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.
Universe At War
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At war
U.N.I.Verse (when you and I verse)
At war motherfucker
We gonna do this Chi-town style (verse at war)
Illadelph, you know how we get down
You know the business (Illtown illanoid)
Bringin it straight to your chest (comin thru with the iller category)
Break it down one two (we about to drop a bomb, check it)
When you and I verse at war (U.N.I.Verse at War)
And your verse at core, for what you thought before
Steppin up into a zone you should never explore
The next level or, level of the whole conceptor
When you and I verse at war (U.N.I.Verse at War)
And your verse at core, for what you thought before
Steppin up into a zone you should never explore
The next level or, level of the whole conceptor
Check it, rappers
Get on the mic talk about cars and clothes
Sounding like hoes
Ain't been exposed to the foes,the moes, disciples
I'm from the state that is Ill, the rap son of man
Rotated down to Phil, to say what I feel
Get it off my bird chest, my word becomes flesh
War, going on between the West and the East
Of the land, niggas don't own a piece
Grease is the word, Murray slides some pimp oil to me
My lady friend sneaks my beer in the movie
Throw your hands in the air, if you the true and living
Beware, the new world order, the devil's new religion
Sent my homey to the number two division
Sellin bootleg movies, got my VCR on a ove' smove'
Be at Fat Tuesday's, drinkin tropical it's just sittin
At a table with sophisticated bitches
Nah that ain't nothin I would call my mother
Nor do I call every nigga my brother
Gotta have Black Thought, it's sorta B like Malik
So don't Question a Brother, to the Roots I get deep
Yo, enter the last era
Your scholarship into the world of politics
And mascara, we operate within this artificial op-era
I bring hip-hop terror like the Fuhrer
The Ace Ventura into the horror
Laboratory laborer, venture beyond the border
I'll struc-ture a style destroy your whole aura
Plus you're a-drenalin'll rise before your eyes
And mortalize, my image hit the skies
Deceive the devil in disguise
My music I parenthesize
Represent the wise, through this be how we enterprise
Kid no compromise (yeah, yeah) I'm thinkin fast like Rama-
Dan, I wear your mind away like Alzheimer
I pull a mic up out my bomber big up to Bahama-
Dia, A-O this year we leavin em in trauma
Then after me, I plan to leave behind, the legacy
Or history of the family, the fifth dynasty
For humanity, to bear witness to this
Del-val-syllable stylist
You know the time kid
When you and I verse at war (U.N.I.Verse at War)
And your verse at core, for what you thought before
Steppin up into a zone you should never explore
The next level or, level of the whole conceptor
When you and I verse at war (U.N.I.Verse at War)
And your verse at core, for what you thought before
Steppin up into a zone you should never explore
The next level or, level of the whole conceptor
Yo, the general flows, kids compose on tablet
Expose how they was average
And they thoughts not rapid
Here comes the hot package, through your block like traffic
The rock was typed graphic now watch the mic blast it
Shootin at the stars with emphatic rap static
See the mirror shatter from thoughts, I'm bustin back at it
The Lieuten-ant, the ele-phant, sippin automatic
Mic, rippin asiatic, architects out to have it
The turn of the century, the planet's like a penitentiary
Exaggerated, niggas is livin highly medicated
I Used to Love Her but now she violated
Hip-hop holocaust and camps, old champs are concentrated
They outdated and incarcerated
Loved and appreciated hated and very debated
For every career created was eliminated
And that's the way the balance of yin and yang related
Every Block is divine
Niggas swing on in a safari
Wild niggas, like I'm high on latari
Some let the block, block they mind, if they could see what I see
Get out the city for a sec be at the places I be
Hey, I'mma be back on the deck, opening
Business in places for you to cash your check
My, neck of the woods ain't all good ain't all bad
You can live in the burbs, and still get had
The sad part about it niggas had houses on the lake
They tryin to move us out, the land we ain't appreciate
For peace we skate, crackers be rollerblading on hate
Call each other cuz cause of how we relate
I see way too many Cadillacs with dope man plates
Through the wind and blow-ups, is how niggas communicate
Harmonizing through beeper and reefer
The city got my peoples in a sleeper, talk is getting cheaper
When you and I verse at war (U.N.I.Verse at War)
And your verse at core, for what you thought before
Steppin up into a zone you should never explore
The next level or, level of the whole conceptor
When you and I verse at war (U.N.I.Verse at War)
And your verse at core, for what you thought before
Steppin up into a zone you should never explore
The next level or, level of the whole conceptor
When you and I verse at war (U.N.I.Verse at War)
And your verse at core, for what you thought before
Steppin up into a zone you should never explore
The next level or, level of the whole conceptor
The Roots's song "UNIverse At War" is a call to action for rappers and listeners alike to step up their game and get involved in the struggle for equality and justice. The lyrics are packed with references to politics, social issues, and hip-hop culture, challenging audiences to think critically about their place in the world and to use their voices to effect positive change.
The chorus "U.N.I.Verse at war" is a play on words, with "U.N.I." referring to the unity of the people and the "Verse" representing the power of words and poetry. The song is a call to arms for people to use their words and actions to fight against the systemic oppression and exploitation that exists in our society.
Throughout the song, The Roots touch on a variety of topics, including the commercialization of hip-hop, the influence of corporations on the political landscape, police brutality, and the struggle for economic and social justice. The lyrics are powerful and thought-provoking, encouraging listeners to actively engage with these issues and to work for change.
Line by Line Meaning
When you and I verse at war
When we engage in a battle of words
And your verse at core, for what you thought before
And your lyrics reflect your previous beliefs and thoughts
Steppin up into a zone you should never explore
Venturing into unfamiliar territory
The next level or, level of the whole conceptor
Taking the art of rap to a higher level or a level defined by the creator
Check it, rappers
Listen up, fellow rappers
Get on the mic talk about cars and clothes
Rapping about materialistic things like cars and clothes
Sounding like hoes
Sounding like prostitutes, lacking authenticity
Ain't been exposed to the foes,the moes, disciples
Not experienced in facing adversaries and challenges
I'm from the state that is Ill, the rap son of man
I come from Illinois, representing the true essence of rap
Rotated down to Phil, to say what I feel
Travelled to Philadelphia to express my thoughts and emotions
Get it off my bird chest, my word becomes flesh
Sharing my thoughts with a passionate delivery, turning my words into reality
War, going on between the West and the East
A metaphorical conflict between different regions in the rap industry
Of the land, niggas don't own a piece
Many artists don't have ownership or control over their own music
Grease is the word, Murray slides some pimp oil to me
Referring to the corrupt industry practices and manipulation by those in power
My lady friend sneaks my beer in the movie
My partner discreetly brings me drinks in the movie theater
Throw your hands in the air, if you the true and living
If you are authentic and genuine, show your support
Beware, the new world order, the devil's new religion
Be cautious of the societal changes and influences that may negatively impact us
Sent my homey to the number two division
My friend ended up in a lower social class or status
Sellin bootleg movies, got my VCR on a ove' smove'
Engaging in illegal activities, using my VCR discreetly
Be at Fat Tuesday's, drinkin tropical it's just sittin
Frequenting a popular bar, enjoying tropical drinks
At a table with sophisticated bitches
Surrounded by sophisticated and attractive women
Nah that ain't nothin I would call my mother
Refusing to call someone my mother who doesn't deserve the title
Nor do I call every nigga my brother
I am selective about who I consider my brother
Gotta have Black Thought, it's sorta B like Malik
Having Black Thought is essential, reminiscent of Malik B's importance
So don't Question a Brother, to the Roots I get deep
Do not doubt or challenge me, I am deeply connected to The Roots
Yo, enter the last era
Now we're entering the final phase or period
Your scholarship into the world of politics
Your knowledge and understanding of politics
And mascara, we operate within this artificial op-era
We exist and operate in a fake or artificial music industry
I bring hip-hop terror like the Fuhrer
I bring fear and dominance to the hip-hop scene, similar to a dictator
The Ace Ventura into the horror
Bringing a wild and unpredictable energy into the rap game
Laboratory laborer, venture beyond the border
Experimenting and pushing boundaries in the music industry
I'll struc-ture a style destroy your whole aura
I will create a unique style that will overpower and dismantle your presence
Plus you're a-drenalin'll rise before your eyes
Your excitement and energy will increase as you witness my performance
And mortalize, my image hit the skies
My reputation and image will ascend to great heights
Deceive the devil in disguise
Outsmarting those who try to manipulate and control me
My music I parenthesize
Emphasizing and giving importance to my music
Represent the wise, through this be how we enterprise
Creating a platform to showcase our intelligence and business skills
Kid no compromise (yeah, yeah) I'm thinkin fast like Rama-Dan
I refuse to compromise, and my thoughts flow rapidly like Ramadan
I wear your mind away like Alzheimer
I captivate and consume your mind, just like Alzheimer's disease
I pull a mic up out my bomber big up to Bahama-Dia
I bring out a microphone from my jacket, giving a shout-out to Bahamadia
A-O this year we leavin em in trauma
A-O, this year we'll leave our competitors in shock and distress
Then after me, I plan to leave behind, the legacy
Once I'm gone, I aim to leave a lasting impact and influence
Or history of the family, the fifth dynasty
Creating a historical legacy for my family and representing the fifth generation of greatness
For humanity, to bear witness to this
For the world to witness and appreciate our contribution to humanity
Del-val-syllable stylist
Masterful and skilled in the art of rap and lyricism
You know the time kid
You understand the importance and significance of what I'm saying
Yo, the general flows, kids compose on tablet
I have commanding and influential rap flows, while others write their lyrics on tablets
Expose how they was average
Revealing the mediocrity of their talent
And they thoughts not rapid
And their ideas and thoughts are not quick or profound
Here comes the hot package, through your block like traffic
Now I'm here with the new and exciting music, flowing into your neighborhood like heavy traffic
The rock was typed graphic now watch the mic blast it
My lyrics are powerful and explosive, watch how I dominate the microphone
Shootin at the stars with emphatic rap static
I aim high and confidently express my opinions and ideas through rap
See the mirror shatter from thoughts, I'm bustin back at it
My reflective thoughts are so impactful that they shatter mirrors, and I continue to express them fiercely
The Lieuten-ant, the ele-phant, sippin automatic
I am a strong figure in the rap game, drinking from a powerful and automatic weapon
Mic, rippin asiatic, architects out to have it
Dominating the microphone with an Asian influence, I am one of the rap game's skilled architects
The turn of the century, the planet's like a penitentiary
As we enter a new era, the world feels like a prison
Exaggerated, niggas is livin highly medicated
People are living in an exaggerated and overly medicated state
I Used to Love Her but now she violated
I used to have deep love and respect for hip-hop, but now it has been disrespected and violated
Hip-hop holocaust and camps, old champs are concentrated
There is a destruction and confinement of real hip-hop, while past champions still hold influence
They outdated and incarcerated
They are no longer relevant and are trapped in their own ways
Loved and appreciated hated and very debated
Hip-hop is both loved and appreciated, as well as hated and heavily debated
For every career created was eliminated
Many promising careers have been ended or suppressed
And that's the way the balance of yin and yang related
This is how the balance between positive and negative forces is maintained
Every Block is divine
Every neighborhood has its own unique qualities and significance
Niggas swing on in a safari
People come through with aggression and dominance, as if on a safari
Wild niggas, like I'm high on latari
Crazy individuals, as if under the influence of a powerful drug
Some let the block, block they mind, if they could see what I see
Some people are trapped within their own neighborhood, limiting their perspective
Get out the city for a sec be at the places I be
Step outside of your comfort zone and experience the places I frequent
Hey, I'mma be back on the deck, opening
Hey, I will be returning to the stage, ready to entertain
Business in places for you to cash your check
Creating opportunities for you to earn money
My, neck of the woods ain't all good ain't all bad
My neighborhood has its ups and downs
You can live in the burbs, and still get had
Even if you live in a suburban area, you can still face challenges and disadvantages
The sad part about it niggas had houses on the lake
It's unfortunate that people who once had nice homes now struggle
They tryin to move us out, the land we ain't appreciate
Those in power are attempting to push us out, even though we value the land
For peace we skate, crackers be rollerblading on hate
We skate away, seeking peace, while others seem to thrive on hate
Call each other cuz cause of how we relate
We address each other as cousins due to our shared experiences
I see way too many Cadillacs with dope man plates
I notice many expensive cars with license plates linked to drug dealers
Through the wind and blow-ups, is how niggas communicate
Despite conflicts and disagreements, we still find ways to communicate
Harmonizing through beeper and reefer
Finding unity and understanding through beepers and marijuana
The city got my peoples in a sleeper, talk is getting cheaper
The city is putting my community to sleep, making communication and conversation less valuable
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LONNIE RASHID LYNN, MEL LEWIS, 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!