We review The Roots’ frontman’s new album, showcasing rhyme mastery over smooth production.
The Philadelphia born rapper walks into an industry asking ‘what the heck is going on in here?’ The Roots frontman showcases his blistering art on a worth-the-wait album that both sticks to its guns and revitalises the idea of rhyme with intellectual precision.
Very few will question the sentiment that Black Thought (Born Tariq Luqmaan Trotter) is the greatest MC of all time. Without a doubt, he was in the room all along when considering the likes of Big L, Nas and Kweli. But the rapper strums a guitar of his own. His rhymes, delivered as natural as they come, decimate most rappers, even when considering his weakest work. If such a thing exists at all.
We’ve all heard his canvas alongside Hip-Hop hall of famers ‘The Roots‘, and this set the tone for what to expect from a man free of group decisions. Now able to conduct an orchestra of his own, the result was nothing short of something to applaud.
Album Background
His solo work was mooted for years, as far back as 1999/2000, though nothing materialised. Instead, we were teased on Big Pun’s rhyme fest ‘Super Lyrical‘, Pharoahe Monch‘s ‘Rapid Eye Movement‘ and the occasional freestyle.
But within the past few years, he has put pen to paper, releasing a bout of EPs and singles that left fans and the uninitiated asking for more. Fast forward two years, and ‘Streams of Thought Vol.3: Cane & Able‘ was nearing the horizon.
What It Sounds Like
The album opens with I’m not crazy (First Contact) where Thought’s vocals are slowed to a pitch that reference Columbus’ arrival in America and his interaction with Native Americans who met him. “It’s almost like this is when the virus got here”. Despite being a loaded introduction, Trotter tenderises his introduction for easy consumption for just how easy past mentalities were transmitted to modern America and left unchanged. This is the pace the album sets and it never slows down.
Thought explained to Variety Magazine his motivations behind the album: “It might sound ambitious to want to create a timeless classic, but that is always in my muscle memory, a challenge I rise to with different producers every time out.”
When asked about the Black Lives Matter movement and if it has changed the way he writes, he responded: “I think the Black Lives Movement, and what it has come to mean to people, only better prepares the world to receive what I’m saying. Now more than ever, music, art and energy that reflects the mission statement of that movement will be better received. I’ve always made the same sociopolitical commentary. Now, there is a different urgency, which is a very good thing.”
The first slice from Streams of Thought Vol.3 came when the rapper released Thought vs Everybody, a politically charged song that sticks to the principles of his group’s musical signature. It pushes boundaries, a feat difficult for most rappers to achieve without dipping their feet into autotune.
“Everything’s obtuse, nothin’ is obscene/Another young life was lost on live stream/Another great fell from grace in high esteem.”
Referencing the killings of Black people by US police, the artist goes after everyone and everything with a verse lasting three minutes, and demonstrates to new audiences a skill he oozes by simply opening his mouth.
“The punishment I’ma hit ’em with is draconian/ It’s in me (Magnif-Magnificent), muscle memory is Pavlovian/ The magnificent with a tinted skin tone/ Ain’t nobody f****n’ with me, keep ’em in the friend zone”
Black Thought on ‘Magnificent’
The searing energy of Good Morning stretches arms with invitations extended to Swizz Beats, Pusha T and Killer Mike to intervene. Pusha steps in with a good effort: “I only do features to keep hittin’ my mark/ And show you m********kers you ain’t as good as you thought (I am)”. The track, released last month, sends a message that it requires a step up in skill to feature on the Philadelphian’s projects. Being able to collaborate with the bearded MC is like winning a grammy of your own.
Quiet Trip turns the heat up, where Thought’s demonstration of rhyme deepens, rolling metaphor after metaphor alongside a sharpening of steel that gravitates towards a display of mastery untamed.
Nature of the Beast sees Trotter change hands to compose himself into an affable singing style, helping slow the pace of an otherwise self-assured artist. The confidence of his modus operandi shines throughout, and as we see here, his songwriter capabilities rock well for whichever flair Trotter chooses.
On a personal track We Could Be Good he journeys into the trials of relationships, clipping and fencing with rhyme, reasoning with himself. He later delves into a more personal catchment on Fuel alongside Portugal and The Last Artful, Dodgr, giving little away, but more to ponder.
Verdict
Streams of Thought Vol.3: Cane And Abel falls short of nothing, and any expectations this album set having been delayed since July was granted.
Black Thought entered the courtyard and deemed it unfit for purpose and as we’ve seen, Thought raised the bar from Vol.1.
Vol.3 offers something for everyone, from the more upbeat Good Morning and Quiet Trip to slow journeys on Magnificient where he delivers a parcel masterclass of rhyming and flow.
Combined with the pot he stirred himself, this album sits mountains above other Hip-Hop long plays to prove there is still a craft to the game. A masterclass in rhyming and flow, Black Thought demonstrates highly adventurous skill alongside a well curated production.
Vol.3: Cane & Able complete tracklist:
1. ‘I’m Not Crazy (First Contact)’
2. ‘State Prisoner’
3. ‘Good Morning’ Ft. Swizz Beats, Pusha T and Killer Mike
4. ‘Magnificent’
5. ‘Experience’ (Interlude)
6. ‘Quiet Trip’ Ft. Portugal The Man And The Last Artful, Dodgr
7. ‘Nature Of The Beast’ Ft. Portugal The Man And The Last Artful, Dodgr
8. ‘We Should Be Good’ Ft. CS Armstrong
9. ‘Steak Um’ Ft. ScHoolboy Q
10. ‘Thought Vs. Everybody’
11. ‘Ghetto Boyz & Girls’ Ft. CS Armstrong
12. ‘Fuel’ Ft. Portugal The Man And The Last Artful, Dodgr
13. ‘I’m Not Crazy’ (Outro)
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