Who Is Black Thought?

Black Thought, born Tariq Trotter, is an American rapper and lyricist best known for his work with The Roots. He is also the lead vocalist for the band's live performances. In addition to his work with The Roots, Black Thought has collaborated with many other artists, including Common, Erykah Badu, Questlove, Talib Kweli, Kendrick Lamar, and Jill Scott.

Early Life and Career

Black Thought was born in Philadelphia in 1972. His mother was a teacher at a nearby school and his father was an amateur musician. As a child, he was influenced by hip-hop acts such as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five as well as jazz artists like John Coltrane. He began rapping at age 9 and started performing at age 14. At age 17, he joined The Roots as one of the group's two MCs.

Rise to Fame

Black Thought quickly rose to fame with The Roots thanks to the group's critically acclaimed albums such as Things Fall Apart (1999) and Game Theory (2006). His solo work has also been praised, with his most recent album Streams of Thought Vol. 1 (2018) receiving critical acclaim from both fans and critics alike. He has also branched out into acting, appearing in television shows such as The Wire and 30 Rock.

Awards and Accolades

Black Thought has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “The Seed 2.0” with Cody ChesnuTT in 2003. He has also won several BET Hip Hop Awards, including Lyricist of the Year in 2006 and 2007. In addition to this, he was named one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest MCs of All Time in 2011.

Philanthropy

In 2013, Black Thought co-founded the label Money Making Jam Boys with Dice Raw and Truck North. The label focused on promoting local talent in Philadelphia. He also started the charity organization Rock the Mic that same year to provide music education programs to inner city schools across the US.

Legacy

Black Thought is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time due to his lyrical prowess and creative flow. He continues to be a major influence on today's hip-hop scene, inspiring new generations of MCs with his unique style.