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 Relm )
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
Militant the rap arson, marchin'
Leavin' n****z stiff like I'm starchin', departin'
Hollywood Sambas and jokes just like Martin
I'm the type of n**** that belongs in a ward
With a mic and a cord, to hold your head with a sword
Some proclaim lames, callin' they-selves 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 shiest and I deal in fraud
Now back to the topic of, the rap philosopher
With more drama than a soap opera
Who stops the propaganda, 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 heavy heads, 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, n****z never movin' me inches
The beat Fifth, invisible in the trenches
Aficionado, awesome hip-hop drug problem
F*** 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 c***ed back
Me and Hot Mack, the nine-eight, El Eldorado 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 song Step Into The Realm by The Roots is a powerful commentary on the struggle of living in the world while trying to remain true to oneself. The lyrics warn that if one dares to enter into the realm of authenticity and genuine expression, they will risk being caught by the traps of the material world and will soon depart from it. The world is presented as deceptive and infested with destruction, but the rapper offers a way out through the power of music and lyricism.
The lyrics delve into the persona of a rap philosopher who possesses militancy and is steadfast in his approach to exposing corruption and propaganda. He belongs in a ward with a microphone in hand, ready to hold his listeners' heads with a sword. He staunchly warns any challenger about the silencer and has no tolerance for any backtalk or slander. This rapper is not concerned with fame, but rather with the pure joy and power of hip hop music.
Overall, the song is a conscious effort to inspire listeners to step into the realm of authentic expression, even though it comes with its own risks. It is an ode to the raw sincerity of hip hop as a vehicle for social and political commentary.
Line by Line Meaning
Step into the realm, you're bound to get caught
Entering into The Roots's world, you'll be held accountable for your actions and words
And from this worldly life, you'll soon depart
Leaving behind the physical world as you explore the spiritual realm of The Roots
Yo, I walk across this, world that's deceptive
Through his music, The Roots's rapper explores the false reality created by the world around us
Approach me with caution cause I spark losses
Be wary of his words because The Roots's artist has a tendency to ignite turmoil and controversy
Leavin' n****z stiff like I'm starchin', departin'
His rhymes have the power to leave people speechless, like they have been pinned down with starch
If this a point of life, one I can't afford
If living in the physical world is too costly, then the rapper will resort to fraudulent means to make it in the realm of music
I'm from the valley of the heavy heads, watch the ghetto pre-medical
The artist grew up in a rough, disadvantaged neighborhood where medical care was scarce and drugs were prevalent
Limitless entrance, paid, to the order of the
The rapper has unlimited access to the world of music, with payment going to the order of his lyrical prowess
Fifth foundation in the wilderness
The Roots, being the fifth element of hip-hop, are establishing a foundation in a place that is not traditionally associated with the genre
Aficionado, awesome hip-hop drug problem
The artist is a connoisseur of hip-hop music, so addicted to its greatness that it might as well be a drug
I stroll through your scenery c****ed back
The rapper confidently walks through any surroundings with his gun ready, indicating that he is always prepared for whatever may come his way
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!