y'all say shit up
Pump that! (Shit up)
Pump that! (Shit up)
When I say stand up, y'all say get up
Stand up! (Get Up)
Stand up! (Get Up)
When I say rise up, y'all say now
Rise up! (Now)
Rise up! (Now)
When I say lick a shot, say blaow
Lick a shot! (blaow)
Lick a shot! (blaow)
A'yo I'm dancin', on the edge of insanity
And rhymin' like its the end of humanity
Still people from the old neighborhood can't stand to see me
Turn around and tell girls we like family
What up with all that, jokin', and collamity
Behind the laughter they thinkin' about jammin' me
But they don't know, I got somethin' for them
But I ain't with that negative vibe, so fuck all that
I've earned a lot from this game, and sacrificed more
Stand here a new man, but I'm still the old boy
They claimin' they sell but I'm still the old boss
Sometimes wings get clipped, we all hit the floor
But today though, its Black Thought, Kweli and Raw
You can be sure that we got our eyes on y'all
Watchin' different artists rise and fall
Mother fuckers jumpin' ship like we came to rob at y'all
A'yo when I say pump that, y'all say shit up
Pump that! (Shit up)
Pump that! (Shit up)
When I say stand up, y'all say get up
Stand up! (Get Up)
Stand up! (Get Up)
When I say rise up, y'all say now
Rise up! (Now)
Rise up! (Now)
When I say lick a shot, say blaow
Lick a shot! (blaow)
Lick a shot! (blaow)
Kweli, sittin' back in the cut like Reese
In a constant peace, call me fantastic like I cut the grease
Baracudas movin' and canoein sippin' amaretto
I'm a ruler of my temple, what I do to instrumentals
Instrumentals is the development of these niggas mentals
Tears in your eyes like this moment is sentimental
Your fundamentally floored, philosophically bored
Disturbed like the eighth floor of your hospital ward
You've GOT to appoint niggas to raise the bar
Muslims praise Allah, Christians praise the God
Rastas, they say Jah
They find a way to rhyme with the pallet like fine wine
And make you say ah
Guess who's back?
The game needed improvement
Can't fit the bullshit no more, you sound stupid
I'm a shark in the water with constant movement
Influenced by music since a truant yo
This is how we do it yo
A'yo when I say pump that, y'all say shit up
Pump that! (Shit up)
Pump that! (Shit up)
When I say stand up, y'all say get up
Stand up! (Get Up)
Stand up! (Get Up)
When I say rise up, y'all say now
Rise up! (Now)
Rise up! (Now)
When I say lick a shot, say blaow
Lick a shot! (blaow)
Lick a shot! (blaow)
A'yo when I say pump that, y'all say shit up
Pump that! (Shit up)
Pump that! (Shit up)
When I say stand up, y'all say get up
Stand up! (Get Up)
Stand up! (Get Up)
When I say rise up, y'all say now
Rise up! (Now)
Rise up! (Now)
When I say lick a shot, say blaow
Lick a shot! (blaow)
Lick a shot! (blaow)
The Roots's song "Rhymes and Ammo" is a rallying cry for hip-hop, calling on listeners to pay attention to the lyrics and the message contained within them. As the song's lyrics explain, putting rhymes in people's minds is a powerful tool, and it's one that the artist is using to try and make a difference in the world. The lyrics also touch on the negative influences that are prevalent in modern society, from drugs to violence and everything in between. However, despite these challenges, the artist remains motivated to push forward and speak out against the injustices and negativity that exist in the world.
The song's refrain, "When I say pump that, y'all say shit up," is a call to action for listeners to get fired up and take action. It's a reminder that rap music has always been a vehicle for social change, and that by listening to and engaging with the lyrics, we can all make a difference in the world. The verses themselves touch on a variety of topics, from the struggles faced by Black Thought and his peers in the music industry to the challenges facing young people today. Throughout it all, however, the message remains the same: we all have the power to make a difference, and it's up to us to use that power for good.
Line by Line Meaning
'Cause when I put rhymes in they minds yo
When I rap, I make people think and remember my words.
For all y'all folks who were hopin' and wishin'
For everyone who wants to be a rapper like me.
And I can assault, tryin’a take my position
Someone might try to challenge me and take my place in the rap game.
Stop wishin', and sit yourself back and listen to
Stop dreaming and pay attention to what I'm saying.
A'yo, cause when I put rhymes in they minds yo
Again, I make people think with my raps.
For all y'all folks who were hopin and wishin'
Once again, for anyone who wants to be a rapper like me.
Stop wishin', and sit your ass back
Stop dreaming and listen.
A'yo when I say pump that, y'all say shit up
When I say 'pump that,' you say 'shit up' as a call and response with my audience.
When I say stand up, y'all say get up
Another call and response with the crowd: 'stand up'/'get up.'
When I say rise up, y'all say now
Another call and response: 'rise up'/'now.'
When I say lick a shot, say blaow
When I say 'lick a shot,' you say 'blaow,' which sounds like the sound of a gun shot.
A'yo everybody on they jawns
Hey everyone, paying attention!
Cartoons is hardcore porn
Kids are being exposed to inappropriate content.
It ain't no after school paper routes and mowin' lawns
Kids these days are up to more dangerous things than just after-school jobs.
Kids got backpacks full of yayo and heron
Kids are doing drugs and are bringing them to school.
Coming to school shootin' up the auditorium
School shootings are happening too frequently.
Yo its anthrax maniacs on the TV
People are afraid because of bioterrorism threats.
The least of y'all worries should be Thought's CD
With all these bigger threats, people shouldn't be concerned with my album.
The chairman of the board coppin' twice weekly
Even the most powerful people in the world are corrupt and doing illegal things.
They done caught the minister with a pork b.l.t.
Even religious leaders are not living up to what they preach.
If my shit ain't hot, it probably try to drive me
If my music isn't popular, it could hurt my career.
Psyhce, its somethin' I can never let myself see
But I won't let that stop me or bring me down.
Can't see, I'm thorough-bread, nothin' fancy
I'm confident in myself and my abilities, but also humble.
Its the principle, pillowcase full of nickel
It's about doing what is right, not what is profitable or convenient.
Smacked like I'm ? leave him crippled
I'll take down anyone who tries to test me or my principles.
Keep talkin' greasey I'm a big lip you
If someone talks trash to me, I'll shut them down mercilessly.
A'yo your man'll can get slid with you
Your friends will suffer the consequences if you mess with me.
You and the squad takin to galoshes
You and your friends will regret messing with me.
I hold the engineer for hostage
I have complete control over my music and how it's produced.
And spit from a dirty cartridge
I don't need flashy or expensive equipment to make good music.
Its L for whoever try to front on Thought's shit
Anybody who tries to challenge my music or my status in the rap game will regret it.
I'm sendin' them goons to your mom's apartment
I'll take drastic measures to deal with anyone who tries to mess with me or mine.
A'yo I'm dancin', on the edge of insanity
I'm pushing boundaries with my music, and it's driving me to the edge.
And rhymin' like its the end of humanity
My music is intense and epic, as if the world is ending.
Still people from the old neighborhood can't stand to see me
Even people who used to know me and are from my old neighborhood are jealous of my success.
Turn around and tell girls we like family
But some people act like we're still friends when it's convenient for them.
What up with all that, jokin', and collamity
Why are you acting like everything is alright when it's not?
Behind the laughter they thinkin' about jammin' me
People are pretending to be friends but really want to hurt me.
But they don't know, I got somethin' for them
But they have no idea what I'm capable of or what I have planned.
But I ain't with that negative vibe, so fuck all that
But I don't want to be consumed by negativity, so let's move on.
I've earned a lot from this game, and sacrificed more
I've worked hard to get where I am, and it hasn't been easy.
Stand here a new man, but I'm still the old boy
I've evolved and grown as a person, but I'm still the same rapper and artist I've always been.
They claimin' they sell but I'm still the old boss
Other rappers might say they're on top, but I'm still the one in charge.
Sometimes wings get clipped, we all hit the floor
Sometimes setbacks happen to all of us, even successful people.
But today though, its Black Thought, Kweli and Raw
But today, me and my fellow rappers are on top and in control.
You can be sure that we got our eyes on y'all
We're watching our competition and ready to take them down.
Watchin' different artists rise and fall
We've seen many artists come and go, but we're still here and stronger than ever.
Mother fuckers jumpin' ship like we came to rob at y'all
People are abandoning their own careers to work with us because we're so successful.
Kweli, sittin' back in the cut like Reese
My fellow rapper Kweli is relaxed and in control.
In a constant peace, call me fantastic like I cut the grease
I'm always calm and collected, and I make things happen like magic.
Baracudas movin' and canoein sippin' amaretto
We're living a luxurious and decadent lifestyle, like we're on vacation all the time.
I'm a ruler of my temple, what I do to instrumentals
I am in control of my music and my craft.
Instrumentals is the development of these niggas mentals
My music is a reflection of my intellectual and creative growth.
Tears in your eyes like this moment is sentimental
My music is emotional and powerful, making people cry and feel deep connections to the world.
Your fundamentally floored, philosophically bored
My music is deep and thought-provoking, making people question their beliefs and values.
Disturbed like the eighth floor of your hospital ward
My music can be unsettling and disruptive, like a chaotic hospital ward.
You've GOT to appoint niggas to raise the bar
People need to work together to elevate the quality of rap music.
Muslims praise Allah, Christians praise the God
Different religions have their own beliefs and practices, but we can all come together through music.
Rastas, they say Jah
Rastafarians have their own unique beliefs and practices.
They find a way to rhyme with the pallet like fine wine
Different rappers have their own unique styles and ways of rhyming.
And make you say ah
Their music is so good it makes you react with amazement.
Guess who's back?
I'm back and better than ever.
The game needed improvement
The rap game needed someone like me to come in and make it better.
Can't fit the bullshit no more, you sound stupid
I won't tolerate any more nonsense or stupidity from other rappers or the industry.
I'm a shark in the water with constant movement
I'm always working hard and staying busy, like a shark in the ocean.
Influenced by music since a truant yo
I've loved music and been inspired by it since I was young and skipping school.
This is how we do it yo
This is how I make music and dominate the rap game.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR K. THOMPSON, JIMMY GRAY, KARL B. JENKINS, TALIB KWELI GREENE, 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!