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.
Section
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We got more 'cause it's what you want
Thump it in your section and throughout your section
In your area, throughout your whole section, yo
You can't front, we comin' with the shots to pump
We got more 'cause it's what you want
Thump it in your section and throughout your section
y'all know the dynasty, the Roots repertoire
The lieutenant from the reservoir, serve the spar
The injurar, preditar of a competitar
I send MCs where the paramedics are
At first, I'm like "nah", I'm nonchalant from afar
Then strike to cut the fake rap star jugular
With irregular balance of the cat burgla-rar
Known to parlay with Garcia Vega cigars
I know the flavor because me and the thugs minds are mutual
We congruent, lay on the corner with the trauma unit
I'm from the lab where the bomb's distributed
So never try to duplicate the skills executed
Son you'd get electrocuted from the worldwide reputed
Shine like nickel heat that blow your mind when I shoot it
Some know me as the man that's from the Roots crew
Others as the bad lieutenant of Snyder Avenue
We go an eye for an eye
Behead like a samurai that'll command the dynasty until he die
Who will imply that I lack a-biliti?
Make your words known, amplify the you-tiliti
I'm crooked like the "I" on a toxic malt liquor
The land whipper, the Dom Perignon champ sipper
The fifth'll bring it all together like the zipper on a butter leather
The bad lieu a bring the bad weather
So to whoever got riff, let it rest
Reflect, then recollect on the way it was set
It's the veteran architect that flows with the rhythm of sex
Be on the low shotgun in the Lex
With my man low to flex
I'm restin where they handle the Tecs
And the lyrical vandal is next flow
So my man, my mizza, my man
M-ilitant, what's the master plan?
Once again
You can't front, we comin' with the shots to pump
We got more 'cause it's what you want
Thump it in your section and throughout your section
In your area, throughout your whole section, yo
You can't front, we comin' with the shots to pump
We got more 'cause it's what you want
Thump it in your section and throughout your section
In your area, throughout your whole section, yo
Peep the oratory, niggaz bore me with theatrics
Moms listen to they daughter story about my packets
The adverse is on your table, stabilize emotion
A soldier at ease, but on post of up most in
Brag and boast in my anecdotes that choke
Invade your whole terrain, you feel the pain provoke
When I breaststroke your wavelength of intensity
My alliance bring forth to you an entity
Your whole vicinity, I contaminate with hate
Got no time to debate, but hold up wait, sit straight
It's in mil, the elicit, you violate, you get a ticket
MCs you can't tell I expel, you get evicted
From out your misery, serve your ass with my delivery
Allah makes the ground you steppin' on shivery
Permanent tears run through your thoughts you queers
It's all upstairs, where there's a crowd, table and chairs
For years, been on the mic, I'm like a dike with stairs
When I strike, I stay severe, niggaz stay low in they glare
From over here, my Range Rover square to blast offside
Switch the pitch from southpaw to unorthodox
I shock your brain with the miscellaneous
Who beez the zaniest, nigga with words that are spontaneous?
A yo, the purpose mainly is to generate the Luther Van
Lyrical contraband, controllin' your command and
You can't front, we comin' with the shots to pump
We got more 'cause it's what you want
Thump it in your section and throughout your section
In your area, throughout your whole section, yo
You can't front, we comin' with the shots to pump
We got more 'cause it's what you want
Thump it in your section and throughout your section
In your area, throughout your whole section, yo
All the way live from two fifteen, all the way live from the six ten
Gettin' cash, get the gusto
One time, it's the dynasty flow
Runnin' it down the line, it's another
Yeah, you in tune to another ill
Fifth dynasty production baby
The Roots' song "Section" is a hard-hitting track that features powerful lyrics and gritty, energetic beats. The song is full of references to hip-hop culture and the street life, as well as a sense of defiance that suggests the artists are here to take over the rap world. The lyrics speak of "comin' with the shots to pump" and "thump[ing] it in your section and throughout your section," indicating a desire to dominate the local scene.
One interesting aspect of the song is its use of military-style language, such as the reference to a "soldier at ease, but on post of up most in." This suggests that the artists see themselves as warriors engaged in a struggle for dominance in the rap game. The use of references to violence and aggression also adds to this sense of conflict and tension, creating an edgy, intense mood.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't front, we comin' with the shots to pump
We're not playing around, we're here to make an impact and pump up the volume
We got more 'cause it's what you want
We have plenty to offer because we know what our audience wants
Thump it in your section and throughout your section
We want our sound to be felt and heard in every part of your area or crowd
In your area, throughout your whole section, yo
We're not just talking about a small space, we want to reach everyone and everywhere
Peep the oratory, niggaz bore me with theatrics
I'm tired of hearing empty words and fake performances instead of real talent
Brag and boast in my anecdotes that choke
My stories are real and powerful, and can leave you speechless
Invade your whole terrain, you feel the pain provoke
I'm not afraid to take over and push boundaries, and it may be uncomfortable but necessary for growth
You violate, you get a ticket
Break the rules and face the consequences - I won't tolerate disrespect or fake behavior
From over here, my Range Rover square to blast offside
I'm in control and ready to take off, even from a distance
A yo, the purpose mainly is to generate the Luther Van
Our ultimate goal is to create a legacy and make a lasting impact
Lyrical contraband, controllin' your command and
Our words are powerful and can control the situation or crowd if used effectively
All the way live from two fifteen, all the way live from the six ten
We're representing our roots and where we come from, from our specific neighborhoods and streets
Gettin' cash, get the gusto
We're here to succeed and get our rightful earnings and success
One time, it's the dynasty flow
We have a consistent and powerful sound that represents our crew and legacy
Runnin' it down the line, it's another
We're not done yet, just getting started and continuing to push forward
Yeah, you in tune to another ill
You're listening to yet another amazing and energetic production from our crew
Fifth dynasty production baby
This is a product of our collaboration and hard work, representing our fifth dynasty
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AHMIR K. THOMPSON, JIMMY GRAY, KENYATTA SAUNDERS, MALIK SMART, 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!