Black Thought’s new memoir is set to release next week, ahead of which the veteran MC has reflected on one of its standout moments: the time he and Questlove got into a physical altercation.
On Tuesday (November 7), NPR shared an interview with The Roots co-founder in which he discusses his upcoming book, The Upcycled Self. Scheduled to release on November 14, it will be published under his real name, Tariq Trotter.
Over the chat, the 50-year-old addressed a fight he had with original group member and drummer Questlove during the outfit’s formative years in the early ’90s.
“We had a brief sort of scuffle, kerfuffle, a little 30-second altercation when we were young and just starting out,” he said. “We were displaced, living in London and there was just lots of angst and anxiety … with all the energy associated with anyone’s first time putting out a record. … So, yeah, just the perfect storm of events.
“It led to us coming to blows right quick. And it was the sort of thing that I’d forgotten about it before we left the place [where] it had taken place. But I think it’s the sort of thing that it stuck with him in a different way. Is it a grudge that he’s held? I don’t think so. But I definitely don’t think it’s something that he has ever forgotten.”
The pair from Philly have a deep history together that blossomed into one of Hip Hop’s strongest alliances. Earlier this year, Questlove celebrated Black Thought’s 50th birthday by sharing a very special photo of them on social media.
Taking to Instagram in early October, he paid tribute to his longtime friend and colleague by posting the “first-ever” photo they took together.
“Took forever finding this photo we took back in high school in 1988,” he wrote in the caption. “Our first ever photo. I’m not even sure if we were Radioactivity yet. I wish I could let these two know the journey that lay ahead for them.”
He continued: “Riq was always at the cool kid section in high school & im just a dweeb with the ability to mirror breakbeats on the lunchroom table—so I got access other nerds didn’t. You changed my life by including me man. I love you for that bro. Welcome to the big league. It’s a cause for celebration because tomorrow is never promised (especially in our profession) Happy 5 decades around the SON good sir! 10/3/73 & forever @BlackThought”
late 90s? you mean the EARLY 90s, which is when they were in London making their 1st album, Organix. for future references, it might behoove you to do 30 seconds of research on a band you’re writing an article about if you’re not familiar with them, which clearly you’re not.
Might pay YOU to do some research. After they played at the Phoenix Festival in Stratford Upon Avon in 1992 or 1993, they leased some warehouse apartment space in Royston Vasey (near Tooting Broadway, South West London) for a couple of years. Was more or less empty most of the time up until 1995, I think they practiced in it occasionally and it had a huge lounge area, bunks etc. Then from 96 to 99 they leased it again and at times were cruising in and out for long periods in between other commitments. I leased it to them when I was working for an estate agent (real estate agency) in 92 and then after they moved out (terminated the lease) in about 1999 it was leased to a US record label (Alternative Tentacles, home of the Dead Kennedys and early Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy). In the mid-2000’s I moved in myself and ultimately bought it and still live there today. They were chilled out people and super friendly, I have some stuff on display that they gave me – a cymbal autographed by the group, signed photos and vinyl records, some unopened avocado/olive oils which they were trying to set up as a side business that never happened, a Streetfighter pinball machine signed by Black Thought, some microphones, a signed movie poster for Michael Winterbottom’s “Wonderland” (1999) and best of all – some photos of me, the Roots, Q-Tip, Beastie Boys, Henry Rollins, Rakim, Joe Budden, Boris Johnson (future UK Prime Minister, this was waaaay before anyone knew who he was), Michael Caine, Idris Elba, Jude Law, Simon Pegg, Tucker Carlson, Jeb Bush, DMC, Nelly Furtado, Sheryl Crow, Roger Moore, Paul Daniels (UK Magician), Terry Wogan (UK chat show host), Danny DeVito, Frank Stallone, Feargal Sharkey, Big Daddy Kane, Mac Lethal, Sir Clive Sinclair, Bobby Davro, Rob Lowe, Diego Maradona, Q-Tip, Maseo, Cappadonna, Debra Winger, Jackpot Scotty Wotty, Tru Master, 9th Prince, Open Mike Eagle, Kim Deal (the Breeders / Pixies), Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), Cliff Richard, Matt LeBlanc, Ice-T and Too $hort, taken at a Crystal Palace charity football match. Good times!
Damn, well we can tell who won the fight from his description. A lot of people go through it tho. Salute to them for going on to make history.
You could at least include the pic..lol
‘Thought slapped that pik out his nappy head.