For those in the know, Black Thought has been one of the most consistent artists for the better part of the past two decades. His Funkmaster Flex freestyle seemed to verify what many have argued for years now: Tariq Trotter is a beast and leaving him out of any top lyricist conversations would equate to blasphemy.
As a member of The Roots, his toothpick on-point lyricism was considered to be another instrument lending to the band’s overall vibe — he never positioned himself above the group. 2018, though, has seen Thought breaking out, not as a feature, but as a one-man act, and for numerous reasons his first solo effort in Streams of Thought Vol. 1 is one of the most exciting things to happen to Hip Hop in a long time. At least, lyrically.
Sitting at a snack-sized five songs — The Styles P “Making A Murderer” was released in 2016 — the collaborative EP with producer 9th Wonder & The Soul Council (with a special nod to Khrysis) innovates by sticking to individual strengths. With 9th’s soulful production taking the place of The Roots, and features that compliment without under-performing or overtaking, the project delivers a healthy dose of social consciousness, braggadocios fare, and even a little subtle shade.
Though it’s an extremely short listen, there is a lot to explore. “Dostoyevsky,” for example sees Thought trading cerebral bars with Rapsody. A light but potent like “Written without a ghostwriter to author it for me,” could easily distract a listener from the fact that the song was named after Russian philosopher and writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Even deeper, the struggles of the main character from Dostoyevsky’s most notable work Crime and Punishment (which Thought references) closely resembles the same rise from poverty described throughout his first verse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54OUwQA2wQs
The genius here is that a listener doesn’t have to make that connection for the song to warrant multiple listens. However, the sheer fact that two people could have such a differing experiences listening to a verse is mind-bending.
Devoid of any choruses, commercial fare, an overall conceptual vision that actively games the streaming farm, the project beams with authenticity. Bar for bar and beat for beat, Streams of Thought Vol. 1 is a hyper example that the arguments for overall vibe over bars don’t have to be absolute.
Black Thought is rightfully held as a model for what Hip Hop fans could (and should) expect from MCs demanding to be held in high regard. The project’s only fault is its length prevents the five nearly flawless records truly getting off the ground.
There is no gimmicks, no fluff, no bullshit. Now, where the hell is Vol. 2?
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Beats could’ve been a lot better but his delivery and lyricism makes up for it. Also Kirby or whoever the hell she is ruins the last track.
Superfire!!!
I will say that if you are a stinky Black Negro behind on his or her child support payments, if you use an EBT card every day, if you eat watermelon and fried chicken obsessively, if you often like to exclaim, “Hodee do’! Hodee do’! Conebread! Conebread!” for no apparent reason while shucking and jiving all over the street, you will like this album. Otherwise, you will hate this album.
push just go dethroned for best 20 minute album in one week. this shit is absolutely nuts.
Black Thought’s lyrics are on an elite level. Is he now the #1 lyricist in the game? This EP is extremely dope! The beats are incredible and blend well with Black Thought’s flame thrower rhymes! I don’t know why in the hell Black Thought took so long to make a solo project lol.
This site is too biased. This is washed up lyrical miracle bullshit, get better beats, find some producers, market your stuff and work on your messaging. A lot of good lyrical, conscious rapper out with sonically good songs that are relevant to today’s culture and that are getting love.
Nah this album is fire.
Noe
Black Thought is washed up, huh? Yeah, you don’t know what you are talking about
wow you’re an idiot
You just disqualified from ever being taken seriously in serious hip hop conversations, your opinions invalidate your taste in Hip hop in no uncertain terms, perhaps you should find other genres of music to listen too, because clearly this music, history and culture is not for you.
THIS IS HIP HOP FUCK U IF U DONT LIKE IT EAT A DICK
This sounds almost classic. Sounds like a early 90s raking album . Sounds like an album of punisher beats . Punisher being the song takin made. I like this album. 4.5 out of 5 to me. PushA t brought lyricist back hip hop sound like the 90s now and I am loving it
Wordsmith:
Knees of a Natural Man, the Selected Poetry of Henry Dumas – Henry Dumas
https:// www95 .zippyshare. com/v/V4PoT2wu/file.html
Just when you think nobody can touch Aesop Rock and Canibus’ lyricism… jeez this guy is amazing. After all these years he is still incredible.
Was not feeling the last track and the songs lacked the normal structure, hence it felt like a bunch of freestyle (streams of thought) a little disappointed but lyrically it feed my mind. Its a strong 3.5 but since I couldn’t give it that it gets a 4.
It’s something I have waited for for a very long time now. The track with Styles P is a very dissatisfying beat, I must admit. It doesn’t have the slam or rawness as they try to bring out. It’s way too experimental, which doesn’t catch my ears. Other than that, I freaking love banging to these tracks in my headphones every hour.
Sorry but I’m just not feeling today’s hip hop, at all. Surprised that somebody has released a record that I might actually listen to. I haven’t heard it yet but I give it a 5! 🙂
Narrow minded grouches like you are to blame for today’s hip-hop
I am so happy Black Thought and 9th Wonder did they thing you don’t even know. Hip hop at its finest. Perfection.
I’ve played it front to back, only thing I can say is I wish it were an LP with about 10 – 12 songs on it.
The first song “Twofifteen” is better than Kanye’s whole album.
Facts!
Lies, stop riding the next man wave
The only flaw is he should ha e came out with this 15 years ago and it should be way longer, other than that it’s dope as fuck!
I will say that if you are a stinky Black Negro behind on his or her child support payments, if you use an EBT card every day, if you eat watermelon and fried chicken obsessively, if you often like to exclaim, “Hodee do’! Hodee do’! Conebread! Conebread!” for no apparent reason while shucking and jiving all over the street, you will like this album. Otherwise, you will hate this album.
Well, I guess you described me, your mother and all your aunts perfectly, because I love this album. You keep listening to music that only people incapable of properly enunciating a single syllable while spending their rent money in the club loves. I will stick with Thought.
sounds like someone hasn’t had their pito wet yet
Black Thought is a lyrical beast, but these beats are pure garbage. Why? Because 9th Dumpster made them. Hey, Thought, here’s a thought. Work with Just Blaze on Vol. 2 (if there is gonna be a Vol 2).
Are you Just Blaze on a burner accpunt?
your jealous because your pito ass beats sound like pito against your mom’s pito. eat a pito, pito!
These 5 tracks will take a month to unpack! I wish there was more!! Guess we gotta wait til “Streams of Thought Vol. 2”
When the only true complaints are “too short” or “too long a wait,” then you give it a 5. This EP is rap perfection.
Fire in my bedroom
lyrical masterpiece
this ep is a classic. black thought is the goat emcee.
brilliant body of work from a legendary emcee. we need more.
Five mics, five stars, five Grammys…
Straight doody.
your pito is doody!
Easiest 5/5 in a while, but it’s almost cruel to give us something that hot but that short.
Classic… 9th Wonder was amazing