The Roots

Its video is their most high-tech and expensive to date and is currently seeing explosive airplay on VH1 Soul and MTV Jams, as the song climbs the American urban charts. In other Sixpence-related news, Leigh Nash is currently working on a solo project and recently performed with PFR's Joel Hanson. Most recently, the Roots have returned this summer with a new single, "Don't Say Nothin'". For more information, visit AstronautPushers.com. It was the video for "The Seed 2.0" that finally earned the Roots a nomination for the MTV2 Award, signaling their more widespread breakthrough, at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, even after almost a decade of more underground, less commercial music videos. He is joined by bandmates Lindsay Jamieson (of Departure Lounge) and Sam Ashworth (Charlie Peacock's son from the group My Tyger). The song even received some exposure on alternative radio stations in America, including MusicChoice's "alternative" station. On July 22, 2004 CCMBuzz (http://www.ccmbuzz.com/) reported that Matt Slocum has returned to the music world with a new band, Astronaut Pushers.

"The Seed 2.0" performed even more strongly on VH1 Soul and MTV2, due to its almost alternative rock sound. On February 26, 2004, it was announced the group had disbanded. If anything, "Break U Off" has a nu soul feel, thanks to Musiq, which enabled it to do well on VH1 Soul, MTV Jams, and urban radio, as well as MTV2. Grinch" (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), "I Just Wasn't Made for these Times" (The Beach Boys), "On The Run" (Electric Light Orchestra), "Bouquet" (Steve Taylor), "I Need Love" (Sam Phillips), "Carry You" (Sam Phillips), "Don't Dream (It's Over)" (Crowded House), "Christmastime Is Here" (Vince Guaraldi, Peanuts), "Love Letters in the Sand" (Patsy Cline, Pat Boone and others), "Goodnight Children Everywhere" (Vera Lynn), "Road to Zion" (Petra), "Dancing Queen" (ABBA) and "Love Is Blindness" (U2). Similarly to fellow alternative rappers, Outkast's more recent singles, both Phrenology singles display a more commercially-friendly side of the Roots while still being far from mainstream hip-hop in their sound. In addition to the previously mentioned "There She Goes", the band has recorded versions of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Phrenology contained the singles and music videos, "Break U Off" (featuring Musiq Soulchild) and "The Seed 2.0" (featuring Cody Chesnutt). The band has what is almost a second career recording covers of other people's music for compilations and soundtrack albums.

Though The Roots were no superstars, they vastly expanded their fanbase, leading to high hopes for their follow-up, the long-awaited Phrenology, released in 2002 (see 2002 in music), which was similarly acclaimed, though sold somewhat less than Things Fall Apart. Finally, Squint Entertainment was purchased by Word Records and that album, Divine Discontent, was released in October of 2002. In 1999 (see 1999 in music) The Roots' Things Fall Apart (named after Things Fall Apart, a novel by Chinua Achebe) was a breakthrough commercial and critical success which made it on many best-of lists for the year. The band had a followup album ready to release, but unfortunately, Squint Entertainment started to fall apart - leaving the band in limbo for several years. Preceded by the moderate hit "Clones", 1996's Illadelph Halflife (1996, 1996 in music) included some samples but still did not sell well. Also that year, Sixpence contributed a song to Today Presents: the Best of Summer Concert Series CD, which raised money for the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance. Do You Want More?!!!??! included no samples and was recorded live; sales were slim among mainstream audiences, though it was very popular among devoted hip hop fans and some alternative rock audiences. In 2000, the band recorded a cover of The La's "There She Goes", which became their second hit single.

With significant hype, The Roots soon signed to DGC and released their major label debut, Do You Want More?!!!??! in 1995 (see 1995 in music). Over 200 million viewers tuned in. Their debut album, Organix, was released on Remedy Records. In June of 1999, "Kiss Me" was featured during the BBC's worldwide broadcast of Prince Edward's wedding ceremonies, at the request of England's royal family. Moving (rapper) and Hub (bassist) and earned themselves a respectable fanbase in Philadelphia. The video for the song became VH1's #1 video for the entire month of May. Originally composed of Black Thought (rapper) and ?uestlove (drummer), The Roots soon added Malik B. The Grammy nominated song became the top airplay song in over 10 countries including Canada, the UK, Japan (later, the band re-recorded "Kiss Me" with Japanese lyrics), Australia, and Israel and was also featured in a number of motion pictures (She's All That) and TV Shows (Dawson's Creek, Saturday Night Live, MTV's The Real World, The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives and others).

The Roots are an influential Philadelphia-based alternative hip hop crew, known for uplifting lyrics and live instrumentation. A short, quirky tune called "Kiss Me", that was nearly left off the album by the band, became the band's first number one single. In 1997, the group signed to Steve Taylor's Squint Entertainment and released a self titled album that would catapult them into instant stardom. The group recorded a number of creative albums and earned a small but loyal following. Guitarist/songwriter Matt Slocum met vocalist Leigh Bingham Nash at a church retreat in the early 1990s.

Lewis' Mere Christianity. S. Sixpence None the Richer was a rock band from Austin, Texas, named after a passage in C. Divine Discontent (2002).

Making God Smile: A Tribute to Beach Boy Brian Wilson (2002) tribute album. Lynne Me Your Ears (2002) Jeff Lynne tribute album. Sixpence None the Richer (1997). Tickets for a Prayer Wheel [EP] (1996).

This Beautiful Mess (1995). I Prediect a Clone (1994) Steve Taylor tribute album. The Fatherless & the Widow (1994). The Original Demos (1993) debut album.