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Black Thought

'Music was there for me when I needed it,' The Roots co-founder Tariq Trotter says

Black Thought of The Roots performs during Philly Fights Cancer on May 20, 2023. Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Philly Fights C hide caption

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Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Philly Fights C

Music Interviews

'Music was there for me when I needed it,' The Roots co-founder Tariq Trotter says

Fresh Air

Trotter, aka Black Thought, reflects on his childhood in Philly, his decades-long friendship with Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson and his life as a musician. Trotter's new memoir is The Upcycled Self.

'Music was there for me when I needed it,' The Roots co-founder Tariq Trotter says

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New Music Friday: The best releases out on April 14

Kara Jackson's Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love? is on our shortlist of the best albums out April 14. Lawrence Agyei/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Lawrence Agyei/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best releases out on April 14

NPR Music's picks for the best albums out this week include Black Thought from The Roots, the quietly powerful return of Feist and more.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on April 14

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For Danger Mouse and Black Thought, feel is more important than sound

Danger Mouse (right) & Black Thought (left) Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

For Danger Mouse and Black Thought, feel is more important than sound

WXPN

Though Black Thought and Danger Mouse have known each other for a very long time, it took a while to complete their debut collaborative album, Cheat Codes.

Danger Mouse & Black Thought on World Cafe

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'Cheat Codes' is the album Black Thought couldn't have made until now

Black Thought and producer Danger Mouse define a new lane for the rapper on the collaborative album Cheat Codes. Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

'Cheat Codes' is the album Black Thought couldn't have made until now

A proper standalone LP from the voice of The Roots was rumored for two decades at least. Finally here, Cheat Codes isn't just excellent: It's a product of all the years it went unmade.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 12

Bella Poarch's debut EP Dolls is on our shortlist of the best releases out on Aug. 12. Marcelo Cantu hide caption

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Marcelo Cantu

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 12

The best new albums out this week include Cheat Codes from Danger Mouse and Black Thought, a stunning debut from singer and TikTok phenom Bella Poarch, Hudson Mohawke's Cry Sugar and more.

New Music Friday: The best releases out on Aug. 12

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A machine turns Black people white in the musical 'Black No More'

Tariq Trotter portrays a scientist who has invented a machine that can turn Black people white in the off-Broadway musical Black No More. Monique Carboni/The New Group hide caption

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Monique Carboni/The New Group

Theater

A machine turns Black people white in the musical 'Black No More'

An off-Broadway show, based on a 1931 novel, explores the results when a scientist charges Black people $50 each to change their race with his new invention.

A machine turns Black people white in the musical 'Black No More'

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The Roots' Black Thought Talks Anxiety, 'Streams of Thought, Vol. 3'

Black Thought Joshua Woods/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Joshua Woods/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

The Roots' Black Thought Talks Anxiety, 'Streams of Thought, Vol. 3'

WXPN

The Roots frontman joins World Cafe to talk about his latest solo album.

Black Thought On World Cafe

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New Music Friday: The Top 10 Albums Out On Oct. 16

Black Thought. His latest, Streams of Thought Vol. 3: Cane & Able, tops our shortlist of the best albums out on Oct. 16. Joshua Woods/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Joshua Woods/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

New Music Friday: The Top 10 Albums Out On Oct. 16

NPR Music's picks for the best new albums out this week include rapper Black Thought's stunning Streams of Thought Vol. 3, a solo debut from The National's Matt Berninger, Beabadoobee and more.

New Music Friday: The Top 10 Albums Out On Oct. 16

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The Roots' Black Thought On How Art Saved His Life

BlackThought of The Roots. Monte Isom hide caption

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Monte Isom

Music

The Roots' Black Thought On How Art Saved His Life

The Roots frontman Black Thought (aka Tariq Trotter) joins Stretch & Bob for an open conversation about his early days in Philly, how childhood trauma motivated him to succeed and the guys uncover his 1994 freestyle from their show at WKCR.

The Roots' Black Thought On How Art Saved His Life

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Black Thought Sets Out On His Own

Black Thought reflects on his 30-year career with his debut solo project, Streams of Thought Vol. 1. Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images hide caption

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Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Black Thought Sets Out On His Own

Streams of Thought Vol. 1, the debut solo project from the voice of The Roots, shows off a side of the rapper fans rarely get to hear.

Black Thought Sets Out On His Own

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