Black Thought (real name Tariq Trotter, born October 3, 1972) a.k.a. Bad Li… Read Full Bio ↴Black Thought (real name Tariq Trotter, born October 3, 1972) a.k.a. Bad Lieutenant, Big Bank Willie Gank, and 'Riq Geez B. is the MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots. Although nowhere near the most popular performer in hip-hop, Black Thought and The Roots have a solid and devoted following. Thought, who co-founded The Roots with drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Thompson), is widely lauded for his lyrics' political bent, lyrical complexity, and his live performances.

Tariq and ?uest met in the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts, and formed a drummer/MC duo performing on the streets of Philly and at talent shows. Thought would subsequently spend some time as one of two MCs in the group The Square Roots: the other one was Malik B.

A name change (to simply The Roots) and an album release (Organix) Black Thought and Malik struck a balance, with Malik bringing more personal raps and Thought oriented more towards a more political style infused with battle raps.

After Malik B. left the group due to drug issues, Thought continued drifting toward the political, and was featured on several other records like Common's One Day it'll All Make Sense, Linkin Park's Reanimation and more recently its frontman Mike Shinoda's The Rising Tied, as well as Damian Marley's Welcome to Jamrock and The Coup's Pick a Bigger Weapon.

Black Thought was in the process of recording a solo album, but the project was shelved when it was realized the effort would not assist the group in their release from their contract with MCA Records. Some of the songs he had recorded were eventually released as tracks on The Roots' album Phrenology. He is working on a collaborative project with producer Danger Mouse (which, according to XXL magazine, is tentatively being called Dangerous Thoughts), as well as a Gangsta Grillz mixtape with DJ Drama. He is still a core member of The Roots. He has also been a member of two production teams, Grand Negaz and The Grand Wizzards.

The Roots latest album Game Theory shows a more introspective side of Black Thought and is the "darkest" Roots album to date.

Hard Hitters
Black Thought Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[CHORUS]
Stories 'bout the angels of brotherly love
This is for the sisters and brothers we love "Come on"
We care enough to give it uncut, straight up
With no chaser 'cause time don't wait up
that's why we're sending cats back to the lab "Worldwide"
The microphone's up for grabs
that's why we're sending cats back to the lab "Evidence"

The microphone's up for grabs

[Evidence]
Yo
Hunters and gatherers, Nomads in Attica
Radical Terrorists and those who tally up the data
What matters most is they can boast
But scatter when toast is close
Burners pressed to your throat you ghost
Of course
You could chose to go against the force
I'll fire straight ahead
There'll be no mission abort
We can take it to the streets or take it to court
Supreme shit get hit over your fort, open the door
We've opened up for different artists on tour
Sixty percent love, Forty percent war,
Let's settle the score
Most things are rot at the core
Not what they seem
Watch the two worlds you're stuck in between
Or pay the penalty
Zero strikes, Zero Felonies
Lay low ??Hokito?? master
Redirecting energy
I use words similar but none sound fresher than
"Three of us who rap together"

[CHORUS]
Stories 'bout the angels of brotherly love
This is for the sisters and brothers we love "Come on"
We care enough to give it uncut, straight up
With no chaser 'cause time don't wait up
that's why we're sending cats back to the lab "Worldwide"
The microphone's up for grabs
that's why we're sending cats back to the lab "Iriscience"
The microphone's up for grabs

[Rakaa (Iriscience)]
Aiyyo you could probably find Rakaa at the rockery
Puffin' A K Sippin Cafe Au Lait
In Amsterdam chillin in the cafe all day
Bang my shit between classes in your school hallways
You're fuckin' with expansion all-access
Hard journeys make you treat your mic like a cactus
Rap iconoclast that loves to sound flash
And sticky green grass with orange and brown hash
Take your tape up and take this on
I heard anything that does not kill will make strong
And I build one of the sickest holding this still
You need a dose of eccinacea with a little golden seal
If you boots turn up my two boots
Babu slice and dice your crew and produce hits
Misunderstandings go back to the blues but ah-
There ain't nothing like hip hop music

[CHORUS]
Stories 'bout the angels of brotherly love
This is for the sisters and brothers we love "Come on"
We care enough to give it uncut, straight up
With no chaser 'cause time don't wait up
that's why we're sending cats back to the lab "Worldwide"
The microphone's up for grabs
that's why we're sending cats back to the lab "Black Thought"
The microphone's up for grabs

[Black Thought]
Live everyday like its your last
'Cause one day ??you'd fight??, my nigga
Fuck around son it might be tonight cause figure
The likeliness of you surviving this brawl is slim
It's like scuba diving with no oxygen
Monster when I situate my slang
Leave a nigga almost brainless once and bang
Had a crowd screamin bout how they don't want your thang
Keep it the sharpest one in the game its no secret
My style is certified , Philly-Animal rough
Runnin' things, pull more strings than gamble and huff
Cannibal hustlers taught me how to handle myself
hit man for hire pull a hot pick from shelf and spark
The pioneer to represent illadelph is Thought
I got these weak niggas pullin theyselves apart
why'all know the tone the one that hold the throne
That radiate your dome like a motorola phone nigga*echoes*

Dilated*echoes*

"From the angels of cali to illadelph crack build"
"Hard Hitters"

Overall Meaning

The song "Hard Hitters" by Black Thought is a collaboration with Rakaa and Evidence of the Dilated Peoples. The song includes a chorus that highlights the message of the song, which is about the importance of brotherly love and unity. The lyrics of the song aim to inspire people to live each day to the fullest because life can end at any moment.

The first verse of the song is by Evidence, and he talks about the importance of standing up for what you believe in, even when faced with adversity. He uses metaphors like "scatter when toast is close" and "burners pressed to your throat you ghost" to describe the fear and danger of standing up against oppression. However, he encourages people to persevere and continue fighting for what's right.

Rakaa's verse deals with the struggles of being a rapper and trying to make it in the industry. He talks about his love for hip-hop and how it has helped him overcome obstacles in life. He also mentions his affinity for smoking weed as a way to cope with the stresses of the music industry.

Black Thought's verse is the most intense, as he talks about the harsh realities of life and how people need to be prepared for anything. He talks about the likelihood of dying young and how people need to make the most of their time on this earth. He also boasts about his skills as a rapper, mentioning his reputation as the "pioneer to represent illadelph."

Overall, "Hard Hitters" is a powerful song about brotherhood, perseverance, and the importance of living life to the fullest.

Line by Line Meaning

Stories 'bout the angels of brotherly love
Highlighting the positive people of Brotherly Love

This is for the sisters and brothers we love "Come on"
Dedicated to the loved ones

We care enough to give it uncut, straight up
We speak the truth without any filter

With no chaser 'cause time don't wait up
We don't waste time on irrelevant things

that's why we're sending cats back to the lab "Worldwide"
We're challenging other artists globally to improve

The microphone's up for grabs
Anyone can step up to compete

Hunters and gatherers, Nomads in Attica
Referring to people with different lifestyles

What matters most is they can boast
People like to brag but actions speak louder

But scatter when toast is close
People act tough until faced with danger

Supreme shit get hit over your fort, open the door
Even the best can experience failure; be ready for it

Most things are rot at the core
Often the root cause of a problem is hidden

Not what they seem
Things might look good on the surface but are not

You're stuck in between
Caught between different worlds or choices

Zero strikes, Zero Felonies
Clean record, no criminal history

Aiyyo you could probably find Rakaa at the rockery
Rakaa's lifestyle in Amsterdam is laid back

Hard journeys make you treat your mic like a cactus
Difficult experiences make you protect your craft

Take your tape up and take this on
Challenge us if you think you're better

There ain't nothing like hip hop music
Nothing compares to hip hop in Rakaa's eyes

Live everyday like its your last
Make the most of every day

'Cause one day ??you'd fight??, my nigga
Life is unpredictable; one day it could be your last

Leave a nigga almost brainless once and bang
Black Thought's rhymes are powerful

Keep it the sharpest one in the game its no secret
Black Thought is one of the best in the game

My style is certified , Philly-Animal rough
Black Thought's style is authentic and tough

Cannibal hustlers taught me how to handle myself
Learning from the streets gave Black Thought life skills

The pioneer to represent illadelph is Thought
Black Thought is the first to represent Illadelph

why'all know the tone the one that hold the throne
Black Thought is the ruler of the rap game

That radiate your dome like a motorola phone nigga*echoes*
Black Thought's music is heard clearly in your mind

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: CHRISTOPHER E. OROC, DAVID PORTER, MICHAEL TAYLOR PERRETTA, RAKAA W. TAYLOR, RONNIE WILLIAMS, TARIK L. COLLINS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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