Tariq Trotter

Better known as Black Thought, Tariq Trotter is an American rap artist and the lead MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots. Black Thought, who co-founded The Roots with drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Thompson), is widely lauded for his complex and politically aware lyrical content, and his sharply honed live performances. After Moving from Southfield, MI and attending Southfield Lathrup High School, Tariq and ?uest met in the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts, and formed a drummer/MC duo performing on the streets of Philly and at talent shows. Thought would subsequently spend some time as one of two MCs in the group The Square Roots: the other one was Malik B. A name change (to simply The Roots) and an album release ("Organix") Black Thought and Malik struck a balance, with Malik bringing more personal raps and Thought oriented more towards a more political style infused with battle raps. After Malik B. left the group, Thought continued drifting toward the political, and was featured on several other records like Common's "One Day it'll All Make Sense," Linkin Park's "Reanimation" and more recently its frontman Mike Shinoda's "The Rising Tied," as well as Damian Marley's "Welcome to Jamrock" and The Coup's "Pick a Bigger Weapon." Black Thought was in the process of recording a solo album (to be titled "Masterpiece Theater"), but the project was shelved when it was realized the effort would not assist the group in their release from their contract with MCA Records. Some of the songs he had recorded were eventually released as tracks on The Roots' album "Phrenology." He is working on a collaborative project with producer Danger Mouse (which, according to XXL magazine, is tentatively being called "Dangerous Thoughts"), as well as a Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama. He is still a core member of The Roots. He has also been a member of two production teams, Grand Negaz and The Grand Wizzards. The Roots latest album "Game Theory" shows a more introspective side of Black Thought and is the "darkest" Roots album to date.