The Roots 'Now or Never'

[@simonpickles6186]

I was an active alcoholic but I kept listening to this so much I thought "But I'm gonna get my shit together, it's now or never!". Just over a month into sobriety. The power of music to influence!!!

[@ululolake]

Simon Pickles Dude yesss! Keep on keepin on

[@nickking-edwards9301]

Excellent

[@dianneloch5078]

And life only gets better. ❤❤

[@iquelanga1524]

Beautiful 💪🏿

[@NerdyByNatureGFA]

Same here; kinda

[@dontdoda1thang564]

"I would pray to God but I'm tired of lyin to Him" probably one of the realest N dopest lines in Hip Hop history no 🧢

[@MalakiDetroitDeadstock]

Yea Maaaan... ❤

[@justinwest7153]

Real shit💯

[@miqsis]

That's good, but..... "What if the best in me, really the worst in me"

[@stephanieford7344]

WORD!!! ✊🏼

[@JankoFrancisty]

💯 right !💪 Such an honest line. That's something we were all knowing and hiding within ourselves..

[@lurid_phaesporia]

At my lowest point in life, this song came to me out of nowhere. No job, no money, homeless and alone. I'd known about The Roots forever but somehow forgot about this song. Gotta give credit where credit is due: I almost threw it all away and these guys gave me the strength to push on. Less than a month later and I'm now working for Facebook and every day is a new blessing and adventure. Thanks guys

[@kelhimacmillan5675]

This song helped me allot in one of the darkest time of my 35 years... Any time I felt like quitting on life in general, I blasted this 4 or 5 times, till the words sunk in!! 💘💔💗💜💖🤟😎👌

[@shannonhoward5979]

I feel that.

[@silentpilot833]

Music is the greatest thing that this world has ❤🎉🎶 🎸 🥁 🎹🎷🪗🪈🪇🪘🎻🪕🎺🎤🎧🎚️🎛️🎙️

[@UncleDean100]

Genius is rarely ever recognized while it's actually shedding it's light...too much bullsshit on the airwaves right now. We gotta keep supporting artists like The Roots if we want to continue raise our conciousness through music

[@rilwanolalekan1880]

Shit has gotten worse now🤦

[@thethree60five]

​​​@@rilwanolalekan1880 Brother When we can see the problem illuminated so clearly, We get to choose a better way, Or choose not to. It becomes Now or Never For you and me From _our_ roots we grow, Together, My brother.

[@lapee7239]

This like God talking to you for elevate your self and be part of is army and blessing to all of us!

[@jeralddigsitt4497]

My 3rd post here... and yeah I'm still watching this 10 years later. If the Roots are checking out these reviews, they need to know how deep this song is to me and is one of the best songs and videos I've ever heard or seen in any genre. Pure genius that you can't help but to take to heart and o the head... especially during these rapidly changing times. Peace be with.

[@aliciahoverson]

On the sunniest days of my life I cried through them

[@TyTurner1996]

Felt that shit

[@Horvat04]

THE BEST song i found in 2020 no joke, i love it

[@toadtoadersson2239]

Well you're a RACIST white man

[@Horvat04]

@@toadtoadersson2239 of course i am, i would deport u right away

[@djbrunomiguel]

I'ts amazing!!!

[@raelynnmontano1304]

He’s dumb asf yes happy you found this song without It i know I would have whole different perspective on what now or never is

[@PacificDark]

@@Horvat04 bwahahaha! GOT 'EM! Welcome to The Roots Crew, .y friend. Been on board since 92. It's never too late.

[@souljah695]

Timeless Music Is always on Time... So relevant in 2022 and beyond.. ✊🏾🖤💯

[@danielmorales7527]

2020 nd still jamming to the roots when time gets hard ...

[@TheDANfromAXP]

same for me bro ^^

[@beeboy6967]

Music heals everything & so far 2020 hasn't been going to well ( world wide ) Stay down brother & remember better days are ahead. Peace !

[@ingoasbeck2986]

word

[@nickking-edwards9301]

✌️

[@hughseagraves7036]

I feel you

[@sarawise1453]

There was a time in my life where I was just living day by day not getting anywhere in life. I decided to make a change and would listen to this song everyday. I now have a college degree married with a child and a successful career. This song was a nice boost everyday to keep moving forward!

[@FrancoAccounting]

Thanks for sharing this, congratulations on the success.

[@Mingepelg]

Congratulations!!

[@neurotoksin]

It funny how a specific song can hit at a moment in your life where it's fits perfectly. Yes, this song did this.

[@richardjagan4378]

Thank you Black thought and The Roots for keeping Jazz Funk and HipHop alive

[@pfunksince1981]

amazing amazing amazing... i wish the roots would put out an album every six months, black thought is the truth!

[@marmc2982]

Listen to this song many times but at 33 2022 , im just now really hearing it as it plays in the background....Full circle back in school last semester of Associates. Back on track after 16 years off ! God is good..but its Now or Never!

[@florete2310]

Every once in a while I somehow find myself drifting back to this song. And it always hits me on so many levels, again and again. Never loses its impact. A thing of great beauty, that one.

[@vukprodredwan8523]

Very Beautiful, peace unity love 👍✊

[@LiveYungDieFast]

i literally cant stop listening... the song speaks for itself!

[@stazmo77]

Absolutely love this..Radio is corrupted! This is Hip-Hop! Plan on spreading the positive song! Austin Texas represent!!!! I believe it was filmed there

[@RobinZK67]

This whole album is awesome.

[@Timoteusmusik]

One of the Most underrated Songs in the world

[@autonomyseeker6082]

Hip hop at its finest! Peace, love and unity. I hope anyone who comes across this comment has a great day and if you're having it rough in life, don't worry! You're not the only ones. Just do the best you can do and keep pushing foward 1 day at a time, you got this!

[@austineutslerj1386]

Found this song again after ten years. Life changer if you really listen.

[@joshbusby47]

I rarely ever get into the lyrics of the music I listen to (more of a melody man myself) but this song...man, short version is this: I was going through a really, REALLY rough patch when I heard this for the first time and to say it made a whole mess of things brighter for me is a major understatement. I absolutely love this song.

[@frontme02]

I swear to God this song here it's spiritual therapy on all levels thanks for the help black thought in The Roots in all the composers to this song

[@jeralddigsitt4497]

Yeah I'm still watchin this 8 years later. One of the greatest raps and videos ever made. A classic.

[@MattJoycePro]

My life has improved after listening to tune every single day. Maybe I will get my sht together now.

[@bobludovic]

Where are you men in your life now, did you get your shit together?

[@hip-hophomework4252]

Black Thought--one of the best to ever clutch the mic, man...

[@danielshamu8890]

Hip-Hop Homework True, True

[@rocoustile2161]

Hip-Hop Homework Yeah but there's too many whites in this video.

[@hip-hophomework4252]

here's what's crazy tho. I remember when I was a young man, bein' on this li'l hip-hop message board back in the late 90's--thinkin' I was cool networkin' with a buncha heads from all over the country to unify the hip-hop scenes, right? Well I remember somebody put out a thread about cats that was racist, of course Dead Prez was in the spotlight 'cause it was around the time of their shine politically- and socially-conscious raps and somebody said Black Thought was too. So I thought I knew a li'l somethin' somethin'. It kinda bugged me 'cause I loved Black Thought and I hit him up on MYSPACE a few years later like '04/'05 ish--that's right, dead @$$ Myspace. I called him (Black Thought aka Tariq Trotter) onnit thinkin' that I had the low down on his position, of course after respectfully sharing my appreciation for his talents and contributions but my concern for his alleged "racism" was the central address of my message. He took offense but wrote me a careful response gracefully explaining he was hurt that people viewed him as a racist and that he had mad love for all hip-hop heads. I'ma latino but I basically look white and I wasn't rockin' my government name on myspace so for all he knew--I was a white kid. I gained so much respect for that dude after that. Not only is he a phenomenal, one of THE-BEST-EVER collective, MC but he's a humble and graceful human being, man. So white, brown, black--whatever. Music is faceless when it enters your ears--respect the art form. You can never have too much black, white, brown, or any other color as long as it's saturated with dope lyricism and the movement backing it. Just my 2 cents, bruh! P3@cE!

[@rocoustile2161]

Hip-Hop Homework Alright.

[@IamNOOB-dc5jf]

+Hip-Hop Homework Real Shit ✊🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@eflowbeats265]

This is true hip hop at its best! not a bestseller hit but a true lesson of life!!

[@XxCuthroatSamuxX]

"And I would pray to God but I'm tired of lying to him" The realest shit I've ever heard....

[@mr.berries4060]

well, except for that god part

[@19biglou]

Phonte is the only emcee that is more under rated than Thought... Foreign Exchange and Little Brother never would've happened without him... Argubly the greatest emcee/singer of all time...

[@larsgammius5529]

WORD.

[@spinningreelsofrhyme]

sometimes i think about doing it, but instead i just cry or go for a walk and meditate.

[@brianbish5582]

@@19biglou you're saying phonte is the greatest rapper of all time? I really like phonte but, man-o-man, thats one of the biggest stretches i ever heard. I mean, you can say he is your favorite rapper but he is nowhere close to the greatest of all time. And this is coming from a huge fan of phonte, little brother and the foreign exchange.

[@vinniestevens284]

Reminds me of how far I came in life, and what young man I am becoming. I love this song.

[@philhenderson6389]

Black thought, black ink. Is the greatest hip hop artist to every touch a mic!

[@nickking-edwards9301]

RESPECT

[@supremacy1914-Master]

That’s it

[@Mingepelg]

Word

[@SpiritualMaster33]

Now or never, this is what hip hop is about, self-awareness, inner wisdom, enlightenment....spread good vibes y'all. Get ur sht 2gether.

[@TyTurner1996]

Eyes were opened soon as I started to listen to this

[@ivckins]

One of the true innovators of hip-hop.

[@jeralddigsitt4497]

"i'm thinkin' not now but right now... I need some kind of sign that the future is bright now". PLEASE. The Roots...deep... philosophical... musical... geniuses

[@jamalconnor6551]

this song will encourage you to change something in your life! Black thought and Phonte..priceless!

[@minstralwinds]

My God, what a "powerful" song!!! Been in bad place for a couple of weeks, and heard this song yesterday, and my God!!! Touched me deeply!! I LOVE the Roots!!! Thanks for posting this!!!

[@MrDanilaSky]

2019 omg, 4 months on wheelchair and divorce while at it, gotta keep my shit together its now or never and oh god how sick i am, this music is ageless and i wish would be more popular and popping today! Love and peace to all of you! May this year be the end of our dark days! Hope yall get rich and happy all together simultaneously! Stay strong and love real, love the other! Dont be no fool either, get your shit together! Danil

[@Mingepelg]

This video, this song, been searching for it for years - finally found it. So happy to reflect on the changes of my life since i heard this song for the first time. I’m listening to this song right now with pride and hope, thank you The Roots!

[@FrequencyDojo]

Got to it late, but it arrived right on time, BIG TUNE, Inspiring

[@yannyable]

this is a go to tune...takes you out of the dark, miles away from all the Lorry's chasing me.

[@ryanxavier235]

GOTTA GET MY SHIT TOGETHER, ITS EITHER NOW OR NEVER! That line is so powerful Thank you The Roots, such an inspiring song

[@nickalvara8256]

Man It's crazy how music can change the trajectory of your life if you let the music speak to your soul. Litterally i would be on a different path if i didn't stumble accross this song 5 years ago.

[@strayjones458]

a track that keeps the soul alive

[@BeautelligentDiva79]

Never knew this song existed until now. Glad I found it because it describes my current feelings to a tee!!!

[@HULYRICSTV]

This song was and still is a great inspiration tool I used to boost my confidence whenever I get lazy or feel the pressure. "How I Got Over" is another song that boost my energy to do better. Salut to The Roots for sure.

[@mannurse06]

Saw these guys at Tibetan freedom concert in 99 or 2000 and now in 2018 they are helpin me thru some of the most tryin times of my life.

[@Sam94G]

This song is real dope ! Really underrated group.

[@unicorn715]

They are making that money on every night we have so many talented people from Philly must be that surekill😂😂😂 it's something in the water

[@senorowlando]

Just came back from the Future and this was still on repeat. 2019 or 3019...its all the same and still all good.

[@jeralddigsitt4497]

I love this song and video so much that I had to check it out again years later.... and it's still relevant. The Roots are geniuses and for me, the best rap group of all time in terms of lyrics and messaging. I still have this CD in rotation in my car... and it's been there since I bought it.

[@In4IsTheKey]

At 52yrs old this hits hard

[@calbrock6302]

Hearing this for the first time ever right now....WHOA this is fooking awesome!

[@haryddist]

We Miss This kind of real Hip Hop Music (Unfortunately)

[@pheonixd2]

much love from india to the roots...true hip-hop and what wonderful lyrics!

[@mscalculated3218]

Who in the hell thumbs down this song!!!! Why???

[@gonzalodecadenassantiago298]

These guys are so awesome. I saw them again this late summer in Madrid. Best life so far. Amazing band, consistent, truthful, street, perfect

[@kidcudireality9089]

thsi song can really change your life for better

[@chili508]

Love from the land of the Zulu's South Africa. Mad love and Respect for you guys

[@killerjay47]

What a underrated song

[@ETHICC714]

Most underrated MC ever! Dude doesnt even get the props he deserves.. Only the true heads know whassup

[@ScartoValenthidas]

AMAZING... hearing it for the first time. in this case, better late and now than never

[@AbebeAmare]

playing this on repeat..love the roots

[@StreetBeatzRadio]

This track is one big lyrical blunt,

[@liontribe8489]

Christ this song resonates with me...God bless the message, and blessings upon the messenger.

life is fookin hard, keep your head up!

[@Sha3jc31]

I appreciate this young man for being a inspiration to all the people who going thru alot in their lives. Means alot to me especially when you thought you had family that love you and really didn't.

[@nabolom]

So tasteful!!!

[@stephanieford7344]

Best hip hop song I've heard this century I put this track up against any other!!!! ONE❤

[@diblissdu13]

Everything's changing around me And I want to change too It's one thing I know It ain't cool being no fool I feel different today I don't know what else to say But Imma get my shit together It's now or never

[@connorobryant9969]

This like button just isn't enough sometimes. This video, this track, reminds me what hiphop is all about. I love it.

[@gummyduck7488]

Videos that are meaningful showing everyday people! Thumbs up!

[@worthy7834]

This song helped me along the way, scratch that, This album helped me in my journey. Thank you to the Legendary Roots Crew.

[@kanniboul]

WHO IS LISTENING TO THIS IN {2019}... A TUNE FOR THE TIMES...

[@tintadepulpo1]

This song changed my life.

[@mh2557]

When I first listened to this I cried rs. this makes you want to change everything that you feel is going wrong with your life.

[@hiphopliv3s]

This will always be a present to me. Having Big Thought and Tigallo on a track together, damn I envy that mic!

[@HULYRICSTV]

This video is a life changer for me. I credit "The Roots" for the inspiration. It's now or never.

[@nikgeos]

+HULYRICSTV Good luck !!!

CHEICK SACKO Peace

[@chokecobra]

first time I heard this I cryed it came out at a very dark time in my life and it just spoke to my pain I well up just thinking about the struggle thank you roots for being true to real hip-hop and when you do that the essense of real hip-hop reaches us our here and we need that out here

[@DJLawrence]

Still one of my favorite Roots songs

[@oleksiikosykh9904]

That's a sole song. Every years, thanks, cool.

[@dakotamillwee4963]

This song is so inspiring. Good vibes, respect and love to everyone involved in this song and video. I remember listening to this masterpiece during some rough nights; moreover listening to this after those rough times as well. It really helped me, quite literally- get my shit together.

[@NJLancaster]

This is the most beautiful music I've ever heard.

[@12122k55]

this song speak to my soul

[@unknowngreen7640]

A bit late ! But better then never 🙌🏼🙌🏼 this is real poetry

[@katjaannikapeltola744]

I love the Roots. Great lyrics!

[@merimadrljaca973]

Best song!! Love ❤️❤️

[@ragert3875]

First time I heard of this earorgasmic thing a few months ago, I suddenly stopped and asked myself what I've done... got fucked up things in RL such as school and ended up in a conflict with numerous people who were best friends of mine. Emotions got me over and it gave me motivation to ''fix'' things that I screwed and in a short time I succeeded and every damn time I hear this thing which has only around 500k viewers(TOO SAD), it leaves me in tears.. ROOTS FOREVER ROOTS.

[@jessiethe3rd]

Inspiration to do... pure food for the masses.

[@di5545]

2019 and still on fire!

[@lupezzakarine5096]

It has taken such a long Time and finally this morning I shazamed this now or Never…

[@tishamanda36]

Dont trust anyone not bobbing they head to this shit.

[@clownnookie]

+Tisha Dayum, Gurl. You are nothin' but full of Philly SOUL.

[@tishamanda36]

+clownnookie Well you know a bitch got ta get it in her somehow.

[@rongordon6978]

real talk.

[@paulkeavy4757]

Tisha RIGHT!!! DOPE!!

[@tishamanda36]

Absolutely.

[@SavageFXL]

Its very hard to find a song with 0 dislikes. thats how you know its good music

[@oralondohicks1715]

Phonte from "Little Brother" blessing this track on the 2nd verse!

[@cheddarboyzz313]

Phonte versus hit home

[@Htownblokhedz]

Thought that was him!

[@nedimcakarevic6952]

This is the music we all need, thank you my inspiration to continue working on my music

[@kasalikamulenga455]

I love this song

[@syntheticfauna]

Hang tight people, everything could be alright if we try a little harder...this track has helped me in my darkest days, pay attention close and believe me, everything is going to be alright ❤️

[@Peeps86]

"Now Or Never" (feat. Phonte, Dice Raw) Everything's changing around me And I want to change too It's one thing I know It ain't cool being no fool I feel different today I don't know what else to say But Imma get my shit together It's now or never [Black Thought] I'm sick, sick of waiting in vain, tired of playing the game Thinking of making a change, finally breaking the chains Every phase, every happening ?craze? When it's said and done, my head is right back in a haze I'm ready for the next chapter and page to start acting my age And part ways with Black Thought from back in the days I'm stargazing from the back of the stage Rushing in the (Hell) y'all raise - it's worthy of praise What's the phrase? "bygones is bygones" Niggas who used to be the underdogs is icons People say the light shines once in a lifetime Is this mid-life kind of crisis a little bit like mine I'm thinking not now, but right now I need some kinda sign that the future is bright now I fuck around, do the right thing like Spike now The quick and the dead, which one is my lookalike now I'm moving ahead [Phonte] Yo, opportunities lost because I blew them On the sunniest days of my life I cry through them Mom's out the picture and Pops, I barely knew him And I would pray to God but I'm tired of lying to him Tired of trying to run from the things inside of us Got a lot of fam, and a lot of admirers Who tell me that I should aspire to be changed But when I think of changing, it's like why even try this shit My mind hazy and my thoughts, they get distorted I know my good and bad deeds both get recorded You do right so your soul can last But my role is cast before I even audition for it So I don't really see an end to my vice It's just false reformation, no end of my strife Feel the evil overpowering, you can go ahead throw the towel in 'Cause nigga, that's the end of the fight When you can only see the tunnel at the end of the light Light's out, party over, that's the end of your life And I'm out [Dice Raw] When I look into the mirror, and see my own image I feel like there's something else far in the distance Something I wanna see, but something that's resistant And everyday the hauntin' is growing more persistent I never noticed it before, but now I can't miss it And the constant pounding is driving me ballistic I ran from it few years, but it's still next to me And it's growing stronger, taking even less of me I can't fight it now, I know it's just destiny And I just wonder what's gonna happen when it catches me Will it leave me face down in the Chesapeake Or will it just start bringing out the best in me But is the best in me really just the worst in me And if so, yesterday could be my anniversary And sinners court, is it important to have church with me I'm trying to get rid of these ghosts that's cursing me I feeling change is an absolute certainty 'Cause what's coming on is a state of emergency

[@Pursnikity_20022]

This is the backbone of hip hop. Love roots !

[@ScottDigimon]

First time I heard this track, I got a lil moist in the eyeballs

[@samuelbrace2494]

I still get a little misty eyed, the lyrics are so powerful

[@nebulosate]

Gracias. hermosa cancion. Desde aqui en Argentina.