The Roots

Released: January 1, 2020

Featuring: Gary Clark Jr. Black Thought

Songwriter: Woody Guthrie Black Thought Gary Clark Jr.

Producer: ?uestlove

[Verse 1]
Ayy-yo, this is my land
I'm right around a 20-mile marker
The sky seems darker where I stand
My only partner is the bullseye on my back
Courtesy of an archer, a reminder that life is a limited time offer
I'm young, black and a legend
And considered a weapon by some
Actually threatened by one
African essence
The real bodies are buried with the secrets in the silo
For people in denial or the links in the bio
The objects in the mirror are closer than they might seem
The shadow of doubt disappears at light speed
Hopes and dreams crisscrossed into a tight weave rope
From trees hanging since 1619
Strange the way the danger could inspire major good
I play a power chord
There goes the neighborhood
They after me as if they wanna capture me
But if they made it back to me, there'd be another casualty
That's why

[Verse 2]
Paranoid and pissed off
Now that I got the money
Fifty acres and a model A
Right in the middle of Trump country
I told you, "There goes a neighborhood"
Now Mister Williams ain't so funny
I see you looking out your window
Can't wait to call the police on me

[Pre-Chorus]
And I know you think I'm up to somethin'
I'm just eating, now we're still hungry
This is mine now, legit
I ain't leaving here, you can't take it from me
I remember when they used to tell me

[Chorus]
Run, run
Go back where you come from
Run, run
Go back where you come from
We don't want, we don't want your kind
We think you's a dog born
I'm America's son
This is where I come from
This land is mine
This land is mine
This land is mine
This land is mine

[Verse 3]
Up 'til the sun comes up
No, I can't stop grindin'
And I can't let 'em break me
No, I can't let 'em find me
You can meet my friend the governor
Only if you wanna try me
Or you can meet my other friend the judge
In case you think I'm lying

[Pre-Chorus]
And I know you think I'm up to somethin'
I'm just eating, now we're still hungry
This is mine now, legit
I ain't leaving here, you can't take it from me
I remember when they used to tell me

[Chorus]
Run, run
Go back where you come from
Run, run
Go back where you come from
We don't want, we don't want your kind
We think you's a dog born
I'm America's son
This is where I come from
This land is mine (Hey)
This land is mine
This land is mine (Hey)

[Instrumental Bridge]

[Outro]
(Hey)
This land is mine
This land is mine (Hey)
This land is mine (Yeah)
This land is mine
This land is mine
This land is mine
This land is mine (Ayy)

The world’s premiere hip-hop band, The Roots were formed in Philadelphia in 1987 by MC Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and drummer and bandleader Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Since those early days, the band has weathered changes in personnel and record labels while performing hundreds of shows a year and releasing a string of well-regarded (if not always top-selling) albums.

While the musicianship of Thompson and the other band members, as well as their seemingly limitless repertoire, gets most of the attention, real hip-hop fans know that the rapping skills of Black Thought (along with former group member Malik B.) are the group’s hidden weapon. Thought, one of the few MCs brave enough to go toe to toe with Big Pun, handles any groove the band throws at him with aplomb, style, and flash.

Today, The Roots are seen by millions every night as the house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, a move that has given the group the chance to indulge its not-insignificant comic side.

The Roots popular songs

This Land (Remix) [From The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]The Roots

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