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.
Steak Um
Black Thought Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am a black dude
And don't ever forget how I got here
My ancestors were kidnapped
I don't even know where the fuck I'm from
They were put on the bottom of boats
They sailed them across the Atlantic
Many of them died, only the strongest survived
They turned us into beasts of burdens
They made us do their work, and the irony is
Hundreds of years later they called us lazy
We fought in the Civil War, we damn near freed ourselves
Now here we all are, 400-year nightmare
Took us 400 years to figure out as a people
That white people's weakness the whole time
Was kneeling during the national anthem
Hahahaha, heh, heh, heh, aw shit
Yo, give my regards to Paris
I make 'em go bananas for the noble savage
Steak 'em, let 'em have it, allow me to establish
The tone from a holdin' pattern above Saturn
Listen, they told me I was bound to lose
I had the crown to prove and fucked around and found the tools
Coulda failed, but I'm more compelled, I torched the trails
Of an Orson Welles, rock jewels big as oyster shells
To go from showman to shaman is not common
What's a goon to a goblin? What's a goblin to Amen Ra
When the God's been a problem? Now get your fuckin' shine box
Before I put your party in a pine box
Remember we was broke as a promise
Let's be honest, them hard times scattered behind us
Yachting through the Bahamas, 'bout to play St. Thomas
Cabernet Sauvignon with Faberge egg omelets
Uh, slide down
Nigga gon' slide down Fig' like
I parked the crooked 'cause the Sig pokin', ay
Eye for an eye, gon' keep the tears rollin', yeah
I'm Beethoven to the bass swollen, yeah
Starin' in the mirror, I was God's bonus
Yeah, I ain't ask for shit, I was chose for this
Plot twist, one day if my gifts got the homies chillin'
Grooviest, hood politics, the Crips scholarships
Gang foul, equal noose now, it ain't the same 'round
Aw yeah, this lifestyle we livin', ay
Niggas turn to base heads from picture, ay
And leaned into the crack, got out of business, huh
Now blacks doin' coke, what's the difference now?
Pigs turn my loc' to a witness now
The stakes raised, well done, salute, uh
This young loc done popped out the blue, uh
Die young, I keep peace to shoot
We all knew this sixteen's the truth, yeah
Blacked out and I find out the scoop, brrt, ayy, woo
In the first verse of Black Thought's song Steak Um, he reminds his audience of the struggles of being black in America. He asks them not to forget his identity and the fact that his ancestors were forced into slavery. He explains how African people were transported to America on boats, and many did not survive the brutal journey. Those who arrived were stripped of their humanity and turned into beasts of burden, forced to work for their captors. However, after hundreds of years of oppression, Black Thought believes that black people have finally figured out the weakness of the oppressor- kneeling during the national anthem.
The second verse of the song is less politically charged and focuses on Black Thought's personal journey. He compares himself to a shaman, saying his transformation from showman to shaman is uncommon. He brags about the success he has achieved in his career and how he has gone from being broke to living a luxurious lifestyle. The third and final verse sees Black Thought exploring the themes of gang violence, drug addiction, and police brutality. He comments on how the lifestyles of black people have changed over the years, and although some things are different, others remain the same. He touches on the issue of police brutality and how it has turned some black people into witnesses against their own communities. The verse ends on a positive note, with Black Thought saying that he will keep the peace, but if push comes to shove, he can defend himself.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't forget who I am, don't forget what I am
I am reminding you of my identity and heritage.
I am a black dude
I am an African American man.
And don't ever forget how I got here
Remember that my ancestors were forcibly brought to America through the slave trade.
They were put on the bottom of boats
African slaves were transported in the holds of ships during the Middle Passage.
Many of them died, only the strongest survived
The conditions on the slave ships were so harsh that only a fraction of the captured Africans made it to America alive.
They turned us into beasts of burdens
Enslaved Africans were forced to work as laborers in America, treated as property instead of human beings.
Hundreds of years later they called us lazy
Despite centuries of forced labor, African Americans were still subjected to negative stereotypes and discriminatory treatment.
We fought in the Civil War, we damn near freed ourselves
African American soldiers fought for the Union army during the Civil War and helped bring an end to slavery in America.
Took us 400 years to figure out as a people
That white people's weakness the whole time
Was kneeling during the national anthem
After centuries of struggle, African Americans found a new way to protest racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem, highlighting white America's weakness in addressing systemic racism.
I make 'em go bananas for the noble savage
Steak 'em, let 'em have it, allow me to establish
I am a skilled rapper who can captivate audiences, and I use my talents to promote my own brand of excellence and creativity.
Listen, they told me I was bound to lose
I had the crown to prove and fucked around and found the tools
Despite people telling me I wouldn't succeed, I worked hard to prove them wrong and found the skills and resources I needed to succeed.
What's a goon to a goblin? What's a goblin to Amen Ra
When the God's been a problem?
I am referencing Jay-Z's lyrics to make a point about the relative power of different people or entities.
Now get your fuckin' shine box
Before I put your party in a pine box
I am telling someone to get out of my way or face consequences.
Cabernet Sauvignon with Faberge egg omelets
I am describing a luxurious lifestyle characterized by expensive food and drink.
Eye for an eye, gon' keep the tears rollin'
I'm Beethoven to the bass swollen
I am using a metaphor comparing myself to a legendary composer to explain my lyrical talents to make people emotional.
Grooviest, hood politics, the Crips scholarships
I am referencing the influence of gang culture on the lives of young people in impoverished areas, which can sometimes provide opportunities like scholarships.
Now blacks doin' coke, what's the difference now?
I am observing the double standards and hypocrisies inherent in American society when it comes to issues like drug use and criminal justice.
The stakes raised, well done, salute
I am acknowledging that the risks associated with my lifestyle have increased, and that respect is due to those who persevere despite these challenges.
Die young, I keep peace to shoot
We all knew this sixteen's the truth
I am commenting on the fleeting nature of life in the inner city, and how the age of sixteen can be a critical moment in a young person's development.
Blacked out and I find out the scoop
I am hinting that I have access to information or knowledge that others may not have.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Blair Wells, Deleno Matthews, Quincey Hanley, Saliou Diagne
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@uncleiroh7967
Don't forget who I am, don't forget what I am
I am a black dude
And don't ever forget how I got here
My ancestors were kidnapped
I don't even know where the fuck I'm from
They were put on the bottom of boats
They sailed them across the Atlantic
Many of them died, only the strongest survived
And once they got here, they beat the humanity out of my people
They turned us into beasts of burdens
They made us do their work, and the irony is
Hundreds of years later they're calling us lazy
We fought in the Civil War, we damn near freed ourselves
Now here we all are, 400-year nightmare
Took us 400 years to figure out as a people
That white people's weakness the whole time
Was kneeling during the national anthem.
- Dave Chappelle
@johnp1914
We need more Black Thought on eerie beats like this
@DPrime215
From having Black Thoughts to having a song with Black Thought, Schoolboy Q brought it full circle.
@uncle.samc4778
Omg we need to run this comment up fuck yeah he did
@Jimmy1982Playlists
Blank Face, one of my favorite albums ever...
@issa5021
Black tHoughts and marijuana...
@ptrcrispy
@Issa5021 its karma
@the2ndcoming135
Mad Facts💪🏽💪🏿
@NO-gh4qp
You know Black Thought is truly elite cuz you do NOT catch MCs slouching on a verse with him on the track. Real rap.
@stancerecords
It’s out of respect cuz if you know BT is gonna be on a joint with you you best be on your A game
@koolaiddrowland
You betta not 😂