El Michels Affair & Black Thought "Glorious Game" (Album Stream)

When Leon Michels and El Michels Affair released their first record, Sounding Out The City, in 2005, it was hard to guess what was next for Michels and his then-introduced, now-patented “cinematic soul” sound. Now, four EMA studio albums and scores of tribute and remix projects later—all while producing for some of the biggest names in the industry—Michels has trademarked his sound, with each project taking audiences somewhere new and pushing the boundaries of what he is known for. This time he takes his golden touch into the realm of hip-hop laying down a musical bed for one of the greatest to ever rhyme into a microphone: Black Thought of The Roots crew. Releasing on Big Crown Records, the LP is called Glorious Game and it is a remarkable debut partnership in more ways than one. Michels provides his bottom-heavy, soul-tinged production for Black Thought who gives us some of the more personal and transparent verses we've ever heard from him. For Glorious Game, Michels would make wholly composed and recorded soul songs in his studio, sample himself, then chop and/or loop up his sounds and create instrumentals for Black Thought. On some tracks he took a more traditional hip-hop approach, starting from samples of other people’s music but then adding live instrumentation on top. But for the most part, it's him reinterpreting his own compositions into something new. The result is an organic feel of loop-based tracks that breathe and fluctuate enough for Black Thought to flex on. Black Thought rhymes through personal memories and distinctive perspectives, all dripping with visuals. "To me," Black Thought says about Glorious Game, "these songs are like scenes from a film that is my life. That's the way it evolved." And with his pure lyrical skill on full display and Michels' custom-made approach to making beats, this record is a bit of a rarity in today's hip-hop atmosphere: there are no flashy guest features and no attempts to be on trend. Now, listen to their phenomenal project below...

Black Thought & Danger Mouse "Cheat Codes" (Album Stream)

The natural chemistry between Brian (Danger Mouse) and Tariq (Black Thought) comes through in the ease with which the artist and listener move through this album. Moreover, Cheat Codes is an album untethered to any genre, era or trend — uncategoriseable and timeless. It is the sound of the pair observing their own culture and asking questions they still may not have the answers to. Brian Burton (AKA one half of Gnarls Barkley, Broken Bells, and Karen O & Danger Mouse — and universally regarded as the most versatile producer in modern music) has found a formidable new partner in the incomparably prolific rapper Tariq Trotter - rapper, MC & co-founder of The Roots, film and theater actor, producer, writer or, as Hypebeast sums up: "one of the best lyricists in hip-hop history." Cheat Codes is Danger Mouse’s first hip-hop album in seventeen years - since his 2005 DangerDOOM collaboration with the late, great MF DOOM - and Black Thought’s only full length collaboration beyond his pioneering music in The Roots. I was almost hesitant to click play and listen -- with such high expectations in place -- be better than me and click play immediately...

The Roots "Tipping Point" (July 13, 2004)

A band is usually only as good as its front man. The Roots are no different. Take their last album Phrenology. When Black Thought stuck to a subject (for example, "Pussy Galore" and the first four minutes of "Water"), Phrenology's appeal went beyond the rock fans who dug "The Seed 2.0." So it's pretty safe to say that as Thought goes, so do The Roots. And on the Illadelph crew's sixth studio album, The Tipping Point, Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter delivers some of the best work of his underrated career. Sounding invigorated by the turbulent political climate, he condemns Dubya's foreign policy on "Why? (What's Going On?)" rhyming, "Young teen joins the Marines, said he'd die for the corps / Inducted in the government's war / Is it for land or money?" However, The Tipping Point is not about heavy-handed preaching. Producing entertaining music with a message is one of Hip-Hop's greatest challenges--ask your favorite struggling, "conscious" artist--but The Roots manage to pull it off. Even on "I Don't Kare," one of the band's most club-friendly beats to date, Tariq spits, "The police known the green, black and red are too strong to control." With their political agenda satisfied, The Roots go back to '88 with "Boom!" a vicious track akin to the Bomb Squad's chaotic, yet melodic barrage of sound. On the final two verses, the skillful mimicry extends to the mic, as Thought impersonates Big Daddy Kane's and Kool G Rap's voices and flows, down to the very last lisp. Such reverence for the past is admirable, but sometimes The Tipping Point goes off the deep end. Tariq veers off topic on "The Web," seemingly freestyling over a dull drum-and-bass heavy track. Also, while "Din Da Da" and "Melting Pot" are impressive instrumentals, at a combined twenty minutes in length, they disrupt the album's momentum. But those missteps don't spoil The Roots' most entertaining album since 1999's Things Fall Apart. With minimal cameos, skilled lyricism and topical rhymes abound, The Roots front man takes center stage on The Tipping Point. And that's to the benefit of everyone in the band. - The Source (Sept., 2004). Revisit The Tipping Point below...

The full review in The Source and more are below...

The Roots "Things Fall Apart" (2/23/99)

Philadelphia's Roots have been one of the consistently brightest hopes of hip-hop's new school to have emerged in the '90s. Their forward-thinking, on-point, no-b.s. lyrics, and fresh, funky live beats--brought to the people on wax and through exhaustive touring for the better part of this decade--have earned them a well-deservedly airtight rep. With Things Fall Apart, their third major-label release, the Roots have gone back to the basics, scuffing up most of the smoother edges they displayed on 1996's Illadelph Halflife. Lyricists Black Thought and Malik B are in top form throughout, backed by a set of tracks that occasionally highlights the Roots' kinship with late-model A Tribe Called Quest. "The Next Movement," "Dynamite" and "Don't See Us" are all guilty as charged, using minimal drum snaps, pulse-tone bass lines and ethereal background effluvium to grab our ears. The juxtaposition of the calming tones and the aggressive, battle-oriented lyrics makes for a strong combo, and the pattern works time and again. These tracks can also be raw: "Without A Doubt," "Step Into A Realm," and "Double Trouble" (featuring Mos Def) could all go up against any underground track you might bring to the table. Things Fall Apart will ranks as one of 1999's most enjoyable hip-hop platters. - CMJ New Music Monthly (April, 1999). Revisit this classic once again...

A few promo items from Things Fall Apart + full article in CMJ...

Black Thought "Streams of Thought, Vol.3" (Album Stream)

Black Thought offers his creative critique of America with his latest album, Streams of Thought Vol. 3: Cane & Abel. Streams of Thought Vol. 3: Cane & Abel attacks subject matter that led him to co-create The Roots nearly 30 years ago and is still relevant today. Black Thought uses his lyrics to cleverly address the plight Black Americans are facing while still being direct so that his message isn't lost in translation. Although the work is indicative of the moment, Black Thought explains to Variety that the current Black Lives Matter movement didn't inspire the tracks. "This collection is on par with previous volumes and later volumes of 'Streams of Thought' as to what I talk about, what I speak to… I cover a broad range of subject matter, but it’s always coming from the same place. It’s reflective of the moment, but not solely in the moment," Black Thought said before stating that the goal is to make music that isn't impacted by time. "It might sound ambitious to want to create a timeless classic, but that is always in my muscle memory, a challenge I rise to with different producers every time out," he continued. "Some of this stuff was recorded before March and since that time become more timely." - Complex. Black Thought is #T5DOA, hear why below...

Roc Marci + Griselda + Freddie Gibbs + Black Thought (Mix)

Another dope compilation-mix from HHIR: this time a rap supergroup was created (because he felt like it!) just in time for autumn and hoodie season. The rap supergroup? Roc Marciano, Griselda Records (Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine), Freddie Gibbs & Black Thought. Man! Well played, sir. The mix runs through several tracks from each artist with some additional features thrown in for good measure. Don't hesitate, just click play... you know what to expect!

Take It Personal Podcast "Black Thought Episode"

Episode 68 of the Take It Personal podcast is a reminder to always think big. Black Thought isn't just one of our favorites, he is arguably the greatest rapper in the game. And despite where he might be on your top list, there is no doubt that after you listen to TIP's Black Thought Tribute, he will be bumped up in your ranking. A rapper of this magnitude deserves a proper tribute, which is why they've broken this tribute up into 2-parts. Along with the tribute mix is a great interview where they discuss the new album Streams of Thought, Vol. 3, working with Danger Mouse; the late Kobe Bryant, as well as the upcoming musical he wrote and will be starring in titled "Black No More". We find out if there's a new Roots album on it's way, delve into some Roots stories such as Malik B, Razhel, getting signed to Geffen and what the "actual" release date was for "Do You Want More?!!!??!". They talk Philly, food, classic hip-hop and much more. This interview was more like a conversation with your favorite super hero. Listen to Part 1 below, and stay tuned for more. (Updated: audio for Part 1 died, so I updated it with a Mixcloud link, and also added Part 2 below.)

Black Thought Freestyle (Lyricist Lounge 20th Ann., 5/23/12)

In 2012, the Lyricist Lounge was celebrating their 20th Anniversary with a show at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC with Black Thought as the host and a number of very special guests. Here's what I said at the time, "20 years of celebrating creativity and offering a platform for artists to express themselves as individuals and at the same time, within a tribe of like-minded artists. I salute Danny Castro and Anthony Marshall for their influence on Hip-Hop, especially the underground scene in NYC. Over the years, Eternia and myself have worked with Danny Castro, who without hesitation has always supported and maintained the focus on talent, skill and a dope live performance. Eternia has blessed stages with many of hip-hop’s true legends and we give thanks to Danny Castro and Lyricist Lounge for those opportunities... Check the flyer for all the amazing talent that will be blessing the stage. The Lyricist Lounge 20th Anniversary will continue next month with a show featuring Ghostface and Camp Lo at Prospect Park." As it happened, Prodigy, Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch, Da Bush Babees, Homeboy Sandman, Black Thought, Doug E. Fresh, J.Period, Kid Capri, Tony Touch and a ton of other legendary artists blessed that stage, including my artist Eternia. One memory I will never ever forget is Black Thought freestyling over Nas' classic "Represent" instrumental and the whole crowd was hanging on every word. Now that I'm currently living outside of NYC, it's memories like this that bring me right back home, so watch it back with me below...

Black Thought "Tiny Desk Concert" (NPR, Video)

April 8, 2020 | Abby O'Neill -- While our culture adjusts to the New Normal, artists are revealing the threads of our common humanity as they find new ways to bring their work to virtual communities. In this installment of Tiny Desk (home) Concerts, hip-hop wordsmith Tariq Trotter, aka Black Thought of The Roots crew, took the occasion to premiere three new songs. On "Thought Vs. Everybody," Thought calls for unity in response to the conditions of an encroaching dystopia. Next up is "Yellow," a song from his upcoming off-Broadway musical Black No More, an adaption of the 1931 Afrofuturist novel by George S. Schuyler, set during the Harlem Renaissance. The track is co-written with Anthony Tidd. He closes with "Nature of the Beast," a cross-genre collaboration with alternative music sweethearts Portugal. The Man, who pop up on screen from a remote location. "Thought Vs. Everybody" and "Nature of the Beast" are produced by Sean C and will appear on Streams of Thought Vol. 3, which will be released as an EP. The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space. - NPR. Much love to Black Thought holdin' it down for the culture, watch below!

J.Period "Rage Is Back" (The Mixtape)

J.Period presents Rage Is Back, a mixtape featuring exclusive cuts/freestyles from Black Thought, Common, Blu, Talib Kweli, The Kid Daytona, and Shad! It also features tracks from Nas & Alicia Keys, Steele, Sean P & Styles, Q-Tip, GZA, Mobb Deep, Joey Bada$$ and a whole lot more. The exclusive cuts had been released prior, but now we have the full mix to sit with and enjoy. J.Period's mixes are always high-quality with lots of exclusive content, so enjoy his Rage Is Back mix streaming below...

The Roots "Do You Want More?!!!??!" (January 17, 1995)

Hip-Hop, a genre of canned beats and laboratory samples, has been broken out of its test-tube origins to explore the worlds of live jazz and funk. On the Brand New Heavies' 1992 breakthrough Heavy Rhyme Experience, guest rapper Grand Puba heralded the dawn of a new hip-hop era with the memorable declaration, "The bass player's real and the drummer's real." Philly-based rap-jazz ensemble the Roots continue this move from laid to played grooves on their debut offering, Do You Want More?!?, a mellow new recording that cockily celebrates its lack of synthesized sound. Inventively backed by bassist Hub, drummer B.R.O. THE R.?, and guest instrumentalists Steve Coleman on sax, Rufus Harley on jazz bagpipes, and Rahzel the Human Beatbox, rappers Malik B. and Black Thought spin rapid rhymes of self-aggrandizement over original bass-heavy jazz compositions guaranteed to set heads nodding... The group shines on funky tracks like "I Remain Calm," a laid-back groove with an addictive bassline, and on more haunting offerings such as "Swept Away," a breathy hip-hop neo-ballad, to firmly establish themselves as daring and highly capable pioneers of the new live hip-hop. - CMJ New Music Monthly, 1/95. The review argues that the lyrics are "predictably empty" on the album, and I disagree, but you can read that in the full review, and listen below...

Cassette, sticker and full review in CMJ are below...

Common, Black Thought & More "Freestyle" (1998)

From the mid 90s through the early 2000s, the epicenter of Philly Hip-Hop culture could be found every Monday night at a small second floor nightclub directly off South Street. That club was Fluid, that night was The Remedy, hosted by Cosmo Baker & Rich Medina. Threaded through the evolution of the music at the time, through the rise of independent movement, concurrent with the very beginning of the Neo-Soul scene, The Remedy became the destination for music and culture lovers alike. Everyone from Kid Koala to Madlib, Questlove to DJ Craze, Bobbito to Goldie - would play the most underground and obscure tunes to a hungry and receptive crowd. And it was also not unlikely to have some immense talent jump up into the DJ booth and grab the mic, whether it was local talent from the Philly Neo Soul movement, or Slum Village, or Pharoahe Monch, or Bahamadia, or Kurupt. On this particular night in 1998, it was DJ Jazzy Jeff on the ones and twos, and we brought up Philly’s own Black Thought to bless the mic, followed by Common who ripped it to pieces. The freestyle session continued with Dice Raw, Scratch, Maylay Sparks and Rehani… everyone in the pocket. Also you can hear Black Thought kick a bunch of the rhymes he’d later on go and use on the masterpiece album by The Roots “Things Fall Apart”. Listen to this classic '98 cipher below...

Black Thought "Streams of Thought, Vol.2" EP (Album Stream)

Back in June, Black Thought released his debut solo project, a 9th Wonder-produced EP called "Streams of Thoughts Vol.1." We now have the second of three EPs in this series, "Streams of Thoughts Vol.2." This go around, Black Thought has enlisted the work of legendary producer Salaam Remi, most known for his work with Nas, The Fugees, Amy Winehouse, and Zhigge, among others. My favorite song is the opening track, "Fentanyl," which tackles the topic of opioid addiction: the dangers of, who profits from it, and the politics behind it. He does so over minimalist production, showcasing his flawless delivery and offering deep insights like these impactful lyrics below, saying...

"Another destroyed life was meant to be more righteous
in the face of this full-on opioid crisis

While the wolves pull the wool on and prey on vices

Still the dogs with the hood on is way more frightenin'

For death, you're not ready

Trust me, I'm deadly as the Fentanyl that killed Prince and Tom Petty..."

J.Period "The Live Mixtape" (Top 5 MCs Edition)

"J.PERIOD’s Live Mixtape is a first-of-its-kind Hip Hop mixtape, performed and recorded live onstage - in one take - by some of Hip Hop’s most celebrated MCs, and one of its most groundbreaking DJs. Recorded LIVE in New York City, The Live Mixtape [#Top5MCs Edition] features three legendary MCs—Rakim, Pharoahe Monch & Black Thought of The Roots—in an epic display of microphone mastery, seamlessly mixed by J.PERIOD, and re-igniting the timeless Hip Hop debate: Who’s your Top 5 MCs? Guest appearances include: Smif N Wessun, Black Sheep, Stro Elliot and Mumu Fresh." (Updated, 2020: the original audio I posted below was removed, then a new project with a similar title was released on Spotify. Hopefully it's the same project? Either way, I've updated the link).

Black Thought Interview (NPR, Video)

Black Thought's been basking in overdue props lately. The viral Hot 97 freestyle that sent the internet into a tizzy six months ago made him something of an anomaly – a hip-hop vet, 30 years into his career, finally recognized for being at the top of his game! We discussed that here briefly; it was clearly a moment that gave fans a collective pause to reflect on what an immense talent we have in Black Thought. Finally, the world caught on and in Black Thought's own words: "Well, it's about time..." NPR sat down for a conversation with Black Thought, and it's a must-see - watch it below...

Black Thought "Streams of Thought, Vol.1" EP (Album Stream)

With Black Thought of The Roots going up to Funk Flex recently, he lit a spark and opened the eyes of countless new fans - his freestyle was unquestionably a viral moment. Regrettably, he dropped his collaborative project ("Streams of Thought Vol.1") with 9th Wonder & The Soul Council amidst the beef between Drake & Pusha T, not to mention the same day as Kanye dropped his project (I don't even know the title of it). Bar for bar, Black Thought is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper and everyone knows it. I salute Method Man for trading verses with Thought up at Sway In The Morning, that was another viral moment to a lesser degree. 'Streams of Thought Vol.1' is Thought's debut EP and will be first in a series of 3, which features Rapsody, Styles P & more. He adds, “None of this is my solo album. It’s just a chance to see me in a different light doing a different thing.”

Black Thought Freestyles On Funk Flex (Hot 97, Video)

10 minutes of absolute BARS from the legendary Black Thought of The Roots. Last year, I touched on Funk Flex's freestyle series after Joe Budden was up at Hot 97. There's since been a few other dope freestyles, but none have shifted perspective and made fans rethink their T5DOA and had artists questioning their pen game as much as Black Thought's freestyle. There's so many quotables to shine a light on here, but some of my favorites are: "Gun fire and flares, sirens glare / I'm in a iron chair where people who care don't get the lion's share / When I don't give a f#ck then I ain't fair" and "Same cadence as D.O.C. pre-accident / Maybe my acumen's on par with Kool G. Rap and them / Give me the proper respect, mothaf#cka, we back again..." and "Go through the vein to the brain, fabulous and strange / My journalistic range is a catalyst for change / It got anybody that listen pissing flame / And ’cause the Hall of Fame got so many missing names." Black Thought blazed the mic up at Sway a couple months back, he's at it again ... Rappers were put on notice, give Black Thought his proper respect and watch this freestyle below with a pen and a pad in your hand.

Method Man & Black Thought (Sway In The Morning, Video)

Black Thought and Method Man appeared on Sway in the Morning to promote HBO’s new series The Deuce. Sway called both legendary MCs to the carpet to drop some BARS and for five straight minutes, the two MCs went back and forth, spitting FIRE! over a J.I.D beat. Black Thought is one of the nicest MCs in the history of Hip-Hop, but there's always been something special about Method Man - his charisma and his presence on the mic pulls you in and I must say, he's sounded sharp as ever as of late. I think Method Man showed up the most on Wu Tang's The Saga Continues album. That said, Black Thought is certainly not one to be outshined, so while he only dropped 2 verses to Meth's 3, when you digest the bars, it's HEAVY! These are moments that stop the culture and make you fall in love all over again. Props to these giants of hip-hop and Sway for always making it about the music and the culture, first! He's a true pioneer and hip-hop doesn't look the same without his  steady contributions over the years. Watch the Method Man and Black Thought cipher below...

Boodah Bros Show Freestyles 90s (R.I.P. Kool DJ Law)

Props to Roc Smith, who uploaded these dope freestyles from Mad Skillz, SupaFriendz, Black Thought, Boot Camp Clik, Sadat X and Xzibit from the Boodah Bros Live From The Hood radio show on 103 Jamz back in the mid-90s. 103 Jamz is based in Norfolk, VA. Back in 2010, the hip-hop community mourned the death of 103 Jamz Program Director and radio personality, DJ Law, from the Boodah Brothers. DJ Law co-hosted the show with Big B, and Law had worked at the radio show since high school back in 1992. Rest In Peace, Kool DJ Law. Peep these freestyles below.

J.Period & Black Thought "The Live Mixtape" (JB Edition)

J.PERIOD & Black Thought pay tribute to the Godfather of Soul with an incredible feat: an entire mixtape, recorded LIVE onstage... in one take! With J.PERIOD on the decks juggling JB breaks and exclusive remixes, Black Thought breathes 35 minutes of nonstop lyrical fire, proving once again why he remains one of the greatest MCs to ever touch a microphone. Listen to The Live Mixtape below...