Roots Manuva

Last updated

Roots Manuva
Roots Manuva Anais photography Auckland concert-2.jpg
Background information
Birth nameRodney Smith
Also known as
  • Lord Gosh
  • Hylton Smythe
  • Rodrick Manuva
  • Brigadier Smythe
  • Cecil P.Y.L.M.
  • Pim Pimpernel
  • Chubb
Born (1972-09-09) 9 September 1972 (age 52)
Origin Stockwell, London
Genres
Occupations
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • rapping
Years active1994–2018
2021–present (active)
2018-2021 (hiatus)
Labels
Website rootsmanuva.co.uk

Rodney Hylton Smith, better known by his stage name Roots Manuva (born 9 September 1972), is a British rapper and producer. Since his debut in 1994, he has produced numerous albums and singles on the label Big Dada, achieving commercial success with albums Run Come Save Me [1] and Slime & Reason . He has been described as "one of the most influential artists in British music history." [2] His most recent studio album, Bleeds , was released in October 2015.

Contents

Biography

Smith grew up around Stockwell, London, England. His parents were from a small village in Jamaica where his father was a preacher and tailor. He spent much of his early life in poverty and this and his strict Pentecostal upbringing had an influence on his music as can be heard in many of his tracks such as "Sinny Sin Sins" and "Colossal Insight".

Of his early discovery of music he says:

It was as a kid. Before I even knew what a sound system was. I was walking past Stockwell skateboard park and there was this sound being set up. They were probably just trying out their speakers. I was with my mum, holding my mum's hand. And I remember my mum being quite intimidated by the whole affair. Such a barrage of bass coming from it! And these dodgy-looking blokes standing beside it just admiring the sound of their bass. It's just a bass thing. A volume thing. I don't know if I rose-tint the memories, but I remember it sounded so good, so rich. It's not like today when we go to clubs and it hurts. It was more of a life-giving bass. [3]

Smith made his recorded debut in 1994 as part of IQ Procedure through Suburban Base's short-lived hip hop imprint Bluntly Speaking Vinyl. He debuted as Roots Manuva the same year on Blak Twang's "Queen's Head" single, before releasing his own single, "Next Type of Motion" the following year through the same label, the Sound of Money. 1996 saw the release of his collaborations with Skitz ("Where My Mind Is At"/"Blessed Be The Manner") on 23 Skidoo's Ronin label. The release of "Feva" on Tony Vegas' Wayward imprint followed in 1997. This was also the year that saw the first releases from Big Dada, a collaboration between Coldcut's Ninja Tune label and hip hop journalist Will Ashon.

Releasing for Coldcut's renowned experimental/hip hop label Ninja Tune in 1998, some of his music may be seen as a predecessor of grime. The following year he released his debut album, Brand New Second Hand . A reference to his family's modest lifestyle, the title is a phrase his mother used for presents he got as a youngster that were pre-used. The single "Witness (1 Hope)", from his second album Run Come Save Me , with its lyrical flow and heavy shuffling squelch bass (allegedly a result of Smith trying to copy the Doctor Who theme) is a UK rap anthem. He had such an impact on the UK rap scene that The Times said that "his is the voice of urban Britain, encompassing dub, ragga, funk and hip hop as it sweeps from crumbling street corners to ganja-filled dancehalls, setting gritty narratives against all manner of warped beats." Manuva was rewarded for his breakthrough with a MOBO as Best Hip Hop Act that year.

The lyrics of his songs have a British edge, with critics highlighting his references to eating cheese on toast and drinking bitter as examples of this.

He can be heard on many songs performed with other artists such as Chali 2na (and Ozomatli), Jamie Cullum, DJ Shadow, Mr Scruff, U.N.K.L.E., Fun Lovin' Criminals, Nightmares on Wax, The Cinematic Orchestra, Beth Orton, The Herbaliser, Leftfield, Saian Supa Crew and Coldcut. He also made an appearance on the Gorillaz album Demon Days , on the track "All Alone", and Jungle track You ain't no Celebrity in 2023.

Hiatus

In 2018, Manuva was hospitalised for six months due to suffering from a subdural hematoma. The brain injury left him with memory loss and reduced mobility in his left leg. [4]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions Certifications
UK
[5]
FRA
[6]
IRL
[7]
NOR
[8]
Brand New Second Hand
  • Released: 22 March 1999
  • Label: Big Dada
  • Formats: CD, LP
167
Run Come Save Me
  • Released: 13 August 2001
  • Label: Big Dada
  • Formats: CD, LP
33140
Dub Come Save Me 75
Awfully Deep
  • Released: 31 January 2005
  • Label: Big Dada
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
241103031
Alternately Deep
  • Released: 13 March 2006
  • Label: Big Dada
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
139
Slime & Reason
  • Released: 25 August 2008
  • Label: Big Dada
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
2212748
Duppy Writer
  • Released: 6 September 2010
  • Label: Big Dada
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
109
4everevolution
  • Released: 3 October 2011
  • Label: Big Dada
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
59
Bleeds
  • Released: 30 October 2015
  • Label: Big Dada
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
51
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs

Live albums

Singles

Guest appearances

Other

Other information

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<i>Brand New Second Hand</i> 1999 studio album by Roots Manuva

Brand New Second Hand is the debut studio album by English hip hop musician Roots Manuva. It was released on Big Dada in 1999.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Witness (1 Hope)</span> 2001 single by Roots Manuva

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References

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  2. "SHOWS > THE BRITISH MASTERS". www.noisey.vice.com. Vice. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  3. "Big Dada: Roots Manuva". bigdada.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 4 January 2009.
  4. Hobbs, Thomas. "Hip Hop is 50: A Profile". Roots Manuva. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  5. Peak chart positions for albums in the United Kingdom:
  6. "Discographie Roots Manuva". lescharts.com (in French). Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  7. "Discography Roots Manuva". irish-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  8. "Discography Roots Manuva". norwegiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 8 March 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Certified Awards" (enter "Bloodhound Gang" into the "Keywords" box, then select "Search"). British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
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  12. Zobbel (16 June 2007). "Chart Log UK". Zobbel. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2008.
  13. "Listen to Roots Manuva's 'Witness (1 Hope)' from Ted Lasso, Season 2, Episode 8 – Leo Sigh". 10 September 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  14. "Chris Sharma - Witness the Fitness, V15 Roof Bouldering, First Ascent!". YouTube . 6 January 2013.