View source for Roots Manuva

{{Short description|British rapper and producer (born 1972)}}
{{Other people|Rodney Smith|Rod Smith (disambiguation)}}
{{BLP refimprove|date=September 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image           = File:Roots Manuva Anais photography Auckland concert-2.jpg
| name            = Roots Manuva
| caption         = Roots Manuva performing at a concert in [[Auckland]] in 2012.
| image_size      = 
| background      = solo_singer
| birth_name      = Rodney Smith
| alias           = {{flatlist|
* Lord Gosh
* Hylton Smythe
* Rodrick Manuva
* Brigadier Smythe
* Cecil P.Y.L.M.
* Pim Pimpernel
* Chubb
}}
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1972|9|9|df=yes}}
| death_date      = 
| origin          = [[Stockwell]], London
| instrument      = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
}}
| genre           = {{flatlist|
* [[Alternative hip hop]]
* [[trip hop]]
* [[Dub music|dub]]
* [[electronic music|electronic]]
}}
| occupation      = {{flatlist|
* Vocalist
* [[Rapping|rapper]]
* producer
* [[remix]]er
}}
| years_active    = 1994–2018<br />2021–present <small>(active)</small><br />2018-2021 <small>(hiatus)</small>
| label           = {{flatlist|
* [[Big Dada]]
* Banana Klan
}}
| website         = {{URL|rootsmanuva.co.uk}}
}}
'''Rodney Hylton Smith''' (born 9 September 1972), better known by his stage name '''Roots Manuva''', is a British [[rapping|rapper]] and [[Hip hop production|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]]''<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20011217092212/http://chartattack.com/damn/2001/09/1801.cfm "CD REVIEWS: Tori Amos, Live, Macy Gray and many more"]}}. ''Chart Attack'', September 18, By: Debbie Bento and Kori Golding</ref> and ''[[Slime & Reason]]''. He has been described as "one of the most influential artists in British music history."<ref>{{cite web|title=SHOWS > THE BRITISH MASTERS|url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/the-british-masters/roots-manuva-the-british-masters-season-2-chapter-4|website=Vice.com|publisher=Vice|access-date=30 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416034029/http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/the-british-masters/roots-manuva-the-british-masters-season-2-chapter-4|archive-date=16 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> His most recent studio album, ''[[Bleeds (Roots Manuva album)|Bleeds]]'', was released in October 2015.

==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:
{{quote|It was as a kid. Before I even knew what a [[Sound system (Jamaican)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bigdada.com/artist.php?id=14 |title=Big Dada: Roots Manuva |access-date=4 January 2009 |publisher=bigdada.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106002459/http://www.bigdada.com/artist.php?id=14 |archive-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

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 (band)|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 (music)|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 music|''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, [[Raggamuffin music|ragga]], [[funk]] and hip hop as it sweeps from crumbling street corners to [[cannabis|ganja]]-filled dancehalls, setting gritty narratives against all manner of warped beats." Manuva was rewarded for his breakthrough with a [[MOBO Awards|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 (beer)|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 (band)|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.<ref>{{cite web| title=Hip Hop is 50: A Profile|publisher=Roots Manuva|first=Thomas|last=Hobbs|url=https://www.rootsmanuva.co.uk/post/hip-hop-is-50-i-am-50-roots-manuva|access-date=2023-01-16}}</ref>

==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;" | Album details
! scope="col" colspan="4" | Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | [[List of music recording certifications|Certifications]]
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="UK-Al">Peak chart positions for albums in the United Kingdom:
* All except ''Brand New Second Hand'', ''Alternately Deep'' and ''Duppy Writer'': {{cite web | url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/roots%20manuva/ | title=Roots Manuva | publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] | access-date=21 January 2014 | format=select "Albums" tab | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202180148/http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/roots%20manuva/ | archive-date=2 February 2014 | url-status=live }}
* ''Brand New Second Hand'', ''Alternately Deep'' and ''Duppy Writer'': {{cite web | url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_R.HTM | title=Chart Log UK: The Rabble Army – RZA | publisher=Tobias Zywietz | work=zobbel.de | access-date=21 January 2014 | author=Zywietz, Tobias | archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/67B2xef6y?url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_R.HTM | archive-date=25 April 2012 | url-status=live }}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|FRA]]<br /><ref name="FRA">{{cite web | url=http://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Roots+Manuva | title=Discographie Roots Manuva | publisher=Hung Medien | work=lescharts.com | access-date=21 January 2014 | language=fr | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203135130/http://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Roots+Manuva | archive-date=3 February 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[Irish Albums Chart|IRL]]<br /><ref name="IRL">{{cite web | url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Roots+Manuva | title=Discography Roots Manuva | publisher=Hung Medien | work=irish-charts.com | access-date=21 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202191832/http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Roots+Manuva | archive-date=2 February 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | [[VG-lista|NOR]]<br /><ref name="NOR">{{cite web | url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Roots+Manuva | title=Discography Roots Manuva | publisher=Hung Medien | work=norwegiancharts.com | access-date=21 January 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308033419/http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Roots+Manuva | archive-date=8 March 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Brand New Second Hand]]''
|
* Released: 22 March 1999
* Label: [[Big Dada]]
* Formats: CD, [[LP record|LP]]
| 167 || — || — || —
|
* [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]]: Silver<ref name="BPI">{{cite web | url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards/search.aspx | title=Certified Awards | publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry]] | access-date=21 January 2014 | format=enter "Bloodhound Gang" into the "Keywords" box, then select "Search" | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055216/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards/search.aspx | archive-date=21 September 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Run Come Save Me]]''
|
* Released: 13 August 2001
* Label: Big Dada
* Formats: CD, LP
| 33 || 140 || — || —
|
* BPI: Gold<ref name="BPI"/>
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Dub Come Save Me]]''
|
* Released: 8 July 2002
* Label: Big Dada
* Formats: CD, LP, [[Music download|digital download]]
| 75 || — || — || —
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Awfully Deep]]''
|
* Released: 31 January 2005
* Label: Big Dada
* Formats: CD, LP, digital download
| 24 || 110 || 30 || 31
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Alternately Deep]]''
|
* Released: 13 March 2006
* Label: Big Dada
* Formats: CD, LP, digital download
| 139 || — || — || —
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Slime & Reason]]''
|
* Released: 25 August 2008
* Label: Big Dada
* Formats: CD, LP, digital download
| 22 || 127 || 48 || —
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''Duppy Writer''
|
* Released: 6 September 2010
* Label: Big Dada
* Formats: CD, LP, digital download
| 109 || — || — || —
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[4everevolution]]''
|
* Released: 3 October 2011
* Label: Big Dada
* Formats: CD, LP, digital download
| 59 || — || — || —
|
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Bleeds (Roots Manuva album)|Bleeds]]''
|
* Released: 30 October 2015
* Label: Big Dada
* Formats: CD, LP, digital download
| 51 || — || — || —
|
|-
| colspan="15" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
|}

===EPs===
*''Next Type of Motion'' (1995)
*''Awfully De/EP'' (24 October 2005)
*''Banana Skank EP'' (21 January 2013)
* "Stolen Youth EP" (6 August 2013)

=== Live albums ===
* ''Live from London (iTunes)'' (15 August 2008)

===Singles===
* "Juggle Tings Proper" (22 February 1999)
* "Motion 5000" (5 July 1999)
* "[[Witness (1 Hope)]]" (23 July 2001) [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 45<ref name="CLUK R">{{cite web |title=Chart Log UK |access-date=10 September 2008 |date=16 June 2007 |publisher=Zobbel |author=Zobbel |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_R.HTM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415061005/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_R.HTM |archive-date=15 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* "Dreamy Days" (8 October 2001) [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 53<ref name="CLUK R" />
* "Yellow Submarine" (14 October 2002)
* "Colossal Insight" (17 January 2005) [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 33<ref name="CLUK R" />
* "[[Too Cold]]" (21 March 2005) [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 39<ref name="CLUK R" />
* "Buff Nuff" (30 June 2008)
* "Again & Again" (25 August 2008) – featured on the EA TRAX soundtrack for the EA Sports videogame ''[[Fight Night Round 4]]''
* "Let the Spirit" (27 October 2008)
* "Do Nah Bodda Mi" (29 June 2009)
* "It's On (Banana Klan)" (28 April 2011)
* "Here We Go Again (feat. [[Spikey Tee]])" (3 October 2011)
* "Don't Breathe Out" (22 September 2015)

===Guest appearances===
* [[Amon Tobin]] – "Saboteur mix," also known as "Saboteur -- Roots Manuva version" (from [[Ninja Tune]] compilation ''[[Xen Cuts]]'')
* [[Antipop Consortium]] - "NY to Tokyo" (from ''[[Fluorescent Black (album)|Fluorescent Black]]'')
* [[Audio Bullys]] – "Made Like That" (feat. Roots Manuva & Mr Fox) (from ''[[Generation (Audio Bullys album)|Generation]]'')
* [[Blak Twang]] – "Queen's Head" (from ''Dettwork S.E.'' promo); "Shhhoosh" (from ''19 Long Time'')
* [[Breakage (musician)|Breakage]] – "Run 'Em Out"
* [[The Cinematic Orchestra]] – "[[All Things to All Men (song)|All Things to All Men]]" (from ''[[Every Day (album)|Every Day]]''); "A Caged Bird / Imitations of Life" (from ''[[To Believe]]'')
* [[Cornish Waters]] – "Look to Myself for Faith" (from ''UK Hustlerz – The Return'', under the pseudonym '''Brigadier Smythe''')
* [[Coldcut]] – "True Skool" (from ''[[Sound Mirrors]]'') [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 61,<ref name="CLUK C">{{cite web |title=Chart Log UK |access-date=10 September 2008 |date=16 June 2007 |publisher=Zobbel |author=Zobbel |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_C.HTM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115102705/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_C.HTM |archive-date=15 November 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> "Only Heaven" (from Only Heaven EP)
* [[DJ Mentat]] – "Rugged Wid' It" (with Seanie T)
* [[DJ Shadow]] – "GDMFSOB ([[UNKLE]] Uncensored mix)" (from "Mashin' on the Motorway")
* [[DJ Skitz]] – "Inner City Folk" and "Fingerprints of the Gods" (from ''[[Countryman (DJ Skitz album)|Countryman]]'')
* [[Iain Gordon|Dobie]] – "Connectivity" (from ''The Sound of One Hand Clapping'')
* [[Freq Nasty]] – "Boomba Clatt" (from ''Bring Me the Head of Freq Nasty'')
* [[Fun Lovin' Criminals]] – "Keep on Yellin'" (from ''Classic Fantastic'')
* [[Gorillaz]] – "All Alone" (from ''[[Demon Days]]'' alongside [[Martina Topley-Bird]])
* [[The Herbaliser]] – "Lord Lord" (from ''[[Take London]]''); "Starlight" (from ''[[Very Mercenary]]'')
* [[INORAN]] – "Rat Race" (from ''[[Sou (album)|Sou]]'')
* [[Jamie Cullum]] – "Love for $ale" (from "[[Momentum (Jamie Cullum album)|Momentum]]")
* [[Jungle (band)|Jungle]] – "You Ain't No Celebrity" (from "[[Volcano (Jungle album)|Volcano]]")
* King Kooba – "Barefoot" (from ''Indian Summer'')
* [[Killa Kela]] – "Here Comes The Submarines feat. Roots Manuva" (from ''Elocution'')
* [[Leftfield]] – "Dusted" (from ''[[Rhythm and Stealth]]'') [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 28
* [[Lotek HiFi]] – "Move Ya Ting" (from ''Mixed Blessings'')
* [[The Maccabees (band)|The Maccabees]] – "Empty Vessels"
* [[Massive Attack]] - "Dead Editors" (from [[Ritual Spirit|Ritual Spirit EP]])
* [[Morcheeba]] – "Blaze Away" (from ''[[Blaze Away (album)|Blaze Away]]'')
* [[Mr. Scruff]] – "Jus Jus" (from ''[[Keep It Unreal]]''), "Nice Up The Function" (from Ninja Tuna)
* [[N'fa]] – "My Style" (from ''[[Cause An Effect]]'')
* [[New Flesh for Old]] – "Norbert & Cecil" (from ''Understanding'', under the pseudonym '''Cecil P.Y.L.M. Pim Pimpernel''')
* [[Reachout (rapper)|Reachout]] – "For Whom the Heart Beats" (from ''The Bristo Sq. EP'')
* [[Ty (rapper)|Ty]] – "Oh U Want More?" (from ''[[Upwards (album)|Upwards]]'') [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] No. 65<ref name="CLUK T">{{cite web |title=Chart Log UK |access-date=10 September 2008 |date=16 June 2007 |publisher=Zobbel |author=Zobbel |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_T.HTM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615193452/http://zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_T.HTM |archive-date=15 June 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> (also "So U Want {{sic|Mor|re|hide=y}}? (refix)" on ''Upwards'' new edition)
* [[Saian Supa Crew]] – "Hey Yo My Man"
* [[Speech Debelle]] - "Blaze Up a Fire" (from ''[[Freedom of Speech (Speech Debelle album)|Freedom of Speech]]'')
* Colossus – "Thrupenny Bits" (from "West Oaktown") (OmRecords 2002 – pseudonym Hylton Smythe)
* [[Nightmares on Wax]] – "70s 80s (Up Bringing Mix) (feat. Roots Manuva, [[LSK]], [[Rodney P]] and Tozz 180)" (from "70s 80s" single)
* [[The Herbaliser]] – "Something Wicked (Roots Manuva's Haunted House Dub)" (limited free release from Ninja Tune website to celebrate forthcoming Ninja Tune boxset).
* [[Dels (musician)|DELS]] – "Capsize" (from [[Gob (Dels album)|GOB]] – 2011)

===Other===
* ''[[Badmeaningood Vol.2]]'' (7 October 2002) (19 tracks selected by Rodney Smith for the ''[[Badmeaningood]]'' series.)
* ''Back to Mine: Roots Manuva'' (24 October 2005) (18 tracks selected by Smith for the ''Back to Mine'' series.)
* The Blacknificent 7 – ''Riding Thru Da Undaground!'' (collaboration with [[Seanie T]], [[Rodney P]], [[Skeme]], [[Est'elle]], [[Karl Hinds]], [[Jeff3]])
* Black Whole Styles – "Uranium 235" (with Drunken Imoortals & New Flesh) & "Feel Da Panic"
* Extra Yard: The Bouncement Revolution – "Dreamy Days(Loteck Productions) featuring Ricky Rankin, "Born Again" featuring Wildflower, "Witness The Swords" featuring Fallacy, Rodney P, Blackitude, Big P & Skeme, "Bashment Boogie"
* Sound01: A Big Dada Sampler – "Skiver's Guide" featuring Black Twang & Gamma

==Other information==
* "Witness (1 Hope)" appeared in the 8th episode of season 2 of ''[[Ted Lasso]]'', as psychologist Sharon was biking to her office.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Listen to Roots Manuva's 'Witness (1 Hope)' from Ted Lasso, Season 2, Episode 8 – Leo Sigh|date=10 September 2021 |url=https://leosigh.com/listen-to-roots-manuvas-witness-1-hope-from-ted-lasso-season-2-episode-8/|access-date=2021-10-27|language=en-US}}</ref>
* "Witness (1 Hope)" was played in the UK game show ''[[Total Wipeout]]'' international special episode.
* "Witness" (1 Hope) was also featured in the 2006 film ''[[Children of Men]]''.
* "Awfully Deep" was used as a background track in series 2 of ''[[TFI Friday]]''.
* "Witness (1 Hope)" was used as part of the soundtrack for Big Up Production's video of [[Chris Sharma]]'s ascent of the bouldering problem called "Witness the Fitness" (V15).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PP1AK1Aqis|title=Chris Sharma - Witness the Fitness, V15 Roof Bouldering, First Ascent!|website=[[YouTube]]|date=6 January 2013 }}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==

* 2016: [[Berlin Music Video Awards]], nominated in the Best Director category for 'CRYING'

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website}}
*[http://www.musicomh.com/interviews/roots-manuva.htm Roots Manuva interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012061201/http://www.musicomh.com/interviews/roots-manuva.htm |date=12 October 2008 }} at musicOMH.com

{{Roots Manuva}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Manuva, Roots}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:English people of Jamaican descent]]
[[Category:English male rappers]]
[[Category:English Pentecostals]]
[[Category:Big Dada artists]]
[[Category:Ninja Tune artists]]
[[Category:Rappers from the London Borough of Lambeth]]
[[Category:People from Stockwell]]
[[Category:Black British male rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century British rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century British male rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century British rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century Black British male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Black British male singers]]