Back to My Roots

Pop · 1993 · 6 tracks

Back to My Roots

A high-octane 1993 house anthem celebrating Black hair culture through tribal beats, rhythmic name-dropping, and the unapologetic confidence of a global superstar.

1993 · Peerless

Back to My Roots is a quintessential snapshot of 1993 club culture, arriving at the peak of RuPaul's initial crossover success. While the world was still humming Supermodel (You Better Work), this single leaned harder into the tribal house and diva house sounds dominating the New York City underground. It is a vibrant, percussive celebration that uses hair as a profound metaphor for heritage, identity, and self-expression. The track is built on a foundation of syncopated drum machines and infectious synth stabs that demand movement, but it is RuPaul's commanding vocal presence that elevates it from a simple club track to a cultural manifesto.

Tracklist · 6 Tracks

01

Back to My Roots (Jheri Curl Juice mix)

7:15

02

Back to My Roots (Murk’s Curl Activator mix)

7:23

03

Back to My Roots (Jheri Curl Juice mix) (bonus reprise)

0:50

04

Back to My Roots (7″ version)

3:32

05

Back to My Roots (Oscar G’s Dope dub)

6:32

06

Back to My Roots (Jheri Curl Juice dub)

5:24

Moments Worth Listening For

the transition from the spoken-word intro into the heavy, syncopated tribal house beat that defines the main groove

the rhythmic listing of hair brands and styles that transforms consumer culture into a liturgical chant of identity

the breakdown in the Jungle Love Mix where the percussion strips back to a raw, echoing woodblock and kick drum

Reviews

AllMusic

Where This Album Departs

How does Back to My Roots sound next to the rest of RuPaul's catalogue?

Belting+2.0σ

The vocals lean far further into belting than the rest of the catalogue.

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