First Time Hearing "Black Thought"

[@bruddaman5981]

I'm crying laughing!!!! These young brothas being exposed to REAL bars is priceless. I love it!!!!

[@babahamaj7656]

This what we grew up from

[@FightingThumbsEnt]

@Progressive Parenting Facts lol I noticed it as well

[@mikeconley6331]

Makes u feel good fr fr 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@jasonwashington3914]

The funniest part is how many of the bars they missed.. If they only knew what Black is really talkin about!

[@bigblue3216]

But they be calling us old heads 🤣

[@PrimalAscension]

Young man - “I need to pick up a book” Black Thought - “And now I can rest, mission accomplished” The greatest respect you could ever show him is to do just that, pick up a book, and aspire to greatness.

[@jibshafi1277]

All Facts

[@Bringdrumsandbasses]

Says so much about the education system. People been asleep for 30 years.

[@joshg.6315]

“I am a walking affirmation that imagination and focus and patience gets you closer to your aspirations” is a fucking monster of a bar. Black Thought is the GOAT

[@volusiasorange]

the goat. there's no debate

[@treydubs5332]

Frfr 💯💪

[@themilioxperience2427]

Absolutely love that bar!

[@pestydesperado8771]

I haven't even gotten to that yet but just reading it gave me chills

[@alzate_dev]

Frfr 🔥🔥

[@geebee44]

When he said "same cadence as D.O.C., pre accident" Do a search for rapper DOC.. He released a CLASSIC album in 1989... No One Can Do It Better, had a serious car accident that left his larnyx crushed. One of the early things people were saying about DOC was how good and pristine his voice sounded.... Keep learning, in all thing young soldiers... once you hear better you know garbage when you hear it...

[@Wandering_Warchyld]

Know this is late but DOC is often said To have ghost written over 80% of Dr. Dre's chronic albumn

[@elirivera3880]

My first casette (bought) was DOC. Im a PR from the east coast (blew my mind).

[@erenee1980]

He was referring to the D.O.C. Who was in NWA. Thought was saying he’s as genius as DOC before he got into that bad accident.

[@oldmoneyswag6504]

this is the one thing about these youngsters here and there generation. they haven't had a history lesson from there elders and they do no research

[@karenosborne5872]

Black thought is an example of why no one should disrespect the OG rappers who paved the way. Most of the rappers of today could never compete with an OG rapper because they’re too busy trying to be celebrities and brag about how much money and material things they have instead of spitting knowledge and wisdom 😕. That’s how it was back in the day. ❤️

[@MrOPPMan]

In our day when an OG spoke we listened bc we knew we did not know. Too many (not all) young people could care less about getting first hand knowledge from a regular person.

[@henryhunter388]

Real shit they to dam closed minded .

[@hollisrobinson8302]

Most old school rappers would come up short to this as well. This was like hitting a 1000 foot home run, 10 straight hole in ones, or like 75 straight 3 pointers

[@Lebowski55]

I agree, however, Black Thought is rare. Not every OG rapper has the skill and talent of Black Thought.

[@jayyarbrough9902]

Hip Hop is a culture of competition. I ain't seen kids battling on the corner in 15 years. They don't need us oldies to build they skill; they just don't want the skill that competition creates.

[@carlosfigueroa1637]

Now you guys can understand why we stuck on our"golden years" era rappers.

[@reallife0728]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!💯💯💯💯

[@ExitThisWayTv]

Facts they know now

[@umagcreative6378]

Exactly!

[@davidanthony2471]

FACTS

[@returnoftheking7225]

They wasn't READY!!!

[@afrodemon8629]

Black Thought is not your typical lyricist. His vocabulary is top notch so you know he's intelligent. Dude is literally like a philosopher/historian/intellectual that knows how to rap his ass off.

[@focuz4899]

He said it himself in this freestyle, "recording artist slash psychology professor"...WHEW

[@afrodemon8629]

@@focuz4899 We're all blessed to hear this man rhyme. There's not another rapper like him.

[@focuz4899]

@@afrodemon8629 Most definitely...

[@jamarismith8600]

First time i heard was in Aquamarine and my was this dude vocabulary is unbelievable, so i found myself doing research on his lyrics

[@optikalillusion777]

‘I barb wired my wrists and let it fill the page’ Basically he bled on the page, he poured his heart out on the page. Imagery. Poetry.

[@abasis.baruti9819]

Exactly

[@nkatekozitha6011]

its a metaphor and a brilliant one at that

[@stevenjones9370]

Damn I listened to this freestyle billion times and ain’t catch that!! Damn!

[@ryannguyen1529]

it could also mean he suffers to tell yall about it or it can also mean he chained himself in to tell you all about the times he was once imprisoner or being held back? I don't know how to word it

[@MrBdkim]

D.O.C is a rapper that has a classic album called “No one can do it better” which was entirely produced by Dr. Dre. He ended up getting in a car crash and lost his voice. That’s who Black Thought was referring to when he said “Same cadence as D.O.C, pre-accident. Glad y’all reacted to this, it’s the best funk flex freestyle to me. And love the channel also.

[@darryle4066]

The D.OC. was awesome. So sad he lost his voice.

[@profit420jc]

Thank you because I paused it just to explain that whole thing about D.O.C pre accident

[@urbanchangewithin624]

Might be the greatest freshman rap album of all time

[@703Tyme]

@@profit420jc hahaha...I literally did the same shit

[@gmac9987]

D.O.C. was about to blow up BIIGGGG before that accident. I remember we were all dssapointed and hurt for him. Props to Dre for not just dropping him off loke the industry does and keepin him in the game writing and producing

[@Daybreakhasme]

As a 48 yr old Black man..I really appreciate you Lions for going over this one!💪🏾🔥🔥😎

[@Mama4n5]

And as a 48 yr old woman I respect these young Thundercats tappin' in to our era. Have you seen when they watched Rakim, I ain't no joke, and Nas, Ether

[@adamcampbell7110]

I swear. 47 yrs old here. But they need some old school niggas to let them know the lyrics. They lost🤣🤣🤣

[@yahmanml]

Same!!👊🏾

[@yahmanml]

“How much CB4 can we afford? Is like Sharia Law on my Cherie Amor” = Heavy!!!

[@hatenonme1212]

39 myself & yes this was necessary

[@loriannrichardson7644]

This rap is packed with double entendres, analogies, similes, history, etc., etc. This right here is EVERYTHING, just brilliant!

[@themilioxperience2427]

Exactly!!

[@piggy5677]

To me, Fred the Godson was ill with the wordplay too.

[@JohnWick-gl6mw]

This is the true essence of our beloved Hip Hop . We used to have to OPEN a BOOK to overstand the BARS .. respect

[@bbernard0714]

The best part about this video is watching these youngins get up on how incredible Black Thought is!

[@diamondbackspartan3204]

triple and quadruple entendres*

[@danielh5980]

The most impressive thing about this is his breath control. 10 minutes straight with no break, no fumble in his flow or delivery, amazing

[@RobRobbie]

“Heaven and Hades, Tigris and Euphrates” He first referenced Heaven and hell and tied that into the Garden of Eden which was said to be situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It’s a monster bar for sure

[@iceman4311]

The cradle of civilization in Iraq

[@ogvybes]

Don't forget he threw in the apple for the ladies (Eve in the Garden).

[@entertainmenttelevision9257]

@@ogvybes Also How the most High see us his people Israel as the bride and the apple of his eye. to all the nations that mistreated us.(Zephaniah 2:8)

[@matthy8084]

@@entertainmenttelevision9257 Nice connection (but correction: it's Zecariah 2:8)

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

He follows with "the apple of the iris for you ladies" Adam's apple, Iris = female Egyptian God, using the "apple of my eye" concept. That my friends is a triple entendre in one bar. Wow

[@eggmcsmurfin]

Shoutout to the dude in the back who caught most of Black Thought's brilliance in real time you earned my respect brotha!!!

[@joedivision7148]

Bars had him with a stank face for half the video lmao

[@Jonasgp123]

Yeh man. He caught what the others dropped fr

[@beruksamson5120]

Bruh... that boy said Euphrates was a river in Africa and theres Tigers in Africa lmao... you call that catching the bar? smh

[@eggmcsmurfin]

@@beruksamson5120 I'll cut him some slack for not getting 100% of that longass cypher. he was able to catch most of it, especially compared to the rest

[@ebarbour71]

No, he really didn’t. So much went right over his head. North Korea…really.

[@zebrion5793]

This Black Thought freestyle is probably the best continuous stream-of-consciousness over a beat ever recorded. He stays on subject, on beat, transitions between ideas smoothly and without repeating or pausing at all. This is a VERY rare skill with rappers. His vocabulary is out of this world. You can tell he's thought a lot about the way he wants to talk about certain things and just lets the beat guide him through. Insane level of skill here.

[@KtotheG]

I compare him to Coltrane, who was also relentless with ideas and finding new ways to express them in his "sheets of sound" technique. I swear Tariq has Coltrane's spirit in him.

[@paulh.9937]

@@KtotheG John Coltrane the goat fr fr, excellent taste bro

[@cushturah]

Rakim and Treach can’t see Black Thought, Biggie and Pac can’t see Black Thought !!!

[@MrOPPMan]

@@cushturah Thought has no peers in this kind of free-styling. Literally a party of one.

[@denrico777]

Bro the breath control ALONE is WILD. Let alone the flows, the lyrics, the metaphors, the rhyme schemes, the delivery, riding the beat. This was literally a clinic on extreme rap skills in every category.

[@williamstephens9166]

Tigris and Euphrates is a river system that runs through a bunch of middle eastern countries. Long time ago they were the predominant water ways for trade, travel and relations between countries. Black Thought is VERY well educated. Glad you guys enjoyed his freestyle!

[@brandonmason388]

Not only that, but that river confluence was the location of Mesopotamia, the world’s first complex urban society. It’s often referred to as the “cradle of civilization.” Deep.

[@EsoTravis]

@@brandonmason388 This is the real meaning, Black Thought is referencing the beginning of civilization

[@glogan9888]

The "Golden Crescent" on a lot of flags from that region. The Crescent moon is a symbol.

[@kewan2045]

It’s all biblical. Garden of Eden

[@brightseatbully5626]

I’m past 40 and absolutely LOVE hearing y’all react to this “old head” stuff. Respect, fellas.

[@freehand.underhand]

I'm right behind you at 39. So refreshing to see these young dudes encountering this for the first time.

[@ammielcoats9762]

Hell yeah I'm 43 I love these young cats hearing real hip hop and learning.

[@israelmontero4490]

That’s not old..

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

41, been part of the Roots crew since "Do you want more" still got my OG cd. It's nice to see these kids discovering what was considered standard back in the days. Never forget, this, way back when, was standard.

[@freehand.underhand]

@@dr.madthumbz2689 hell yeah! My brother put me on when I was real little. My first exposure to the roots was distortion of the static. The album was so different to everything else out at the time. I didn't really get it at first, but it became one of my all-time favorites by the time illadelph came out. Doom was like that too for me.

[@tadgers4]

No mumbling. No,slurred words. No forced rhymes. The essence of real MCing

[@michaelsmith8082]

Facts

[@americantrucker2452]

Major Facts 💯

[@garykemp7441]

Righhhhhhht

[@caleb9082]

💯

[@londellpatton8806]

WORD.

[@darnellgoodman5038]

I love this. I’m 50 and to see these young brothers appreciate this is priceless! Awesome!

[@brawlnation5194]

we lived through best era, they missed that DOC pre accident line,, they was thinking real doctor but us 70s kids know The DOC was different voice wise after accident. Man glad to see they feeling real lyricism

[@jb6360]

@@brawlnation5194 💯

[@kageinc99]

Right!!!

[@reek5570]

"OG'S and you Young Lions"...... EQUALLY PROUD TO LISTEN 💯

[@SmittyD33]

Facts This is the epitome of what HipHop is REAL MC

[@caseyryan1887]

This is the greatest freestyle ever recorded, and by a looooooong shot. Black Thought is like a Mozart level stream of consciousness over that beat. This freestyle is historical.

[@reallife0728]

THE TRUTH THE WHOLE TRUTH & NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!!!!!

[@volusiasorange]

it will be in the smothsonian soon. it will outlive the smithsonian

[@focuz4899]

I'm gonna have to go ahead and agree with you expeditiously...

[@Altaire7]

It wasn't a freestyle. He wrote that shit clearly.

[@volusiasorange]

@@Altaire7 lol and? it contains more depth and wizardry than 95% of entire albums. And it did still come off top, he wasn't looking at it or anything

[@gmac9987]

I love when my man said "i need to pick up a book" That's what i tell my boys.... read on your own and get educated. Some of the dopest MC's back in the day were extremely intelligent and they didn't just spit nonsense. Beautiful reaction to one of the GREATEST to do it

[@TRivera13]

Even when nonsense was spit, sometimes there was some clever wordplay that you had go back and hear again.

[@demondwilson8870]

You could see the self reflection in his face as the music continued. He became less vocal and more focused. It was great!

[@gmac9987]

@@TRivera13 No Doubt!!!!!!!

[@fabsmaster5309]

Every crew needs that one dude to explain things to everyone else. Man in the back really came through on this one.

[@mush930]

@@nope_no_nunya. Too happy to be ignorant. I dont like it either.

[@ggoodman30]

To hear them say "I need to learn a new word every day, I need to read a book...." That is the power of hip hop and now you know why it was infiltrated and contaminant.

[@pietabeasley6549]

🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@SmittyD33]

Exactly 💯

[@MsMetafly]

This

[@rokaine7334]

THAT PART!!!!!

[@darkhalo0868]

I've been saying this for more than 25 years... Black Thought is most underrated.

[@melany_7melania]

Yep him and papoose

[@adg_87]

I think most heads know he's God level. Only the mainstream underrates BT.

[@zemtronix1]

BT is the only rapper that never had beef with anyone...they know better

[@knowledgeofselfdetermination]

​@zemtronix1 now that's FACTS

[@purplepixeleater]

nah

[@BucksBe]

I feel so much pride when the younger generation discovers something that I knew was so real. I'm so glad this greatness speaks to every generation. I can't remember why he came out with this. Someone did something, a freestyle and out of nowhere, Black Thought dropped this manifesto, completely memorized and delivered flawlessly. This was absolutely insane. Nothing comes close to this performance in hip hop. Philly needs a statue of BT next to Rocky.

[@ttownsend85]

Lets make one.

[@123medinap]

He did this in response to DJ Vlad interview where he opts not to put Black Thought in his category of top emcees. Major mistake, but glad he made it. Otherwise, this wouldn't have been inspired.

[@willywonka7812]

Instead of Rocky. Or alongside Joe Frazier

[@HakTunes]

Me too!!!! These young boys need this!!!!!!!

[@soule-threethousand]

Yo, I am coming back to this year's later being amazed again after coming to realize that this stream of consciousness was all off the top. I knew Black Thought had a nasty freestyle, but this here is historic! He is definitely in my top 2, and he ain't number 2!

[@JustDraysonTV]

I’m glad that you guys took the time to check out this freestyle. Black Thought is one on the greatest lyricist to ever do it.

[@Servant.of.the.MostHighSWT]

THE GREATEST💯💯

[@kpowell927]

Bars transcend generations. Glad y’all gave him a spin. All our lives are better for listening to Black Thought.

[@jcorey68]

Black Thought is a high end, top tier lyricist. Only the well read and highly educated can understand

[@fletchernorwood445]

Facts!!

[@thehealthydad]

Thought is for Grown man conversations.

[@Brandyyyyy]

Well said ❤

[@e.double2612]

Unmitigated facts!!

[@reggieknight5208]

Thanos Facts 👑💪🏾

[@goldboban]

The lyricism is insane, but the fact that he does it over 10 minutes without a single mistake, and in 1 take, is just out of this world.

[@bowlerfamily]

And got fresh lungs... could've kept on!

[@Paulyb384]

Thought is just elite level

[@nugglife3035]

That's what 30+years experience can do for you. Lol

[@nkatekozitha6011]

@@nugglife3035 you damn skippy!!!

[@zak2659]

he made one minor mistake when he said henrietta "acks" instead of "lacks"

[@MrAC314]

Black Thought is easily one of the top 5 lyrics of all time.

[@oskara1991]

Goat mc

[@callme_dante]

Top 5 lyrics huh...

[@Philadiego]

One of my all time favorites. He’s a genius. He is so well spoken.

[@Settiis]

A GOAT!

[@greg2797]

Black thought, Em, Canibus, Lupe Fiasco, Nas is my top 5 lyricist strictly off lyricism. Nothing extra. In no order

[@outthereJCH]

I loved watching y'all young brothers get your minds blown. I'm 40 and Black Thought been doing this his whole career. Welcome to real hip hop young bloods :-)

[@streetframes413]

This is a true reaction. I absolutely love how 75% of this goes over y’all head. Tariq is a true MC, so glad you guys reacted over this.

[@tonisno4174]

Facts

[@TRivera13]

After this I started calling him Mr. Trotter.

[@dannybernard4339]

They’re just too young to get the references but they are are definitely feeling it. Makes me proud as an old head

[@kennyc9662]

@@dannybernard4339 Absolutely. I'm impressed they picked up on some of what they did.

[@ByronWilliams4Jersey]

Indeed! I was thinking about how they would react even crazier if they really understood the historical, literary and old school music references Tariq was spittin! I mean their minds 🤯were blown just off of the little that sunk in!

[@JaimeJDoesStuff]

This is one of or arguably the BEST verse ever spit on Flex in one take. Black Thought has been in my Top 5 since 96. He's amazing and super slept on.

[@newera5238]

Reeeeeal talk

[@JaimeJDoesStuff]

@@newera5238 I literally have NEVER heard a wack or even sub par verse from him.

[@newera5238]

@@JaimeJDoesStuff I agree my Brother, I agree ☝️

[@kylestaples465]

I didn't think anyone was gonna beat king iso's and then black thought came through and smoked it

[@dirtyd757]

Wrong. It's not arguable. Lol

[@AGLew17]

As a 58 yr old cat, I am thoroughly getting a kick out of these young cats not knowing about the older rappers and seeing them be entertained and enlightened when they here one of the GOAT emcees! Would love for them to hear "What They Do" by the The Roots to witness Thought in his "infancy"!! That joint is what made me a huge fan of The Roots!! Keep on appreciating the old school, young brothas!! Respect!✌🏿

[@abasis.baruti9819]

Thought @ Work would blow they lids

[@hatenonme1212]

The guy in the back right used a word that sums up what BLACK THOUGHT has ... substance. He can make you dislike your favorite rapper if you listen to him long enough. Love these guys reaction to actual bars & word play...it was & is refreshing to see real hip-hop get its flowers 💐...thank you Black Thought & all the other rappers & lyricist who continue to be authentic in their craft from the OGs to the youngins

[@Kratosx23]

The best line that nobody ever gets is that he goes back to the Morgan Freeman line just a few bars later when he says "I'm the sum of all fears". The Sum of All Fears is a movie with Morgan Freeman, where he plays the director of the CIA.

[@KOOLCOMEDY]

As amazed as they are many bars are still going waaaay over their heads!🤣 I still love the fact that they young cats being interested in appreciating the OGz!!

[@sp80amable]

like half the bars went over there heads and they were still amazed. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿🔥

[@jacobahtone220]

This freestyle is a history lesson. There are so many references that you are missing that will help explain the content/context of his freestyle. Henry Kissinger was essentially the man in the shadows controlling the past presidents. Buzz Bissinger is the author of Friday Night Lights. They both controlled the narrative of how you saw and perceived things. CB4 was a comedy movie that Chris Rock made back in the early 90's. It was essentially about 4 good kids who was acting like they was real gangsters that rapped. CB4 was a play on the name and story of NWA. Instead of Straight outta Compton, it was Straight outta Locash. MC Gusto was played by Charlie Murphy, very funny movie. BT is using the CB4 reference as most of these rappers today are fake like CB4 . Everybody wants to be a gangster until it's time to do some gangsta shit...

[@leorodrigues4413]

Thanks I’ve known this freestyle for years but I’m only 20 I never understood what half of this meant 😂😂 appreciate it boss 🤝🏾

[@roguepill]

Salut! Context is key 🙏🏿👏🏿

[@resistdespair1977]

“I’m a griot”

[@mochahontis]

This was my favorite reaction to this freestyle. Black Thought has always had bars. Glad young people recognize. 🙏🏽

[@foreverfly3113]

This is what the “Golden Area” of Hip Hop was. Respect the legends.

[@nate55dogg90]

For you young dudes who didn't know, now you know...Black Thought is one of the best true lyricist to ever do it...FACTS

[@keepmycash]

Co-signed....and then signed again.

[@anthonycannon5830]

WORD!!!!

[@geoffreytaylor950]

This the greatest freestyle of all time. Its all bars, no filler just heat and deep thought provoking rhymes that take many listens to receive half of what he saying. This is aww inspiring. Thanks for reacting to this.

[@manuelm.99]

not only love that the young generation is experiencing the genius and true essence of MCing that is black thought, but also showing the respect that level of skill deserves. love to see it!

[@artbong9071]

Nobody even mentioned the fact this man went on flawlessly for over ten minutes.

[@tmariehairartist]

Right!!!!

[@philiphenry4612]

he did a whole ep off one beat tyriqe is incredible

[@ironmanxrp4980]

Exactly Flawless and in one take.! Greatest freestyle of all time hands down it ain't even close!

[@dwaynethomas4131]

Thought is Krazy Diff

[@foolsday2530]

26:10

[@RegRock1000]

Black Thought = co-founder of The Roots (along with QuestLove)! This is Philly's Finest! Tarik has been one of the dopest MCs since ... Forever!!! I'm glad you guys have an interest in real hip-hop! The Tigris and Euphrates ARE rivers that run through Iraq and the areas that are mentioned in the Bible. There are numerous gems in Thought's analogy! They come fast so you have to listen close! Keep it going, Youngbloods! I appreciate your appreciation!

[@views3dconcepts183]

He’s referring to part of the Genesis story - “there’s heaven and hades”(heaven and hell)”, “Tigris and Euphrates”two of the rivers that meet up at the Garden of Eden. He then infers from same garden and plays on it with the apple to the ladies iris. He’s saying he’s the ladies temptation.

[@Deadbeatcow]

@@views3dconcepts183 this is insane wordplay, I'd have never got the connection between the three bars

[@mikey5782]

@@views3dconcepts183 insane bar

[@uselessvideo]

R.I.P. Malik B.

[@anthonyseaton5067]

I'm 48, Black Thought was one of many we grew up on who could spit like this. These brotha's were scholars, this is actually an art form that only a few can reproduce.

[@penpillage]

34 from South Africa. I deeply agree with you Sir. These men ( that class of rappers) helped many of us kill English at school.

[@staceytunstill4041]

@@penpillage I have several friends from Nigeria I met through a hip hop group and several had perfected their English listening to bars.... and came to love hip hop as well. And their English is better than mine, lol

[@swiffmatic]

The best freestyle ever!!! 🔥 Insane breath control

[@dopeone11]

As an old school hip hop head… it does my heart well to see you bumping black thought. Every bat requires you to have a in-depth knowledge of the world.

[@playen4keeps]

Greatest Freestyle of ALL TIME… Period

[@elliotselmon7581]

PERIOD!!!

[@Azamra18]

100%

[@keithlowery9708]

The roots was the first hip hop concert ever went to. It was awesome. Black thought is crazy. They have some other lyricist in the group as well but him solo. He's a monster in the game. Definitely top 10

[@Aragonsdick]

They recently did their annual "The Roots picnic" and Black thought ate Rick Ross's 'hustlin'" beat. Was amazing.

[@trippinbawls88]

@@Aragonsdick that intro with black thought and quest was all I've had time to watch so far but it was really good

[@trippinbawls88]

@@Aragonsdick imma have to go back and watch the whole thing

[@trippinbawls88]

@@Aragonsdick lmao nvm that was 2020 I was watching not this year got a little to catch up on

[@randomanton]

Malik B? He left the group a while ago, and actually died like 2 years ago 😔

[@WhatHappensWhenIt]

Say it with me…. To the people in the back …… BLACK THOUGHT IS LITERALLY THE GOAT. Period. I’ve been saying this since the second Roots album🤷🏾‍♂️🔥🤯🤯

[@0willow0]

Black Thought's new album with Danger Mouse is a love letter to classic 90s hip-hop, and Danger did a brilliant job setting the soundstage for Thought to bring us back to that time and place in music.

[@chrisbranch488]

Been blasting aquamarine non stop

[@15allnite]

Made my heart swell hearing Black Thought with MF DOOM on “Belize”.

[@darlenejuliet4094]

This is what real hip hop is! So nice to see your generation being inspired!

[@freddyb3380]

I love it

[@OrlandopeJayWay]

Yes I agree 100% If the younger generation would just listen to some late 80s to late 90s hip hop, they would be impressed.

[@djmrphantastikmusic]

This is what happens when the youth get inspired by real third eye opening substance, instead of brain cell draining gibberish. Their reactions was priceless. I love the feeling of discovering something new that resonates with your frequency. Salute fellas. 🦾🦾🦾👑🐐👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@nathanroman6566]

He’s a lyrical superhuman with circular breathing on such a high level

[@thomasramirez718]

This why us old heads feel the way we do about music now a days, it’s no longer about the art form or the lyrics. There even used to be a thing called underground hip hop which was full of amazing lyricist who never made it any where but did it for the culture and to show there talent not for shine or fame.

[@AbrahamPalmer-wj5cb]

Exactly

[@apexone5502]

The underground still exists. You can still find that raw Hip Hop our generation loves; from the old school rappers still doing their thing to the new schoolers who respect the craft and culture. You can easily find them here on KZbin.

[@godivadark]

I love how y’all picked up on sooo much yet there’s tons more that you missed simply because it is a referencing something that happened before you were born, is political, world history, etc.This is a MASTERPIECE and could easily easily be included in a college level literature course requiring critical analysis. There’s so much to unpack in this freestyle. Black Thought is EVERYTHING.

[@nerdbamarich2063]

If I'm not mistaken I think a few colleges did do some analysis on this freestyle a bit after it was released which says a lot.

[@reallife0728]

THEY DIDNT PICK UP ON ANYTHING,,,THE IGNORANCE FROM THESE YOUNG MEN IS PATHETIC!!!!!

[@sinandsayn]

@@reallife0728 not pathetic, just misinformed, at least they are trying to educate themselves

[@MrBjjackson1]

Exactly!! And then there is so much more to Thought. He has like 3 solo projects and like 10 albums with the Roots and NEVER a lame verse.

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

He is THE WORD FOR WORD GOAT

[@jelani96]

I'm 52 years old and I grew up in NYC during the very early days of hip hop music (late 70s early 80s) it did my heart proud to see y'all young cats appreciated this. Of course I already knew about his talents with The Roots but when this shit dropped about 3 years or so ago, it blew my mind lyrically! Non stop, thought provoking rhymes for TEN MINUTES STRAIGHT, with hardly a pause made. To be honest, yall missed a few things he spit, but for the most part you guys figured some bars out and I love how the further it went on, the more you listened for something hot to be said, and appreciated it when you heard it. Black Thought is hands down in the top 5 of lyricist ever to grab a mic, and I've listened to a lot of hip hop in my time on this Earth. The reactions I had to a lot of his lyrics were damn near the same as your when I first heard this as well. This one was definitely a tribute to the O.Gs like myself. Great to see y'all digging it like you did. Keep up the good work youngbloods, y'all put a smile on my face.

[@phillygyrl34]

Who is your top 5?

[@bigshotgraffix5620]

Play it again and again you'll catch more details everytime.. Lyrical perfection

[@joekrypt7074]

I just turn 39 the other day and I have to say I am so happy you guys have finally came across this at your young age. 🙏🏾🙌🏾 Well done now you you need to relisten over and over again to truly understand what just took place. This IS the best Freestyle in hip-hop history. When he said a fat Pharaoh he is talking about Pharaoh Monche ... Do not stop at Simon Says ... Listen to the albums Internal Affairs and Desire. Theres so much in this freestyle it will take a couple hours to truly dissect. This is real hip-hop.

[@michelerussell5217]

Exactly

[@nerdbamarich2063]

His breath control is immaculate he actually went to school for that. That's why he's able to continue rapping without taking too many deep breaths. He's clearly on another level...

[@thed.z.a.4658]

circle breathing

[@nerdbamarich2063]

@@thed.z.a.4658 fact's

[@dicwolf5737]

@@thed.z.a.4658 whats that brother

[@ministerservertavares4714]

YO, I LOVE their AUTHENTIC reaction... the crazy part is that so MANY lines went over their heads! Nuff RESPECT to these young brothers for SEEKING the TRUTH!! Great work, this is another example that Hip Hop is in GREAT hands, NOW is the time for the OGs to have REAL conversations with OUR youth to RECONNECT them to TRUE Hip Hop culture, will help THEM to keep SHININ', Word!!!😎🙏🏾👏🏾👊🏾❤🖤💚👑 #IamHiphop #HipHopMinistries

[@thed.z.a.4658]

took a golf cart to the Waldorf what was hanging on the wall that depends on what you call art

[@jacksonsiv6203]

Breath control without stopping, legendary!

[@sethmossberg1946]

If you heard of The Roots then you know Black Thought. Top 5 lyricist. The freestyle with him and Method Man is crazy also.

[@georgethompsonjr6082]

I actually prefer it just to see the reverence Meth has for Thought. Meth is one of the best ever himself and came up rapping with some of the best rappers ever and HE knows Thought is an alien!

[@shady_panda]

In Eminem’s song Zeus, he uses Black Thought’s name (Tariq Trotter) as a double. “So imagine the havoc these black thoughts are to wreak (Tariq) As in Trotter, I keep slaughterin' beats”

[@declanmurphy1443]

Also the line before that " where i planted my roots' the roots was the band.

[@Fozzie420]

That Track "Yah Yah" That Black Thought does with Eminem and Royce goes hard af as well

[@shady_panda]

@@Fozzie420 Right!? During BT’s verse you can even hear Eminem shouting “keep going”.

[@b4realjenkins625]

I give kudo's to eminem, he has always been a respectful class act when it came to real rappers. 👏

[@chocobrown79]

I just ❤️ the fact that you posted this! SO many people never even caught that. Even if they did, they had NO CLUE as to whom he was referring to.

[@chri8067]

This how most classic rappers got down. Redman, RZA, GZA, Common are just a few of my cerebral lyricists. We came up in a different educational system. Comprehensive reading and writing was an absolute

[@Metaldjwill2]

FILTHY BARS, No edits, no notes, no breaks.... all off the dome...This will never be defeated!

[@PencilsandPaper]

Y'all should do a part 2 with the lyrics. Full research. This is an education in information and Rap skill and I think y'all young bulls could learn a lot of shit- especially if you're not hearing this kind of rap at all. This level of high reaching rap was once way more regular, the new age has really done a disservice to black boys intelligence by dumbing down the content and lyricism. We used to be schooled by rap; lingo, references, (black) historical perspectives, truth from hood tales. Shout out to homie with the twists- he got clued in pretty fast to how deep Thought was hitting. This freestyle, most Lupe Fiasco, Ghostface, Rakim have things to teach you. It's good to see y'all checking this out, respect, I hope you do more. Rap is way more interesting than what's considered hot right now.

[@davidbatthauer9062]

52 year old father of four. Married for 28 years. Own my business building houses. Thoroughly enjoy watching and listening to you fellas. Commentary about Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle is hilarious and insightful. Fellas watching artists from my generation and reacting is dope (yes, a middle aged white man from Indiana just used the word dope). I also appreciate the honest and sincere humanity everyone expresses about cultural issues. Study, train, work, love Jesus and be for what you were created by God. Long day and week working, now unwinding watching four entertaining young men doing there thing… Tigris and Euphrates are rivers in Iraq. Known as the Fertile Crescent. Cradle of civilization.

[@Sooopa_Doopa]

It has been theorized that the actual location of the Biblical Garden of Eden (if you believe in that sort of stuff) was somewhere between the Tigris and Euphrates

[@khary2581]

Salute to you young brothers for sparkin this legendary freestyle, 10 mins of straight bars. 🔥. Black Thought/Tariq is probably the most underrated emcee of all time.

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

I am hip-hop, I studied this shit. Black Thought, Bad lieutenant, Tariq is the word for word GOAT MC. His discography is the proof. Been saying it for years. Bad Lieu = GOAT

[@michaelgreen2631]

YOUNGSTERS, THIS IS HIGH QUALITY HIP HOP! THIS IS WHAT IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN! THIS DUDE IS A BEAST, AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN. THERE WERE OTHERS IN THE ROOTS CREW. YOU HAD RAHZEL, BLACK THOUGHT, DICE RAW, MALIK B . (R.I.P.) AND OTHERS!! I HAVE SEEN THEM LIVE MANY TIMES NOW. THERE WERE OTHER GROUPS BACK THEN. GANGSTARR, BLACK STAR, THE BOOGIE MONSTERS, DA BUSH BABEES, THE PHARCYDE, ETC.

[@jjdynamite1960]

Black Thought is the GOAT of GOATS. Period.

[@rayscollectionchannel9891]

“If your not tapped in and didn’t think that was fire, you might be stupid”!!😂FACTS Glad y’all enjoyed this hip hop legend.

[@SectorS7VEN]

“I don’t even get half of this” “You not comprehending this???” “i aM” “He spitting bars on the intellectual side” 😂😂😂

[@mrgolstein]

This is the epitome of Black Thought. Legendary ROOTS Crew ♾️

[@dkGamecocks]

BT is one of the best lyricist ever.

[@abefrohammer3105]

You guys have no clue how deep their discography goes. One of the best and most underrated groups. Scott Storch came from the Roots and he made a ton of hits in the 2000's.

[@purplepixeleater]

You like project 45 lies? you think that was so wise?

[@AlLuke]

This whole freestyle is a hip hop thesis and will open your mind to some next level thought.

[@WaveLordLuis]

Watching the younger gen be completely mindblown by BT was absolutely 🔥 😂😂 I’m glad they gave it a shot 💯💯

[@omargraham8591]

Watching these kids minds explode over this freestyle gave me joy. Im glad GenZ could see and appreciate something like this. This is rapping to us. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾loved the reaction fellas. If you wanna catch more bars check out Lost In Vegas’ channel and watch their reaction to this…to learn a lotta what yall pondered and missed. 👍🏾

[@Apollo-jy1jw]

Great recommendation to lost in Vegas for more , break down and reaction. I love that they gave it a listen as well. My daughter is those guys age and she loves the lyricism that Black thought brings., peace brother and be well.!

[@thehealthydad]

So good to see these youngsters get an education.

[@vanessathornton4315]

ITS SO REFRESHING TO SEE YOUR YOUNG FACES HEARING WHAT WE HEARD..!!!! BABIES LET YOUR EARS HEAR THE MUSIC SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.... US OLDER LISTEN TO THE NEW MUSIC BUT THE OLD MUSIC HAS STORYS WE LIVED AND SEEN SO MUCH AND IT HURTS US TO KNOW THE NEW MUSIC ISNT FEEDING YOUR BEAUTIFUL MINDS... GET BACK TO THE OLD MUSIC .❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tpmalik1998]

Black Thought is one of the reasons that the term "MC" was created. He is truly one of the GOATs.

[@knutt81]

If there is ever a chance to see The Legendary Roots Crew or Black live in concert, DO IT!! My mans is a machine.

[@freehand.underhand]

For real! These dudes put in work and deserve all the success they have. I used to see them like 4 times a year in Providence, RI back in the late 90s when they would perform for crowds of like 100-200 ppl. They would do a long ass show for our small city and then chill in the crowd afterwards. Quest love always seemed genuinely happy to meet a fan and have actual conversation. much respect to these dudes.

[@nigelleeakamoneybanklocks8903]

@@freehand.underhand yeah man, I live in N.Providence and those days were the best!!!!! Black thought top 5 all time

[@freehand.underhand]

@@nigelleeakamoneybanklocks8903 Lupos always had the bests shows! Black Thought was def top 5. Illadelph was on heavy rotation coming up

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

Saw them last summer up here in Montreal. WAS AMAZING.

[@Lyrikalskate]

Facts! Four times for me!! All worth it

[@stormtrooper-313tk]

This free style is quite literally the best rapping in rap history. It doesn't matter who you like, who's your goat. You hear this and you know it is unbelievably dope

[@Portthefirst]

This one, Daylyt's freestyle and Mural from Lupe are GODTIER rapping, probably top 3 best rappin ever.

[@teronward7570]

Daylyt had the best freestyle I ever heard!

[@dean-hx3ds]

@@Portthefirst mural lyrically the best track i ever heard

[@treydubs5332]

Frfr 💯💪

[@chbrown24]

This video brings me so much joy watching the youngin' tap in the lyrics. One love from a 40 year old black man💯

[@ben9467]

One of the best bars in rap history: “Criminal records like record sales, Making heads or tails, we like henrietta lacks up in the cells” Genius

[@TruOmilade]

Powerful!

[@FabulousFadz]

I just wrote a comment about Henrietta Lacks when I saw that they didn't mention anything about her. That is a seriously awesome and deeply layered line.

[@toyaex9950]

Henerita Lack is the woman from Baltimore who cells were stolen by John aHopkins with out her or her fam permission.

[@thed.z.a.4658]

the goat of syllable control

[@mrflynn01]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@cestrella0108]

Y'all faces the entire time pay homage to this GOAT; easily one of the best freestyles you'll ever hear!

[@yoshiodiaz8600]

Black Thought is a lyricist of the next level. You guys need to check his group The Roots. The group as a whole is different. Live instruments and him spitting lyrics

[@bowtiecigars]

Exactly what ya'll did throughout, having to keep going back to re-listen again and again, this is why we always suggest younger fans go back and listen to our generation from a lyrical standpoint. This is one take too gentlemen. Respect. Bowtie. ✊🏾💪🏾🙏🏾

[@gino88]

Lyrics genius breaks down all that you may have missed. It is like a university lesson in history, anthropology, metaphiysics etc.

[@davis267]

🎯💯

[@djcrystalclear420]

He’s in my top 5

[@chungboislim2061]

lol, has the university become that bad? This is incredible, but cmon.

[@mookX92]

@@chungboislim2061 I agree that's a reach. But hey this is the internet where hyperboles are the norm. A sharp and intelligent person is automatically an intellectual, every artist is a genius and every song is a masterpiece

[@choice12ozborne]

I feel like you about to give me the 120 lessons. Just kidding. It's just the way you described it made me think of that

[@TripSe7en_77]

I subbed on the strength of this reaction. I love to hear today’s generation appreciating music and artists from my era (80’s, 90’s)

[@3COI]

This freestyle is def one of the best ever. Never seen a rapper make someone pledge to read and learn more words before lol. Black Thought has been nice for decades. He's the lead rapper in The Roots, you should definitely listen to tracks from them. Do the Black Thought& Method Man freestyle and do the Royce freestyle on LA Leakers. Yall should also do Lemon by Conway featuring Method Man

[@carediojackson6553]

So many bars went over their heads it's crazy. But I'm glad they caught enough to really enjoy this. Their minds are now open

[@slr8170]

Black Thought is one of the greatest lyricist to ever touch the mic, the man might seriously be the GOAT! That’s Philly finest right there 🙌🏽

[@Camille4Real]

Oh, this was such a treat!! Give Black Thought his muh-fuggin FLOWERS 🔥🌸🔥🌺🔥

[@shantel605]

💐💐💐💐

[@ElevatedMindsEnt]

What about your first time hearing Ty 4 Thought??? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5fFmpigp7V_sMk

[@CTBSlash0509]

Black Thought is a real hip-hop artist what the game is lacking today. I miss rappers like that from my childhood hood. Listening to bars like this is like water for to my soul.

[@ElevatedMindsEnt]

What about your first time hearing Ty 4 Thought??? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5fFmpigp7V_sMk

[@EricTaylor-ii7mw]

I've watched this video several times and love it more and more after each watch and listen. I love watching your reactions as Black drops his incredible bars. Being born and raised in Philly, we put him on the highest pedestal there is. Do yourself a favor and please dig into his and The Roots' discography, as well as his features. I would love to see you do a video on the track called "Twofifteen". It will also blow your mind. Peace!

[@HectorHernandez76]

So good to see young men seeing what real Hip Hop was all about

[@mrmoe6o6]

I can't lie I get goose bumps every time these guys miss a line and go bk. They have NO IDEA wut hip hop use to be, b/c of wut they are subjected to by their peers. BARS!!!!!!!!!💯💪🏾👊🏾✌🏾

[@GoogleAccount00]

They are clueless 😂

[@kennethmeyers8386]

“Boom💣”

[@JulianBlack-ox9xy]

Yo I said the same thing! He have you drawn in.

[@mustakrakish123]

Conscious Underground Hip Hop, that's where the bars are. I grew up with these guys on my Walkman in the 90s, treasured memories

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

He wasn't underground, HE WAS MAINSTREAM. Imagine, this type of lyricism was mainstream

[@panafrican.nation]

@@dr.madthumbz2689 yeah that's the crazy part. Money is great but it's what effed up the mainstream art form. I listened to basically everything Black Thought/The Roots put out, over and over here in Kenya

[@cefallah5100]

I really love this video because as much as my guy Tariq is rhyming over y’all heads, you guys are still breaking it down to the best of your ability. It is so refreshing to see. Peace to all four of you. Young Black Gods, Keep Rising! 👑👑👑👑💨💨💨💨💨💨💨💨💨💨💨💨