FREESTYLES ON FLEX | (Black Thought) - Reaction Request!

[@Kickinthescience]

When Black Thought raps he makes alot of ppl realize they haven’t read many books

[@rashadwalker8218]

True

[@erichenderson1344]

Facts my guy…real talk. The great lyricist u can tell read…by there word play.

[@Cagon415]

Dude was literally just saying book titles for a minute lol. So dope.

[@surenaemnm3724]

He said my passport the pages from war and peace. And they didn't get it. And I am still scared of this man's knowledge 😮😮

[@briangrisham5553]

Or listen to a lot of hip hop music 🎶

[@enterlematrix]

13:09 Griot: a west african story teller.

[@mikeyj7824]

Peacock your arm. I'm imagining ✊️

[@mistermotivation1833]

They missing everything

[@postbro1]

I'm sitting here cracking up that they were saying "criot."

[@melanatedgod7604]

Only Black Thought will have you researching words in the middle of a freestyle. God Flow.

[@Crimson_Panda]

Breaking it down: peacock you arm It's basically saying, to raise your arm/fist representing Black Power

[@dsword456]

It means you showing off...A peacock bird is known to show off when it spreads it's multi colored wings)

[@dhairston4151]

​@@dsword456NO

[@Crimson_Panda]

The free style is far more elevated academically as well as consciously.....this is a PhD Doctorate level of rhyming. Hood and gangster rhyming can't compete.

[@57kwest]

When I 1st heard this, I for real thought I should be making a tuition payment. The knowledge this man just threw out into the world is "doctorate level"

[@starrisking1]

😅😅😅😅

[@RogerWalker-ve1ex]

Straight up " Knowledge "

[@briangrisham5553]

😅🎉😂

[@Crimson_Panda]

Breaking it down: When Things Fall Apart when center is too weak to hold y'all "When Things Fall Apart" a book/story written by Achinua Achebe, an African author, this is a book for my English 101 class while attending HBCU Morgan State University. Considered a great African/African American author and must read book especially at HBCUs.

[@Crimson_Panda]

Breaking it down: Maybe I'm the new Rakim Rakim ALLAH, the God Rakim, Rakim being the God MCee. Also spitting in his rhymes at times being a 5%er, five percenter, NGE/Nation of Gods & Earths, And as a God who has 360° of Knowledge Wisdom and Understanding, which breaks down to 120° of each hence 120° of Knowledge + 120° of Wisdom + 120° of Understanding = 360° thus making him a God. The symbolism of the Circle or 360° represents completeness, the complete cycle. It's tight, uniform, perfect, the only shape that all other shapes can fit within such as triangle the square the octagon etc..no matter how many sides the shape may have, in fact the more sides a shape has, the closer it gets to being perfect, like a circle. Other people who share/are of NGE are members of WuTang Clan, Erykah Badu, PRT rap group Poor Righteous Teachers, King Sun and to some extent Public Enemy....etc Obviously Tyreek aka Black Thought was influenced by those 360° of lessons as was Rakim and others...

[@qayyimcutta6682]

The hardest bar is about Henrietta Lacks. Double meaning "like Henry Lacks up in the cells" meaning jail cell and Henrietta Lacks cells a black women who's cell are still used today in cancer research. Henrietta Lacks (born Loretta Pleasant; August 1, 1920 - October 4, 1951)[1] was an African-American woman[4] whose cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line, the first immortalized human cell line[A] and one of the most important cell lines in medical research. An immortalized cell line reproduces indefinitely under specific

[@terrylopez3570]

💯

[@melanatedgod7604]

FACTS and it's a travesty that she's not WORLD known for her amazing story and how she's saving lives. Racism is hell.

[@damnthisuser]

​@@melanatedgod7604no the travesty is they were stolen

[@Crimson_Panda]

Breaking it down: referencing Red Black & Green universally accepted colors representing the following: RED is the blood we all have/share BLACK are the people primarily African and African American GREEN is the (Mother) land/earth

[@Crimson_Panda]

Breaking it down: My cheek was branded fleur-de-lis In this rhyme the Fleur-de-lis is commonly a French symbol currently used by the NFL team New Orleans Saints, Louisiana In US history in the French dominated areas the slavemasters/owners would brand the slaves on their facial cheek of the fleur-de-lis. To be branded with a fleur-de-lis is visibly degrading to the African slaves arriving to the new World via the French Crown

[@57kwest]

His story is pretty insane. Both of his parents were murdered when he was a kid

[@therealmikebrown]

In the 90s DC and Marvel had a crossover where the universe merged. The result was the Amalgam Universe. That's how I learned the word.

[@kirbyblakely2620]

He’s a Griot that makes you wanna Peacock ya arm (TRANSLATION) He tells vivid stories of history about his people that makes those who listen so proud that the wanna spread their arms and show their absolute Peacock-like beauty.

[@tuphan5802]

Griot is an African poet and peacock your arm, peacocks flare their feathers when they’re courting or threatening so peacock your arm like a firearm or even blinging out their arms

[@dhairston4151]

"Peacock-like beauty"..? NO. Everything else spot on correct.

[@mistersl8647]

Just to be clear "long in the tooth" means getting old. A lot of young me who grew up the way he did died at an early age. He never thought he'd live long due to his environment.

[@odogg6899]

still applies both ways. Gotta grow old to gain good amount of wisdom. hence the double entendre

[@mistersl8647]

@@odogg6899 Maybe but I'm not too sure about that. I've never heard "long in the tooth" equated with wisdom. Any time I've heard it or read it, its always referring to age. Specifically getting old or something that is old. Also, if you listen to how he places the phrase, what he's speaking is all time based. "I've seen some ice-cold summers hot winters too. I never thought I'd win Grammy Awards with the Roots. I never thought I would be gettin' long in the tooth. My OGs told me, boy you better go ahead and live your truth. I am a walking affirmation that imagination and focus and patience gets you closer to your aspirations." All of those bars reference time in some way. Could be just me, but I don't see the double entendre here because I don't see a wisdom reference, but hey I could be wrong.

[@Cryptone28]

​@@mistersl8647nah, u got it right fam, they got it wrong... it's a time reference

[@enterlematrix]

11:16 Peacocks fluff up their feathers in a majestic show to attract the female of the species. It a double entendre that half flows into the weapon bar. Basically if i am showing you the weapon, I'm ready to use it. It's a visibly apparent show of dominance. Black Thought uses creative license with word meaning and pronunciation.

[@kenking2536]

Thank you Bro! When he says "Peacock your arm" he's saying their pulling the strap.

[@Bizsavvyartist]

I translated peacock your arm differently. Griot story telling makes you proud and peacock your arm = make you put your fist up, show your pride ✊🏾

[@shaawbrothers6049]

I seen some ice cold summers Hot winters too. I’ve seen the coldest things happen in the summer season. Yet I’ve also seen my neighborhood under intense surveillance in the winter as well.

[@ebrizzle7]

I'm literally just really hearing him. I had been listening to his cadence, delivery, and word play. But this morning class was im session.

[@initiativemusicworks6459]

Peacock your arms means "throw your hands in the air", an MC line to get the crowd hype. "Griot "an African story teller.

[@1c0nic_player]

i heard another thing that said it was the black power fist but idk

[@athens_1psvr31]

This is a lyricist, not a rapper. This is great writing raising the bar. I use this as breath control training. Black Thought and King Los are two that would have me scared to rhyme after in a true Off the Top Freestyle, but it would be a dope cypher. 👍🏾

[@jermanelowrance6567]

The peacock your arm bar is basically him saying you want to show off like stunting on someone wearing a nice watch your peacocking your arm showing off

[@mr.caldwell7065]

I wasn't sure if I should explain it to them.. some stuff we should keep to ourselves..

[@craigbarnave7857]

Black Thought been deep since the 90’s . Some are just born being IT

[@JustbeingCed]

Black thought is more than a rapper. He's a story teller and a lyricist. He is bringing back old hip hop

[@Txjumpman]

When you find yourself in a graduate course when trying to earn your GED.

[@enterlematrix]

When music comes from a pure place it can mean something to anyone with their third eye open. Chills.

[@jasonmassplayingmusic5533]

Imo the single best rhyme ever…

[@DeeJayResist]

"We're like Henrietta lack within the cells." WTF!!!. Look up the story of Henrietta Lack. This man is the GOAT emcee.

[@kennonwright-zc8so]

I've watched A LOT of reactions to this freestyle 2 years ago, and I love the amazement of his lyricism by you guys! He IS literally an almanac of information!!! I used to rhyme back in the day (I'm 52)..& he drops intricacies in his lyrics that make you feel like an idiot 😂😂! I googled almost 60% of his Flex Freestyle Rendition...did you guys catch the Henrietta Axe(sp??) cell bar? LMFAO...if not, Google her and put that with his bar using her as a metaphor!!! 🤦🤦🤦

[@RealReactions]

🔥

[@denilerobinson7299]

Peacocks are PROUD BEAUTIFUL BIRDS And Thougnt Rhymes he makes you wanna Raise your Arms with Pride

[@leatorabosigo5600]

In African culture, a Griot (pronounced with a silent T) is a storyteller. They relay stories through song and poetry. These stories are passed through word of mouth and were never written. I think when he say “make you want peacock your arm” he means tattoos

[@JamesEarlBonez]

When a Peacock struts in full bloom with its feathers out exposed is beautiful and prideful GRIOT is an African story teller. In African history Griots kept the history through story telling

[@denilerobinson7299]

😂 his home is well protected

[@adublbeatz8656]

Welcome aboard...lol...Im an old head, that love this type of rap, and I had to research a couple of his references as well..lol... Black Thought loves the art, and believes in giving it his best every time. The art of storytelling is on full display with this freestyle. He took it full circle. From a body being found dead in the car, to, "I tell a story like finger prints and blood splatter".....Great reaction.....

[@RealReactions]

🔥

[@Crimson_Panda]

Breaking it down: In my right hand symbol of stigmata Basically a symbol in Catholicism representing the crucifixion/Easter/Passover of Christ when the he was being attached/nailed to the cross, the nails went through each hand and both feet. So the Stigmata on his right-hand is demonstrating the sacrifices and pains he endured. Also being on the right-hand is also can represent being on the right-side of God, being shown favor/blessing

[@gregc9491]

I absolutely loved your reaction!!! Your attention to detail is such a breath of fresh air after constantly seeing reactions from people who just act interested for likes & subscriptions. Thanks for being genuine.

[@RealReactions]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@DJ_Shenanigan00]

Peacock you're arm, as in peacock fans out it's tail to impress the females. I took the bar as rise his arm as in the black Olympics guy who a gold medal but instead of celebrating he raised his arm to stand for racism, its a very famous image. A very good breakdown. I watch all reactions to this and this is a good one usually you can literally see the bars go over people's but you guys did well! ❤❤❤

[@craigbarnave7857]

Deeeeep

[@Bizsavvyartist]

I interpreted this line the same way.

[@johndevine3955]

Long in the tooth is slang for getting old

[@joseolivencia3455]

Great reaction, check out The Black Renaissance by The Goddess MC Sa-Roc featuring The GOAT Black Thought, it’s a masterpiece in rapping. I can’t think of 2 MCs who deliver harder bars than these leviathans

[@gregc9491]

"I never thought I'd be gettin long in the tooth". Just means I never thoght I'd live this long. Never thought he'd win Grammys with The Roots. People who grow up hard & just keep pushing.....he just never envisioned making it this big & living this long

[@SosaRox-pt6yx]

He said I’m a griot (African story teller) that makes you want to peacock your arm (raise your arm like a revolutionary)

[@kingalleles]

"Peacock your arms" Means through raise your arms in the air the way a peacock spreads it's feathers. Thus the term "proud like a peacock."

[@alfronmatthews]

Young and old are proud

[@gregc9491]

"In my estate I got an electrified gate, for the blazee brothas hatin at a high rate..." because he may have started out slingin "in the game" but learned how to fly straight & then became great at that.....which causes those still trapped in the game & unable to adapt or adjust to become haters who may try to come after him.....hence the electrified gates

[@SeanEShay]

I dont even know how to explain it ... this verse lifts me up. It gives me a floaty feelings in my chest lol It's amazing.

[@st.universol1153]

To this day, "Step inside a booth, Ima bull inside a China shop!!" Is still my favorite bar. #BT4E

[@1c0nic_player]

"with the slightest inflammatory remark, i'll have you and the living a category apart" is completely insane to me

[@terriunharris1955]

Proud as a peacock, they spread their feathers in order to make them look more powerful they showcase themselves for defense and also for mating. Cool cool summer or reference to it being uneventful and the winter is full of drama.

[@Sbo-09]

Yeah, Blackthought will do that 🤯 to you! Taking u back when hip-hop and lyricism will provoke the listener to think a bit

[@alfronmatthews]

This is true emceein hip-hop

[@stacytaylor4876]

Thank you 🙏🏾 for y’all reacting this is from a 56 year old hip hop head

[@RealReactions]

🔥

[@chorleycc]

Wow This is a throwback. Great reaction guys. Peace

[@dstojanovic9]

The last part "I tell a story like finger prints and blood splatter" meaning he's leaving a crime scene as in he murdered his opponent.

[@dleej1s]

GRIOT is what said... A griot is a West African storyteller, musician, poet, and historian who preserves oral traditions.

[@athens_1psvr31]

“Peacock your arms” like the bird spreads its feathers that expand over its head or spread your arms to embrace. Leading into: “Every heavy Dignitary’s paying me too regards”

[@MrOdzplat]

Long in the tooth means "getting old"

[@terrellbunch6605]

-Black Thought should have a Press Conference about this master piece 😅😅😅. Those bars give you chills when you really listen. He’s clever and a master wordsmith. I listen to a lot of rappers. But guys like Thought, Nas, Cole and others , I consider Poets.

[@patsnation8427]

*Black Thought x Twofifteen* 🔥👀

[@therealsondu5371]

The Principal line was him saying he runs the school but still deals with the students, still very hands-on and in the trenches, more than able to school you. The scroll with his image is a reference to how advanced the African Kingdoms of Kush and Kemet (Egypt) were and their influence on the Greek and Roman Empires...which is largely downplayed in mainstream History circles. There is much being attributed to Ancient Greece Culture that actually originated in Egypt. One of the most well known is "Know Thyself" credited to Socrates, which was actually the first two words of a much longer Egyptian Proverb about life and death, immortality and knowledge. "OGs and Young Lions equally proud to listen...." it's just slang. OGs are the older guys, Gen X in this case...Young Lions is something we call the younger generations. He's saying his skill/music transcends all generations. "Peacock your arm"= get a tattoo. He's saying he's so dope you'd get a Black Thought or Roots tattoo....which many people have. Sorry but you guys are missing a majority of these references, and that's fine...it's a cultural thing. Our slang is based on generations of history, events and culture and is constantly evolving. But it goes left when you try to figure it out instead of asking what something might mean. The meanings, reasons and motivations you come up with just highlight how little you understand about actual Hip-Hop Culture. For one instance: Every rapper BT mentioned by name in this freestyle will be bragging about it to other rappers for the rest of their lives, including Pac if he'd lived. By mentioning them Thought is saying they had an influence on him in some way, it was the ultimate compliment.

[@kennycooper294]

you can look up what his lyrics meant there are a lot of sites that broke it down.

[@djcswiftthaone3074]

Your peers in tha comments are so on point they saved this reaction 215 in da building!!!

[@rowdy_one]

Getting long in the tooth, means getting old.

[@NeonFuzzleS420]

Black Thought is a genius and imo should be more of a household name. Would love for you guys to check out: Locksmith and Snak the Ripper - Watch Your Mouth

[@RealReactions]

We did that reaction!

[@NeonFuzzleS420]

@@RealReactions I seent it! You guys are the real MVPs!

[@ebrizzle7]

Peacock is also the logo for NBC

[@alfronmatthews]

This is eemceein 101

[@topnotchdesignss]

long in the tooth is slang for getting old. He said he never thought he would be getting old

[@shaawbrothers6049]

Look at my estate I got electrified gates/ for these blahzay guys hatin at a high rate. Look…at my house there is security the perimeter is electrified. For the subpar gentlemen that hate me so deeply.

[@demonik2108]

Happy new year!!! Hope yall good !!! We HERE 210 TX

[@RealReactions]

Happy New Year!! 210!

[@charlesgrant7300]

Peacock your arm means black pride raise your arm

[@samgofigure283]

Keep it going @real reaction. The Bronx supports you!!!

[@topnotchdesignss]

peacock your arm is like raising your hand for black power

[@kincamell2]

Peace to The 215

[@j.baldwin3012]

Ice cold summers and hot winters - they both can mean something extreme was happening.

[@BruceJohnson-om5kl]

I'm sorry that you guys are so lost, you are really enjoying this. Ok, electrified gates for Haters called Blahzay definition: Somebody that has nothing and mean nothing, and name means nothing) gates keep dudes like this out. And if your not a loved family member, there's no love(vibrant).

[@RealReactions]

Appreciate it 🙏

[@Kitaa13968]

Great reaction, Black Though is in my top three greatest rappers of all time.

[@athens_1psvr31]

“I glide like Clyde Drexler” Clyde “The Glide” Drexler was one of the best Shooting Guards in the NBA. He was quiet, but only rivaled and overshadowed by another great, Michael Jordan.

[@mikeyj7824]

That Morgan freeman line is way more dope if you had seen the shawshank redemption 😂

[@chadalpha7983]

Ice cold Summer hot winters too, means fucked up shit Hip hop is not always literal it's wordplay

[@senshai1267]

yo , this is one of the greatest to ever do it

[@TheBlackAmbition]

It can be annoying when Flex interrupts during a freestyle, but a lot of the time that part’s like a “check” to see like “how locked in is mans really?” Even if it happens to be a real reaction as well. It happens often during freestyles/cyphers and things of the sort

[@EricWheeler-t9u]

Peacock your arm, peacocks flex to show the beauty of their feathers

[@longaugust]

"peacock your arm" is, I think, referencing wearing jewelry/watches.

[@coachtbrown4916]

Peacock is a symbol of pride.

[@alderanchitolie7703]

His estate is protected, only people getting in is family

[@CeezOn2]

A griot is a member of a class of travelling musicians, poets and storytellersin west Africa

[@alfronmatthews]

Griot is a storyteller

[@jacobmccain8082]

Does anybody else think he got that keep out of the hood line from Bo Burnham? He had a similar line in one of his early songs.

[@rongoodrich8130]

Peacock your arm ..he appears on NBC the peacock channel When a peacock spreads its arms you get the colors of the peacock

[@lorenzobenjamin2260]

Peacock your arms means "wave" like a peacocks feathers...

[@briangrisham5553]

Fun reaction. 🎉

[@bxsoup]

Nah , When he said OG’s he meant the old school men/rappers and Young Lions are what they call the NEW up and coming . Proud to listen = a group of lions are called a Pride thus what he’s saying is it all comes together when the old and the young sit down and everyone are heard ( heard could also be a pun on words intended meaning lions hunt a herd of other animals ) . So many times the OG’s/older people don’t want to hear any input from the youth .

[@Bizsavvyartist]

This line I interpreted and both OGs and youth both like (are proud to) listen to him. Young and older people don't always like listening to the same thing. almagamism - he brings both the elders and young together.

[@JaatSiddhu]

Please do more sway’s mornings freestyles Love your guys reactions

[@edawolf3000]

Great reaction guys

[@andrisplatypus6617]

Thought is a GOAT.

[@jayrochefort6003]

Since yall liked the lion and OG bar a group of lion is called a pride and he says proud to listen

[@johndevine3955]

A group of lions is called a pride too it’s a triple

[@shaawbrothers6049]

I dodged fate Got great And flied straight If we ain’t family or friends then we don’t vibrate…. Luckily I didn’t get into trouble and instead I became successful If we aren’t friends or family then there is no vibe.

[@jamesladson8829]

You gotta watch fred the godson freestyle on funk flex

[@mistermotivation1833]

Flex keeps him hype

[@athens_1psvr31]

“Maybe I just said too much?” Ewww👀 He talking that? It’s nothing new, but yeah. E-Brake.

[@martyg-s1781]

5:38 Yeah, don't get sooo excited u start saying the N word. Unacceptable Blackthought is one of the Goats

[@RealReactions]

No one said that ?

[@martyg-s1781]

​@@RealReactions538 mark. just be careful. keep doing yall thing

[@cosmologybey0]

💯