BLACK THOUGHT FREESTYLES ON FLEX (REACTION!!!) 

We appreciate all of you! Merry Christmas! 🎄🎁🎁

“We’re not going to break down every line...we’re going to enjoy this one” *breaks down every line* ....Ryan and George can’t even help it. Love their passion!

To this day. I still use this track to heat my house in winter.

this is lyricism at the highest level

A "griot" is a keeper of african traditions who passes them down orally and not written. Great review by the way.

The breath control in this is insane. So clean. Black Thought is pure class.

"I never thought you'd give me a reason to do this Cain and Abel, Jesus and Judas Caesar and Brutus, I see intruders, avert your eyes I told you keep out of the hood: circumcise How could you sleep? I thought you always was the first to rise" this bar is sooooo underrated. The parallel between the stories of betrayal, Judaic rites (circumcision), and shift to the Resurrection (the first to rise) is INSANE!!!

Black Thought has never spit a wack verse. Ever. Period.

this is why this channel has the amount of subs it does. You guys actually really listen and decipher these bars , instead of just dancing nshit through most of it.

A legend. Beautifully written. Vivid imagery. Clean delivery. Bars woven together masterfully. Dude dropped a whole album worth of content in one freestyle.

To this day, this is still the best breakdown of a freestyle on RU-vid.

I thought the "gilded cage" reference was about his gig on Jimmy Fallon living the easy life. He chose to go that route and barb wired his wrist to remember where he came from and to give back.

"They try to catch me and brand me on a cheek with a fleur de lis" When slaves attempted to escape, they would capture them and brand them with a fleur de lis. Just thought I'd point that one out just in case anyone else didn't catch it. You guys are so dope, though. I learned so much from you guys in this video, thank you so much for this! Keep it up!!

The "criminal records like record sales"/"Henrietta Lacks" line was a triple entendre: perpetually in Cells (prison), perpetually up in sales (records), perpetually up in cells (immortal cancer cells)

The cautionary line about going from "bars filled with rage" to "prime-time television in your gilded cage": I gotta think that's also about the Roots' Fallon gig, and the risk of losing one's edge. (apologies if this is a repeat observation, I haven't scrolled through the whole comments section) You guys do great, great work!

Insane that this freestyle is still a pinnacle after almost 3yrs. 🔥 It's Too Packed. Too Heavy.

Black Thought is the guy in comic books that only comes out when shit really hits the fan. Too OP to be a mainstream character, but always shows up to destroy shit real quick and go back into the cut until needed again.

That "young lions equally proud to listen" bar also has a play on words. A pride is a pack of lions. Fire!

It's Symbolism When He Touches His Hat And Touches His Temple, He's A Genius Trainer.

34:51 - That Nat Turner \ Hamlet line was some next-level existentialist Shakespearean stuff......Bars son BARS!!!!....thanks BlackThought for not dumbing it down.

kafa is a place in Ethiopia which is believed to be the origin of coffee. black thought is a rapping encyclopedia #legend y'all did a great break down too cheers!

You guys are way too intelligent to have a reaction channel..... you guys need a radio talk show

Y’all missed something so crucial in the OGs and Young Lions line, when he says amalgamism and the algorithm. He literally references the previous line, and states that I’ve combined the two generations and the secret to that is a mathematical formula that I’ve mastered.

Doctorate level lyricism...straight black out!!!

Black Thought left a piece of himself in there that day.

This is why I can not understand how people say rap is a young mans(woman) sport. Industry Rap definitely is but veterans like Black Thought with Life experience, intellect, Wisdom, vocabulary mastery and Knowledge. They did not want to say it so I will .... He is the Best Lyricist I ever heard and that is the "Best Free Style Ever" and will be until someone comes along and do better!!! I don't see it happening ....Period!!!

"I reside between the second in a chronograph" - A chronograph is a device that measures time, and if he resides between that, that is Black Thought saying he's TIMELESS. "I tell a story like fingerprints and bloodsplatter" - What do those 2 things explicitly describe....a crime scene. So he tells a story like a damn crime scene. PLEASE BLACK THOUGHT.....give other rappers a damn chance!!!

A griot, jali or jeli is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician

Not even mad this is 44 minutes long bc it needs that much time to breakdown.

George your acumen was shining in this video man. To breakdown obscure references like that on the fly was crazy. Like the Only reason why I got that Henrietta Lacks line is because I literally just read the book this past semester. You seem to be well versed in a lot of things. Just wanted to highlight that because I thought that was dope.

2019 and I’m still shocked Black Thought low key dropped the hardest freestyle of all time....

I think the "War and Peace" line was referring to his passport being stamped so much that it resembles a really thick book. There's a running joke that War and Peace is one of the longest books you could ever read. lol

In the words of Joe budden "Black Thought is an Alien"

You guys should really consider doing a radio show or something. I'd listen to that every day honestly you guys are so entertaining and knowledgeable.

It's been 5 years, still the hardest freestyle. Appreciate the indepth analysis, Black thought is unparalleled 🔥

If Black Thought aint in your top 5 I dont believe it

A Griot is a Village Historian in African culture. Black Thought is that, for real!

Great breakdown of the freestyle. Just to add, “taxes, death, and trouble,” is from Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble Man” song released in 1972. There are so many references in the freestyle representing Black life and history. Thanks for the analysis.

The Henrietta Lacks line is totally insane.

"we're not going to breakdown every line" proceed to beakdown every line

I’ve watched about 8 different reactions to this and your breakdown and analysis is the best I’ve seen!! Thank god for your level of intelligence to catch bars that are flying over cats heads!!

Black Thought is from another planet! Brain matter contain to much data, I tell a story like finger prints and blood splatter 🔥💥🔥 That was amazing!

His Rhymes Might Be Mathematically Sound.

The War & Peace line alludes to how many pages he has in his passport from traveling. War & Peace is 1,225 pages long and the thickness of an encyclopedia lol!

Black always been able to do this shit idk why it took so long for something he did to go viral, people sleep on him for so long

I watched this gentleman this morning and my mind was completely blown. This was so damned deep and insightful. He hit every single note of modern societies issues. I also just watched the Netflix original "Bright". The message that movie portrays is fantastic. We all live on this planet. To hell with color and nationality! Let's live for one another and support each other. It takes a real human to be human. Love everyone. Open your minds. Be "FREE THINKERS" for real!

No wordplay...no flow...no lyricist can surpass this... LEGENDARY 🔥🔥🔥🔥

When he says "Aint nobody fuckin with Riq" I felt that, wholeheartedly. Sheesh

Greatest freestyle of all time with the greatest breakdown of all time. Props! Surprised more people didn’t react to this free, it’s just insane and it was trending for a while too

12:20 spot-on analysis. you two are clearly so passionate about this music and it shows in every video. been loving your stuff, keep it up!

Legend has it, that mic filed attempted murder charges on Black Thought.

Everything about this video screams “quality content”. Black Thought SPAZZED out and y’all delivered a phenomenal take and breakdown of the lyrics. #Subbed

Kaffa is in Ethiopia where Coffee originated from.

I no longer read "professional" reviews. I watch guys like you that can break down this shit brilliantly. And you guys can show true love for the Rap/Hip-Hop crew and the Metal crew at the same time. Blessings to you both, this is one of the best channels on YT.

Black thought hands down the baddest MC the hip hop game ever seen much respect

This guy is the freestyle final boss! 🔥 🔥 🔥

The roots are probably one of the most talented bands on the planet. Not because they hit you with crazy time signatures and shredding guitars, but because they can literally play anything at any time with almost no prep time ON TOP of putting out amazing original music. Black Thought is sweet and can slice a mic. You are right, Black Thought is very under rated and under appreciated and has been for YEARS.

Just imagine if we could get Black Thoughts to watch your all’s reaction and him react to what you all thought the meanings of the lines were. That would be legendary.

God Damn it was from 2017. It feels like it was few months ago

Holy shit so many bars went over my head....I was in a trance listening to his flow lmao dope video, merry Christmas fellas 🔥

Yo, I have to thank y'all for this one right here. I never quite understood black thought when he rhymed, but I did respect him as an MC. It was not until you broke this freestyle down that I now understand how hot this dude is. A lot of the meaning of certain words in his Rhymes I did not understand. So of course I couldn't quite follow him, but again, you broke it down and brought it to light. And help me understand why a lot of people say black thought is one of the hottest MCS around. I now see him in a whole different light. Thanks for opening my eyes.

"I'm a griot that make you wanna peacock your arm." Yes, about Griot being African poet but more generally , story teller...keeper of histories. Even deeper. And peacocking the arm is a brilliant metaphor , Obviously a peacock has beautiful feathers but here the metaphor is to the verb , display but with confidence...essentially to rave in joy at what he , (the story teller) is telling you. I will say again, BlackThought has been in the top 3 GOAT lyricist conversation for me since at least 1995 and Things Fall Apart. Now? He's been number 1 for at least a decade.

Glad to see y'all repping the legend here. Philly native here, glad to see y'all paying homage to Black Thought.

Run the jewels, any song

I love how you cats broke down the lyrics of this freestyle! This freestyle needed to be dissected because the lyrics are so intricate and powerful. Much love to the both of you for listening to the requests of your subscribers and actually taking the time to put this videos out. I really wanted to see your perspective on this incredible freestyle and you cats did a great job! God Bless ya'll and Merry Christmas!

"They tried to capture me and brand me on the cheek With a fleur-de-lis" referring to runaway slaves who were re-captured, subjected to punishment and afterwards were branded with the sign of the fleur-de-lis (mainly in Louisiana). In terms, everyone would know of their actions and punishment also, if they were to be sold or traded other slave masters or slavers would know. And now people brand (tattoo) themselves happily with the symbol.

You guys are by far the most appreciative, thoughtful and respectful reactors that I’ve had the pleasure to watch. Keep up the good work brothers.

listen i'm from philly and I cant help but consider black thought #1 on my list...I know biggie and tupac have earned their spots but its time for black thought to get his respek

The Fleur de lis is the saints symbol, ⚜️. It was also used as a symbol to brand runaway slaves. That’s what he meant by saying the trying to label him a runaway and grind him with it

I'm glad I saw this. funny enough all the stop and go helped me hear a few lines I missed the first view. lots of double entendres in some of these bars. I also noticed but didn't realize how much literature this man speaks on. Some of the historical references I completely missed. Remember the days when rapers prided themselves on their education. Honestly thank you for this video.

Man if english class in school was as interesting as this, I think we all could've benefited from that!!

I thought my eyeballs were broken when I saw "44" minutes. It turns out, this really is just a Merry Christmas, lol. Salute ya'll.

Btw maybe as an idea for a serie you could do a throwback thursday where you expose an 80's, 90's hip hop song(s) the all the free thinkers.....that way some of the younger people get to experience some of the great music out of that era....scarface,Pun,PimpC,BunB etc... Would love to see this in the future..

Young lions proud (Pride) to listen.. I first thought ( no pun inteneded lol) he was wordplaying Lion and Pride but even he wasn't I think he wanted my mind to travel there.. WOW

I'm impressed that you cats knew most of the analogies being used. It speaks to your intelligence as well....felt like I was back in school learning all over again!

I love how he gives you that food for thought plus hits you with that floss talk

When he said "I'll acknowledge the original people not Oliver,he is saying even in the prior line that there are great rappers being looked over.Oliver Peoples is a eyewear designer

#1 forget GOAT he is an ALIEN!! there is no one that can rap better than this dude ever! NAME THEM... I'll wait

Fleur de lis is a brand that was used to mark slaves, runaway slaves and troublemakers...it is the same symbol now used by the New Orleans Saints. That is what Thought was talking about.

Thank you guys for you effort that was legendary. the only channel that would drop a 44min reaction. you can see it's out of love for this culture we appreciate it

It would be really awesome if you guys started some kind of a hip hop podcast.

Thank you guys so much. This is kind of outta left field but I’ve been going through some serious depression (breakup). When I couldn’t listen to music I listened to you guys. Your friendship is awesome and the way you guys delve into the music with passion and earnest have helped me through so much these past months. On the days were I felt like I couldn’t keep going I’d just check out one of your videos. What started out as conversation in the background to help block out pain has evolved into discovering new music that has brought happiness back to my life. George, Ryan, please keep doin your thing and know you’ve got big love in NC👍

He Should Teach A Class At Temple University.

You guys are the best. Definitely need to do some more Black Thought in the future

Respect! Superlative analysis; you guys are dope. Picked up a subscriber here. Note on the "coffee in Kaffa" line; Kaffa is an old name for a region in Africa (modern Ethiopia, I believe) where coffee is believed to have originated.

Black Thought is only underrated by those that claim to know hip hop and yet they don't. He is easily in any Hip Hop heads Top Ten GOAT MC LIST, but is in my Top Five GOAT as Rakim, KRS, Kool G and Kane set the bar, whilst BT, Esco and the Sosa's help maintain the core of Hip Hop

Black Thought and the Roots are the fucking pinnacle of HipHop...Period! I may be saying that as a metal head, but I also say it with an unbias opinion! They are amazing! They literally have everything.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. I knew he was good, but . . . fuuuuuuuuuuuuck.

I agree with some people here. You guys need to do podcasts. Great breakdown as usual

Kaffa is the birthplace of coffee, and where arabs got the word which then came to english.

I didn't discover BT through this freestyle, I've been a fan since before Organix way back in the Black Lily days (look it up). But when this dropped last year it was definitely a breath of fresh air. When I heard he was finally dropping his solo joint I wanted to hear the freestyle again and then got caught into the RU-vid rabbit hole of reaction videos. This one by far is the best and most st detailed I have seen, it's clear you 2 are not only intelligent and not just fans of hip hop but you really know rap, poetry and lyricism which is rare. When I saw at 40+ minute video for a 10m freestyle I knew this had to be good. You did not disappoint.

I appreciate this reaction for breaking down the lyrics younger generations need to see this video fast! lyrical genius one of the best 🎤🔥

That was insane. I have to go watch the actual video. That was crazy. I've never seen anything like that before so thanks for bringing it to my attention. Gotta go watch it again. sheeeiiitttt!!!

The fact that you guys to be able to understand all of his references in a single pass is crazy impressive, you guys are smart as hell!

Good job, fellas. That Fleur de lis line was in reference to how the French used to brand criminals with a fleur de lis as a form of punishment. Hence, "More police for my core beliefs/They tried to capture me then brand me on the cheek with the fleur de lis."

The Death and Taxes line was a historical shout out. This is usually attributed to Benjamin Franklin, who wrote in a 1789 letter that “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” That was a fantastic video, thank you!

This is a GOLDEN segment. I'll be back to watch this one many times over. Thanks for this analytic breakdown!!!

"War and Peace": authored by the Russian novelist, Tolstoy, the novel takes place during the Napoleonic era. The settings moving around from Russia, France, Austria, Hungary, etc. So, Black Thought is saying his passport is full of stamps from having visited all those countries, like "War and Peace" ...

After I first heard the Funk Flex Freestyle (last month) that Black Thought spat greatness on, I repeated it maybe 30 times a day for many days. That's how impeccable his lyricism is. I knew about BT years before he rapped this Funk Flex freestyle. As a young kid and adolescent, I was always listening to the lyrical greats in my crib. That's how I got started with poetry 10 years ago when I was 12. I have been writing ever since that age as a poet. I love Pun, L, Tech N9ne, Fab, Ka, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Talib Kweli, Twista, Game, and more. Y'all are great RU-vidrs. I love the young rappers who are talented too. Y'all analyze bars well and proficiently. Keep up the good work Gods. I will follow y'all on the gram. I will shout y'all out too. I post poems on my page. Feel free to check them out. By the way, I would like for y'all to respond to Ken and Ryu Massacre by King Iso and Twisted Insane. @Lost In Vegas

I had to check this out just because I wanted to see what's going to take y'all 45 min to react to. Now I know. I watched the whole thing. There was a lot there to break down. Good job at the dissection, inspection, and relevance of the material. It seems most comments are 1) react to (......), 2) y'all should've done Loaded Lux, 3) Black Thought flow and length of time made this freestyle epic. (Which it was EPIC!) What's not being commented on is the truth spoke. ONE (not the only) recurring theme he addressed is that we won't elevate ourselves collectively when individually we relish in foolishness. The foolishness of promoting garbage. Whether the garbage is music, thought, talk, actions, desires, etc. Is this movement we're on (individually) into our own gilded cage or is it into our own personal enlightenment?