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.
Quiet Trip
Black Thought Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wake up everybody you know
Come on watch the garden grow
I'll see you when you get there
Uh, alright, yeah, two fifteen, yo
Downtown for the win, woah
Sean C for the tempo, Portugal for the intro
Calling shots like an umpire
Where I live, yo, man, I done lost mad kinfolk
Over gunfire through the window
As a young squire who become Sire
I had no way to tell what I was in for
I was 5'9" like Royce with the giant voice like Mike Winslow
Never been quite like them so I'm on my own time
Mind darker than a coal mine
Thoughts deeper than a gold mine
So I'm out here slangin' on this blade
Hopin' that I don't get cut by these police
Makin' raids on those of us who know what's up
My lil' homies, my lil' sons
Got them keys and they got them drums
Making superstitious runs on them insufficient funds
No more rules in this here shit, toddlers packin' a revolver
How the hell you robbers gonna rob the robber?
See you with that heater, you sweeter than peach cobbler
If it ain't about that paper, then man that ain't what Reek habla
Man, you know what's goin', they say, "Woke about that dope"
Ask them fiends about them keys, 'bout that coke, 'bout that smoke
Two fifteen my city, man, and we it from 'round here
If it's crazy where you at then, it ain't no different 'round here
Oh my, God, I can't believe my eyes
Wake up everybody you know (we all got away from you)
Come on watch the garden grow (we all got away from you)
I'll see you when you get there
Oh my, God, I can't believe my eyes
Wake up everybody you know (we all got away from you)
Come on watch the garden grow (we all got away from you)
I'll see you when you get there
Yo, reminiscin' over old times, sip a little bit of Oban
When the wind blow like a land mine, balled up fist now
Who the fuck's this calling on the landline?
Back back like a hair line, I don't really want the air time
I don't wanna smile for the camera, damn, I just wanna see my fam rise
I can feel when a man lies, tryin' to grow old and wise
And I'm still fly like airlines, stay sharp like samurais
Dip low like Cam'ron, Big Show when it's slam time
Word to my nigga Anton
Bogarting through this door
Hopin' that it don't get shut
By these police makin' raids on those of us who know what's up
My lil' uzi weighs a ton, man, I truly ain't the one
My lil' junior straight from juvie, make a movie gangster run
Y'all confusin' this here shit with some television drama
None of y'all lil' mamas touching Mr. Trotter
Even with that heater, you sweeter than peach cobbler
Real ones out here winnin', you swimmin' in deep agua
Click, pow, I'm a rebel just for kicks now
Been down with the get down
You ain't sayin' shit, sit down
This loud, twenty one pound, my town
Man, we it from 'round here
If they 'bout it where you from, then it ain't no different down here, listen
Oh my, God, I can't believe my eyes
Wake up everybody you know (we all got away from you)
Come on watch the garden grow (we all got away from you)
I'll see you when you get there
Oh my, God, I can't believe my eyes
Wake up everybody you know (we all got away from you)
Come on watch the garden grow (we all got away from you)
I'll see you when you get there
Yeah? Alright, I'll come home
At the end of the day, everybody got good and bad
In every culture, in every race
But you also gotta remember where you're people at
'Cause you always should want to love your people unconditionally no matter what
The song "Quiet Trip" by Black Thought is a reflection on the current state of affairs in his hometown and the world at large. The song discusses the difficulties of growing up in a violent city where gunshots are frequent and young people are often targeted. It is a meditation on the artist's journey, from his humble beginnings to his current success. The opening lines of the song - "Oh my, God, I can't believe my eyes/Wake up everybody you know/Come on watch the garden grow/I'll see you when you get there" - set the tone for the rest of the song. They suggest that, despite the difficulties the artist has faced, there is still hope for a better future.
The song also touches on themes of family, loyalty and perseverance. Black Thought reflects on the loss of loved ones to gun violence and his own struggles with poverty and hardship. However, even in the face of adversity, he remains optimistic and focused on success. The chorus - "Wake up everybody you know/Come on watch the garden grow/I'll see you when you get there" - reinforces the idea of hope and the power of faith to overcome obstacles.
Overall, "Quiet Trip" is a poignant and powerful song that speaks to the realities of life in disadvantaged communities while offering a message of hope and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my, God, I can't believe my eyes
I'm in disbelief about the state of things
Wake up everybody you know
It's time for everyone to be aware and take action
Come on watch the garden grow
Let's observe how things develop
I'll see you when you get there
We'll meet again after overcoming obstacles and challenges
Uh, alright, yeah, two fifteen, yo
Setting the scene in a specific location and time
Downtown for the win, woah
Emphasizing the importance of being in the right place for success
Sean C for the tempo, Portugal for the intro
Giving credit to those who contributed to the song's production
This is Arctical Don Disco from the one choir
Introducing oneself with a unique moniker
Calling shots like an umpire
Being in control and making important decisions
Where I live, yo, man, I done lost mad kinfolk
Expressing the loss of loved ones to violence
Over gunfire through the window
Describing the violent circumstances of the losses
As a young squire who become Sire
Going from a youth to a leader
I had no way to tell what I was in for
Unsure of the future and what would come
I was 5'9" like Royce with the giant voice like Mike Winslow
Comparing oneself to other well-known artists in stature and talent
Never been quite like them so I'm on my own time
Understanding one's uniqueness and forging one's own path
Mind darker than a coal mine
Having a complex and heavy thought process
Thoughts deeper than a gold mine
Having valuable and profound ideas
So I'm out here slangin' on this blade
Working hard in a difficult and dangerous environment
Hopin' that I don't get cut by these police
Worried about the harm law enforcement might cause
Makin' raids on those of us who know what's up
Being targeted for being involved in illegal activities
My lil' homies, my lil' sons
Referring to close associates who are like family
Got them keys and they got them drums
In possession of drugs and weapons
Making superstitious runs on them insufficient funds
Taking risks with limited resources
No more rules in this here shit, toddlers packin' a revolver
Anarchy and chaos with even young children involved in violence
How the hell you robbers gonna rob the robber?
Questioning the logic of those who resort to crime
See you with that heater, you sweeter than peach cobbler
Mocking those who try to act tough with guns
If it ain't about that paper, then man that ain't what Reek habla
Money is the focus and nothing else matters
Man, you know what's goin', they say, "Woke about that dope"
Being aware of the dangers and benefits of drug-related activities
Ask them fiends about them keys, 'bout that coke, 'bout that smoke
Those who use drugs have valuable insight into the industry
Two fifteen my city, man, and we it from 'round here
Proud of one's hometown and community
If it's crazy where you at then, it ain't no different 'round here
Similar struggles and challenges exist everywhere
Yo, reminiscin' over old times, sip a little bit of Oban
Reflecting on the past and enjoying a drink
When the wind blow like a land mine, balled up fist now
Being ready to defend oneself in dangerous situations
Who the fuck's this calling on the landline?
Questioning the identity of an unexpected caller
Back back like a hair line, I don't really want the air time
Preferring to stay out of the spotlight and avoid attention
I don't wanna smile for the camera, damn, I just wanna see my fam rise
Valuing family over fame or recognition
I can feel when a man lies, tryin' to grow old and wise
Having the ability to detect dishonesty and striving for wisdom
And I'm still fly like airlines, stay sharp like samurais
Maintaining style and sharpness in all aspects of life
Dip low like Cam'ron, Big Show when it's slam time
Making moves and taking risks like famous athletes
Word to my nigga Anton
Giving a shoutout to a friend named Anton
Bogarting through this door
Pushing through obstacles with confidence
Hopin' that it don't get shut
Worried about the possibility of obstacles stopping progress
Y'all confusin' this here shit with some television drama
Real life situations are not like fictional stories
None of y'all lil' mamas touching Mr. Trotter
Staying above petty drama and not engaging in nonsense
Even with that heater, you sweeter than peach cobbler
Again mocking those who rely on guns to appear tough
Real ones out here winnin', you swimmin' in deep agua
Those who are genuine and hardworking are successful, others will struggle
Click, pow, I'm a rebel just for kicks now
Being rebellious for the sake of it
Been down with the get down
Being part of the struggle and fighting to succeed
You ain't sayin' shit, sit down
Not tolerating those who talk but do nothing
This loud, twenty one pound, my town
Proudly representing one's hometown and community
Man, we it from 'round here
Belonging and thriving in one's hometown
If they 'bout it where you from, then it ain't no different down here, listen
Similarities exist in the struggles and challenges faced in different communities
You also gotta remember where you're people at
Being aware of and staying true to one's roots
'Cause you always should want to love your people unconditionally no matter what
Valuing and supporting one's community no matter the circumstances
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Delano Sean Matthews, John Gourley, Sal Dali, T. Trotter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
odiegile mompati
Black Thought is TOP 5 forever, he been doing this shit for 3 decades and still relevant today
Cody Ladson
Black Thought is an artistic genius. SOT 3 is music at its best
bluesafari
Yes he is... the best no matter wat
James H
When a chorus hits different by the end of a song, you know its a good one.
ConnΙr WΓ¦lsh
That pickup in the tone of the song was amazing. This is fine art.
T Smith
If you haven't yet, please go listen to Streams of Thought vol 3. It's only half an hour long and is really something else. Black Thought deserves that much
mamba
βJamie Thomas Shits being underrated
mamba
all 3 volumes
Exxxorcist
G O A T.. Nobody has ever had a flow so sweet it sounds like two beats on one song. His flow is so synonymous with the beat its unreal
hotlunch4011
Thatβs fk*n dope. BLACK THOUGHT IS MY FAVOURITE RAPPER.