The Roots are an American Grammy Award-winning hip-hop band, formed in 1987 by Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, from Philadelphia. They are known for their jazzy, eclectic approach to hip-hop which includes live instruments. Malik B., Leonard “Hub“, and Josh Abrams were later added to the band. In 1999, The Roots released “The Next Movement”, which was the third track on the hugely successful Things Fall Apart album (taken from Wikipedia).
That’s how we usually start. Once again it’s The Thought.
The Dali Lama of the mic. The Prime Minister Thought.
This directed to whoever in listening range.
Yo! The whole state of things in the world about to change.
Black rain falling from the sky look strange.
The ghetto is red hot. We stepping on flames.Yo! It’s inflation on the price for fame.
And it was all the same, but then the antidote came.
The Black Thought, ill syllablist, out the Fifth.
This heavyweight rap shit I‘m about to lift.
Like a phyllum lift up its seed to sunlight.
I plug in the mic. Draw like a gunfight.
I never use a cordless or stand applaudless.
Sipping cholorophyll out of ill silver goblets.
Grammar: Be About To
If you are about to do something, it means you are close to doing something or you are going to do something soon.
Subject + am/is/are/was/were + about to + verb
Am/Is/Are/Was/Were + subject + about to + verb?
Wh~ Am/Is/Are/Was/Were + subject + about to + verb?
- I can’t talk right now because I am about to leave. If I don’t leave in one minute, I’m going to be late!
- You look like you are about to pass out from this hot weather. Let me get you some water very quickly!
- Are you about to eat that sandwich? I’m really hungry, and it would be great if you shared.
- Is she about to throw up? Tell her to run to the toilet!
Not About To Do Something
A similar idiom is not about to do something, and it has a different meaning! It means you are unwilling to do something or you do not intend to do something. Avoid using this idiom in questions.
Subject + am/is/are/was/were + not about to + verb
- I have never smoked cigarettes in my life, and I am not about to start smoking now!
- He has to study tonight. He is not about to go out with us because he has a big test tomorrow.
Discussion Questions
You are reading and learning English right now, but maybe you are leaving the apartment or cafe in a few minutes. What are you about to do? Why are you about to do that? Please write your comments below!