Month: August 2026

  Just when you thought (no pun intended) that it was over, Black Thought returned to his ‘Streams Of Thought…’ series for a third installment. By now the audience realized that each release would be Black Thought teaming with one producer, and this time it was Sean C. Veteran producer, former affiliate with The Hitmen production team of Bad Boy records, and one half of Sean C. & LV, would turn the third and maybe final ‘Streams Of Thought…’ into a large sounding record. One thing that each volume had done was set a stage but the next one would seem bigger musically than the last. Sean C provided a sound for Black Thought that grants an opportunity for crossover audiences to connect with. However this doesn’t mean that ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ abandons what Black Thought has built in this series and throughout his career. This album has the elements that gave The Roots a larger audience by the early 2000’s. It is more acoustic driven, upbeat, and darker at times. Features were something that the listeners had not heard since the first ‘Streams Of Thought…’ and Black Thought enlist the rapping skills of ScHoolboy Q, Ohshun, Pusha T. and Killer Mike. This helps ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ feel more like an album as opposed to an EP or series. What was becoming apparent was that Black Thought was getting very comfortable creating these releases and almost making the audience forget to look for a new Roots album. ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ was released during the first COVID which inadvertently caused listeners to sit with music, as there was nothing else to do. Black Thought delivered what again could have simply been a brand new solo album as this collaboration with Sean C. stood out slightly more than the first two volumes. The Philadelphia M.C. has also stated that it’s not over and a volume four is on the way. It will be interesting to see how the next volume separates itself from the previous three, but I’m personally ready for a new Roots record. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Thought vs. Everybody’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

  The year of 2018 presented a treat to all Black Thought fans. Not only did the elite rapper provide one release but also injected one more of his ‘Streams Of Thought…’ series into the year. On the first volume, Black Thought connected with 9th Wonder and gave a quick but hefty 5 song project. On volume two the Philadelphia M.C. links with Salaam Remi for ten tracks and more “Roots” adjacent music. Salaam Remi understands the assignment on ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.2,’ and from the opening track ‘Fentanyl,’ let’s the listener know that these surprise releases are not just throwaway songs but that care was created behind them. ‘Vol.2’ uses more live band instrumentation for Black Thought to rhyme on. This puts the M.C. in a familiar pocket that almost feels like a wake up call for The Roots to come back outside for an album. Black Thought once again uses this release to get out thoughts and keep his skills sharp. While reminding, or exposing to the general public he is not just a performer on a late night talk show or lead vocalist in a house band. ‘Long Liveth’ is a hard hitting song that puts Black Thought in his rapping bag with no hooks but tough bars. ‘Conception’ on the other hand is Black Thought showing off his crooning skills as him and Salaam Remi create a melo cut that is perfect for coffee shops and black pearls. The issue I have with this release is that it’s a series. Between 9th Wonder’s music on volume one and Salaam Remi’s vibes on this release, a full album would have served a better purpose. As a series the value of the music seems to diminish and does not create the impact that it deserves. For many this won’t matter, and in world of short attention spans the “sugar rush” feeling of getting new Black Thought music is all most care about. Will the success of these releases create more? Find out next week. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Conception’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO