Yo! I'm only half way through this episode and it might already be one of my favorites. I have been craving for an in-depth conversation about Black Thought. Also, I appreciate what you guys do, I love that your videos require attention. Peace. Audi 5000 G.
I think with BT he is underrated for a few reasons. For one he belonged to a group/band that had a eclectic jazzy sound that made rap music that appealed to a more traditional hiphop head crowd or a more coffee shop type audience. Furthermore, the lack of big commerical records for radio airplay overshadowed his potent heady lyricism. The appearance on Pun's album was a step in the right direction but for a long time he just wasn't seen on major platforms for periods of time. But if we talking just BARS, Thought is def a name in the conversation.
I absolutely love this album. Definitely his most personal album. I think this soul production is best suited for him. Album of the year so far for me.
I had heard the Roots when they were promoting Do You Want More?!? I got the Silent Treatment single with all the remixes, and I think I had a Proceed white label 12". So I was aware of Thought, Malik, Quest, and the rest. Really liked what they were doing. But the moment I realized what Thought was... was the Clones/Sections single. That's when I knew. I had the Sections Hip Hop Quotable on my wall for years. He's been floating around my top 10 ever since. Even when it was weird to say so. I used to get a lot of twisted up faces when I listed him. I used to list him as the most underrated MC right above O.C. and Masta Ace, and listed him never having a proper solo project in my top hip hop tragedies along with Deck's original album getting washed away in a flood in RZA's basement and Sticky never having a proper album (Yes I know about Autobiography of Kirk Jones... that's why I said "proper"). All that changed with the Funk Flex Freestyle. I know people like to give Vlad shit for claiming responsibility for lighting a fire under Thought's ass, but he really might not be wrong. I'm in the comments on that argument between him and Jamar when Vlad said he wasn't that nice and Jamar was trying to get across what's obvious to to the rest of us to him. Vlad did say they texted each other about it and Thought wasn't feeling that. Next thing you know Thought is on a mission and hasn't stopped since. lol He raised the bar so high on all those features and projects, I think it changed the trajectory of lyricism in ways we only talk about people like Moe Dee, Rakim & Nas with. He went from floating around in my top 10 to top 2 or 3, depending on my mood and what I'm feeling about Nas at the moment. The R is not gonna be dethroned, but my 1, 2, and 3 is set, easily. It's not a debate. Black Thought inspires me to strive for greatness at all times. To me, he's a symbol of never letting anyone doubt you without smacking them down with how wrong they are. The idea there were ever any doubters is wild to me, but he didn't just make them sit down, he made them slip out the back quietly. You can't call him underrated anymore because now everybody knows. And nobody's arguing. Edit: Just to add now that I've heard more of the conversation... the argument between Vlad and Jamar about Thought predated the Flex Freestyle by only a few months, if even. Vlad took credit for it. lol But I don't think the viral moment of the freestyle is what flipped the switch on this prolific period in his career. I think that was just our first glimpse into what Thought felt it was time to prove. Especially considering some of those verses he so seamlessly wove together in that freestyle turned out to be verses from Vol 1. He was cooking something up. That just let us in to see what was to come.
I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but one reason I don't want to hear Thought and Alchemist do a Streams together right now... I just don't want to hear a whole project of Black Thought over this drumless beat fad. It's cool to have a track or two like that, but this shit doesn't move me. I like the suggestions of Madlib, Statik and Hi-Tek. I'd love to see what he'd do to a Stoupe produced project. Or Apollo Brown, L'Orange, or Evidence. But the dream matchup has to be with Q-Tip on the boards. Organized Noise was a great suggestion, and they just did Quest's podcast not too long ago, so maybe that connection is already taking place.
Yo! I'm only half way through this episode and it might already be one of my favorites. I have been craving for an in-depth conversation about Black Thought. Also, I appreciate what you guys do, I love that your videos require attention. Peace. Audi 5000 G.
Those comments/compliments mean EVERYTHING. Thank you for that. That is exactly what we try to bring.
I think with BT he is underrated for a few reasons. For one he belonged to a group/band that had a eclectic jazzy sound that made rap music that appealed to a more traditional hiphop head crowd or a more coffee shop type audience. Furthermore, the lack of big commerical records for radio airplay overshadowed his potent heady lyricism. The appearance on Pun's album was a step in the right direction but for a long time he just wasn't seen on major platforms for periods of time. But if we talking just BARS, Thought is def a name in the conversation.
I absolutely love this album. Definitely his most personal album. I think this soul production is best suited for him. Album of the year so far for me.
Word. A similar comment was made during the episode too. Thanks, Jeremy.
I had heard the Roots when they were promoting Do You Want More?!? I got the Silent Treatment single with all the remixes, and I think I had a Proceed white label 12". So I was aware of Thought, Malik, Quest, and the rest. Really liked what they were doing. But the moment I realized what Thought was... was the Clones/Sections single. That's when I knew. I had the Sections Hip Hop Quotable on my wall for years. He's been floating around my top 10 ever since. Even when it was weird to say so. I used to get a lot of twisted up faces when I listed him. I used to list him as the most underrated MC right above O.C. and Masta Ace, and listed him never having a proper solo project in my top hip hop tragedies along with Deck's original album getting washed away in a flood in RZA's basement and Sticky never having a proper album (Yes I know about Autobiography of Kirk Jones... that's why I said "proper"). All that changed with the Funk Flex Freestyle. I know people like to give Vlad shit for claiming responsibility for lighting a fire under Thought's ass, but he really might not be wrong. I'm in the comments on that argument between him and Jamar when Vlad said he wasn't that nice and Jamar was trying to get across what's obvious to to the rest of us to him. Vlad did say they texted each other about it and Thought wasn't feeling that. Next thing you know Thought is on a mission and hasn't stopped since. lol He raised the bar so high on all those features and projects, I think it changed the trajectory of lyricism in ways we only talk about people like Moe Dee, Rakim & Nas with. He went from floating around in my top 10 to top 2 or 3, depending on my mood and what I'm feeling about Nas at the moment. The R is not gonna be dethroned, but my 1, 2, and 3 is set, easily. It's not a debate. Black Thought inspires me to strive for greatness at all times. To me, he's a symbol of never letting anyone doubt you without smacking them down with how wrong they are. The idea there were ever any doubters is wild to me, but he didn't just make them sit down, he made them slip out the back quietly. You can't call him underrated anymore because now everybody knows. And nobody's arguing.
Edit: Just to add now that I've heard more of the conversation... the argument between Vlad and Jamar about Thought predated the Flex Freestyle by only a few months, if even. Vlad took credit for it. lol But I don't think the viral moment of the freestyle is what flipped the switch on this prolific period in his career. I think that was just our first glimpse into what Thought felt it was time to prove. Especially considering some of those verses he so seamlessly wove together in that freestyle turned out to be verses from Vol 1. He was cooking something up. That just let us in to see what was to come.
Thank you for this detailed info and thought. Was not aware of the DJ Vlad/Lord Lamar component, which is interesting additional context regardless.
@@AFORHTV Thank you for actually reading all that. I never expect anyone to, but it's appreciated when you do.
Glorious Game is STELLAR
Agreed.
dope album from black thought. he's the GOAT to me. have y'all heard that meyhem lauren x dj muggs x madlib album yet?
We have, and quite like. Have some joints on our playlist too: open.spotify.com/playlist/1Ssx21OFFRNJMMvlG2xeWV?si=79cb7a39bc2d4306
I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but one reason I don't want to hear Thought and Alchemist do a Streams together right now... I just don't want to hear a whole project of Black Thought over this drumless beat fad. It's cool to have a track or two like that, but this shit doesn't move me. I like the suggestions of Madlib, Statik and Hi-Tek. I'd love to see what he'd do to a Stoupe produced project. Or Apollo Brown, L'Orange, or Evidence. But the dream matchup has to be with Q-Tip on the boards. Organized Noise was a great suggestion, and they just did Quest's podcast not too long ago, so maybe that connection is already taking place.
Those are all great suggestions, especially Apollo and Q-Tip. Thought smashed the Apollo beat on Hustle Don’t Give with Che Noir.