A lot of people ask us about a Black Thought solo album. Well, this isn't from that. This track, which I titled "The Professional," was recorded in the first half of the decade (roughly 2004) and, I believe, was produced by Philly's Kaos. It was the opening joint on a mixtape called "The Antidote" that never really made it past getting handed out to friends and around The Studio. The tape embodied the street style of various Roots crew and affiliates. Listen as Black Thought, the ghost in the machine, rips this three minute verse (no chorus) with a level of technicality and thrill which only he poses.
Also, starting today, tune into Showtime to catch Tariq as one of the leads (alongside Rosario Dawson) in Mark Weber's Explicit Ills.
11/13/09 at 1:00 PM on Showtime
11/15/09 at 4:55 PM on Showtime 2
11/16/09 at 3:30 PM on Showtime
11/19/09 at 6:30 PM on Showtime Showcase
11/21/09 at 2:45 AM on Showtime 2
. . . you can also watch on Showtime ON DEMAND until 12/09/09.
Straight out of the Illadelph emerges the duo Chiddy Bang. I first heard about them from Black Thought, who discovered them when they all bumped paths in the train station. Says Thought, who is Executive Producing their forthcoming album, "I saw potential in the youthfully expressive wit of Chidera's (lead MC) rhyme-style, and I was feeling their live performance." In case you missed them open for The Roots earlier this year at the Highline for The Roots Jam Session, or at The Roots Picnic, here's their latest offering in the form of a mixtape. Self-described, "The Swelly Express is the true story of two college kids (Chidera Anamege and Xaphoon Jones) from Philly who rocked some parties at Drexel and quickly gained the attention of "the industry." The music and lyrics were inspired by many boring trips on the Chinatown bus (they have wifi now!) on the way to meet "big wigs" in NYC. After a bunch of nice dinners and some free drinks for these 2 underage kids, Chiddy Bang decided to make a mixtape. Enjoy!" The mixtape is presented by Black Thought, Anthony Martini, and Crush Management. Listen to "Slow Down," featuring Black Thought and Eldee The Don, then download the full mix below. Tracklisting after the jump.
Chiddy Bang feat. Black Thought and Eldee The Don"Slow Down"
After this epic freestyle cypher, Mos Def and Black Thought chop it up about Thought's lyrical display on The Roots record, "75 Bars." Fro Lab was on hand to film the two go back and forth for all 75 of those bars. From one legend to the next, I like how Mos has no problem paying homage to his peers.
Without further adieu here is the much talked about cypher from the 2009 BET Hip-Hop awards. Black Thought x Mos Def x Eminem x DJ Premier, nuff said... just watch. After the jump watch the other cyphers including rhymes from KRS-One, Wale, Buckshot, Joe Budden, and more. Then there's the 10 minute megamix mp3 of all cyphers put together. As a bonus, check out Goodie Mob's performance of "Cel Therapy" from the show as well. All respect due to Dre for the vids and audio.
In case you forgot to tune in, here's a rundown of some of the highlight performances of last night's telecast of VH1's Hip Hop Honors ceremony, celebrating 25 years of Dej Jam. Above is the full performance of the LL Cool J tribute featuring Eminem, Black Thought, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and ?uestlove. After the jump catch vids of Red N Mef featuring Mary J. Blige, Ludacris and Scarface, Onyx, Warren G and Trey Songz, Public Enemy, and Wale, KRS-One, and Gym Class Heroes. Check out Mr. World Premiere for more vids from the night.
OKP tipped y'all off that the opening of this years' VH1 Hip Hop Honors started off with a bang as Black Thought and Eminem collaborated to cover LL Cool J's "Rock The Bells," with DJ Jazzy Jeff on the wheels and ?uesto on the drums. Lyricism is straight up personified with these two emcees. Tune in on the 13th for the full show.
We told you before about the star-studded lineup on the BK-One and Benzilla album, Rádio Do Canibal. The album is set to drop next Tuesday (10/6) via Rhymesayers. To give you another exclusive look at the project, here is Black Thought guesting on the track "Philly Boy." Rádio Do Canibal exhibits BK-One (Brother Ali's DJ) and Benzilla crafting a musical bed for some of hip-hop's most engaging emcees, such as: Scarface, Slug (Atmosphere), Black Thought, Brother Ali, Raekwon, Murs, Phonte, Haiku D' Etat (Aceyalone, Myka 9 & Abstract Rude), Blueprint, P.O.S. (Doomtree), The Grouch (Living Legends), I Self Devine, Toki Wright, Aby Wolfand, and The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. The project was inspired by BK-One's travels across Central and South America, and the title was derived from Brazilian poet Oswald de Andrade's "Cannibal Manifesto."
Back in 1999, Big Pun (R.I.P.) released his debut LP, Capital Punishment, to much acclaim. I remember copping this one on its' release date and playing it over and over from start to finish. Track 3, however, really highlighted two underrated lyrical giants. On September 15th, the official story of Big Pun will be released via a new film and soundtrack, Big Pun: The Legacy. For the film's soundtrack, they decided to bring back the aforementioned track 3, "Super Lyrical," featuring Black Thought. Watch the newly created vid above.
On Friday we dropped the 2-track sneak preview of the Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew mixtape, and now we give you the whole thing, Kings Of Salone, available for free download. Produced by DJ Gravy, this tape is pure fiyahhh, a tasty treat before the B+DEC album drops at the top of 2010 (which will include features from ?uesto, Talib Kweli, K'naan, Wyclef, Black Thought, and more). These guys are definitely hard to put in a box, but listen as the flavors of Africa, reggae, hip-hop, and electronica swirl together for their own unique blend of Afro-Futurism. New Yorkers, be sure to come out to the mixtape release party for a full performance from the group (including an 11-piece band full of some of New York's finest), along with DJ ?uestlove and DJ Gravy on the decks. Flyer with full details for tonight's event at Santos Party House after the jump, along with full tracklisting for the mixtape.
Okayplayer is excited to introduce a new group to our OKP fam. Known in their native Sierra Leone as "the voice of the voiceless," Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew are finally ready to make their U.S. debut with a mixtape in anticipation for their album, due out at the top of 2010 (album features include Talib Kweli, K'naan, Wyclef, Black Thought, and production from ?uestlove, Rashad 'Tumblin' Dice' Smith, Fyre Dept., El-P and more). The Kings Of Salone, produced by DJ Gravy, will be available here on Monday. For today, we've got two fresh cuts off the mixtape, with "Bondo Kallay," and "Makossa." If you are in NYC you might have seen Bajah + DEC rock the stage with The Legendary Roots at this past week's Jam Session. In case you missed that, make sure to check their mixtape release party at Santos Party House with DJ ?uestlove on the 1s and 2s, along with mixtape producer DJ Gravy, this coming Monday, 7.27. Check after the jump for the flyer with details.
Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew prod. by DJ Gravy - "Bondo Kallay"
