Witness (1 Hope)
"Witness (1 Hope)" (better known as "Witness the Fitness") is a song by British rapper Roots Manuva, released as the first single from his second studio album Run Come Save Me (2001). A hip hop song with influences of dancehall and funk music and an electronically-inspired bass line, it contains lyrical references to Roots Manuva's British cultural roots with a melody that deliberately resembles the theme song to TV show Doctor Who. Record labels Big Dada and Ninja Tune released "Witness (1 Hope)" in various formats during July 2001.
| "Witness (1 Hope)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Roots Manuva | ||||
| from the album Run Come Save Me | ||||
| Released | July 1, 2001 | |||
| Recorded | 2001; Blow Yard Studios (London, England) | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 4:15 | |||
| Label | Big Dada, Ninja Tune | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Rodney Smith | |||
| Producer(s) | Smith | |||
| Roots Manuva singles chronology | ||||
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The song was a minor commercial success in the United Kingdom, where it briefly appeared on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 45 in August 2001. It won acclaim from music critics for the sonically diverse production, along with Roots Manuva's embrace of British cultural tropes, as opposed to the American cultural dominance seen throughout hip hop at the time. A music video for "Witness (1 Hope)" directed by Mat Kirkby, which features Roots Manuva taking part in a sports day at his previous, real-life primary school, also won praise for its humorous and original plot.