Black Thought: Philly’s Lyrical Titan

By RATUL HASAN Plus 6/4/2025

Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, co-founder of The Roots, stands as a paragon of lyrical mastery in hip-hop. Emerging from Philadelphia's vibrant music scene, his intricate wordplay and profound storytelling have solidified his place among the genre's elite.

Dashed Trail Dashed Trail

Journey of Black Thought

[{"selector":"#anim-b85096fb-6bf1-416e-92a1-3d1210b83b04","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":250,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2c5a611-f49c-4ed0-9886-a4842c1f191f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(1.3734472980836314%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Black Thought's journey began at the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), where he met Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Together, they formed The Roots in 1987, blending live instrumentation with thought-provoking lyrics.

The Roots of Genius

[{"selector":"#anim-aa06d6c2-8bdc-48fa-b329-a787c5f63bf4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Beyond The Roots, Black Thought has showcased his versatility through solo projects like Streams of Thought and collaborations such as Cheat Codes with Danger Mouse. His 2017 freestyle on HOT 97's Funk Flex show, a 10-minute display of lyrical prowess, went viral, reaffirming his status as a top-tier emcee.

Loved this story?

Terrain Map Explore more about Philly's dynamic hip-hop culture and the artists keeping its legacy alive. Learn more