Over the years, R&B and hip-hop artists have joined forces to produce some amazing songs. Even though the line between the two styles is often blurred today, the gritty, urban feel of hip-hop and the smooth melodies of R&B can come together on a single track with incredible results.
Artists from both genres often collaborate with one another, but some duos simply work out better than others. there are memorable hits, songs we will never forget, and the matchups that transformed modern music. One of the best is You got me. "You Got Me" is a song by the hip hop band The Roots, and co-written by musician Jill Scott, who recorded vocals for the song's chorus and bridge. The track was released as a single from the band's fourth studio album, Things Fall Apart.
On 22th January 1999, The song “You Got Me by the hip hop band The Roots, was released as a single from the band's fourth studio album, Things Fall Apart.
Initially, Eve, was rapping the second verse but does not appear in the music video.
It’s a little known fact that then emerging neo-soul artist Jill Scott was originally featured on The Roots hit song “You Got Me” and was eventually replaced by Erykah Badu. The song was featured as a single The Roots 1999 album “Things Fall Apart” and co-written by Jill. As the story goes, The Roots label MCA Records was decided to have a more high profile act on the song, and that’s how Erykah Baduh got the final version. It made sense on a marketting point of view, because back in 1999 Jill Scott had not released yet her incredible debut album and was relatively unknown outside Philadelphia, still not well known. The worst part of it all is that it was done behind her back, she says that one day she was walking in the street and she heard the sound and she said "what, but it's not my voice? ". She knew who she was replaced by and finally she took it well.
The chorus is about a woman who explains to her boyfriend that whatever happens, he does not have to worry, she belongs to him. That even if she goes out, that she is away from him sometimes, it is him and not another, "he has it".
[Hook: Jill Scott]
If you were worried bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
If you were worried bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
[Verse 1: Black Thought]
Somebody told me that this planet was small
We used to live in the same building on the same floor
And never met before until I'm overseas on tour
And peeped this Ethiopian queen from Philly taking classes abroad
She studying film and photo, flash, focus, record
Said she working on a flick and could my clique do the score
She said she loved my show in Paris at Elysee Montmartre
And that I stepped off the stage and took a piece of her heart
We knew from the start that things fall apart, intentions shatter
She like that shit don't matter when I get home get at her
Through letter, phone whatever, let's link, let's get together
Shit you think not, think the Thought went home and forgot
Time passed, we back in Philly now she up in my spot
Telling me the things I'm telling her is making her hot
Starting building with her constantly round the clock
Now she in my world like hip-hop and keep telling me
[Hook: Jill Scott]
If you were worried bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
If you were worried bout where
I been or who I saw or
What club I went to with my homies
Baby don't worry you know that you got me
[Verse 2: Black Thought]
Yo I'm the type that's always catching a flight
And sometimes I gotta be out at the height of the night
And that's when she flip and get on some 'ol
[Eve]
...Another lonely night
Seem like I'm on the side you only loving your mic
I know you gotta get that paper Daddy keep that shit tight
But yo I need some sort of love in my life, you dig me
While politicking with my sister from New York City
She said she know this ball player and he think I'm pretty
Psych, I'm playing boo, you know it's just wit you I'm staying boo
And when cats be popping game I don't hear what they sayin boo
When you out there in the world I'm still your girl
With all my classes I don't have the time for life's thrills
So when you sweating on stage think of me when you rhyme
And don't be listening to your homies, they be leaving you blind
[Black]
Yeah, so what you sayin I can trust you?
[Eve]
Is you crazy, you my king for real
[Both]
But sometimes relationships get ill
[Eve]
No doubt
[Hook: Jill Scott]
[Verse 3: Black Thought]
That snake could be that chick and that rat could be that cool cat
That's whispering she trying to play you for the fool Black
If something's on your chest then let it be known
See I'm not at you every five minutes all on the phone
And on the topic of trust, it's just a matter of fact
That people bite back and fracture what's intact
And they'll forever be, I ain't on some oh I'm a celebrity
I deal with the real, so if it's artificial let it be
I've seen people caught in love like whirlwinds
Listening to they squads and listening to girlfriends
That's exactly the point where their whole world ends
Lies come in, that's where that drama begins, and she like
Dave Chappelle’s Block Party in 2005 was a celebration of blackness. It featured the likes of Mos Def, Common, and even a reunion of The Fugees. But one of the most magical moments of the 2005 documentary was The Roots’ performance of “You Got Me” featuring both Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. This performance was just magic. So, for the pair to take the stage together to perform the song is iconic in and of itself. Jill Scott starts things off by herself then Badu appears and the crowd goes nuts. Things wil get even bigger when the two begin to play against each other, harmonizing, scatting, and just plain blowing minds. This is real music.
“You Got Me” will remain the The Roots’ most memorable songs for the large public.
That song got us.....it got us good !
To know more about the subject:
Adaso, Henry (October 12, 2017). "25 Greatest Hip-Hop Groups – Best Rap Groups of All Time". ThoughtCo. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
Caldwell, Patrick (October 9, 2012). "The Roots are the best band in America. Period. Here's why". Austin American-Statesman. Austin, TX. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
Bush, John (2008). "The Roots – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
The Roots Send Wake-Up Call To "Unconscious" Population". MTV News. February 23, 1999. Retrieved March 3, 2009.
The Roots Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
Lescharts.com – The Roots feat. Erykah Badu – You Got Me" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
