Superlatives
A Vulture series in which artists judge the best and worst of their own careers.
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Black ThoughtsStreams of Thought, Vol.
says Black Thought over the phone from New Jersey.
I dont want to say [the content] is a coincidence.
The sad truth is just that the same shit has been going on.
Ive always gone into my music with the intention of speaking truth to power.
Biggest difference betweenStreams of Thought, Vol.
1and2
This project has the most mainstream appeal.
This is also the longestStreams of Thought[at 34 minutes] that were releasing to date Vol.
But Sean C lived and breathed this hip-hop shit in a [different] way.
Thats the sort of thing that you cant manufacture its in them.
One of the most memorable compliments that Ive ever received was within the last year.
It was around this time in 2019, when Rakim was a guest onThe Wendy Williams Show.
Youre many peoples top one.
So whos your favorite MC?
I dropped the mic, like, Fuck all yall haters my work is done here!
I was moved by that compliment.
Then theres the one with the little girl crying.
Shes in tears, but the focus is on one tear falling down her cheek.
Theres something in her eyes.
The smoke has yet to settle, and this child is the sole survivor.
This child represents all our hope isnt lost.
Lastly, theres the one with the dead man.
Hes lying in a pool of blood in a suit and cufflinks.
His sleeves are covered in blood.
[It represents] someone who seemingly had it all figured out, the whole winner-takes-all mentality.
This person was probably a gangster.
This is a boss who met his end while playing with a full deck.
Those five album covers fromThings Fall Apartare as iconic as it gets with our music.
Those more personal stories are the stories that folks are going to remember you forever for.
So as a writer, you cant be guarded.
We were really looking forward to it.
Having to cancel the festival … it hurt for all parties involved.
It served as a template for how you could still freak something in these times.
The show must go on; the Roots Picnic must go on.
Im honored to have been able to serve in that way and to motivate the people.
And thats our currency, especially in 2020: the way you make people feel.
Album title that most accurately sums up this year
DefinitelyThings Fall Apart.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
