Philadelphia emcee Freeway stunned fans last year with his critically acclaimed fourth solo album Diamond In the Ruff. Now, in a recent exclusive via SOHH, the “Flipside” spitter weighs in on the most underrated artists in Hip Hop.
Philly Freezer explained that he believes The Roots frontman Black Thought is one of the most slept-on lyricists in Hip Hop, along with Common and Mos Def. Freeway added that he feels like these artists – as well as Nas and the G.O.O.D. Music roster – are helping usher in a new era of lyrically-inspired Hip Hop.
“As far as other people, definitely Black Thought [is underrated]. He’s a monster,” he said. “Everything that he’s put out is quality. Everything that he puts out is quality. Common is another one that’s crazy with the lyrics. Mos Def is another artist that’s definitely slept-on that’s got a lot of positive messages and lyrics and flow patterns in his music. There’s a lot of us out here in the music.”
He continued, “I feel like Hip Hop is coming back around with releasing the Nas Life Is Good album and then the Nas…and Scarface record that came out [DJ Khaled’s “Hip Hop”], then you have people like G.O.O.D. Music where Common and Kanye West are bringing real Hip Hop to the table.”
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i was thinking this when reading that nas article. while i still agree w/ the outcome people always forgetting how dope black thought is, but its probably cause he’s in roots
OR THEY PAY MORE ATTENTION TO WHAT’S IN THEIR FACE ALL THE TIME
TRUST THAT IF THOUGHT SAID THAT SOLO IS A GREEN LIGHT, THE HIP HOP WORLD WOULD PAY ATTENTION
& I SAID ATTENTION, NOT BUY IT
I can bet that the Hip-Hop World is on Black Thought and have been for some time now. The height of popularity of our favorite most known unknowns is only determined by the industry suits. If Black Thought actually went solo, I think he would be in the same boat as he’s in now, as the same musically for Common and Yasiin Bey(Mosdef)among many others. The best thing The Roots did compared to ANY other group or artist recognized by the hardcore hip-hop world is entering into the Late Night TV scene. JF is arguably the most popular show on late night and essentially this “underground” legendary group is only increasing the views among the demographic who’s always been behind them and few whom never heard of prior. I personally think none of our favorite artists will ever gain the radio popularity as some of the lucky lyricists such as Lupe, J.Cole and Kendrick. But times are a changing once again in the industry and I think the majority is looking for this type of thing. Lets cross our fingers and hope it changes for real.
– ONE
Correction* However I do agree that we’d go nutzo over a solo album with the plethora of possibly producers that would be more than willing to do something for him.
NOW U C WHAT I’M SAYING
RAKIM
NAS
BLACK THOUGHT
MOS DEF
BROTHER ALI
LUPE FIASCO
How is Rakim underrated as an emcee? He’s almost universally regarded as one of the best ever.
lupe does what the people want
before they wanted lasers and now we want lyrics
Nas and Rakim are not underrated. Everyone mentions those dudes
Mos Def and Brother Ali are dope, but are not up there with the best.
Lupe Fiasco is a wack whiny crybaby… one of the most overrated.
Ghostface Killah – now he’s underrated.
Black Thought making that Jimmy Fallon money by the week. But I’ve seen Tariq have lyrical blackouts so many times you can’t ever say he’s wack, the Roots alone is a whole different lane of their own, and it’s working. Way outside the box for these basic ass rap fans.
I APPROVE OF THIS MESSAGE
PLAYING “UNIverse AT WAR” FEAT COMMON RIGHT NOW
Black Thought is the only reason I check for the Roots….completely agree with the comment below they are in THIER OWN LANE and the shit works…..Black Thought has bars for days and paints unreal pictures through the words.
He’s the only MC still in The Roots, who else would you be checking for? Malik B. left in like 1999 or something
No. That would be Gift of Gab.
kinda whack
Gift if Gab ain’t that good. Take away his fast flow and there’s not much else going on. What I’m saying is, his lyrics are average.
definitely black thought mos def and kweli
immortal technique
saigon
saul williams
zach de la rocha
brother ali
jay electronica
honorable mentions
wale
curren$y
dice raw
mf doom
the entire wu tang clan
blackalicious gift of gab lyrics born lateef
bonus overrated
meek mill rick ross asap rocky tyler the creator big sean lil wayne wiz khalifa and almost any other crap on the radio
gay comment
unnecessary comment…
wu-tang is not underrated, and immortal technique is overrated.
tory lanez
My most underrated MC is definitely Novi Novak. Brilliant lyrics and flow, but turned down the major labels so people don’t know about him.
Hard to disagree with Freezer. Anyone who really knows their sh!t knows Thought is a straight up beast!! Underrated and under appreciated.
man i been knew he was top 10 period
Black Thought been that nigga since Organix him and Malik B. aye if you aint seen him freestyle on tony touch mix show youtube that shit quick that nigga destroyed that shit completely.
Friends, Romans, countrymen lend me yo’ eardrums
It was a beautiful day off in the neighborhood
Yellows and greens and blues and browns
and greys and hues that ooze beneath dilapidated woods
Ain’t a thing could explain what pertains
to cocaine it’s a stain that rain
See summer roll around niggaz holla bout change
Then they steady move them ki’s like Bob James
Cause old man winter’s arrived, the temperature dives
November just died, December’s alive
Thus it ain’t no typical ride
Just individual’s way to bring home
the bacon when bacon was all gone
Makin it our own, takin me all wrong
We’ve all indulged in the bulge of those no-no’s
No you ain’t solo, it’s even lower levels you can go
Take sun people, put ’em in a land of snow
AZ too. He’s probably the most underrated MC. He was on top 10 most underrated MC’s rap.about.com
http://rap.about.com/od/artist1/ss/UnderratedMCs_10.htm
I’ve actually felt this way for awhile, its refreshing that other people feel the same way, in my opinion Black Thought is in the top 10 greatest lyricists of all time,
#1 in my books. Roots always been my shit
Yes he is Black thought is a beast. That Undun album gets bettter with every listen. Black thought got bars.
doesnt matter who brings it back
just step the bars up
freeway sucks
NO ESSENCE
I WANT A LYRICAL CONTORTIONIST
i want chilled out music
fuck good music
BOYCOT KANYE
I WANT DETOX TO BRING RAP BACK
RAPS ON CRACK AND IT NEEDS DETOX
IF CASSIDY BEATS MEEK MILL THAN LYRICS WIN
I WANT LYRICS THAT MAKE ME STOP IN MY TRACKS
FUCK BORING LYRICS
BAD LYRICS ARE LIKE FUCKED UP NOTES IN A GUITAR SOLO
OR LIKE A OFF KEY SINGER
I WANT NEW FLOWS
IM OUT
K-Rino, the realest emcee you never heard of…and I ain’t talkin “real” as in that bullshit image of realness that niggas like to buy into, if you got your head twisted on right you’ll feel what I mean. Anyway…fam got 25-30 years in the game, around 25 albums, and will make your fuckin head pop off with some of his song topics. Not that I disagree with Free at all though cuz Black Thought’s that nigga without a question and should def. get more props than he does, just thought I’d toss another name in the hat real quick that not as many people are up on.
MOST UNDERRATED: Black Thought
2ND MOST UNDERRATED: Ghostface Killah
How is this newsworthy?
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/black-though-common-mos-def-talib-kweli/