Questlove + Black Thought - Live Intro Performance | 2020 Roots Picnic Virtual Experience 

Countless Classics....severely underated!!!

Exactly.

Not to be played wit!👊🏾

simply the goat

I liked this comment a year ago, unliked and liked it again, Tariq spitting fire in EVERY line and verse, that's real talent

I don't fully get that line. I know America got a Hella dark past, but I don't get why his heart is darker. Can someone please break that down for a slow dummy.

@@nativesun9865 It could be a reference to his upbringing and what he had to endure. He lost both parents at a fairly young, both due to murder and he had to witness his mom suffer through a debilitating crack addiction. Maybe his heart still carries the trauma of living through all that.

@@sibulelenchukana9581 Thanks for that, I didn't know about his past up bringing as a youth; that's really difficult and deep. I think you're 100% on point. Dude is a genius for that line.

@@nativesun9865 It could also imply that he is proud of being black. Its a double-entendre.

The spook sat behind the door the devil behind a desk, that the air on fire

Black Thought and MF DOOM (ALL CAPS)♥️♥️🔥🔥

@@traceyplacide864 Amen. I'll repeat. and MF DOOM (ALL CAPS)

He isn't, but Black Thought is certainly one of my favourite MCs

But I’m not my favorite MC 😂

The Imperial 👌

I'll put it this way: 2Pac - Nas (or Nas - 2Pac) Biggie - Jay. Z and hmm... (Black Thought or Jadakiss). 2Pac & Nas because of the awareness, depth of knowledge and lyrics of their music. It's not enough to just rhyme words. You really have to make sense and be thoughtful!

@@kouamek.samson7626 yes sir

@@kouamek.samson7626 When all is said and done, Thought will be the GOAT. Why? Well, two of the others are dead and the other two aren't as committed to being productive artists as they once were. Thought is dialed into pop culture and the streets. He has cred across multiple audiences. He has been producing top level lyricism since the mid-90s and shows no sign of letting up. He can spit on any topic. His themes and style can be street, dope game, jazzy, futuristic, romantic, experimental, political, black consciousness. Live band, turntable, studio, small venue or stadium, even Broadway musical. He sounds as fresh and current on Organix as he does on Yah Yah with Em and Royce (another track he owns) from earlier in the yr, as well as this Roots Picnic mix. His "features" catalog is better than 99% of rappers discographies. He's as flawless as it gets in terms of career output while maintaining the highest standard. If he isn't know as the GOAT it'll be because he's transcended hip hop.

@@dipthongthathongthongthong9691 I do agree with what you said. But we can't disregard the body of work done by Nasty Nas even though he ain't that committed anymore. Let's remember some of his classic albums; 1- Illmatic 2- It was written 3- God's Son 4- Stillmatic 5- Distance Relative 6- I am 7- Streets disciple, etc. I have no doubt that Black Thought is an incredible artist but no matter how good his music gets, it'll be almost impossible for him to prove that he can do better than Nas discography. If we only have to consider those alive, I am comfortable saying that he might be the second greatest rapper alive right after Nas.

He talked about learning breathe control in art schools. He would do breathing exercises with books on his chest.

Black thought is the most well rounded emcee alive PERIOD!!!

You can really tell the difference between a rapper who comes up performing live and one who just records and releases things online. I remember seeing Chance the Rapper live and you could tell he came up performing -- good stage presence and great breath control. Tarik is that, turned up to ten.

He is better than eminem and Royce in my opinion

Right, It's amazing. He uses circular breathing like a trumpet player would use. He stores air in his cheeks and uses it to help him breath so he doesn't have to pause for a big inhale. The guy is just on a level of his own at this point. Nobody can touch him.

💯💯💯

That's right. This guy is not only hip hop, he's jazz too so he rhymes poetically. 👌👌👌

@Gingerbreadman GanjaFarmer Doesn't it mean "Rythm, Art and Poetry"

I concur, so true!

I’d love to see Black Thought & Black Ice create a classic, together. The worlds best poet that can rap beside of the worlds best rapper who creates poetry.

Top One

Or yet to be born

For Sho !...

The GOAT

💯

Yes, Black Thought is the cure for COVID-19.

I wonder if they scattered the ashes of what was left of the mic afterwards?@@deepzone31

Also better than the ones who passed, may they rest in peace

It’s hard to argue with that.🤷🏻‍♂️

@@behtashbahador6588 big pun was pretty sick

@@rocklee6812 agreed, but two measures of greatness must be longevity and productivity. Big L was also incredible. Unfortunately their careers were cut short. A rough analogy would be Bo Jackson - arguably the greatest ability as RB but wasn't able to amass the body of work

@@Anonymousdeletedaccount... Paradoxically, and hilariously, your statement was, in fact, useless. Several rapper mentioned in the GOAT conversation have passed. When discussing Mr. Trotter's legacy, it is not only relevant (at least as an argumentative point) but also obligatory to note that he surpasses the deceased (e.g. 2Pac, BIG, Big Pun, Big L) in many of the criterion that should be used to assess the GOAT distinction. This is evidenced by the numerous other comments here and elsewhere which refer to Tarik as 'top 5 dead or alive'.

💯👆🏾

The only person that can even COMPETE is Nas

and IDK if it would be fair in the long run

True

Of course

Jedi King Pudge Black Thought is the truth. He is telling the story without fear and he has already met the devil.

Martin Mastiff you forgot the most important beat in music to kick the song off: Impeach the President. I forgot about the Cam’Ron instrumental

Martin Waring oh true lemme add that

Thanks

Fact NOT fiction 🤝

Nah that ain't right

Rileswithsoul Stop!

Marquis Eleby he actually is. He admits to inventing mumble rap. I think he was referring to his hook on ‘Don’t Say Nuthin’ which he unintentionally inspired a new wave of artists lol

Even if he did he'd somehow make it clear.

God tier

Right!!!

10 million views here...NOW

Exactly so! 🙏☀️🧘🏻‍♂️

Right!!

Dude, holy balls, he's right.

And he's right.

Soooo tru, he's on point.

And if you think your favorite "rapper" can step up to Black thought. Pass that shit over here!!

@Shawn Kemp You're right

When I made my top 50 list last month I put him at 11th since I include discography and influence as a key role. But yeah if we talking bout pure skill and lyricism he top 5 below Nas, Biggy, Jay Z, and 3000.

Nas, Biggy, Jay, Pac, 3000, Rakim, Raekwon, Kendrick, Mos Def, MF Doom, and then gotta go with my man Thought or Q tip

@@matthewlevy5397 in no order Rakim MF DOOM Sean Price Royce 5 9 Ras kass Ghostface Crooked I Qtip Redman Big L

You met a goat bro.

I remember back in Philly I used to see these guys down on South St when they were a lot younger

Man I miss the Hawaii days I used to live out Mililani on Oahu...but yeah I saw The Roots when they came to the Ramshead in Baltimore with GCH and it was Thoughts birthday Oct. 3 I'll never forget it. Niggas brought the birthday cake out for him after the performance while the entire crown sung Happy Birthday...then Thought lit the bday blunt on stage it was over! That was a dope night...wish I could've met him too. 😁

I smoked a blunt with Black Thought backstage in 96. Played him my beats on a Sony Walkman and he was feelin em! Cool ass cat!

This man is too fly to be down to earth, I can't believe it! Haha

And he does this every. time. Unreal.

MR. Loh they did tho

@@josephhalliday104 whats the name of the reactor

Richbo reacts

Can we discuss the props tho sis 👊🏽

Probably never be captured meccas where the last report saw him

Personally I think he's peerless. Did anyone ever do it better in your opinion?

I used to think that Rakim & KRS-One were the greatest to ever do it. Black Thought is in that same tier with them

Ever.

Not a bad bar since like '93.

David Love TV Because music evolves, and everything is relative, I’d argue that Rakim, Kool G Rap and Nas completely changed the game in their respective eras and elevated the MC to what we see today. That being said, you have a point. Tariq is and always has been my favourite MC because he is the total package. Today, nobody comes close to his uncanny ability to write, include cadence, and link metaphors that sometimes take days to recognize. I was lucky enough to meet him backstage during the Illadelph Halflife tour, relax with medicinals, and have a 20min conversation. To makes things even better, he’s as good of a person as you’d come to expect.

I'm glad Oddisee is getting some love here as well!

@@rotaris will always be down with some Oddisee

Blackthought.........................................................killerMike new they cant be mentioned in the same sentence but Killer is extremely talented but my old schoolmate Reek Gees is part animal

I like how you those 3 TOGETHER, a lot of people won't get it!!!👍👍✌👌✒

People sleep on Oddisee

Absolute FACTZ 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

3 thumbs down means theres at least 3 dummies that watched SMH.... they either have no intellect or werent listening

@@thecraft0490 The hate is disheartening

Most of even bars aren't even for intelligent people. He's on a different level

Straight up facts

You have to be a firm understanding of the Culture to understand this Black Thought

Feel you, what a journey😎📈

💯💯 I used to see them on South Street too

This cat continues.... To rock the mic! Word... 💯

Yo If Blk Thought & Malik B can tag team the mic again!!

I heard some joint of The Roots first, and thought it was a promo for 88.5 ATL. When I heard the "Proceed" Remix with Bahamadia, I was hooked forever more. 🌋👏👍👌✔️💯

Nas did, but he ain’t want it. It got squashed real quick before ‘The Professional’ could be released

Speak on it!

Truth !

You got that GIFT, that third eye!!!🎧🎤👁✒❣

This

Co signing this hard bro so true

PERIOD..

Straight up!

Agreed 👍

Lmao I just had a conversation with someone who I shared this video with and he asked how long was it I said about 6 min but it's going to feel like 12 🤣

@@ReevisbWealthy same here

Today!

Gone Ballistik I hope not.

No, just no. If you think that then you just aren't paying attention.

@@keithprice7119 facts.... Its like u cant even put him in a catergory .... Hes in his1 own jawn...

The Midnight Drop is own every single night! Call in now to the Midnight Drop Prayer line 605-472-5300 Acess Code 535199# 11PM to 12AM Eastern time zone and 10PM to 11Pm Central time zone

He’s alien level like Rakim

Intl_Roe With respect and love to Rakim, he’s nowhere near the level Thought is on! Thought keeps getting better and better with time.

@@RoeLuv1 Hell yea! Those two have spit my personal favorite verses. Rakim on The 18th Letter. Thought on Fentanyl

@@alonzox5420 💯💯💯

People sleep on Dice Raw! He was ill!!

Slept on powerhouse/supernova you'll never see coming.

not Goku , he is rap's Jiren .

This the grand priest

The Midnight Drop is own every single night! Call in now to the Midnight Drop Prayer line 605-472-5300 Acess Code 535199# 11PM to 12AM Eastern time zone and 10PM to 11Pm Central time zone