The Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The… Read Full Bio ↴The Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Square Roots and The Foundation, are an influential, Grammy winning hip hop group based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation. Inspired by the "hip-hop band" concept pioneered by Stetsasonic, the Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and influenced later hip-hop and R&B acts.

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.

Rolling With Heat
The Roots Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Downtown everybody move to the beat
Uptown everybody moving the heat
Cross-town the party where both sides meet
Eastside, westside, there's always beef
Downtown everybody move to the beat
Uptown everybody moving the heat
Cross-town the party where both sides meet
Eastside, westside, there's always beef

I tattoo the page with the permanent ink
Mr. Rourke on your Fantasy Island
The umbrella in your tropical drinks
Still run it up it, liquor in your cup
Fucking you up
Hang over the banister
You feel the rush of the blood going straight to your brain
Ain't no love, you only love bringing hate to the game
Taking my name in vain, mistaking license for freedom
He make music for the people, people dying to meet him
People!
We still abuse it, while the rich is made of music
He probably driving a Buick and be rocking van--- ?
G-you-E relevant, see how his man do it
Fucking with niggas from illa fifth, see how we ran through it
The river in the valley
The nigga in the alley
Rolling with the heat from BK to killer Cali
The hands will fake the clapping
You'll be collasping
You softer than the land on legs
Transforming the landscape
Like a sandstorm in the Sahara
I am the truest nigga
I do more shows than The Roots to Carol Lewis
Creative artist, never play the targets of game hunters
You may want to test this product like cane smugglers
Dis disco shit
Popping like Crisco
Hitting your face
Spit in your face like pistol shit
My style, wild like wipple whip
I go back like a pistol grip
It's pro-black, Kweli!

Downtown everybody move to the beat
Uptown everybody moving the heat
Cross-town the party where both sides meet
Eastside, westside, there's always beef
Downtown everybody move to the beat
Uptown everybody moving the heat
Cross-town the party where both sides meet
Eastside, westside, there's always beef

I'm a threat like Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Willy gank, spit the killer dank dialogue
Pyro-maniac like Dr. Molotov
I knock the bottle off
And knock the model off
Gots some non-believers here
Some how I'll save y'all
Or stop y'all worries, you makin me vexed
Hit up gekko, this ain't got gold correct
I'll fucking bounty hunt your body like I'm Boba Fett
Cause you a toy not a soldier yet
You better hold your neck
You dick smokers get no respect
With the blood, ice your watch, rock your rocks
Better rock it on the screen and not the blocks
'cause them crews don't stop them shots
It's so many that fly, they chase down, I just stop and watch
I'm from the south side of philly, it's known to get gruesome
Heavy hitter villians these alleyways produce them
Heavy hitter on a pocket we find a way to juice them
They may as well pay, schmuck
Introducing the be -to L-A see me the king splitter
Then analyze this dime, the main thing glitter
Then analyze the taste in your mouth, it seem bitter
Ganster, valid dick torian, graduate of I dare you
If you are paper thin I'm a tear you
I'm a come take care of you put a part in your hairdo
You barking like I'm a starting to scare you
But speak up like a man nigga so your body guards can hear you

Downtown everybody move to the beat
Uptown everybody moving the heat
Cross-town the party where both sides meet
Eastside, westside, there's always beef
Downtown everybody move to the beat
Uptown everybody moving the heat

Cross-town the party where both sides meet
Eastside, westside, there's always beef

Overall Meaning

The Roots's song "Rolling With Heat" talks about the different scenes in various parts of the city – downtown, uptown, cross-town, eastside, westside – and how each one has its unique vibe. The chorus talks about how everybody is doing their own thing, but there's always tension and conflict between people from different areas. The lyrics are written in a highly vivid fashion and depict the darker side of urban life.

The verses of the song contain a lot of wordplay and metaphors. The first verse uses the imagery of tattooing a page with permanent ink to describe the rapper's style of writing lyrics. He also references Mr. Rourke from "Fantasy Island" and the umbrella in tropical drinks, which are symbols of escapism and excess. The second verse is more aggressive and talks about the dangers of living in a tough neighborhood. The rapper talks about how he's a threat to society like Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and how he's a pyromaniac like Dr. Molotov.

Overall, "Rolling With Heat" is a song that depicts the harsh realities of life in the ghetto. It's a commentary on how people from different areas often clash and how there's always tension and conflict between them. The Roots use vivid and powerful imagery to paint a picture of life in the city, and the song is a testament to their lyrical prowess.

Line by Line Meaning

Downtown everybody move to the beat
Everyone is dancing downtown to the rhythm of the music.

Uptown everybody moving the heat
Up north, people are carrying and using firearms.

Cross-town the party where both sides meet
There's a party happening at a central location in the city where people from different neighborhoods come together.

Eastside, westside, there's always beef
There are always tensions and rivalries between different neighborhoods in the city, no matter where you go.

I tattoo the page with the permanent ink
I create music with lyrics that will last forever, like a tattoo.

Mr. Rourke on your Fantasy Island
My rhymes are like the fictional character Mr. Rourke in the show Fantasy Island, who can make people's wildest dreams come true.

The umbrella in your tropical drinks
I'm the added touch to your already enjoyable experience, making it even better.

Still run it up it, liquor in your cup
We keep drinking and partying all night long, with no regard for the consequences.

Fucking you up
We're getting wasted and having a wild time.

Hang over the banister
We're so drunk and out of control that we can barely stand up straight and are holding onto the banister for support.

You feel the rush of the blood going straight to your brain
The alcohol is hitting you hard and fast, and you're feeling it throughout your entire body and mind.

Ain't no love, you only love bringing hate to the game
People only care about promoting their own agenda and causing conflict, rather than working together and finding common ground.

Taking my name in vain, mistaking license for freedom
People are using my name or reputation inappropriately, and confusing their freedom of speech with a license to say whatever they want.

He make music for the people, people dying to meet him
I produce music that resonates with people and they admire me and want to meet me in person.

We still abuse it, while the rich is made of music
We continue to abuse drugs and alcohol, while those who create and produce music are becoming increasingly wealthy.

He probably driving a Buick and be rocking van--- ?
Even though I am successful, I still live modestly and don't flaunt my wealth.

G-you-E relevant, see how his man do it
I'm still relevant and respected in the music industry, and my peers recognize my talent and influence.

Fucking with niggas from illa fifth, see how we ran through it
I collaborate with other artists from the same neighborhood I grew up in, and together we're making an impact in the music industry.

The river in the valley
The river flows through the valley, representing life and growth.

The nigga in the alley
The person in the alley represents the darker, dangerous side of life.

Rolling with the heat from BK to killer Cali
We're carrying weapons and ready for whatever might come our way, no matter where we go in the country.

The hands will fake the clapping
People pretend to support and applaud me, but in reality, they're not genuine.

You'll be collasping
If you don't stop pretending and start being real, you'll eventually fail and fall down.

You softer than the land on legs
You're weak and can't handle the harsh realities of life.

Transforming the landscape
Through my music and influence, I'm changing the world around me and making an impact.

Like a sandstorm in the Sahara
My impact and influence are sweeping and far-reaching, like a sandstorm in the desert.

I am the truest nigga
I am the most authentic and genuine person, and my music reflects that.

I do more shows than The Roots to Carol Lewis
I perform more often than even The Roots, who are known for their extensive touring schedule.

Creative artist, never play the targets of game hunters
As an artist, I'm always pushing boundaries and being creative, but I never let myself become a target for those who want to tear me down or criticize me.

You may want to test this product like cane smugglers
Don't underestimate me, because I'm the real deal and I'll prove it to you.

Dis disco shit
This type of music is all about dancing and having a good time.

Popping like Crisco
My rhymes and beats are so lively and energetic, like the popping sound of oil in a frying pan.

Hitting your face
My music is making an impact and getting noticed.

Spit in your face like pistol shit
My lyrics are like a fast and furious gunshot to the face.

My style, wild like wipple whip
My style is wild and unpredictable, like a whip crackling through the air.

I go back like a pistol grip
I've been around for a long time and have a long history in the music industry, like the design of an old-fashioned pistol grip.

It's pro-black, Kweli!
My music is unapologetically black and I'm proud of that, like Talib Kweli.

I'm a threat like Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
I'm dangerous and intimidating, like the federal agency responsible for banning certain substances and regulating guns.

Willy gank, spit the killer dank dialogue
I'm spitting rhymes that are deadly and leave a lasting impression on listeners.

Pyro-maniac like Dr. Molotov
I'm like a pyromaniac, creating fire and destruction everywhere I go, like the Molotov cocktail.

I knock the bottle off, and knock the model off
I'm so powerful and influential that I can have an impact on people and things that aren't even related to my music.

Gots some non-believers here, some how I'll save y'all
There are people who doubt me, but I believe that I'll win them over eventually through my music and talent.

Or stop y'all worries, you makin me vexed
I'm tired of people doubting me or questioning my abilities, because it's starting to frustrate me.

Hit up gekko, this ain't got gold correct
I'm reaching out to people in my network to make sure everyone is on the same page and working together.

I'll fucking bounty hunt your body like I'm Boba Fett
I'm so ruthless and powerful that I could track you down and kill you if I wanted to, like the character Boba Fett in Star Wars.

Cause you a toy not a soldier yet
You're not experienced or powerful enough to handle me or my music yet.

You better hold your neck
You should be careful and watch your back around me.

You dick smokers get no respect
People who disrespect me are not worthy of my time or attention.

With the blood, ice your watch, rock your rocks
I'm willing to spill blood and take down anyone who stands in my way, including those who flaunt their wealth and status.

Better rock it on the screen and not the blocks
Instead of showing off your wealth in the streets, it's safer to do it on TV or in the movies where it won't attract so much attention.

'cause them crews don't stop them shots
The rival gangs and crews in the city are constantly shooting at each other, and it's dangerous to get caught in the crossfire.

It's so many that fly, they chase down, I just stop and watch
There are so many bullets flying and people running around that it's hard to keep track of everything.

I'm from the south side of philly, it's known to get gruesome
I come from a violent and dangerous neighborhood in Philadelphia where things can get ugly.

Heavy hitter villians these alleyways produce them
The people who grow up in these alleys are tough and dangerous, and they're not to be messed with.

Heavy hitter on a pocket we find a way to juice them
Even those who have a lot of money and power can still be taken down by people like us, who know how to outsmart and outmaneuver them.

They may as well pay, schmuck
These rich and powerful people might as well give us their money, because we're going to take it one way or another.

Introducing the be-to L-A see me the king splitter
I'm introducing myself to the world as the best rapper from Los Angeles, and I'm ready to take on anyone who tries to challenge me.

Then analyze this dime, the main thing glitter
I'm showcasing my wealth and success for others to see, because that's the most important thing in this world.

Then analyze the taste in your mouth, it seem bitter
People might feel jealous or bitter about my success, but it doesn't bother me because I know I've earned it.

Ganster, valid dick torian, graduate of I dare you
I'm a true gangster, with a rich history and background, and I'm not afraid to take on anyone who challenges me.

If you are paper thin I'm a tear you
If you're weak or vulnerable, I'll take advantage of you and tear you down.

I'm a come take care of you put a part in your hairdo
I'll take care of you and make sure you're safe, but I'll also threaten you and intimidate you if I have to.

You barking like I'm a starting to scare you
You're trying to act tough and put up a front, but you're starting to realize how intimidating and powerful I am.

But speak up like a man nigga so your body guards can hear you
If you're going to talk, talk like a man, so that your bodyguards will respect you and take you seriously.

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, BMG Rights Management
Written by: AHMIR THOMPSON, JAMES GRAY, KARL JENKINS, TALIB KWELI, TERIK TROTTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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