Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
The Roots, a group formed in Philadelphia by MC Black Thought and drummer Questlove, took their music to a whole new level in their fourth album. Recorded with Common, Mos Def, Erykah Bady, D’Angelo and producer James Poyser, Things Fall Apart was recorded at the same time as D’Angelo’s Voodoo, Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun and Common’s Like Water for Chocolate in the legendary Electric Lady studio. The album was a huge success when it was first released on February 23rd 1999 and is an impressive combination of the group’s two previous albums – the carefree Do You Want More?!!!??! and the grittier Illadelph Halflife. Whilst they always give pride of place to their improvised live sessions, they have got their samples and loops in this album down to a fine art. And whether it’s through telling a story, a social commentary or purely an egotistical perspective, Black Thought certainly isn’t holding anything back when it comes to his vocals. The Roots keep the groove going throughout the entire album, from the cutting edge Step Into the Realm with its beat that fades in and out, to the neo soul hit You Got Me, with guest appearances from Jazzy Jeff (The Next Movement) and Jay Dee, aka J Dilla (Dynamite!) to top it off. Things Fall Apart was the first of many great albums from the new era led by the Soulquarians collective (a diatribe against mainstream rap, like Ain’t Sayin’ Nothin’ New) and was a source of inspiration for Kendrick Lamar’s album, To Pimp A Butterfly. To celebrate its 20th birthday this brilliant album now comes in Deluxe edition; full of alternative versions as well as live and previously unreleased tracks. A must-have! © Damien Besançon/Qobuz
More infoYou are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Tom Coyne, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - ?uestlove, Producer - The Roots, MainArtist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizards, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - DJ Jazzy Jeff, FeaturedArtist - The Roots, MainArtist - Mercedes Martinez, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Tracy Moore, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Jazzyfatnastees, FeaturedArtist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Gordon Rice, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Kenyatta Saunders, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Kelo, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Kelo Williams, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Todd Fairall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Rehani Sayed, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Melvin Lewis, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chaos, Producer - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - The Roots, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Lady B, FeaturedArtist - Jesse Bonds Weaver, ComposerLyricist - Melvin Lewis Jr., ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Storch, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Dice Raw, FeaturedArtist - Karl B. Jenkins, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eve Of Destruction, Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dante Smith, ComposerLyricist - Mos Def, FeaturedArtist - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Christos Tsantilis, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - D. Beze, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nastess, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Christos Tsantilis, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Common, Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - The Randy Watson Experience, Producer - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nastess, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - Kamal, Producer - AXEL NIEHAUS, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - RAHZEL, Producer - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Rozell Brown, ComposerLyricist - Karl B. Jenkins, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Ted Greenburg, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gordon Rice, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Karl B. Jenkins, ComposerLyricist - Deidra Murray, ComposerLyricist - Diedre Murray, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Dwight Grant, ComposerLyricist - Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - Bob Power, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Storch, Producer, Co-Producer, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Beanie Sigel, FeaturedArtist - The Roots, MainArtist - Dice Raw, FeaturedArtist - Karl B. Jenkins, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Ahmir Thompson, Mixer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Kyle Jones, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Power, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eve, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Scott Storch, Producer, Co-Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - AXEL NIEHAUS, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jill Scott, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Erykah Badu, Background Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eve Of Destruction, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Dice Raw, FeaturedArtist - Karl B. Jenkins, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1998 UMG Recordings, Inc.
David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Ursula Rucker, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Anthony Tidd, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizards, Producer
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - ?uestlove, Producer - The Roots, MainArtist - The Grand Wizards, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Scott Storch, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Richard Nichols, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Jon Smeltz, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Jaguar Wright, ComposerLyricist - Jaguar, FeaturedArtist - Mike Lowe, Producer, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - The Grand Wizards, Producer
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - SAUNDERS, ComposerLyricist - Gray, ComposerLyricist - James Poyser, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2005 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Unknown, ComposerLyricist - Scott Storch, ComposerLyricist - James Poyser, Producer - Russell Elevado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Jill Scott, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, Mixer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - ?uestlove, Producer - The Roots, MainArtist - Jaguar, FeaturedArtist
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Power, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eve, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Scott Storch, Producer, Co-Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - AXEL NIEHAUS, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Jill Scott, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Erykah Badu, Background Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - The Grand Negaz, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eve Of Destruction, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Bob Power, Mixer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Eve, ComposerLyricist - Scott Storch, Producer, Co-Producer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel, ComposerLyricist - AXEL NIEHAUS, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jill Scott, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Mercedes Martinez, FeaturedArtist - The Grand Negaz, Producer - The Grand Wizards, Remixer, StudioPersonnel - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
David Ivory, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - AXEL NIEHAUS, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Christos Tsantilis, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Common, Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - The Randy Watson Experience, Producer - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - The Grand Wizards, Producer - Jon Smelts, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Keith Cramer, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Nastess, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Craig Harris, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Kyle Jones, ComposerLyricist - The Grand Wizards, Producer
℗ 2005 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Unknown, ComposerLyricist - Richard Nichols, Producer - James Poyser, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Russell Elevado, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - ?uestlove, Producer - The Roots, MainArtist - Jaguar, FeaturedArtist - Steve Mandel, Mix Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Karl B. Jenkins, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Leonard Hubbard, ComposerLyricist - Tariq Trotter, ComposerLyricist - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - The Roots, MainArtist - Rozell Brown, ComposerLyricist - Karl B. Jenkins, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy Grey, ComposerLyricist - Smart Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - Malik Abdul-Basit, ComposerLyricist - James "Jay Dee" Yancey, Producer - The Grand Wizzards, Producer - The Grand Wizards, Producer
℗ 1999 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Album review
The Roots, a group formed in Philadelphia by MC Black Thought and drummer Questlove, took their music to a whole new level in their fourth album. Recorded with Common, Mos Def, Erykah Bady, D’Angelo and producer James Poyser, Things Fall Apart was recorded at the same time as D’Angelo’s Voodoo, Erykah Badu’s Mama’s Gun and Common’s Like Water for Chocolate in the legendary Electric Lady studio. The album was a huge success when it was first released on February 23rd 1999 and is an impressive combination of the group’s two previous albums – the carefree Do You Want More?!!!??! and the grittier Illadelph Halflife. Whilst they always give pride of place to their improvised live sessions, they have got their samples and loops in this album down to a fine art. And whether it’s through telling a story, a social commentary or purely an egotistical perspective, Black Thought certainly isn’t holding anything back when it comes to his vocals. The Roots keep the groove going throughout the entire album, from the cutting edge Step Into the Realm with its beat that fades in and out, to the neo soul hit You Got Me, with guest appearances from Jazzy Jeff (The Next Movement) and Jay Dee, aka J Dilla (Dynamite!) to top it off. Things Fall Apart was the first of many great albums from the new era led by the Soulquarians collective (a diatribe against mainstream rap, like Ain’t Sayin’ Nothin’ New) and was a source of inspiration for Kendrick Lamar’s album, To Pimp A Butterfly. To celebrate its 20th birthday this brilliant album now comes in Deluxe edition; full of alternative versions as well as live and previously unreleased tracks. A must-have! © Damien Besançon/Qobuz
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 28 track(s)
- Total length: 01:46:22
- Main artists: The Roots
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Geffen
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 2019 UMG Recordings, Inc. ℗ 2019 UMG Recordings, Inc.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.