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 Times
Black Thought Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People all around me and they're all in fear
They don't seem to want me but they won't admit
I must be some kind of creature up here having fits
From my party house, I'm afraid to come outside
Although I'm filled with love I'm afraid they'll hurt my pride
So I play the part I feel they want of me
Havin' hard times in this crazy town
Havin' hard times, there's no love to be found
Havin' hard times in this crazy town
Havin' hard times, there's no love to be found
From my party house I feel like meetin' others
Familiar faces, creed and race, a brother
But to my surprise I find a man corrupt
Although he be my brother, he wants to hold me up
Havin' hard times in this crazy town
Havin' hard times, there's no love to be found
Havin' hard times in this crazy town
Havin' hard times, there's no love to be found
In this crazy town
Havin' hard times, there's no love to be found
Havin' hard times, in this crazy town
Havin' hard times, there's no love to be found
The song "Hard Times" by Black Thought is an emotionally charged and introspective depiction of the difficulties of life in a troubled urban environment. The opening lines of the first verse describe the feeling of being isolated and misunderstood, with "cold, cold eyes upon me" and a sense that the people around the singer are "all in fear." Despite the singer's inner feelings of love and compassion, they feel unable to connect with others due to a fear of being hurt or rejected.
The second verse introduces the idea of community and brotherhood, but once again, there is a sense of disillusionment and betrayal. The singer longs for "familiar faces, creed and race, a brother" but ultimately discovers that even those who are supposed to be close to us can be "corrupt" and "want to hold me up." The repeated chorus emphasizes the theme of struggle and lack of love in this "crazy town."
Line by Line Meaning
Cold, cold eyes upon me they stare
I feel like everyone is judging me and it's making me uncomfortable.
People all around me and they're all in fear
I can sense that everyone is scared of something but I'm not quite sure what it is.
They don't seem to want me but they won't admit
People act like they don't like me but they won't be honest about it.
I must be some kind of creature up here having fits
I feel like I'm being judged unfairly and that my behavior is being misunderstood.
From my party house, I'm afraid to come outside
I'm scared of facing the outside world and the people who are out there.
Although I'm filled with love I'm afraid they'll hurt my pride
I have a lot of love in my heart but I'm scared that if I show it, I'll be rejected and my pride will be hurt.
So I play the part I feel they want of me
I pretend to be what I think people want me to be, instead of being true to myself.
And I pull the shades so I won't see them seein' me
I hide from the outside world because I'm scared of being seen and judged by others.
From my party house I feel like meetin' others
Though I'm scared, I want to connect with others and form meaningful relationships.
Familiar faces, creed and race, a brother
I want to connect with people who are like me and who I feel a sense of community with.
But to my surprise I find a man corrupt
Unfortunately, even among those who I feel a sense of community with, there are those who are deceitful and untrustworthy.
Although he be my brother, he wants to hold me up
Even though we have a shared identity and community, this person is not looking out for my best interests and is trying to oppress me.
In this crazy town
This town is a chaotic and difficult place to live in.
Havin' hard times, there's no love to be found
I'm struggling in this town and it feels like there's no sense of community or love here.
Havin' hard times in this crazy town
I'm facing difficulties and challenges in this town that is chaotic and unpredictable.
Havin' hard times, there's no love to be found
Despite my best efforts to connect with others and find love in this town, it seems like there's no one here who truly cares for me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CURTIS MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@versatilpraxis
One of the reasons I learned English was I tried to get Black Thoughts' verses, the guy is a fuckin' genius!!
@floydthebarbarian4833
Black Thought is the most underrated MC of all time.
@palapadadouwa807
Is absolutely not underrated for intellingent peoples😁😉
He and the Roots are the band of Jimmy Kimmel show indeed😋
@Truthbtold2no
The original Baby Huey recording brought me here.
@s7evenTV
+Kenny Truthbtold same :D
@kevinb1125
And its way better
@housemagik9196
love the baby huey original been listening to it since 2007 and this is my first hearing the roots version shits dope
@orlandoferreiradeandrade9774
Baby Huey Forever
@superfe73
Good God All Mighty..! I cant keep still when I hear this, funky bstrds, I had to down load to I pod, makes me walk down the street with Swag, no lie, love the bones of John Legend, can't wait for Leeds UK July, Bring that Mother, black thought Rock's, love ya'll.xx
@geogeo2551
Still rockin 2019 !! Black thought is mad on the mic!!!!’