Leonard Hubbard, the longtime bassist for the group The Roots, has passed. He was 62. Leonard “Hub” Hubbard Dies At 62 After battling cancer for a while, the bassist for The Roots, Leonard Hubbard, has passed away. The bassist had been with The Roots from 1992 until 2007 when he departed to fight myeloma. The […]
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The Fugees will not face The Roots in a Verzuz battle.
On Tuesday, Black Thought squashed the rumors that the two Hip-Hop groups would go toe-to-toe in the Verzuz ring.
Black Thought’s comment comes after a flyer went viral claiming The Fugees and The Roots were the next contenders in an upcoming Verzuz battle.
Black Thought is the founder and lead emcee of the Legendary Roots Crew. According to HipHopDx, when the “Quiet Trip” rapper was shown the circulating flyer he gave a thumbs down.
The Fugees have sold over 22 million records worldwide, and are one of the biggest-selling Hip-Hop groups ever with the release of their second album The Score.
The comparison of both iconic groups pre-dates the inception of the Verzuz battle created during quarantine. Many fans have often compared New Jersey group Fugees and Philadelphia’s The Roots.
Ahh this old skool mix with the roots vs the fugees tho
— LeNy Dawson (@MiZz95s) May 3, 2016
Ever since The Lox annihilated Dipset in their Verzuz battle, I don’t think fans of Hip-Hop would take well with another loss of one of raps most nostalgic groups.
Although reportedly, Verzuz co-founders Swizz Beatz and Timbaland are working on a Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Three 6 Mafia battle in the near future.
Share your thoughts on what would be another epic Verzuz battle for Hip-Hop groups?
The post Black Thought Squashes Fugees Verzuz The Roots Rumors appeared first on The Source.
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Black Thought is a MC from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania most notable as the frontman of The Roots. Since the very beginning of his career, Black Thought has solidified himself as one of the most skilled & well respected lyricists in all of hip hop from his work with the band or his lengthy list of show-stopping features. However, it wouldn’t be until 2018 when he finally started putting out projects under his own name with the 9th Wonder-produced Streams of Thought & the Salaam Remi-produced Streams of Thought 2: Traxploitation. But just about 2 years later, Black Thought is enlisting Sean Cane for the long-awaited 3rd installment.
The EP kicks off with “I’m Not Crazy (First Contact)”, where Black Thought completely shits on Christopher Columbus in complete reverb over a slow guitar-laced beat. The next song “State Prisoner” talks about needing each other for survival over a dynamic instrumental with some choir vocals during the first half while the track “Good Morning” with Killer Mike & Pusha T finds the trio talking about the struggles African Americans face along with ego-trip over an apocalyptic beat. The song “Magnificent” boasts his lyrical prowess over a funky instrumental with some live drums & after the “Experience” interlude, the track “Quiet Trip” reminisces about the old times over an fiery beat.
The song “Nature of the Beast” talks about how everyone in this country is all going through the same shit over an instrumental with some well incorporated synths while the track “We Could Be Good (United)” talks about this woman who complains all the time over a sensual boom bap beat. The song “Steak Um” with ScHoolboy Q finds the 2 talking about oppression over an instrumental with a haunting atmosphere to it while the track “Thought vs. Everybody” talks about being the most powerful black man in America over a funky beat. The “Ghetto Boys & Girls” interlude talks about coming from nothing over a spacious instrumental whereas the final song “Fuel” reads as a power open letter to the listener over a gospel-esque beat. Then for the outro, it’s just a decent reprise of the intro.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this one going into this but coming away from it, it’s a solid listen. Sean Cane’s production being a bit more glossier than the last 2 EPs were but that doesn’t hold it back at all as Black Thought provides a unique perspective on a wide range of topics on here, further cementing himself as one of the greatest MCs of all-time. Really looking forward to see what’s in store for the 4th installment.
Score: 7/10
The post Black Thought – “Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cain & Abel” (EP Review) first appeared on UndergroundHipHopBlog.
Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com
Public Enemy will release their latest album What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? this Friday, September 25. The legendary group’s first release for Def Jam Recordings in over two decades features a powerful lineup of guests including Nas, YG, Rapsody, DJ Premier, Black Thought, Questlove, Cypress Hill, Run-DMC, Ice-T, PMD, George Clinton, Daddy-O, Jahi, The Impossebulls, Mark Jenkins, S1Ws Pop Diesel and James Bomb, and Beastie Boys’Mike D and Ad-Rock.
The announcement of What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down? and their return to Def Jam — a cultural institution that they helped build — was heralded around the globe with the group’s iconic logo projected onto some of the world’s other most iconic cultural institutions including the Eiffel Tower and Moulin Rouge in Paris; Parliament, Marble Arch & Tate Modern Museum in London, which can be seen HERE.
The album is led by the single “Fight the Power: Remix 2020,” re-conceptualized by Public Enemy with Nas, Rapsody, Black Thought, YG, Jahi and Questlove for the 2020 BET Awards in June, and officially released as a single along with the album announcement last week. It also includes Public Enemy’s recent single, “State of the Union (STFU),” produced by DJ Premier. The track holds nothing back as it calls out Donald Trump and his destructive reign.
The post Public Enemy’s New Album ‘What You Gonna Do When The Grid Goes Down?’ Out September 25 appeared first on The Source.
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The Legendary Roots Crew is mourning the loss of their founding member Malik B. Co-founder Black Thought has hit Instagram to share with fans a picture of himself alongside Malik and Questlove before sharing a touching note.
“We made a name and carved a lane together where there was none,” Black Thought wrote. “We resurrected a city from the ashes, put it on our backs and called it Illadelph. In friendly competition with you from day one, I always felt as if I possessed only a mere fraction of your true gift and potential. “
You can read the full message below. Rest in Peace to Malik B.
The post Black Thought Tributes Malik B. in Touching Message on Instagram appeared first on The Source.
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The Legendary Roots Crew is mourning the loss of their founding member Malik B. Co-founder Black Thought has hit Instagram to share with fans a picture of himself alongside Malik and Questlove before sharing a touching note.
“We made a name and carved a lane together where there was none,” Black Thought wrote. “We resurrected a city from the ashes, put it on our backs and called it Illadelph. In friendly competition with you from day one, I always felt as if I possessed only a mere fraction of your true gift and potential. “
You can read the full message below. Rest in Peace to Malik B.
The post Black Thought Tributes Malik B. in Touching Message on Instagram appeared first on The Source.
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The Legendary Roots Crew is mourning the loss of their founding member Malik B. Co-founder Black Thought has hit Instagram to share with fans a picture of himself alongside Malik and Questlove before sharing a touching note.
“We made a name and carved a lane together where there was none,” Black Thought wrote. “We resurrected a city from the ashes, put it on our backs and called it Illadelph. In friendly competition with you from day one, I always felt as if I possessed only a mere fraction of your true gift and potential. “
You can read the full message below. Rest in Peace to Malik B.
The post Black Thought Tributes Malik B. in Touching Message on Instagram appeared first on The Source.
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Black Thought is ready to show he is one of the best to ever do it with his upcoming EP, Streams of Thought Vol. 3: Cane and Abel.
The release is set for July 31 and will bring in Pusha T, ScHoolboy Q, Swizz Beatz, and more across 13 tracks.
You can see the full tracklist below.
1. “I’m Not Crazy (First Contact)”
2. “State Prisoner”
3. “Good Morning” feat. Swizz Beats, Pusha T and Killer Mike
4. “Magnificent”
5. “Experience (Interlude)”
6. “Quiet Trip” feat. Portugal The Man and The Last Artful, Dodgr
7. “Nature of the Beast” feat. Portugal The Man and The Last Artful, Dodgr
8. “We Should Be Good” feat. CS Armstrong
9. “Steak Um” feat. ScHoolboy Q
10. “Thought Vs. Everybody”
11. “Ghetto Boyz & Girls” feat. CS Armstrong
12. “Fuel” feat. Portugal The Man and The Last Artful, Dodgr
13. “I’m Not Crazy (Outro)”
The post Black Thought Set to Release ‘Streams of Thought Vol. 3: Cane and Abel’ on July 31 appeared first on The Source.
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The Roots Picnic may not be able to take a physical form this year but it will not be completely gone as a virtual version will hit online Saturday, June 27. The picnic now will combine with Michelle Obama and her When We All Vote nonprofit.
The picnic will have performances from H.E.R., Lil Baby, SZA, Roddy Ricch, Snoh Aalegra, G Herbo, Musiq Soulchild, Earthgang, Polo G and D-Nice. Appearances during the event will be Janelle Monáe, Traces Elliss Ross, Kerry Washington, Chris Paul, Tom Hanks and more.
The show will be hosted by Mrs. Obama, Questlove, and Black Thought.
You can learn more about the event below.
The post The 13th Annual Roots Picnic is Going Virtual with Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote Organization appeared first on The Source.
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Source: John Lamparski / Getty
As the nation and the world adjust to the sweeping changes to daily life due to the coronavirus pandemic, many musicians and artists are using this time to still connect with fans. Black Thought of The Roots is among the latest to provide musical sustenance by way of a quarantine version of a Tiny Desk concert.
Partnering with NPR Music, the Philadelphia artist born Tarik Trotter delivered an ear-pleasing three-song set featuring two songs from the upcoming Streams Of Thought Vol. 3 EP with producer Sean C.
The first track, “Thought Vs. Everbody” is an all-out bar fest with Black Thought’s timeless flow and jaw-dropping lines blasting over the drums. He follows with the track “Yellow,” which is from his forthcoming off-Broadway musical, Black No More, which pulls from the same novel from author George S. Schulyer. The set ends with the moving “Nature Of The Beast” featuring Portugal. The Man, which will appear on Streams of Thought Vol 3.
Black Thought also announced that via The Roots YouTube page, he’ll be offering more insight into his creative endeavors and process periodically as the current landscape dictates that at-home performances such as these are the new normal.
Check out Black Thought’s Tiny Desk concert below in full quarantine style.
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Photo: Getty
Source: HipHopWired.com
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