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.
Without a Doubt
The Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Check it out now, it's the type cerebral
World renowned, illustrious, ille-gal
My musical affection, bubblin' within your zone
Like champagne, known as the Fifth campaign
Thought be doin' his damn thang
Bent like, a boomerang, tryin' to maintain
What your lady gettin' me up? I'm never answerin'
Let her miss me, see me then she off tryin' to kiss me
Talkin' 'bout, "I dig you Tariq, the way you twist me"
Meanwhile, she comin' home tipsy, all grinnin'
And what you used to fit 'em before, you now swimmin'
Just take a dive P-5 deep, the team winnin'
Takin' hip-hop back to, the beginnin'
'Cause MC's are pretendin', I slap your sound
Out the sky like I'm goaltendin', bring your career
To an endin', enter the next era trascendin' for real
Knahmsayin'? If not, then man listen
For you to try to fuck with the Fifth, that's ambition
I let y'all know the time indeed, y'all need to
Take heed y'all
Get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt
Take heed y'all, get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt
Yo, I control the stadium like the law long arm
Warn, ring the alarm, 'cause here The Roots come
The funk's all ready for whoever want some
Your album get split like, a lump sum
No doubt, under this influencin' of outcome
Millennium spaceship, totally wasted
Schoolly D classic, though I vocally laced it
Taste this swerve on a regular basis
Servin' y'all whatever the place is
Blowin' connoisseur quality in my competitor's faces
This is without doubt, your lady pass out
This Illa-Fifth Twilight Zone, you ass out
Shout, to my brothers on back route
Whippin' the short that's smacked out, dig it
Strump this in your cassette deck, hip-hop has not left yet
I sent a verse in the mail like, a death threat
The critically acclaimed composer, stand over
Whichever mute minuscule mic holder
You never knew the real before, yo I show ya
You need to make your thoughts more sober, think it over
Take heed y'all, get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt
Take heed y'all, get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt
Take heed y'all, get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt
Take heed y'all, get a little P-5-D y'all
Straight from the town of Phil-ly y'all
But we about to give you what you need y'all
Without a doubt
The Roots's song "Without a Doubt" is a classic hip-hop track that features rhymes from rapper Black Thought and scratches from DJ Scratch. The song opens with a boastful intro before Black Thought jumps in with his sharp lyricism. The lyrics showcase the rapper's talent and his ability to shift between different styles and tempos as he raps about his musical skill and the impact he has on his listeners.
Black Thought's verse is full of references to his home town of Philadelphia and his love for hip-hop. He also uses metaphorical language throughout, comparing himself to a boomerang and champagne. The chorus emphasizes the importance of taking notice and listening to what The Roots have to offer, with lines like "Take heed y'all" and "We about to give you what you need y'all."
Overall, "Without a Doubt" is a confident, high-energy track that highlights The Roots's artistry and their important place in the hip-hop canon.
Line by Line Meaning
Check it out now, it's the type cerebral
Listen closely, this is the intellectual type of music
World renowned, illustrious, ille-gal
Famous and respected, but still rebellious and against the mainstream
My musical affection, bubblin' within your zone
My love for music is captivating you
Like champagne, known as the Fifth campaign
Smooth and elegant like champagne, representing the Fifth element of hip-hop
Thought be doin' his damn thang
I am putting in hard work and doing my best
Bent like, a boomerang, tryin' to maintain
Flexible and adaptable like a boomerang, trying to keep going
I'm both yin and yang from Mi Kan Lang
I embody both the positive and negative, influenced by the Chinese language
What your lady gettin' me up? I'm never answerin'
Your girlfriend might be hitting me up, but I won't respond
Let her miss me, see me then she off tryin' to kiss me
Make her miss me first, then she'll be all over me
Talkin' 'bout, "I dig you Tariq, the way you twist me"
She likes the way I manipulate her mind and body
Meanwhile, she comin' home tipsy, all grinnin'
While you're not looking, she's coming home drunk and happy
And what you used to fit 'em before, you now swimmin'
Your clothes used to fit you, but now you're drowning in them
Just take a dive P-5 deep, the team winnin'
Immerse yourself in the Fifth element and join our winning team
Takin' hip-hop back to, the beginnin'
We're returning to the roots of hip-hop, where it all started
'Cause MC's are pretendin', I slap your sound
Most MCs are faking it, but I'll call you out on your subpar music
Out the sky like I'm goaltendin', bring your career
Blocking your music like a goalie, ending your career
To an endin', enter the next era trascendin' for real
Your career is over, and it's time for us to move on to the next level
Knahmsayin'? If not, then man listen
Do you understand what I'm saying? If not, pay attention
For you to try to fuck with the Fifth, that's ambition
It's bold to try to compete with the Fifth element of hip-hop
I let y'all know the time indeed, y'all need to
I'm telling you the truth, and you need to pay attention
Take heed y'all
Listen up everyone
Yo, I control the stadium like the law long arm
I dominate the stage and control the crowd
Warn, ring the alarm, 'cause here The Roots come
Get ready, because The Roots are here and about to take over
The funk's all ready for whoever want some
The music is funky, and we're ready for anyone who wants to join in
Your album get split like, a lump sum
Your album sales will be split into smaller amounts, like a lump sum of money
No doubt, under this influencin' of outcome
Without a doubt, our music will have a positive impact on the outcome
Millennium spaceship, totally wasted
We're on a futuristic spaceship, and we're totally wasted on our music
Schoolly D classic, though I vocally laced it
We're paying homage to old-school hip-hop, while adding our own unique style
Taste this swerve on a regular basis
Get used to our unique style, because we're not changing
Servin' y'all whatever the place is
We'll perform anywhere and give you the best show possible
Blowin' connoisseur quality in my competitor's faces
We're blowing high-quality music in the faces of our competitors
This is without doubt, your lady pass out
There's no doubt about it, your girlfriend will faint from our music
This Illa-Fifth Twilight Zone, you ass out
We're in a whole different dimension of music, and you're left behind
Shout, to my brothers on back route
Saying hi to our friends who support us from the background
Whippin' the short that's smacked out, dig it
Creating great music that's addictive, and you can't get enough of it
Strump this in your cassette deck, hip-hop has not left yet
Put this music in your old-school cassette player, and you'll see that hip-hop is still alive
I sent a verse in the mail like, a death threat
My lyrics are so deadly that they can be sent in the mail like a threat
The critically acclaimed composer, stand over
I'm a respected and talented composer, standing above the rest
Whichever mute minuscule mic holder
I'll defeat any weak MC holding a small microphone
You never knew the real before, yo I show ya
You've never experienced true hip-hop before, but I'll show it to you
You need to make your thoughts more sober, think it over
You need to calm down and think clearly before you try to compete with us
But we about to give you what you need y'all
We're about to give you the real hip-hop that you've been missing
Without a doubt
No question about it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Jesse Bonds Weaver Jr., 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!