"Intro" lyrics
(feat. AJ Shine, Dr. Cornel West, Harry Allen, Wendy Goldstein, Jai Silk, ?uestlove, Powermalu & Chuck D)
[*overlapping clips of dialogue from the PBS audio documentary, 'Hip-Hop 101: On The Road with The Roots'*]
[Clip 1: Dr. Cornel West, narrator]
"When rap music began... most people saw it as a fad, like hula-hoops or Pet Rocks..."
[Clip 2: Chuck D of Public Enemy, narrator]
"Each of the band members will begin to see if years of hard work will pay off..."
[Clip 1 (continued): Dr. Cornel West, narrator]
"We will go behind the scenes, through the hopes and frustrations of a young band trying to make it in the music business..."
[Clip 4: Joe Young, aka AJ Shine, The Roots co-manager]
"See, coming from a Hip-Hop standpoint – there are no drummers."
[Clip 2 (continuted): Chuck D, Public Enemy]
"Also, the relationship between the group and the record companies will be tested."
[Clip 5: Wendy Goldstein, The Roots A&R at DGC/Geffen Records]
"You could see people's faces changing the longer they played, particularly when they started playing the old school jams and everything...?"
[Clip 6: MC Power, aka Baby Power / Power Malu, live host]
"Live and direct from Philly!
My people...
The...
ROOTS!"
[Clip 7: Harry Allen, "Media Assassin"]
"Inevitably... Hip-Hop records are treated as though they are disposable
They're not maximized as product even
You know, not to mention, as art."
[Clip 1: Dr. Cornel West, narrator]
"When rap music began... most people saw it as a fad, like hula-hoops or Pet Rocks..."
[Clip 2: Chuck D of Public Enemy, narrator]
"Each of the band members will begin to see if years of hard work will pay off..."
[Clip 1 (continued): Dr. Cornel West, narrator]
"We will go behind the scenes, through the hopes and frustrations of a young band trying to make it in the music business..."
[Clip 4: Joe Young, aka AJ Shine, The Roots co-manager]
"See, coming from a Hip-Hop standpoint – there are no drummers."
[Clip 2 (continuted): Chuck D, Public Enemy]
"Also, the relationship between the group and the record companies will be tested."
[Clip 5: Wendy Goldstein, The Roots A&R at DGC/Geffen Records]
"You could see people's faces changing the longer they played, particularly when they started playing the old school jams and everything...?"
[Clip 6: MC Power, aka Baby Power / Power Malu, live host]
"Live and direct from Philly!
My people...
The...
ROOTS!"
[Clip 7: Harry Allen, "Media Assassin"]
"Inevitably... Hip-Hop records are treated as though they are disposable
They're not maximized as product even
You know, not to mention, as art."
