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Quick Facts
Born
1973
1973
From
United States of America
United States of America
Journey
Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, known professionally as Black Thought, is an American rapper and actor based in the United States. He is the lead MC and co-founder of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group the Roots, which he established alongside drummer Questlove, born Ahmir Thompson. Widely regarded as one of the most skilled, incisive, and prolific rappers of his time, Black Thought has built his reputation on complex lyricism, continuous multisyllabic rhyme schemes, double entendres, and politically aware writing that places him at the forefront of East Coast hip hop, conscious hip hop, boom bap, and hardcore hip hop.
Black Thought's catalog shows a sustained commitment to craft across releases on labels like Human Re Sources, ABB Records, and Passyunk Productions LLC. As the lead vocalist and principal lyricist of The Roots, Black Thought has contributed to an acclaimed body of work that includes "Organix," "Do You Want More?!!!??!," "Illadelph Halflife," "Things Fall Apart," "Phrenology," "Game Theory," "How I Got Over," and "Undun." His known solo and collaborative releases span "Streams of Thought Vol. 1," "Streams of Thought Vol. 2," followed by "Cheat Codes" with Danger Mouse, "Glorious Game" with El Michels Affair, "Conception," "Rest in Power," and "American Heartbreak," the soundtrack to the HBO original television series.
The range of these projects demonstrates a willingness to engage with varied formats and contexts without straying from the lyrical density that defines his work. His Grammy Award history underscores the critical and industry recognition he has accumulated over time. He earned the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1999 for "You Got Me," and in 2010 he contributed to two additional Grammy wins with the Roots, taking home Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album for "Wake Up!" He has further received a Grammy Award connected to the Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording, reflecting the breadth of projects with which his name has been associated.
Outside of studio work, Black Thought holds a prominent ongoing role as rapper and singer with the Roots on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where the group serves as the house band. In that capacity, he regularly appears in segments and games alongside Fallon and his guests, bringing his live performance skills, long praised by critics and fans alike, to one of American television's most visible stages. This role has kept him consistently in front of a wide audience well beyond traditional hip-hop circles, cementing his standing not only as a recording artist but also as a performing presence with considerable reach across music and entertainment.