Roots Manuva

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Biography

Roots Manuva, born Rodney Smith is a British artist, who mixes with and as well as , and even some . He grew up around Stockwell in South London. His parents were from a small village in Jamaica called Banana Hole where his father was a preacher and tailor. Spending much of his early years in poverty, this and his strict Pentecostal upbringing clearly had an influence on his music as can be seen in many of his tracks such as “Sinny Sin Sins” and “Colossal Insight”.

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. 1996 saw the release of his collaborations with Skitz (“Where My Mind Is At”/”Blessed Be the Manner”). The release of “Feva” 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 . The following year he released his fearsome debut album, “Brand New Second Hand”. Manuva was rewarded for his breakthrough with a MOBO as Best Hip Hop Act that year.

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  • NeedsDeodorant

    He dropped out a new Ep in January, but do anybody knows do he have a full length album on the way?

    14 Apr 6:32pm Reply
  • TrebuchetUK

    EXTENSIVE review of Salif Keita's new record (the one with Roots manuva, Bobby McFerrin and Esperanza Spalding: http://www.trebuchet-magazine.com/salif-keita-tale/

    1 Feb 11:51am Reply
  • Fullmettall

    GOOD

    26 Dec 2012 Reply
  • gui_x

    haha

    3 Nov 2012 Reply
  • DJ_Shammy

    You are my favorite hip hoper of all time <3

    27 Sep 2012 Reply
  • shaunpwnsu

    The album booklet.

    12 Sep 2012 Reply
  • Delenfance

    Where i can see Lyrick at the 4everevolution ? Please help :)

    19 Jul 2012 Reply
  • overcomed

    "Enterprise landing, bringing dem new brands of buff. Yes, we come proper with potency. Ain't no blood in my body, it's liquid soul in my vein. I dance on a thin line of sane and deranged. And it's all criss once I get neatly in the cipher. Chat like pickney to the piper that pied. As this natural mystic blows through the air. These lessons of life become crystal clear. Precision of my vision is ital. Separating sharks from the blessed is vital. Now I can smell a rat coming from a mile round the corner. One time I bored ya, twice you can't couf. No, we won't stop rebuke thee. You satanics, you fools can't recruit me. Not now while there's." "Movements" is madly strong song and have steady rhymes. Chill masterpiece.

    17 Jun 2012 Reply
  • MrRez

    HEY FELLAS! CHECK RUSSIAN "BEASTIE-STYLE" PUNKY OLD-SCHOOL HIP-HOP BAND ЛЕЙТЕНАНТ КОЛОМБО http://www.lastfm.ru/music/Лейтенант+Коломбо

    12 Jun 2012 Reply
  • hazemAoun

    GREAT FUCKING JOB!!! This is what I want!!

    2 May 2012 Reply
  • bazilisk_

    Just discovered this guy. So damn talented.

    26 Apr 2012 Reply
  • whiterabbitred

    AMAZING AT GOLDEN PLAINS!!!

    15 Mar 2012 Reply
  • SuperStokesy

    what the frig makes you friggers wanna frig with this

    27 Feb 2012 Reply
  • justshady

    wow Rodney's rhymes are blessed. J5, Gift Of Gab, Roots Manuva = High QoL

    23 Feb 2012 Reply
  • justshady

    this world is mine. IM INNA. <3

    21 Feb 2012 Reply
  • podgethebastard

    quality, wish i have heard him before

    12 Jan 2012 Reply
  • owenxiansheng

    pretty impressed with the new album! Brand New Second Hand was an excellent first effort, Run Come a great follow, Awfully Deep also full of nice surprises, but he tailed of on Dub Come Save Me and Alternately Deep.. they just seemed like slightly shittier versions of better albums.. 4evarevolution, despite its terrible name, is a mega album. Wha' Mek, Watch Me Dance, Here We Go Again, all great crossover club/pop/ukhh toons. mad good, just when I thought he was over the hill, Rodney 4eva!

    22 Dec 2011 Reply
  • bern_rdo

    met him with Children of men soundtrack, liked.

    22 Dec 2011 Reply
  • DJ_Shammy

    This Rodney Smith man is totally awesome. :megusta:

    19 Dec 2011 Reply
  • Jack_the_System

    Incredible mash-up of Roots Manuva & The Berkleys (TOO HOT TO WITNESS) = http://validate-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/autumnals.html

    8 Dec 2011 Reply
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