Black Thought: The Music

• In the late 80s, Tariq became friends with Ahmir Thompson, better known as Questlove, and the two became a musical duo. Tariq rapped while Questlove drummed, and the duo, who called themselves The Square Roots at first, went on to form The Roots.
• The artist has also been featured as a guest on many songs by others, including “X-Ecutioner Style” by Linkin Park, “Right Now” by Fort Minor, “My Favorite Mutiny” by the Coup, “Stolen Moments Part 2” by Common, and many more.
• Allmusic’s Andy Kellman once described Black Thought as “one of the most skilled, incisive, and prolific rappers of his time.” Many other music critics have praised Tariq’s rapping and his influence on popular culture, and several rappers have cited Black Thought as a role model. Emcees who have said that Black Thought has influenced them include Logic, Rapsody, Joey Badass, Shad, and others.
• With The Roots, Black Thought has released a long string of highly successful studio albums, including Organix, Do You Want More?!!!??!, Illadelph Halflife, Things Fall Apart, Phrenology, The Tipping Point, Game Theory, Rising Down, How I Got Over, Undun, and ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin.
• One of Black Thought’s most anticipated releases has never come out – his long-awaited collaboration with producer Danger Mouse. Titled Dangerous Thoughts, the album was originally announced in 2006. However, fans are still waiting for it to come out.
• As a member of The Roots, Black Thought has been awarded a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The Roots have also been awarded Grammys for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album.

With The Roots 

• After dealing with the deaths of his mother and father, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter continued his creative partnership with Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. In 1987, the duo formed The Roots, a band born from The Square Roots, Questlove and Black Thought’s initial musical collaboration. The band features a wide array of musicians, including Kamal Gray, Captain Kirk Douglas, Damon Bryson (AKA “Tuba Gooding Jr.), Ray Angry, James Poyser, Mark Kelley, Stro Elliot, Jeremy Ellis, Ian Hendrickson-Smith, and Dave Guy.
• The Roots initially had a hard time making a name for themselves in the Philly music scene. As a result, the group moved to London, where they recorded and released Organix, their 1993 debut album. The record helped The Roots gain a name for themselves in Europe, and they eventually found a following in their homeland. After receiving offers from many labels, the group signed to DGC, with whom they released their second album in 1995.
• Do You Want More?!!!??!, the follow-up to Organix, is now considered a classic in the genre of jazz rap. The band found their sound by blending hip-hop, a genre often characterized by sampling, with real instruments often used in a big band context. They followed up their 1995 sophomore album with Illadelph Halflife, a record that became the band’s first to hit the Top 40. 
• After releasing several more highly successful albums, The Roots went on to become the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon from 2009 to 2014, accompanying the host as he made the transition to heading up The Tonight Show.