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Accurate The Roots Lyrics
Accurate The Roots lyrics for research, informative, and entertainment purposes.
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The Roots, also known as The Legendary Roots Crew, The Fifth Dynasty, The Square Roots and The Foundation, are an influential, Grammy winning Philadelphia-based hip hop group, famed for a heavily jazzy sound and live instrumentation. Inspired by the "hip-hop band" concept pioneered by Stetsasonic, the Roots themselves have garnered critical acclaim and influenced later hip-hop and R&B acts.
The Roots' original lineup included Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (MC) 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 a bassist named Josh "The Rubberband" Abrams, who went on to form the Jazz group The Josh Abrams Quartet. They later added another MC named Malik Abdul Basit-Smart ("Malik B."), a new bassist Leonard Nelson Hubbard, and a keyboardist named Scott Storch. Another MC, Kid Crumbs, was a part of the group for their first album, Organix, but did not appear on any later albums. Another MC, Dice Raw, joined on for cameos in later albums. Scott Storch also left to pursue a producing career following the Do You Want More?!!!??! album, though the split was on amicable terms, and Storch continues to produce tracks for Roots albums to this day. The Roots filled his void with another keyboardist, Kamal Gray, 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 DJ'd for them during live concerts. He abruptly left in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 1999 due to alleged drug problems but continued to record, making occasional cameos on future albums. A guitarist, Ben Kenney, had a short stint with the group and contributed to their Phrenology album, but left to join Incubus as their bassist. A percussionist, Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk") replaced Kenney. A vocalist, Martin Luther, toured with The Roots in 2003 and 2004 and contributed to their Tipping Point album. The current members of The Roots are Black Thought (MC), ?uestlove (drums), Hub (bass), Kamal (keyboard), Knuckles (percussion), and Captain Kirk (guitar).
All members have worked with PETA to promote animal compassion and vegetarian lifestyle.
As you can see The Roots welcome change. Their sound is definitely raw, at times energetic and at times simply deep. Ironically enough, "The Roots" operate largely on the fringes of generic hip hop. This "hip hop band" approach to the music has awarded them a loyal core following all while allowing them to keep their foot in the door of the mainsteam public.
Below are accurate The Roots lyrics to some of their most requested songs. If you have any requests for accurate lyrics to a Roots or Black Thought song please feel free to email
Lyrics @ Thestateofhiphop.com.
-Black Thought of The Roots
The Roots - Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995)
The Roots - Illadelph Halflife (1996)
The Roots - Things Fall Apart (1999)
The Roots - Phrenology (2002)
The Roots - The Tipping Point (2004)
The Roots - Home Grown Volume One (2005)
The Roots - Home Grown Volume Two (2005)
The Roots - Game Theory (2006)
The Roots - Miscellaneous
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