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.
Step Into
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Yo, I walk across this world that's deceptive
Beats are perfected, the ghetto's infested
With more destruction, my vocal eruption
Was speakin bout corruption with no introduction
Approach me with caution cause I spark losses
M-Illitant the rap arson, marchin
Leavin niggas stiff like I'm starchin, departin
Hollywood Sambos and jokes just like Martin
I'm the type of nigga that belong in a war
With a mic and a cord, to hold your head with a sword
Some proclaim lames, callin theyselves bold
They shall be flawed, when the claps applaud
If this a point of life, one I can't afford
Then I have to get sheist and I deal in fraud
Now back to the topic of the rap philosopher
With more drama than a soap opera
Who stops the propoganda, the hot block commander
Puttin a halt to all the backtalk and slander
Warn every challenger about the silencer
Muzzle in your mouth for the days that's on the calendar
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
I'm from the valley of the heavyheads, watch the ghetto pre-medical
Undergrads and steady red faces of stone
Eyes are crevices, life like a double negative
Philly criminal, I rhyme my dirt Tariq already did
Buildin this Fifth foundation in the wilderness
Thought-less, trespass and enter Thought's fortress
Limitless entrance, paid to the order of the
Cypher slaughterer, my mic slappin you senseless
Defenseless, niggas never movin me inches
The beat Fifth, invisi-ble in the trenches
Afficiando, awesome hip-hop drug problem
Fuck stardom, and chickens up in Gotham
Poltergeist, slit or choke the mic til it scream to me
Stop that, cash we conveniently got that
I stroll through your scenery cocked back
Me and Hot Mack, the nine-eight, El Dorado Cadillac Jacks
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
The lyrics of the song "Step Into The Realm" by The Roots emphasize the danger of leaving the comfort zone and stepping into a new world, where one is bound to get caught in the complexities of life. Starting with the repeated lyric "Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught," the song sets a strongly assertive tone of warning to the listener. The lyrics then detail the experiences of a rapper who walks across the world and sees its deceptiveness, where the lyrics are infused with deep socio-political commentary. The phrase "approach me with caution cause I spark losses," suggests that the rapper is ready to ignite his opinion through his music, which speaks of corruption and its devastating impact on humanity.
The lyrics of the song are nuanced and use rich vocabulary, such as "Philly criminal, I rhyme my dirt Tariq already did," which suggests that the rapper is from Philadelphia, and the way he raps is not new, having been done before by Tariq, a reference to The Roots' MC Black Thought. The song continues to emphasize the resilience of the rapper in the face of adversity as he states, "I'm the type of nigga that belongs in a war with a mic and a cord, to hold your head with a sword." Through the powerful imagery and rhythmic flow, the song "Step Into The Realm" sounds like a call for action, a wake-up call, and a powerful statement of the socio-political landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
Entering into the world of rap and hip-hop, you are sure to face obstacles and struggles.
And from this worldly life you'll soon depart
You will have to give up your current life and mindset to fully immerse yourself in the rap culture.
Yo, I walk across this world that's deceptive
Walking in this world of rap and hip-hop can be tricky and misleading.
Beats are perfected, the ghetto's infested
The beats and music are polished, but the environment it comes from is filled with negativity and struggle.
With more destruction, my vocal eruption
My music speaks of the destruction and issues in society.
Was speakin bout corruption with no introduction
I am addressing corruption without sugarcoating it.
Approach me with caution cause I spark losses
Be careful when approaching me because I speak the truth and it may offend some.
Leavin niggas stiff like I'm starchin, departin
My words leave people stunned and speechless, as if they are frozen.
Hollywood Sambos and jokes just like Martin
I am against the stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood and people like Martin Lawrence.
I'm the type of nigga that belong in a war
I am a warrior and belong on the front lines fighting for justice.
With a mic and a cord, to hold your head with a sword
I use my words and music as a weapon in this battle.
Some proclaim lames, callin theyselves bold
Some people may call themselves bold, but they are really just weak.
They shall be flawed, when the claps applaud
Their true colors will be shown when the audience reacts to their music.
If this a point of life, one I can't afford
I cannot afford to waste my time on things that do not matter or contribute to my music and message.
Then I have to get sheist and I deal in fraud
I may have to be sneaky and dishonest to get ahead in this industry.
Warn every challenger about the silencer
I am a force to be reckoned with and will silence anyone who tries to challenge me.
Muzzle in your mouth for the days that's on the calendar
You will be silenced for a long time as I continue to make music that matters.
I'm from the valley of the heavyheads, watch the ghetto pre-medical
I come from a place filled with struggle and poverty, where people are forced to grow up too fast.
Undergrads and steady red faces of stone
The youth in my community already have to face adult responsibilities and problems.
Eyes are crevices, life like a double negative
Our lives are filled with darkness and negativity.
Philly criminal, I rhyme my dirt Tariq already did
I am proud of where I come from, and my music reflects my experiences, similar to Tariq who also raps about Philly.
Buildin this Fifth foundation in the wilderness
I am building a solid foundation for myself in a difficult and competitive industry.
Thought-less, trespass and enter Thought's fortress
I am not afraid to speak my mind and go against the norm.
Limitless entrance, paid to the order of the
I am breaking down barriers and making a name for myself despite the odds against me.
Cypher slaughterer, my mic slappin you senseless
I am a skilled rapper, and my music will leave you impressed and stunned.
Defenseless, niggas never movin me inches
No one can stop me or hinder my progress.
The beat Fifth, invisi-ble in the trenches
The music I create is hard-hitting and can withstand any challenge.
Afficiando, awesome hip-hop drug problem
I am an expert and lover of hip-hop, and it is like a drug to me.
Fuck stardom, and chickens up in Gotham
I am not interested in becoming a big star or living a materialistic lifestyle.
Poltergeist, slit or choke the mic til it scream to me
I am in control of the music and will make it scream my message and beliefs.
Stop that, cash we conveniently got that
Money is not a motivator for me, as I already have enough to make music.
I stroll through your scenery cocked back
I effortlessly navigate through the industry with confidence and determination.
Me and Hot Mack, the nine-eight, El Dorado Cadillac Jacks
My friends and I are living the good life, but we still stay true to our roots and where we come from.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: 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!