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.
The Anti-Circle
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On tha mad train like a rain
That's purple I storm
Never comin twice in one form
Tha Black'll act a fool and I'm gone
Crumbs bust it pass tha popcorn
As I kick flava behavior absctract I get recognition
But I represent no religion or sect
Cause I'm stronger than younger
Son of Casandra like ganja I grow
From tha root like water I flow
Could sport ebrotha low or tha nappy afro
I still a have tha pick cause I choose to evict
Derelicts on tha tip tryin to diss tha mad skit busta skit
How many licks do it take to make a fake
Realize that he can't shake bake or penetrate
This style I demonstrate on a regular
Basis in face that he ain't no competitor
I said it a second ago yo I'm tha anti-circle with tha mad style
Crushin any mental that be fragile
You don't wanna see me get like agile
Rippin up tha scene screamin like I was a bad child
Black Thought so hip that I'm square
Tha rhythm that you hear is from tha kids right over there
Tha rubberband and Question just one step away
Yesterday was a day away attention you should pay today
To tha Roots stickin boot kickin with flippa
I lift tha party up and y'all get down like a zipper
Tha mista hippa flippa kid tha one who thinks tha music can be hurtin a
Rhythm when I get anti-circular
Square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square y'all
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
What you spot up with ya peepers is tha creeper
Stompin on tha ground smokin a quarter pound reefer
Mista five finger lead singer noise maker
Number one run I'm rush now you must hush
I crush trail mix with tha sandal
Five fingers keep a candlestick lit when I vandalize
Can't see what I is or will be
Only what I was cause I crush an MC
I'm dandy happy go lucky don't touch me
Don't play cause I'm not tha right one baby yeah
Crazy off key never talk softly
Blacker than tha beans still I never sweat coffee
Tha fourth beat following tha third word second after first
Yo never rehearse tha verse that I'm freestylin'
Cause my verse is diverse I'm Mista Versatilin'
Things are easier with ooh chilin'
Ya smilin because you dig tha way that I deliver
And give a style flowin like I was tha Nile river you shiver
Cause I'm cooler than tha coolest act a fool its like a habit
So yo this trick is for tha rabbit
I grab it and snatch it inspect it like gadget
I works tha magic tha mic I must have it
I'm at it kids does tha pin on tha vibe tribe
Members do decide to stand around at tha sit down
Get down can't you know I'm quick to rip a kid down
Aim to put wack rappers in containers with tha lid down
So I seal it can you feel it many contacts is caught
On a mad train a Black Thought
From the square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square y'all
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
From tha square to tha circle to tha square
The Roots in their song Anti-Circle use a lot of wordplay to express their uniqueness. The opening lines themselves, "Yo I'm tha anti-circle, On tha mad train like a rain That's purple I storm, Never coming twice in one form" are a manifestation of their refusal to conform to patterns or the status quo. They go on to state that they do not represent any exclusive group or faction, but rather reach out to the individual on a soul level. They see themselves as dynamic and evolving, growing from their roots like the water for vegetation. They don't shy away from their culture, "Could sport ebrotha low or tha nappy afro, I still a have tha pick cause I choose to evict, Derelicts on tha tip tryin to diss tha mad skit busta skit", but they also don't allow it to become a limiting factor.
The Roots confidently proclaim that they are the "anti-circle", defying boundaries and typifications. They do not fit into any particular mold, and creatively use their individuality to deliver a diverse and versatile set of lines. They represent their unique ideal of well-balanced creativity with perfect lines like, "From the square to the circle to the square" where they demonstrate how to playfully push back against conventionalism non-violently.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo I'm tha anti-circle
I am different and not conformist.
On tha mad train like a rain That's purple I storm
I am unique and come in an unpredictable form.
Never comin twice in one form Tha Black'll act a fool and I'm gone
I do not conform, and once gone, cannot be repeated.
Crumbs bust it pass tha popcorn As I kick flava behavior abstract I get recognition
I get recognition for my unique behavior and style.
But I represent no religion or sect So I'm no preacher but I reach your soul
I am not associated with any particular group or belief, but I connect with people on a deeper level.
Cause I'm stronger than younger Son of Casandra like ganja I grow From tha root like water I flow
I am strong and resilient, like a plant that grows in adversity.
Could sport ebrotha low or tha nappy afro I still have tha pick cause I choose to evict Derelicts on tha tip tryin to diss tha mad skit busta skit
I have the freedom to express myself in any way I choose, and I will not tolerate those who try to bring me down.
How many licks do it take to make a fake Realize that he can't shake bake or penetrate This style I demonstrate on a regular Basis in face that he ain't no competitor
It is impossible for someone to imitate my unique style, and I will not be outdone by any competitor.
I said it a second ago yo I'm tha anti-circle with tha mad style Crushin any mental that be fragile
I am still unique and have a distinct style that overwhelms those who are weak.
Black Thought so hip that I'm square Tha rhythm that you hear is from tha kids right over there Tha rubberband and Question just one step away Yesterday was a day away attention you should pay today To tha Roots stickin boot kickin with flippa I lift tha party up and y'all get down like a zipper Tha mista hippa flippa kid tha one who thinks tha music can be hurtin a Rhythm when I get anti-circular
I, Black Thought, am so unique and cool that I stand out, and my music speaks to those who are nearby. The Roots can lift any party and create a unique and unforgettable experience.
What you spot up with ya peepers is tha creeper Stompin on tha ground smokin a quarter pound reefer Mista five finger lead singer noise maker Number one run I'm rush now you must hush
I am a leader and a creator, and when I rush in, everyone must obey my commands.
I crush trail mix with tha sandal Five fingers keep a candlestick lit when I vandalize Can't see what I is or will be Only what I was cause I crush an MC
I am unpredictable and can crush anyone who tries to stand in my way or imitate me.
I'm dandy happy go lucky don't touch me Don't play cause I'm not tha right one baby yeah Crazy off key never talk softly Blacker than tha beans still I never sweat coffee
I am carefree and unbothered by others, while still being unique and different from the norm.
Tha fourth beat following tha third word second after first Yo never rehearse tha verse that I'm freestylin' Cause my verse is diverse I'm Mista Versatilin'
I am versatile and can freestyle any lyrics that come to mind, without the need for rehearsals.
Things are easier with ooh chilin' Ya smilin because you dig tha way that I deliver And give a style flowin like I was tha Nile river you shiver Cause I'm cooler than tha coolest act a fool its like a habit
My delivery and style are enjoyable and easy to listen to, and I am cooler than anyone else.
So yo this trick is for tha rabbit I grab it and snatch it inspect it like gadget I works tha magic tha mic I must have it I'm at it kids does tha pin on tha vibe tribe Members do decide to stand around at tha sit down Get down can't you know I'm quick to rip a kid down Aim to put wack rappers in containers with tha lid down So I seal it can you feel it many contacts is caught On a mad train a Black Thought
I am always working magic with the microphone, and I am quick to shut down any low-quality rappers. I strive to put them in their place, sealing their fate on my mad train of unique and superior music.
Square to tha circle to tha square From tha square to tha circle to tha square
I am constantly evolving and changing, moving from one form to another.
What you spot up with ya peepers is tha creeper Stompin on tha ground smokin a quarter pound reefer
I am unique and unpredictable, with some people watching me closely with suspicion or awe.
From tha square to tha circle to tha square From tha square to tha circle to tha square From tha square to tha circle to tha square y'all
As I evolve and change, moving from one form to another, I remain true to myself and my unique style.
From tha square to tha circle to tha square From tha square to tha circle to tha square From tha square to tha circle to tha square
My evolution and uniqueness are constant, and my art continues to be transformative and unpredictable.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jakob Hillman
This is some classic shit! listened to this on my walkman all the time back in the day :-D
Chris Ye
damn spotify removed the organix album .
Jonah
Lameee wtf
Ronnie Franco
Dope as fuck!!!!
RB Brown
From the square to the circle to the square...
PretoAnrus
damn
gwakon
12 likes. Fucking hilarious.