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.
Tao of the machine
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on, you want it, ha
Come on, you want it want it
Come on, you want it
Yo
We got to get started
We got to get started
come on, come on, come on, come on
What ya'll get it ain't haunted, call it
I see some of y'all thirsty for it
Straight runnin' y'all winnin' come down to the combat dog I'm a workaholic
My smack touches every enemy within my clutches
Black bringin' that ruckus
And I'm puttin' that lean on all you suckas
Black! Yo bone crushes
Every opponent suffers
Yer tone hushes from bunches
Don't you like percussion?
Don't lose yo life for nothin'
You don't wanna try to touch 'em
No competition, listen: this ain't open fo' discussion
Ha, you want it want it
Come on, you want it
Ha, come on, you want it want it
Ha, you want it
Come on, ha, you want it want it
Come on, you want it
Ha, come on, you want it want it
Come on, you want it
Come on!
We got to get started started
We got to get started, yeah
We got to get started started
Come on, you want it want it
Come on, you want it want it
Come on, you, come on, you, come on, come on, come on
My sound entrenches each of the five
Senses and hold in shock
Value of electrified
Fences you mortify, pressurize, best defy
We slide into the next dimension time to exorcise, recognize
Your spine tingle, darts mingle, while this line sting you
It's tricks on yo state of mind, somebody's watching you
Just look alert-alive
'Cause only one survive
No use of lyin' to yourself, you standing eye-to-eye
Come on, you want it want it
We got to get started
Black! yo bone crushes
Every opponent suffers
Yer tone hushes from punches
Don't you like percussion?
Don't lose yo life for nothin'
You don't wanna try to touch 'em
No competition, listen: this ain't open fo' discussion
Ha, you want it want it
The lyrics of "Tao of the Machine" by The Roots and BT speak to the idea of competition and the desire for success. The repeated line "Come on, you want it want it" suggests a drive or hunger to achieve something, possibly in a competitive context. The verses from Black Thought, the lead MC of The Roots, add to this theme with lines like "Straight runnin' y'all winnin' come down to the combat dog I'm a workaholic" and "No competition, listen: this ain't open fo' discussion." These lyrics suggest that being successful requires hard work and dedication, and that competition is not something to be taken lightly.
The chorus of "We got to get started" reinforces the idea of taking action towards achieving one's goals, and the use of the word "started" suggests that this is just the beginning of a journey towards success. The verses also contain references to technology and the idea of transcending limitations ("My sound entrenches each of the five Senses and hold in shock / Value of electrified Fences you mortify, pressurize, best defy / We slide into the next dimension time to exorcise, recognize"). This could be interpreted as a commentary on the role of technology in our society, and how it can be used to overcome obstacles and enhance our abilities.
Overall, "Tao of the Machine" is a song about drive, competition, and advancement, with references to technology and overcoming limitations. The repeated chorus and catchy beat reinforce the idea of taking action and working towards one's goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, ha, you want it want it
Encouragement to embrace the challenge
Come on, you want it, ha
Emphasis on the desire and need to succeed
Come on, you want it want it
Reinforcement of the need for determination and effort
Yo
Attention grabber, signaling readiness for action
We got to get started
Urgency to begin the battle
What ya'll get it ain't haunted, call it
Assurance that the challenge is not impossible
I see some of y'all thirsty for it
Acknowledgement of the strong desire to win
Straight runnin' y'all winnin' come down to the combat dog I'm a workaholic
Success is down to hard work and effort
My smack touches every enemy within my clutches
Confidence in ability to take down opposition
Black bringin' that ruckus
Asserting dominance and strength
And I'm puttin' that lean on all you suckas
Instilling fear in opponents
Black! Yo bone crushes
Dominant and powerful identity
Every opponent suffers
Confidence in defeating all opponents
Yer tone hushes from bunches
Silencing of opposition through force
Don't you like percussion?
Provoking and taunting the opposition
Don't lose yo life for nothin'
Emphasizing the importance of the challenge
You don't wanna try to touch 'em
Warning opponents against trying to take on the challenge
No competition, listen: this ain't open fo' discussion
Confidence in domination, refusing to negotiate
We got to get started started
Reinforcing the urgency to begin
Come on, you want it want it
Encouragement to embrace the challenge
Come on, you want it want it
Urging action and determination
Come on, you, come on, you, come on, come on, come on
Reinforcing the need for effort and drive
My sound entrenches each of the five
Confidence in the power of one's abilities
Senses and hold in shock
Ability to impress and overpower opponents
Value of electrified
Quality and impact of performance
Fences you mortify, pressurize, best defy
Pushing the boundaries of what is possible
We slide into the next dimension time to exorcise, recognize
Preparing to take on new challenges, acknowledging the need for recognition
Your spine tingle, darts mingle, while this line sting you
Provoking and taunting opposition
It's tricks on yo state of mind, somebody's watching you
Using tactics to outsmart opponents
Just look alert-alive
Reminding oneself to be fully present and focused
'Cause only one survive
Emphasizing the high stakes of the challenge
No use of lyin' to yourself, you standing eye-to-eye
Encouraging honesty with oneself and awareness of the challenge ahead
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BRIAN WAYNE TRANSEAU, TARIK L. COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@goldenman5204
No thanks,
Lyrics:
Come on, ha, you want it want it
Come on, you want it, ha
Come on, you want it want it
Come on, you want it
Yo
We got to get started
We got to get started
We got to get started
come on, come on, come on, come on
What ya'll get it ain't haunted, call it
I see some of y'all thirsty for it
Straight runnin' y'all winnin' come down to the combat dog I'm a workaholic
My smack touches every enemy within my clutches
Black bringin' that ruckus
And I'm puttin' that lean on all you suckas
Black! Yo bone crushes
Every opponent suffers
Yer tone hushes from bunches
Don't you like percussion?
Don't lose yo life for nothin'
You don't wanna try to touch 'em
No competition, listen: this ain't open fo' discussion
Ha, you want it want it
Come on, you want it
Ha, come on, you want it want it
Ha, you want it
Come on, ha, you want it want it
Come on, you want it
Ha, come on, you want it want it
Come on, you want it
Come on!
We got to get started started
We got to get started, yeah
We got to get started started
Come on, you want it want it
Come on, you want it want it
Come on, you, come on, you, come on, come on, come on
My sound entrenches each of the five
Senses and hold in shock
Value of electrified
Fences you mortify, pressurize, best defy
We slide into the next dimension time to exorcise, recognize
Your spine tingle, darts mingle, while this line sting you
It's tricks on yo state of mind, somebody's watching you
Just look alert-alive
'Cause only one survive
No use of lyin' to yourself, you standing eye-to-eye
Come on, you want it want it
We got to get started
Black! yo bone crushes
Every opponent suffers
Yer tone hushes from punches
Don't you like percussion?
Don't lose yo life for nothin'
You don't wanna try to touch 'em
No competition, listen: this ain't open fo' discussion
Ha, you want it want it
@oldbastard1761
with this song every car gets 20% more power
@free.cookies6745
you mean 100 % XD
@robertknoxyus9007
soo true!
@ym-hf6od
MUTED GTA
@TheCapitalWanderer
MUTED GTA true
@strangename5363
really true man, that's my favourite song and always it plays when i race i become better xD
@TheSagaOfGregGetsRekt
Almost twenty years on and this beat still goes hard.
@ggmi8219
Masterpiece of NFS series.
@juliusbelmont350
I totally agree! And my close 2nd Favorite is NFS Shift.
@androidhacker3347
naber gencler