The track was released as a single from the band's fourth studio album, Things Fall Apart (1999), in January 1999.

"You Got Me" was co-written by musician Jill Scott, who recorded vocals for the song's chorus and bridge.

Her part was subsequently re-recorded by Badu at the insistence of MCA Records, who wanted a higher-profile collaboration for the album's official lead single (at the time, Scott was relatively unknown outside Philadelphia).

The song garnered the Roots and Badu a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2000.

[2] The music video for "You Got Me" was directed by Charles Stone III[3] and features cameos from rapper and actor Common, plus Tracy Morgan as a rider on the bus.