Black Thought

About

Also known as: T. Trotter, Tarik Luqmaan Collins, Tarik Luqmaan Trotter, Tarik Trotter, Tariq Luqmaan Collins, Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, Tariq Trotter

Black Thought is the kind of rapper other rappers talk about in hushed tones. As the lead MC of The Roots, the Philadelphia group he co founded with Questlove, he built a reputation on relentless multisyllabic rhyme schemes, politically charged lyrics, and a live performance ability that few can match. A December 2017 freestyle on HOT 97 with Funkmaster Flex, a 10 minute run over a Mobb Deep instrumental, went viral almost instantly and cemented his status as one of the most technically gifted MCs alive. The Roots have spent years as the house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, keeping him in front of a massive audience night after night. Outside The Roots, his solo output has been consistently sharp. The Streams of Thought EP series grew into a full album with Vol. 3: Cane & Able in 2020, featuring Pusha T, Killer Mike, Swizz Beatz and Schoolboy Q among others. Then came Cheat Codes in 2022, a long gestating collaboration with Danger Mouse that brought in ASAP Rocky, Run the Jewels, Raekwon and a posthumous verse from MF Doom. He has also moved into theatre, writing lyrics for the musical Black No More and playing a lead role in its 2022 stage debut.