S. Samuel
The Roots' Black Thought recently discussed MTV's highly-debated "Hottest MCs in the Game" list and declared himself one of the all-time best hip-hop artists the rap game's ever seen.
While he did not show much interest in debating MTV’s rundown, Thought dished out his own personal Top 5 list of favorite emcees.
“I’m not really too hung up on the rappers of the moment,” Black Thought said in an interview. “There’s a lot of dudes doing a lot of nice stuff — but I’m one of the five hottest ever, of all-time, so, that’s where I’m at with it. To me, [the all-time top five], Kool G Rap, Rakim, maybe Chuck D, KRS-One and not Chuck D for being a tricky, gymnastic lyricist but just for, you know, having the bravery to be as much an activist as he was at that point in time. You know what I’m saying? And then maybe Big Daddy Kane. You know if I’m considering five people other than myself, but, you know, I’m up there. [laughs]” (Hard Knock TV)
Earlier this year, D12’s Kuniva named Black Thought in his SOHH Top 5 Dead or Alive.
“Black Thought. He has to be first. He’s got to be the illest emcee to touch the mic in my era. He’s one of the illest. He’s so slept-on and underrated and the best part is he doesn’t even give a f*ck. Black Thought is like a hip-hop ninja.” (SOHH Top 5 Dead or Alive)
Former Slum Village member Elzhi also placed BT into his SOHH rundown a couple years ago.
“I’m going to go with Black Thought. Legendary Roots crew. Black Thought has always been on point. I can’t ever say I heard a wack Black Thought verse. He’s incredible. Rapping with that band like that, his style is always on point. He’s one of the best lyricists in the game and he’s still doing it to perfection. So I definitely gotta give it up to Black Thought.” (SOHH Top 5 Dead or Alive)
A few months ago, fellow Philadelphia hip-hop artist Freeway crowned the rap veteran SOHH Underrated.
“As far as other people, definitely Black Thought. He’s a monster. You know what I’m saying? Everything that he’s put out is quality. Everything that he puts out is quality.” (SOHH Underrated)
Check out Black Thought’s interview:
