Tag: BlackThought

  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

  One of the most elite M.C.’s in HOP music has been challenged over the years by public perception. Black Thought has been one of the common denominators of The Roots for over thirty years. With multiple classic albums and hits, the question still remained about a solo album form the Philadelphia rapper. The majority who ask these questions are commonly not initial fans of The Roots before their popularity so it SHOULD be a moot point. The rapper in Black Thought accepted the challenge regardless. Twenty-Five years ago Black Thought was working on a solo album which never came to fruition but did produce a couple of twelve inch singles that ended up on The Roots’ ‘Phrenology’ album. The Roots however have been on an album making hiatus for over a decade and although metaphorically speaking Black Thought “stayed in the gym,” the time was now ripe for presenting a solo offering. ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.1’ serves as a sign that more would be coming. In 2018 music was well past the stage of having to go through a drawn out process to get the art to the masses. Black Thought gathered those “streams of thought,” and got with 9th Wonder for an EP that was an “eargasm,” at least on paper for any true Hip-Hop Head. I personally looked forward to a collaboration between Black Thought and 9th Wonder but there was a bittersweet feel as a “volume” was attached to this EP. Series releases in music tend to cheapen the product, and unless it undeniably works, the project can often be forgotten over time. Black Thought has no problem lyrically with this EP, and takes the time to exercise his abilities as he and the public await a new Roots album. With an incredible feature from Rapsody on ‘Dostoyevsky,’ and continuing the chemistry started a decade prior with Styles P. on ‘Making a Murderer,’ features remain limited on this five song EP. 9th Wonder also makes a case for contributing to a Roots album with music he provides on ‘Streams Of Thought…,’ as they seem way more instrument heavy and less sample driven. Will this be enough to satisfy the listeners wanting to simply hear Black Thought rhyme? Will the “volume” be abandoned or more “streams of thought be provided? These questions and more will be revealed in the coming weeks. What did you think of the album? 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