Avg Rating: 
3.9 ( 26 total votes )
The Roots - Doin It Again
Artist: The Roots
Featuring: John Legend
Producer: The Roots
Album: How I Got Over
Label: Def Jam
Just this past February, I got a text message that was apparently sent out exclusively to Black recipients that read: “It’s Black History Month – recognize your roots and get a relaxer,” (if you don’t understand that joke, I’ll have Chris Rock explain it to you). But it got me thinking…how can I recognize my roots? If buying a Roots album had occurred to me four months ago instead of this morning, maybe hearing the latest leak, Doin’ It Again, would have left me with some dope new music instead of ashamed that my hair is burned out
straight. However, Doin’ It Again (which fittingly brings on John Legend for a rendition of his track Again) is an enjoyable listen, and perhaps would have been more effective as a freestyle considering its brevity, sharp trademark-Roots instrumentals, and abrupt ending. But I’m not complaining, and with rhymes as on-point as Blackthought’s, who can? So with that, I’m going to send this text: “It’s June, a.k.a. Good Music Month – recognize your Roots and pick up their upcoming album How I Got Over, dropping June 22.”
This song first appeared on the
Rap Chart
on June 14, 2010
Listen to More: The Roots , John Legend , Alternative Written by Matty K
More From The Roots
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 877 |
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Production was nice on this. John Legend's vocals were smooth and the piano in the background was nice. The Roots came with nice verses. Overall a good song.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11866 |
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Let this song be the start of a beautiful musical marriage between John Legend and The Roots (I can wish, right?). Seriously, who wouldn't go see them perform an entire album of new material? That is what I thought.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 214 |
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Classic! Love it.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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I was all set to rate this a banger, but the hook leaves much to be desired.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 213 |
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The production is good on here, John Legend and the Roots both did good jobs vocally and they fit well together. This is a good track.
Black Thought's first verse seemed familiar...I heard it before on a BET Cypher. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxHEm6hkNp4 |
| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 476 |
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I enjoyed the song quite a bit but I wish Legend had more input. He's not even really "featured". The chorus is just a sample of his track "Again" off his sophomore album. Nevertheless, Black Thought was solid as ever and the production was alright. I'll put it in rotation.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 476 |
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P.S. Considering Black Thought's verse is from a BET cypher, can this really be considered "new" material? It's an old verse and sampled chorus over new production. Any mixtape DJ could have put this track together. That just adds to my disappointment.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 103 |
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Had this on repeat when it hit Refined Hype. Call me biased (since The Roots = my favorite Hip-Hop group & JL = hands down the best Soul/R&B singer in the game) but I thought they fit perfectly together. Both share the same passion for their craft, and even if this was pieced together, I think JL's live sample goes hand-in-hand with what The Roots are all about. Raw.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 608 |
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(See Mr. Phantastic's comment(s)) ... haha. He said everything I would have said.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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Ok so...Regardless if this is a recycled verse from a Black Thought's BET cypher, the chorus is lifted from one of the better cuts from Legend's sophomore effort or it's just too short. You can't deny that The Roots & John Legend sound fantastic together. Be on the lookout for the second OFFICIAL single from "How I Got Over" that actually does feature John Legend.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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Professional  Total Ratings: 295 |
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I've been getting my fix of The Roots here and there between Rising Down, and the Jimmy Fallon Show, so I'm sooooo ready for some new Roots. As I've said before, I'm a sucker for live instruments so I'll no doubt be downloading this and the other single out now - Dear God 2.0 soon. I'm hoping that being on the Jimmy Fallon Show will keep them on peoples minds so that they can get their due recognition. They should be house hold names by name for more people than just the true "hip-hop heads" that is. Great song, and great use of the John Legend sample. It would be awesome to see them on tour together at some point.
I am B=mc2. Music is featured on MTV's Washington Heights, Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Bad Girls Club, and more. Check out the music profile at the links provided. Make sure to leave a comment. I hope you enjoy! Management and Beat Inquiries: @MrBentonJ Check out our profile for new music! Follow on Twitter for the latest music updates! |
| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 2476 |
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When this track first dropped I wasn't completely connecting to it, but folks urged me to give it time and let it marinate, and I have to say it marinated damn well. I love how they took a chorus from Legend about cheating and flipped it into a deep, serious track. Personally I'm hoping How I Got Over has some more upbeat songs, but I'll take Again any day of the week.
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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Professional  Total Ratings: 91 |
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they call this Beautiful Music. I am definitely feelin it.
DJ Sandman (WBTP 95.7 The Beat -Tampa, FL / BumsquadDjz / 1200Squad / RapattackLives.Com / Dynasty's Tour Dj / Laws Tour Dj / Dreampusher Mixtape Best of the Booth Vol. 5 |
| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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DOOOOOOOOOPE!!!!!
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 217 |
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Track is pre-classic and I wish it was longer. Black Thought is the man and the production by Quest is on point (sharpee) love this song, every single thing about it proves the industry can't wipe out dope talent, even if they doin late night
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| Posted on Jun 11, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 53 |
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I don't want to take away from the production or I don't know if anyone knows this but the song was a sample of Again from John Legend's sophomore album Once Again. With that said The Roots did a great job at lacing the production with solid percussion from ?uestlove. The song brings back good memories and I could see this on serious rotation in the near future. :thumbsup:
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| Posted on Jun 12, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1231 |
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I always love The Roots instrumentals they make every song stand out from the rest.
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| Posted on Jun 12, 2010 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Yeah I wish the john legend feature was more newish, but I can't complain because that's one of my favorite songs.
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| Posted on Jun 13, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 484 |
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Will these guys ever stop, they continue to come out with some great tracks
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| Posted on Jun 14, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jun 14, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2065 |
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For the roots and john, this is kind of subpar.
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| Posted on Jun 14, 2010 |
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| Posted on Jun 15, 2010 |
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the roots are amazing
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| Posted on Sep 03, 2010 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1805 |
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the love the roots!!!!!
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| Posted on Nov 03, 2010 |
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