BLACK THOUGHT

'Tariq Trotter' (b. October 3, 1972), better known as 'Black Thought', is an American rap artist and the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots. Black Thought and The Roots have a solid and devoted following. Thought, who co-founded The Roots with drummer
?uestlove (Ahmir Thompson), is widely lauded for his complex and politically aware lyrical content, and his sharply honed live performances.

Contents

Biography

Solo album

Aliases

Guest appearances

External links

Biography

Tariq and ?uest met in the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts, and formed a drummer/MC duo performing on the streets of Philly and at talent shows. Thought would subsequently spend some time as one of two MCs in the group The Square Roots: the other one was Malik B.
A name change (to simply The Roots) and an album release (''Organix'') Black Thought and Malik struck a balance, with Malik bringing more personal raps and Thought oriented more towards a more political style infused with battle raps.
After Malik B. left the group, Thought continued drifting toward the political, and was featured on several other records like Common's ''One Day it'll All Make Sense'', Linkin Park's ''Reanimation'' and more recently its frontman Mike Shinoda's ''The Rising Tied'', as well as Damian Marley's ''Welcome to Jamrock'' and The Coup's ''Pick a Bigger Weapon''.

Solo album

Black Thought was in the process of recording a solo album (to be titled ''Masterpiece Theater''), but the project was shelved when it was realized the effort would not assist the group in their release from their contract with MCA Records. Some of the songs he had recorded were eventually released as tracks on The Roots' album ''Phrenology''. He is working on a collaborative project with producer Danger Mouse (which, according to XXL magazine, is tentatively being called ''Dangerous Thoughts''), as well as a Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama. He is still a core member of The Roots. He has also been a member of two production teams, Grand Negaz and The Grand Wizzards.
The Roots latest album '' Game Theory'' shows a more introspective side of Black Thought and is the "darkest" Roots album to date.

Aliases

★ 'Bad Lieutenant', 'Big Bank Willie Gank', and 'Riq Geez'

Guest appearances

★ "Appreciate", ''Love and Life'', Latoya London

★ "Burnin' and Lootin'", ''Chant Down Babylon (Post-Humous Remix)'', Bob Marley

★ "Flutlicht", ''Sinnflut'', Curse

★ "Guerilla Monsoon Rap", ''Quality'', Talib Kweli

★ "Hard Hitters", ''Expansion Team'', Dilated Peoples

★ "Hurricane", ''The Hurricane Soundtrack'', Black Thought, Common, Dice Raw, Flo Brown, Jazzyfatnastees and Mos Def

★ "It's About That Time", ''Soul Survivor'', Pete Rock

★ "Live From The PJs", ''Revolutions'', The X-Ecutioners

★ "Live From the Sretch Armstrong Show", ''Lyricist Lounge Volume One'', Various Artists

★ "Meiso", ''Meiso'', DJ Krush

★ "My Favorite Mutiny", ''Pick A Bigger Weapon'', The Coup

★ "Network", ''Plain Rap'', The Pharcyde

★ "Pimpass Paradise", ''Welcome to Jamrock'', Damian Marley

★ "Respiration (Flying High Remix)", ''Respiration 12"'', Black Star

★ "Right Now", ''The Rising Tied'', Fort Minor

★ "Stolen Moments pt II", ''One Day it'll All Make Sense'', Common

★ "Super Lyrical", ''Capital Punishment'', Big Pun

★ "X-Ecutioner Style", ''Reanimation'', Linkin Park

★ "Love Movin'", ''The Shining (album)'', J Dilla

★ "Cold Blooded", ''Like Water for Chocolate (album)'', Common

★ "Yes, Yes Y'all",''Timeless (album)'',Sergio Mendes

★ "Eh Hee",''live in concert at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, WI'',Dave Matthews Band

External links

★ Black Thought discography

★ Freestyle performance

★ Interview with ThaFormula.com