Does anybody have the answer to this. ?uestlove's update just brought this to my attention and I was wondering if any of you had the answer.

I read somewhere that they tried to get ahold of her a couple of days before shooting began but weren't able to. But apparently she said that was a bunch of b.s. and was pretty pissed about it. She thinks that because she's not in the video, people will think that it's actually Erykah doing the rap. I don't see how someone could think that, since they sound nothing alike.<P>But I guess I'd be pretty upset if I had a whole verse like that and wasn't in the video.<P>So, what's the real deal on this one ?uest?

I think that Eve is right. Prior to "You got me" not many people knew The Roots, specially the MTV crowd (even though "what they do" got mad play on MTV). Your average Mtv viewer would think its Ms.Badu. I know alot of people who still THINK its Ms. Badu rhyming and not Eve. <P>I havent noticed if in the video they list it as 'The Roots feat. Eve' or not, but if the video doesnt give Eve credit, and on top of that Eve is not in the video then there is no reason for people to think its Eve. <P>I think this video wouldve given her mad publicity. Eve has a reason to be upset, that is, if your explanation is true.

>I think this video wouldve given her <BR>>mad publicity. Eve has a <BR>>reason to be upset, that is, <BR>>if your explanation is true. <P>I wouldn't go that far, does it look like she needs exposure??? More people probably know her than the roots just because who she is associated with. So, the roots put her on a couple of songs, she's blowing up cuz she's a ruff ryder and the roots still don't get the respect they deserve. I think she shouldn't be mad about shit.<P>Peace,<BR>Phil<P><BR>"Okayplayer.com, first the Web, next, the World!" - Phil copyright 1999<BR>"Phil, You're a Genius" - Kayci Copyright 1999<BR>"I'm not a genius, I just say what other people should be thinking." - Phil Copyright 1999

oh, please.<BR>every entertainer needs exposure.<BR>so what she blew up regardless.<BR>she'd arguably be that much hotter now if people didn't have to hear through the grapevine that she was on 'you got me'.<BR>peace<P>"community service from an artist<BR>slash writer<BR>slash musician, WORD SMITHin, with rhythm..."<BR>-- WORD SMITH

I know what you're saying, but now, I really don't think she gives a flip. With that one song from off the ruff ryda's new CD, "what you want", I believe. But come on, everybody who listens to hip-hop remotly has heard this song. She got DMX backing her, you know DMX promotes her mad. She got that sprite commercial for her going. I mean she's got a lot of shit going for her now. In the video, she wasn't mention at all. And I never heard of the roots before "you got me", I still remember the first time i saw that video, i hauled my ass up on the computer and found everything i could find on the roots. But I thought it was erykah rhyming. Cause I knew she had that kinda RnB/Hip-hop style, so i just assumed it was erykah. I didn't know it was eve till i got the CD and saw the linernotes. I can see why she might have been mad then, but now...if she's still bitter, then she needs to get over herself. <P>"The system is screwed" Me

Now, I am not a BIG fan of Eve. I like The Roots more than i like Eve. I just wanted to know what the story behind all of this was. I think its pretty messed up when you do something and dont get credit for it. I dont think she cares about how succesful she is now, i know it still bothers her that everybody thinks is Badu rhyming on "You got me."<P>Yeah, she has DMX/ruffryders to back her up. So is that reason enough for her not to get credit for what she did with the Roots? I dont think the Roots collaborate with people on some strictly business type of shhh, i thought they would only work with people that they were feeling and were cool with. In other words i thought Eve and the Roots were cool. It doesnt seem like it because of the lack of presence and credit given to Eve for "you got me." I dont think the liner notes are enough.<P>So she has mad exposure with her new video...<BR>that is NOW. but back then, she didnt. Only hip-hop heads probably knew who she was. This brings me to my other point, the type of audience that she would attract. For example, i know more white kids that are into the roots than minorities. Sad but true. Eve could've reached this type of audience if she appeared on the "you got me" video. So now she would have all the roughneck crowd through Ruff ryders, and she would have alot of the "woodstock" type of crowd that love MTV.<P>Now, i dont know how things really went down, The Roots and Eve are probably the only ones that know. the above comments are in response to what <BR>people have posted.<P>I think Eve will be succesful regardless, but i STILL think you gotta give credit where credit is due...<BR>

> This brings me <BR>>to my other point, the type <BR>>of audience that she would attract. <BR>> For example, i know more <BR>>white kids that are into the <BR>>roots than minorities. Sad but <BR>>true. <P>Why is it sad that more white kids than minorities are into the Roots?? We pay the same amount of money and respect for the skills presented. I don't like the Roots more because they're black, nor do I hold Eminem up on a pedestal because he's white. As long as you know that people are feeling the music you're putting out, it shouldn't matter what colour/race/ethnicity you are.<P>I'm probably reading too much into this, let's hope so.<P>Peace<BR>Sean<P>"If every action has an oppposite reaction<BR>I want to see the opposite of wack MCs rapping"<BR> -- D-Shade (Shades of Culture)

go take a break, you have probably been reading posts all day and are tired.<P>First of all, I am not black nor white, I am hispanic. I feel its sad that i know more white people that like the roots than blacks because i feel like blacks should support this great band. I feel its sad because 75% of the people i know that like the roots are non-blacks, so they are outnumbered. It has nothing to do with racism. I was referring to the type of crowd that they attract with hits like "you got me." <BR>I dont think they would attract the same crowd if the released "clones" as a single.<P>I am not concerened with the type of crowd that supports The Roots nor racism in this thread. This was supposed to be about Eve. If you still think I am being unfair, email me. I didnt mean to make you feel bad.

WHITE PEOPLE are the majority of the roughneck crowd as well, if you mean the audience that purchases music. period.<P>"objects in the mirror are closer than they appear<BR>so reality of self aint nothing to fear"<BR>-- WORD SMITH

Will the ROOTS be around after whites no longer find it hip to like our culture?!?

probably around the way...

That's exactly the same question (maybe rhetorical question) I had...

>Will the ROOTS be around after whites <BR>>no longer find it hip to <BR>>like our culture?!? <P>Sometimes music is just music. Sometimes it has nothing to do with culture. Are you trying to say that to like a particular type of music, you have to be "hip" to the culture that produces it? If you are I think you are generalizing quite a bit too far. In my case, I like some spanish (flamenco) music, do I like it becuase I think the spanish culture is "Hip"? No, I like it becuase like the complex guitar strumming and the rhythm. (not to say that the spanish culture is not "hip", i'm not too familiar with it) I started liking Hip Hop way back in the day when I was still a "Metal Head". I liked it, but my friends would have made fun of me so I just liked it in private. Why did I start liking it? Because I liked the beat and the rhyme, I'm still amazed to this day how some people can string words together and come up with such complex metaphors and messages in their rhymes. Do I know everything about Hip-Hop culture? No, and I don't pretend to, but as it is in my case, I started liking the music way before it was considered "hip" for whites to like it. I'm Greek, and if you said, hey, I like the way that guy plays that funny looking guitar, I wouldn't ask you if it was because you think it's "hip" to like it, I'd say, that's cool man, music should be enjoyed by everyone. If they wanted to learn about the culture after that, I'd be happy to break it down for them. But I agree with you that there are too many people who listen to hip-hop and say they love hip-hop but don't know why. Maybe those of us that are a little more familiar with the story should take it upon ourselves to school them and give them some knowledge instead of condemming them. If afterwards they still stay ignorant, they should be condemmed.<P>The people that should be called out are the record executives and the such that are Exploiting hip-hop culture and the people who follow it blindly because they have no mind of their own to make decisions. I know what I like and why I like it.<P>Peace,<BR>Phil<P>"Okayplayer.com, first the Web, next, the World!" - Phil copyright 1999<BR>"Phil, You're a Genius" - Kayci Copyright 1999<BR>"I'm not a genius, I just say what other people should be thinking." - Phil Copyright 1999

however you describe why you find it hip<BR>you still find it hip<BR>perception is reality<BR>so lets not overanalyze a three-letter, monosyllabic word<BR>yet your point's well-taken here<BR>peace<P>"swiftly sending the word across the net<BR>through a server<BR>i reckon i deserve a<BR>venus williams level o' love"<P>-- WORD SMITH

and if you need a roots member to justify<BR>your opinion...<BR>dare you to ask them when music and culture are unrelated, as you suggested<BR>(you heard the intro to TFA, right?)<P>"swiftly sending the word across the net<BR>through a server<BR>i reckon i deserve a<BR>venus williams level o' love"

I'm not saying that they are unrelated....it is obvious that music and culture are related. What i'm trying to point out is that people enjoy things for different reasons that's all. I mean, you've got to start somewhere right? I'm sure that when you find something new you like it's not because you've said, I want to do some research on this so I can say I like it for the right reason. You know what I mean? But I know what you mean when you mentioned the Intro to TFA. But the reason for putting that in is as much for black people being apathetic to their culture as it is for white people jumping on the band wagon. From what i've understood ?uest and the crew say anyways. <P>Damn...this is way too interesting a convo to be having while i'm at work...i'm definately not getting enuff done today.<P>Peace,<BR>Phil<P><BR>"Okayplayer.com, first the Web, next, the World!" - Phil copyright 1999<BR>"Phil, You're a Genius" - Kayci Copyright 1999<BR>"I'm not a genius, I just say what other people should be thinking." - Phil Copyright 1999

i'm not trying to pick on you but...<BR>P: I'm not saying that they are unrelated....it is<BR>obvious that music and culture are related.<BR>W: but earlier you said sometimes music is just music... nothing to do with culture.<BR>so maybe i'm a bit confused.<BR>but now i think the explanation you need is...<BR>the guy who asked me if the roots would be around if it wasn't for white folks wasn't attacking white folks.<BR>he was asking if the roots would be around if it wasn't for white folks.<BR>and he may have been able to word it better than the whole "hip" thing. <BR>but all he meant was 'where would the roots be without white folks'.<BR>it had nothing to do with how white folks approach the music, etc...<BR>your points are valid and insightful<BR>but initially they seemed forced/near-irrelevant<BR>now get to work :)<P>"you can meet my folks and figure me out<BR>as the mean that soul means<BR>the colors that blues use<BR>and moods jazz expresses<BR>not on his own understanding he leans<BR>claiming his muses<BR>and constructing when he blesses<BR>with imagery vividly portrayed<BR>messages conveyed<BR>immaculately accurate<BR>not just adequate acumen<BR>reaps accolades and such"<BR> -- WORD SMITH

...Nailed it!<P>Phil, you dont need to take offense at the question "would the roots still be around if it wasnt for white folks?" It is just a question. Take it as a compliment. =)

cuz if the cafeteria closes i'm gonna end up eating my keyboard. Just to let you know i wasn't offended by the statement, I just disagreed with it....or parts of it I should say. Anyways, im gonna go get some grub. Later,<P>Phil<P>if you've got ICQ or AIM look me up..<BR>Matrim on ICQ <BR>OkayPhil on AIM<P>"Okayplayer.com, first the Web, next, the World!" - Phil copyright 1999<BR>"Phil, You're a Genius" - Kayci Copyright 1999<BR>"I'm not a genius, I just say what other people should be thinking." - Phil Copyright 1999

Word Smith .. give me a break... the whites that BUY hip hop are not mostly "thugs" .. there mostly the clueless 15-23 white kids in the suburbs and college .. that buy hip hop becuase its "cool" .... just as jazz and rock were "cool" for a white audience in the past.<P><BR>Seeing that whites do compose 70% of the hip hop market .. I feel that white "rappers" pose a threat to the commercial viablity of blacks artists they same way elvis did to black rockers.<P>WHite people have a strange habit of over looking the black creators of a artform... in lue of white artists. (ie Elvis was a international superstar whereas the black aritsts that CREATED rock are nameless... and mostly penniless)<P>When white audience ignore black emcees for white ones ... the record companies will follow suit... effectively edge black people (once again) outta of there OWN artform. <P>White culture seem to have a thirst to claim credit for the cultural contributions of others. So thorough is this campaign that TODAY most people black and white dont think of rock and roll as black music. In further support of this.... tell most white "hip hop heads" that hip hop is black music .. and they are QUICK to say "Naw man .. its just music" "Or music has no color" ... all attempts to separate hip hop from its black roots, its originators.<P>I guess the point of this all is .... I'm really tired of white folks in general... particularily their propensity for cultural piracy<P><BR>PEACE TO THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW BETTER<BR>

(clueless): Word Smith .. give me a break... the whites that BUY hip hop are not mostly "thugs" .. there mostly the clueless 15-23 white kids in the suburbs and college .. <BR>W/S: i never said that, never will... please learn to read and comprehend asap.<P>"you can meet my folks and figure me out<BR>as the mean that soul means<BR>the colors that blues use<BR>and moods jazz expresses<BR>not on his own understanding he leans<BR>claiming his muses<BR>and constructing when he blesses<BR>with imagery vividly portrayed<BR>messages conveyed<BR>immaculately accurate<BR>not just adequate acumen<BR>reaps accolades and such"<BR> -- WORD SMITH

Speaking for my self ( I happen to be white) loving the Roots music has nothing to do with black culture being "hip", and has everything to do with the fact that they are awsome musicians. That comment is disrespectful, I would hope that people (especailly people on this board) would know that the music is why we are here. Not because it's a fad. Give me a break. <P>

>Speaking for my self ( I happen <BR>>to be white) loving the Roots <BR>>music has nothing to do with <BR>>black culture being "hip", and has <BR>>everything to do with the fact <BR>>that they are awsome musicians. That <BR>>comment is disrespectful, I would hope <BR>>that people (especailly people on this <BR>>board) would know that the music <BR>>is why we are here. Not <BR>>because it's a fad. Give me <BR>>a break. <P>the history of music, black music, belies your point a thousand times over. That is exactly what has happened time and time again. Can you say The Motown Sound, Doo-Wop music, big-band music, the jitterbug (and any number of dance carzes in the 40s and 50s, the multitude of white artists like Pat Boone who covered popular R&B songs, New kids on The Block (New Edition clones), The Osmonds (Jackson 5 Clones), etc. Does that apply to The Roots who knows, but I doubt it because they have such a core following. <P>A lot of the white folks that are down with puffy now (And I don't just mean young folks, I'm talking like Danny Devito too.) will jump ship when he's no longer hip and when he's not sitting courtside at knicks games and he's not all over Entertainment tonight, they'll be done with him. The folks on this board would travel half way across the country on two buses to get a glimpse of The Roots (Yeah Ya-Ya!!!). The Puffies of the world don't have that type of following.<P>"Okayplayer like Stress!" - Black Thought<P>"Young, gifted and black. We must begin to tell our young.<BR>There's a world waiting for you. This is a ?uest that's just begun.<BR>When you feel really low. Yeah, there's a great truth you should know.<BR>When you're young, gifted and black. Your soul's intact!" - N.Simone/W. Irvine<P>

you're arguing against points that were never really made<BR>phil originally took offense to the wording<BR>but the point WAS that white folks are responsible for who the roots are right now<BR>(as far as paying bills)<BR>no one has a problem with that<BR>in other words<BR>the original question posed was asking<BR>whether white folks are sustaining their career<BR>(the answer is yes)<BR>that stemmed from a comment about white folks<BR>and whether they're the majority rap/hip hop consumer audience<BR>which they/you are<BR>about 70% statistically<BR>that's all...<BR>word it differently if you want<BR>but the whole "hip" thing is nitpicking<BR>yet...<BR>trust me<BR>without you guys, jazz artists would be on the corner right now. and you didn't always "dig" it or find it "hip"<BR>once you did<BR>we began dealing with the episode from<BR>the intro to TFA. period.<BR>peace/love<P>"you can meet my folks and figure me out<BR>as the mean that soul means<BR>the colors that blues use<BR>and moods jazz expresses<BR>not on his own understanding he leans<BR>claiming his muses<BR>and constructing when he blesses<BR>with imagery vividly portrayed<BR>messages conveyed<BR>immaculately accurate<BR>not just adequate acumen<BR>reaps accolades and such"<BR> -- WORD SMITH

>you're arguing against points that were never <BR>>really made<P>I wasn't trying to argue any points I was adding some more to the stew because of the comments that were made at the end of the post I directly responded too. I.E. the bandwagon effect might not neccessarily apply to the Roots but they're is a huge history of that occuring and let's not underestimate that. That's all I was saying. <P>phil originally took offense <BR>>to the wording but the point <BR>>WAS that white folks are responsible <BR>>for who the roots are right <BR>>now (as far as paying bills) <BR>>no one has a problem with <BR>>that in other words the original <BR>>question posed was asking whether white <BR>>folks are sustaining their career (the <BR>>answer is yes) <P>I beg that white folks be careful with this whole assesment of "sustaining The Roots Career" . It's unbelievably simplistic ( I know this is a discussion board, not your thesis so you didn't clarify each and everything). As everyone knows, in order for rap albums to go platinum white kidz must buy them (with the rare exception of the Lukes, Master Ps, and Too Shorts of the world, who can go gold/platinum in their own state.) That support is definitely needed. BUT when I'm at the Fever uptown, or at the now defunct Club Sensations in Newark, or at the Lyricist lounges in NYC, or at some of the shows I saw in the midwest, the kidz (white) that might be going out buying the albums weren't neccessarily the ones troopin to the shows. At every Roots show I've been to in NYC (5), white folks have always been well represented but they have been far outnumbered by black folks and NYC is arguably one of the most integrated cities in the country. <BR>White folks definitely support the Roots and Common and BlackStar, but don't get it twisted.<P>that stemmed from <BR>>a comment about white folks and <BR>>whether they're the majority rap/hip hop <BR>>consumer audience which they/you are about <BR>>70% statistically that's all... word it <BR>>differently if you want but the <BR>>whole "hip" thing is nitpicking yet... <BR>>trust me without you guys, jazz <BR>>artists would be on the corner <BR>>right now. and you didn't always <BR>>"dig" it or find it "hip" <BR>>once you did we began dealing <BR>>with the episode from the intro <BR>>to TFA. period. peace/love <P>I'm completely lost here because I have no idea who "you" and "they" are. Me, I'm black. So I don't know if that clears up any of my thoughts (probably not><P>"Okayplayer like Stress!" - Black Thought<P>"Young, gifted and black. We must begin to tell our young.<BR>There's a world waiting for you. This is a ?uest that's just begun.<BR>When you feel really low. Yeah, there's a great truth you should know.<BR>When you're young, gifted and black. Your soul's intact!" - N.Simone/W. Irvine<P>

that's fine if in NYC you're in a majority black audience.<BR>but ask the artists themselves who most of the people in their concert and consumer audiences are, and they'll tell you...<BR>hell, common told you (see faq's, "coffee shop chicks...)<BR>that's just life<BR>and trust me<BR>you don't listen to any music you don't think is hip<BR>my bluegrass/country was just an example<BR>and as expected<BR>someone nitpicked it<BR>but check it:<BR>you don't listen to music you think is wack<BR>that's what i was saying<BR>i'm unsure why you thought i was talking to you earlier when i was talking to (forgot her name)<BR>but maybe you just wanna post<BR>either way's cool<BR>peace

1. I thought you were postin to me, because your post is right under mine! <P>2. Hip is a bullshit term that means nothing to me. There's music that moves you and music that doesn't. Jennfire Lopez, Puff Daddy, backstreet Boyz, N-Sync are considered hip by some. I don't buy their stuff, they don't move me or do anything for me (even though I love "The Benjamins" - great track). And by you're reasoning I suppose that music I don't like I must consider "unhip", if they're is such a word. How about when there's an artist you love but you don't buy one particualr album because you heard it and it sucks? Hip, unip, indifferent? <P>Now, I'm being nitpicky. Anyway, clearly we won't agree on this and I should've let teh post go like Phil!<P>"Okayplayer like Stress!" - Black Thought<P>"Young, gifted and black. We must begin to tell our young.<BR>There's a world waiting for you. This is a ?uest that's just begun.<BR>When you feel really low. Yeah, there's a great truth you should know.<BR>When you're young, gifted and black. Your soul's intact!" - N.Simone/W. Irvine<P>

despite the fact that they're awesome musicians<BR>if you didn't think the music they play<BR>was "hip" you wouldn't like it<BR>if they played bluegrass/country, which they're perfectly capable of (and it's their choice)<BR>you might not love them so much<BR>so it's not all based on them as musicians<BR>you like hip hop, don't you?<BR>and i guess i'm squashing your statement<BR>after all<P>-- WORD

>despite the fact that they're awesome musicians <BR>>if you didn't think the music <BR>>they play was "hip" you wouldn't <BR>>like it if they played bluegrass/country, <BR>>which they're perfectly capable of (and <BR>>it's their choice) <P>I listen to Bonnie Raitt, Yo Yo Ma, Cesaria Evora. Machito, Van Morrison, Nina Simone, etc. I don't rememebr any of these folks being referred to as hip (lately) or being on Entertainment Tonight or on MTV. I could give two shits what someone think is hip, I like good music, as do most of the people on this board. If you don't believe me go check the post "Albums you think that only you felt". They're must be at over a hundred posts and at least a thousand albums listed where people on this site felt that they were in a serious minority in enjoying a certain album. <P>"Okayplayer like Stress!" - Black Thought<P>"Young, gifted and black. We must begin to tell our young.<BR>There's a world waiting for you. This is a ?uest that's just begun.<BR>When you feel really low. Yeah, there's a great truth you should know.<BR>When you're young, gifted and black. Your soul's intact!" - N.Simone/W. Irvine<P>

(i haven't sent you any messages at all. i was talking to kristina. i mean, you're free to post to me all you want, but replying to messages that weren't written to you is a stretch. peace)<P>"you can meet my folks and figure me out<BR>as the mean that soul means<BR>the colors that blues use<BR>and moods jazz expresses<BR>not on his own understanding he leans<BR>claiming his muses<BR>and constructing when he blesses<BR>with imagery vividly portrayed<BR>messages conveyed<BR>immaculately accurate<BR>not just adequate acumen<BR>reaps accolades and such"<BR> -- WORD SMITH

I thought you were replying to me, but this is a DISCUSSION BOARD! Although, I got things messed up, we can jump in and offer opinions. It's not a stretch and as far as that hip thing goes, please do go check that post "Albums that you think only you felt!"<P>"Okayplayer like Stress!" - Black Thought<P>"Young, gifted and black. We must begin to tell our young.<BR>There's a world waiting for you. This is a ?uest that's just begun.<BR>When you feel really low. Yeah, there's a great truth you should know.<BR>When you're young, gifted and black. Your soul's intact!" - N.Simone/W. Irvine<P>

Repersentin hiphop since 1988...<P>11yr's, I've repersented hiphop, cultrue, etc.. i'm white.. ¿E? Theres' socailist and real heads! Don't get them confused..Socailist will abanoden hiphop when something better comes along..(i.e. big pun went to Fat Joe..) Anyways.. My view.. Fo'eva strugling to make my self heard...<P><BR>Braile Zoanology comin' in Sept!<BR>Oktagon Th' Lost Artifakt...<BR>.NoN:centS.]

>Will the ROOTS be around after whites <BR>>no longer find it hip to like our culture?!? <P>I'll put it like this, I dont know if there would be an okayplayer.com if it wasnt for the switch to mca, but they survived 3 albums without gold sales before "you got me". All that matters is that they continue to make good music, not who sticks around for the ride, and who was just on the band wagon. Judging from this site there will always be a group of us who know the time. Ive been down since illadelph halflife (yes, clones was my "you got me" but ive been down ever since) I respect anyone of any race who can feel the music like I can, who gets a certain rush when they hear a song that they love to death. But the damn coffee shop cats, who just show up to be hip, and dont even get into the music and dont know a damn lyric who have too much money and time on on their hands, they get the bozack.

Bozak---not since that biv 10 record. that had me buggin.<P><BR>peas<P><BR>iNDUCE

The reality is,when this hip hop culture arose from the african american community it was percieved by whites and some blacks "you know who you are" as "just a fad" or "not really music", but we who loved it and supported it,"i still have all my 12in vinyl" felt like it spoke to us specifically, and we were ridiculed for spending our money on shows an such, year after year we did our part to make sure this "urban artform" did not die the death "real music lovers" wished upon it, flash foward 1990;WHITE BOYS LOVE P.E.,WHY!?! their not even listening to the lyrics!! they've no idea what the metephors mean! HOW!? can they possibly "feel" the soul of it all? but hey,they have "da loot", and record companies like "da loot" i hear, all of a sudden hip hop is a global phenomenon because rhyme pays. all i'm asking when i say "around" is where can i buy my ROOTS 12in's when the "da loot people" start going back to "real music"?!? "exploiters come into the ghetto from outside, bleed it dry, and leave it economically dependant on the larger society" said the fmr. STOKELY CARMICHAEL

word up<BR>well put... by you as well as some guy on here who thought i said 'most hip hop's bought by thugs' which would be asinine for someone to even repeat, let alone say.<BR>anyway, i'm glad you and the other guy (despite how he falsely attributed some guff to me and his white folks' disease) made some intelligent commentary on the topic, in addition to others.<BR>those of you who caught feelings and started venting should post after a day of pre-ponderance.<BR>peace,<BR>blackass word smith<P>"you can meet my folks and figure me out<BR>as the mean that soul means<BR>the colors that blues use<BR>and moods jazz expresses<BR>not on his own understanding he leans<BR>claiming his muses<BR>and constructing when he blesses<BR>with imagery vividly portrayed<BR>messages conveyed<BR>immaculately accurate<BR>not just adequate acumen<BR>reaps accolades and such"<BR> -- WORD SMITH

the one associated with styles of beyond and divine styler?<P><BR>iNDUCE

<BR>Actually, the non-initiated, oblivious-to-hip-hop crowd thinks that You Got Me is ERYKAH'S SONG. PERIOD. <P>Not only do they think the rap is Erykah, but that Black Thought is just a dude rhyming on Erykah's song.<P>Case in point: My lil cousin was humming something that sounded vaguely familiar (she was humming, because of course, she couldn't understand what the hell Erykah was singing). I asked her "What you singing?" <P>To which she replied "That Erykah Badu song"<P>Me: "OOO my god. That's the Roots. It's a Roots song, with ERykah on it" <P>Cousin: "Who are the Roots? What else do they sing?" <P>Me: "Forget it....."

Don't know 100% what exactly she is saying. Do you?<P>If you are worried bout where...<BR>

>Don't know 100% what exactly she is <BR>>saying. Do you? <BR>>If you are worried bout where... <P>If you were worried bout where I been or who I saw or what club I went to wit my homies. Baby don't<BR>worry you know you got me. <P>"Okayplayer like Stress!" - Black Thought<P>"Young, gifted and black. We must begin to tell our young.<BR>There's a world waiting for you. This is a ?uest that's just begun.<BR>When you feel really low. Yeah, there's a great truth you should know.<BR>When you're young, gifted and black. Your soul's intact!" - N.Simone/W. Irvine<P>

The first time I say the video and heard the verse, I was like "finally Erykah's blessing us with a verse." The I heard it was Eve and was damn, this sister is skilled, then she joins up with the Ruff Ryders??? Same with Beanie Segel (sp?). Damn, it would have been nice if he connected with Roots more often, DAMN Jay-Z!<BR>Peace<BR>Sean<P>"If every action has an oppposite reaction<BR>I want to see the opposite of wack MCs rapping"<BR> -- D-Shade (Shades of Culture)

> Same with Beanie Segel (sp?). <BR>> Damn, it would have been <BR>>nice if he connected with Roots <BR>>more often, DAMN Jay-Z! <P>?uest discusses how they let Beanie slip through their fingers and who knows maybe they'll get a joint (jawn) on his album (probably not). But anyway, Eve is rolling Big Wilma style being a Ruff Ryder and all she has no beef! Shit happens, schedules don't mesh! She's on MTV, BET and The Box more times in one week than The Roots in a month!<P><BR>"Okayplayer like Stress!" - Black Thought<P>"Like Sadam they even say I'm the bomb in Baghdad!" - Rakim (f. Rahzel)<P>"Ev'rytime I hear the crack of a whip, My blood runs cold.<BR>I remember on the slave ship, How they brutalize the very souls.<BR>Today they say that we are free, Only to be chained in poverty.<BR>Good God, I think it's illiteracy; It's only a machine that makes money.<BR> Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all. " - R.N. Marley<BR>

<BR>>?uest discusses how they let Beanie slip <BR>>through their fingers and who knows <BR>>maybe they'll get a joint (jawn) <BR>>on his album (probably not). <P>Yeah, like that would happen. Could you imagine a Roots and Jay-Z collabo?? The Roots could replay any hook that he'd want though :)<BR>Peace<BR>Sean<P>"If every action has an oppposite reaction<BR>I want to see the opposite of wack MCs rapping"<BR> -- D-Shade (Shades of Culture)

Could you imagine a Roots and Jay-Z<BR> collabo?? <P><BR>hells yes, i could. anyone who can't has a weak ass imagination. the roots are near-limitless and jay-z's no dumb ass. that doesn't mean it'll go down, but it wouldn't be blasphemic, and probably WOULD be tight.<P>"among jiggy whippersnappers down to tacky punky brewster rappers, still definite"<BR>-- WORD SMITH

erykah dropped a verse on Busta's 2nd solo LP, one the track "One". Supposedly, she used to emcee before she vocalized, but i ain't really know.<P><img src="http://www.okayplayer.com/dcforum/Images/happy.gif"> Dr. Squeegee ¤ A Work-In-Progress/Shambles<BR>"uNF"<P>"One question, though...who is squeegy squeege??" - oneday<P>"...the term 'playa hater' wouldn't have to be conjured up by people who rhyme for no other reason but the money, in an attempt to legitimize works that are devoid of substance..." - afronaut<BR>_____________ <BR>R I P Eriness

>erykah dropped a verse on Busta's 2nd <BR>>solo LP, one the track "One". <BR>>Supposedly, she used to emcee before <BR>>she vocalized, but i ain't really <BR>>know. <P>Yeah back in her high school days she you use to rhyme. She's friends with and went to high school with Roy Hargrove (great young jazz trumpet player, if you didn't know). At her show at the Supper Club in NYC (a little before the Live album came out), Roy played with her and then kicked the beat box (like they used to in high school, I think she said her crew was called Peaches and Cream - my memory fails me) and Erykah kicked a verse or two. <P>"Okayplayer like Stress!" - Black Thought<P>"Like Sadam they even say I'm the bomb in Baghdad!" - Rakim (f. Rahzel)<P>"Ev'rytime I hear the crack of a whip, My blood runs cold.<BR>I remember on the slave ship, How they brutalize the very souls.<BR>Today they say that we are free, Only to be chained in poverty.<BR>Good God, I think it's illiteracy; It's only a machine that makes money.<BR> Slave driver, the table is turn, y'all. " - R.N. Marley<BR>

she did a lil' somethin'<BR>even after high school<BR>but the rappin' duties<BR>were mainly handled by her other half<BR>cousin/partner rob "free" bradford<P>"...in other words, big beyond simple<BR>marvelously industry bound<BR>intermediaries observe denim-like durability<BR>and word<BR>on the street is a sweet sound<BR>unbelievable i even did it outta d-town<BR>now what goes down?..."<BR>-- WORD SMITH

"life is too short so love the one you got cause you might get runover or you might get shot"<BR> -bradley nowell

she actually busted a verse on "Sometimes Mix #9" off her debut album Baduism. the liner notes say "inspired by Black Thought" the lyrics go sumthin' like this...<P>WELL, I CAME TO THE SHOW, I RESPECT YOUR FLOW<BR>NOW I WANNA KNOW IF YOU WANNA GO<BR>TO THE STUDIO BUST A RHYME OR TWO<BR>WHATCHA GONNA DO, WHATCHA WANNA DO?<BR>BRING YOUR SACK BUT I'M COOL WITH THAT<BR>I GOT THE PAPER STACKED AND A PIMPED OUT TRACK<BR>GOT THE SONG AND ITS ON, ITS ON<BR>GOT THE STUDIO LOCKED DOWN ALL NITE LONG...<P>ALSO SHE WAS KINDA RHYMING ON THE FUNKMASTER FLEX VOL 3 FREESTYLE...JUST ADDING MY VOICE TO THE MIX...LATER

I gotta agree with Cees on the exposure issues. Eve should have been in the video. Early exposure, ie. guesting on someone's hot new jawn (damn, there's that word again) is THE route to success now days. Remember when you wondered who that Mos Def cat was on Stakes is High? For more reference, remember the noise about LL's video when he didn't use the actual singer? I knew from the voice (and liner notes) that the verse wasn't Erykah, but I also didn't know it was the same Eve until the Ruff Ryders video jumped off. I might be underground impaired but I think there's probably more folks out there like me.<BR>The issue is more pertinent for women in hip-hop. Women artists struggle to get light and acceptance in a male dominated field and slights of this sort can be (but aren't always) more painful. I'm sure there was nothing intentional but that doesn't mean it's inconsequential.<P>i'm bc and that's all I know,<BR>peace in, peace out.<P><BR>"I draw a crowd like an architect"-Rakim

Good looking for the shout out and for understanding my point.

i gotta make this quick. eve wasn't getting dissed. it was a lack of communication on all sides.<P>1) i never considered eve because if yet another person were alive in the video it wouldn't make sense. eyrkah (and mca) refused to let erykah "play dead" (because of her outfit/they wanted to capitalize on her cameo).<P>2. 'riq went ahead and cast the extra before we (the band) knew it. i sorta assumed that eve was gonna be "the girl". i thought she was way finer than the jawn tariq picked. plus i thought she was supposed to be ethiopean.<P>3. wait a minute.....there's no need to go on with a list of pointin fingers. although we "told eve" it wasn't stressed. i was upset because sanji(director of "everything is everything") got rejected by mca. then they was cuttin more of the budget....we wern't too sure of the treatment, erykah is not layin down.......the girl is jamaican.....it's freezin...i didn't care one way or the other....i will say an effort was put out though. if she made it i wouldn't have mind, but i think it would've confused the shit out of y'all. i didn't know that it was a big deal. when mtv interviewed me at woodstock chris connely didn't know my name...but he knew to ask "what's up with you guys and eve?". i guess it was a tad insensitive not to put her in (i'm the one who deals with such matters)i was just worried about the group. i hope eve isn't mad (being as though "what you want" is out BDS"n any song we put out to radio. i too feel that she is more a household word than us now, so i don't think she still is/should be riffin. sorry eve. i'm still a fan.<P>ps.. all that "featuring erykah badu stuff on the single and video was strickly the label. y'all know we have mad cameos and they are never credited. i don't like the artist to feel like we are "juicing them". mca did that stuff. oh god, watch this shit show up in vibe tommorow.<P><P><P><P><P><BR>"god get me outta this mess"

well i don't know the record business, which is one of the reasons that i never strived to get a deal (was i good enough?, could i take the stress and bs?) anyway, i bought the bullworth soundtrack and liked eve. i did not know that it was the same person on the roots song until i bought "things fall.." (thank God i read that little booklet) i thinks she should have been credited in the song on the video, because it was actually feat. badu, and eve. <BR>I would have liked for her to have been in the video, but i'm sure that she's not stressing it now, i wouldn't. at least they had my boy common on the bus. make sure y'all don't leave his name off of stuff (i.e. pete rock)<P>p.s. there is a guy who's style i really dig on roc-a-fella records right now, he blew it up on a recent roots track. I'm suprised though how well he blended with them as their subject matters differ so much. i know who he is, do you? lol<P>-"it was once said by blackthought that things fall apart"<BR>-common

was she on dre's last album on aftermath? she is talking about him on bullworth and i know she was signed to him. <P>this has nothing to do with the post but, "common the next time l-boogie" laces a track with you please have her spit some rhymes too. lol<P>"while you be dragging/dragon last i be kicking like bruce leroy/ sho-nuff!!!!"<BR>-common

<BR>>this has nothing to do with the <BR>>post but, "common the next time <BR>>l-boogie" laces a track with you <BR>>please have her spit some rhymes <BR>>too. <P>I got a source who says that your wish has been granted. According to him, Com definitely wanted L-boog to spit some rhymes on a track on his upcoming CD...guess we'll have to wait god-only-knows-how-long when the CD comes out before we find out.<BR> <P><P>natural1<P>"Shoo Bee Doo, Run, Run, Run" <P><a href="http://www.members.tripod.com/daNaturaL1/mypage/home.html">http://www.members.tripod.com/daNaturaL1/mypage/home.html<;/a>

for the slow peeps, what does BDS mean? is it Bust Da Shit out of other videos?<P>Audi 5,<BR>Mal<P><BR>"Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and, in the end, it's only with yourself." -Kurt Vonnegut, 1998<BR>

actually... I think it's a system used to keep track of what songs are being played when, where, and how often.<P>--me--

...particularly the last statement ? made about the "FEATURING ERYKAH BADU" credit. The REAL followers know what's up. THE ROOTS are 4 albums deep (3 with extensive credits and thank you's) and they still never list the creative co-conspirators. Not that there's anything wrong with that, at least to me. It forces you to appreciate the artistry. Also, these record companies are all about MARKETING strategies (aka trying to find a way to push your shit on people who didn't plan on buying it before they heard that load of bullshit). You ask why am I so wise to this game? I painfully admit I fell for the same shit and got upset when I first heard "ILLADELPH 1/2LIFE". As a listener I felt betrayed because "DYMN" was the greatest shit I had ever heard since....well anyway, the promotion angles (in all the hip-hop publications) were talking about..."NO SAMPLING!!! ALL LIVE!!! THE NEXT LEVEL!!! PICK IT UP NOW!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? WHAT, YOU STILL HAVEN'T BOUGHT IT???" After I read the review in BLAZE (I forget which issue, the one that reviewed TFA), and ?'s response, coupled with my then-still-ever-growing-distrust of record companies, I simply got over it.<P>The moral of that long-winded story is: FUCK THE RECORD LABELS!!! (unless you're in business with one of them, and in that case, fuck the REST of them; DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!!; furthermore, don't allow the suits to dictate our listening tastes. They already think we're lab rats...(now that sounds like C-O-N-spiracy...)<P><BR>gB

I think Quest's answer to this post should probably go in his FAQ section (along with the other questions, "did the roots have beef with biggie," etc.) in case other people want to know...<BR>

eve wouldn't have gone well anywhere in the video anyways.when you're trying to make something artistic,as I well know,you have a vision of what you want and don't really want other stuff cluttering it up when really it has no place to fit.what would eve have done in the video anyways?

thought could've gazed into one of the storefronts and seen eve on tv, then she could've done her verse.<P>or eve could've been ol' girl laying on the ground, and they could've zoomed into her eyes, zapped out her somewhere (doesn't matter where, hell, that uh-LEE-see mow-MAR place for all i care).<P>it could've been done. whoever thought of all that other stuff is certainly creative enough to work her in if he/she wanted to.<P>"straight to the point like them lowercase i's"<BR>-- WORD SMITH

Totally agree with!!<P>Where there's a will, there's a way.<BR>Some creativity might've taken care of how to fit Eve in the video properly.<BR>

maybe cause ruff ryders sucks--uh huh huh huh<P><P>meenie

badu equals ratings and ratings bring in respect, $, and some mainstream attention to the roots, but still the roots dont get enough respect. =(<P>800,000 copys is a statement though

in da begginnin of da video, who's da girl in da picture wit bt?

dam i'm stuupid....