Black Thought
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| Black Thought | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Tariq Luqmaan Trotter |
| Also known as | Bad Lieutenant, Big Bank Willie Gank, and Riq Geez |
| Born | October 3, 1972 (age 35) |
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1987–Present |
| Label(s) | Def Jam |
| Associated acts | The Roots |
Tariq Luqmaan 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. 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.
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[edit] Biography
Tariq was born to the late Cassandra (Cassie) and Thomas Trotter and was raised in South Philadelphia on 7th Street. Both parents were murdered. While in high school Tariq met ?uestlove in the Philadelphia High School for Creative and 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 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.
The Roots' 2006 album Game Theory shows a more introspective side of Black Thought and is the "darkest" Roots album to date; the Roots' 2008 album Rising Down exposes Black Thought's anger and frustration regarding a variety of current issues. Taken together, these works suggest Black Thought's increasing willingness to express more personal and emotional thoughts and beliefs.
[edit] Solo album
Black Thought was in the process of recording a solo album (to be titled Masterpiece Theater), but he shelved the project when he determined the project would not assist the group in their release from their contract with MCA Records. Some of the songs he recorded for Masterpiece Theater were eventually released as tracks on The Roots' album Phrenology. Thought is currently 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. Despite side work, Thought is still committed to The Roots. He has also been a member of two production teams, Grand Negaz and The Grand Wizzards.
[edit] Aliases
- Bad Lieutenant, Big Bank Willie Gank, and Riq Geez
[edit] Guest appearances
- "Appreciate", Love and Life, Latoya London
- "Burnin' and Lootin'", Chant Down Babylon (Post-Humous Remix), Bob Marley
- "Clap!", Next, Soulive
- "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
- "Pimpa's 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
- "Eh Hee",live in concert at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, WI,Dave Matthews Band
- 2000: "Network", Plain Rap, The Pharcyde
- 2001: "Cold Blooded", Like Water for Chocolate, Common
- 2001: "Zen Approach", Zen, DJ Krush
- 2006: "Yes, Yes Y'all",Timeless,Sergio Mendes
- 2006: "Love Movin'", The Shining, J Dilla
- 2007: "Clean Up", Deep Hearted, Strong Arm Steady
2008 Cause Im Black-Super Gangster Extrodinary Gentleman Styles P
[edit] External links
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