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.
Web 20/20
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Masterful mind, the list that I've crafted
Fresh new trick to flip--I'm Dick Dastard
Half smooth criminal and half straight bastard
No mask when your flag get captured
First class, take you to the rap hereafter
Gone in a flash and yet he gets faster
Sick when he hits the mic like Mix-master
Slicker than a can of oil with no Castor
Chill in the front of the flight, outclass them
Bring your favorite rapper to fight, I'll trash him
Then I'll leave in a timely fashion
Uh, emcees get the tiny rations
Your girl hold me close as a tiny dancer
You got a death wish? Well it's finally answered, prick
Yo, Jam Boy Magic, Mr. Sarcastic
Rap catalog consists of all classics
Blackness, tell your bitch to fall backwards
Fuck a hood pass--my shit's for all-access
Killing tracks like this we call practice
Any bullshit y'all twist we call backwards
Jam Boy sharp as a tack--we all cactus
Waiting on a big payback with no taxes
So if you follow the game, you might catch this
Act like an activist--you know, active
Nigga like me just has to spit acid
Sucker like you just has to get blasted
Ashes to ashes, Frasier to Cassius
No homo--y'all some pains in the asses
Get turned to toast like raising your glasses
When I'm on stage, girls swing from the rafters
Often nasty like Monster Mashing
Y'all know the voice is tight, hoarse, and raspy
Can't place the face, kind of hard to catch me
Kings that pull strings like Dorothy Ashby
Johns keep telling me I'm great like Gatsby
Caught like a felony, you can't slide past me
I'm low-key, kind of anti-flashy
Then I'm O-G up in a black tie classy
Sun Tzu to Sun Rai, Gargemel, Mumm-Ra
Son of a shooter letting slugs from a gun fly
Should call a Mumbai with the bumbaclot
It's Black Thought; my sound's hard to come by
Last spotted on a yacht getting dumb high
Banging yacht rock with my squad from 2-1-5
Straight calling niggas out like the umpire
Any chump tryna front (word 'em up)
Jam Boy Magic, Mr. Get-Busy; you get busy too?
Then get with me; we'll get busy, dig me?
Smooth Remy, tool skinny, but hold plenty
.22 long contact, new Bentley
No miles yet, curve backs and cruise and he
Bring it back when you through with it, roger that
Grip tenny, French mammies in Vic' panties
Lips candy, dick hard as a fifth of brandy
Hop in it for five minutes; then I'm finished
'Cause pussy is pleasure, but I'm attending my business
Retractable roof, magical coupe disappearing
And reappearing; German engineering this McLaren
Hot jacuzzis, watching movies, glock and Uzis
Shots of Louis, busting cuties, popping jewelries
Oh, oh, Ultramag' emcee in a M-3
Whole body tatted straight up out a MP
In the song "Web 20/20," Peedi Peedi and Truck North rap about their skills and achievements as MCs. The lyrics are characterized by references to pop culture figures, double entendres, and metaphors. The opening lines establish the theme of the song, as the Jam Boy Magic and Mr. Fantastic personas are introduced. The MCs describe themselves as masterful thinkers and list makers who are always one step ahead. They are half-criminal, half-bastard, and ready to take on any challenge. The lyrics also reference the Battle of Troy and Greek mythology, as well as the idea of leaving a legacy through rap music.
As the song progresses, Peedi Peedi and Truck North continue to brag about their lyrical abilities and accomplishments. They allude to various aspects of hip-hop culture, such as battling, activism, and partying. The lyrics also feature sexual innuendos and gun violence references, which are common themes in gangsta rap. They assert that their music is for everyone and that they are not tied to any particular neighborhood or identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, Jam Boy Magic, Mr. Fantastic
Addressing themselves as Jam Boy Magic and Mr. Fantastic
Masterful mind, the list that I've crafted
Referring to their expertise in crafting music
Fresh new trick to flip--I'm Dick Dastard
Talking about their ability to come up with something new and impressive at all times
Half smooth criminal and half straight bastard
Describing themselves as part well-behaved and part mischievous
No mask when your flag get captured
Not being afraid to reveal their true identity
First class, take you to the rap hereafter
Being at the top of their game as rap artists
Gone in a flash and yet he gets faster
Being quick and efficient in their work
Sick when he hits the mic like Mix-master
Being excellent when performing with a mic
This the Battle of Troy with no Pastor
Comparing their music to a legendary battle
Slicker than a can of oil with no Castor
Being smooth and efficient in their craft, without any hindrances
Chill in the front of the flight, outclass them
Being comfortable and confident in their position, better than their competition
Bring your favorite rapper to fight, I'll trash him
Being confident in their ability to defeat any rapper
Then I'll leave in a timely fashion
Being efficient and quick, not wasting time
Uh, emcees get the tiny rations
Other rappers don't compare to their level
Your girl hold me close as a tiny dancer
Implying that women find them attractive
You got a death wish? Well it's finally answered, prick
Being ready to face any obstacle, anyone who dares to challenge them
Rap catalog consists of all classics
They have a history of making timeless music
Blackness, tell your bitch to fall backwards
Being crude and derogatory towards someone's partner
Fuck a hood pass--my shit's for all-access
Not needing any permission or validation to be part of a certain culture or community
Killing tracks like this we call practice
Being so good that even their practice sessions are better than some people's best
Any bullshit y'all twist we call backwards
Calling out others for being unoriginal or putting a spin on something that's already been done
Jam Boy sharp as a tack--we all cactus
Being sharp and spiky, ready to take on anything
Waiting on a big payback with no taxes
Anticipating a big reward or success without any negative consequences
So if you follow the game, you might catch this
Those who are knowledgeable about the music industry might understand their references
Act like an activist--you know, active
Being proactive and taking action, possibly a play on words to sound clever
Nigga like me just has to spit acid
Being able to verbally attack others with harsh words
Sucker like you just has to get blasted
Others are weak and easily defeated
Ashes to ashes, Frasier to Cassius
Life is fleeting and people's fortunes can change in an instant
No homo--y'all some pains in the asses
Disclaiming any homosexual intentions, while simultaneously insulting others
Get turned to toast like raising your glasses
Imagining others being defeated, perhaps in a celebratory manner
When I'm on stage, girls swing from the rafters
Implying that their performances are so good that women (and possibly others) become excited
Often nasty like Monster Mashing
Possibly making a reference to a song, while also implying that they are controversial or vulgar
Y'all know the voice is tight, hoarse, and raspy
Referring to their distinctive voice
Can't place the face, kind of hard to catch me
Being elusive or hard to identify
Kings that pull strings like Dorothy Ashby
Referring to their power and influence in the music industry
Johns keep telling me I'm great like Gatsby
Others are constantly praising their talent and success
Caught like a felony, you can't slide past me
Being successful in catching others who try to evade them
I'm low-key, kind of anti-flashy
Not being showy or flashy
Then I'm O-G up in a black tie classy
Being old-school but still classy and fashionable
Sun Tzu to Sun Rai, Gargemel, Mumm-Ra
Making references to legendary figures and characters from books and cartoons
Son of a shooter letting slugs from a gun fly
Being involved in illegal or violent activities
Should call a Mumbai with the bumbaclot
Referring to someone in India who can handle a situation with a particularly offensive Jamaican curse word
It's Black Thought; my sound's hard to come by
They are unique and original in their music
Last spotted on a yacht getting dumb high
Being wealthy and enjoying themselves
Banging yacht rock with my squad from 2-1-5
Enjoying a certain type of music with their friends from their hometown area code
Straight calling niggas out like the umpire
Being confrontational and unafraid of challenging others
Any chump tryna front (word 'em up)
Being ready to challenge or confront anyone who tries to challenge them
Jam Boy Magic, Mr. Get-Busy; you get busy too?
Asking others if they are also involved in the music industry or used to engage in similar activities
Then get with me; we'll get busy, dig me?
Proposing a collaboration or partnership in their music endeavors
Smooth Remy, tool skinny, but hold plenty
Describing their physical appearance, including being skinny yet having a lot of potential
.22 long contact, new Bentley
Possibly making reference to a gun and a car they own
No miles yet, curve backs and cruise and he
Possibly referring to not having driven their new car much, but still enjoying the ride
Bring it back when you through with it, roger that
Asking someone to return something to them when they are done using it
Grip tenny, French mammies in Vic' panties
Possibly referring to their fashion sense and style
Lips candy, dick hard as a fifth of brandy
Being vulgar and sexual
Hop in it for five minutes; then I'm finished
Being uncommitted or nonchalant about sexual encounters
'Cause pussy is pleasure, but I'm attending my business
While also enjoying sexual pleasures, they are still focused on their professional endeavors
Retractable roof, magical coupe disappearing
Describing the car they own as being technologically advanced and impressive
And reappearing; German engineering this McLaren
Continuing to describe the car, specifically the brand of the car
Hot jacuzzis, watching movies, glock and Uzis
Describing some of their leisure activities and interests
Shots of Louis, busting cuties, popping jewelries
Enjoying life and possibly flashing their wealth and material possessions
Oh, oh, Ultramag' emcee in a M-3
Possibly referencing another rapper or a classic rap group and the type of car they drive
Whole body tatted straight up out a MP
Having a lot of tattoos and possibly referencing a certain military branch
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, THE ADMINISTRATION MP INC
Written by: Ahmir Thompson, Jamal Miller, Pedro Luis Zayas, Tarik 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!