Released: April 4, 2020

[Verse 1: Black Thought]
I said
The making of the mob, the changing of the guard
An angel from the Lord in ceremonial garb
The main culprit at large, the big homey in charge
Emerged over the odds, the victorious [?]
The talented Mr. Trotter, a midnight marauder
If there's blood in the water, no stopping the top shotta
I drop bombs, multiple arms like candelabras on a mission
I'm chasing chicken like a chupacabra, nigga
Salute your father, I'm headed back to Wakanda after the drama
Rappers get matter fact to the trauma
The killer lion separated from the pride
I [?] I am the most hated one alive
A gun was fired, another one expired
I represent the unwanted, unadmired
Wash my hands of it all, then raise one and testify
The lyrical manslaughter, I'm guilty but justified
Trust the vibe--
[Audio cuts out]
--winister, fly sinister
Philly-certified finisher, the Prime Minister
In God's image, the monument--
[Audio cuts out]
--the high midgets
Till the problem's acknowledged and how to apply
Penance for the transgressions that I accepted
In acquiescence of my own blessing as I expected
My loaded weapons, y'all don't get it
So look in your own direction, every answered question
Investing in your own protection, they be like
"Black, yo, who knew we'd be receiving a new you
That's part Zulu and Farrakhan, m--"
[Audio cuts out]
--fools who
Misinterpret my level of genius and call it cuckoo
But the Swahili meaning of freedom is still uhuru
To the booth guru, I deliver the truth to you
Who got the nerve to act as if this isn't proof to you
That I'll immobilize a militia then troop to you?
No telling what I got in the system to shoot through you
If it's too brutal, look the other way like I'm bribing you, but
Surrender all your valuables as if I'm robbing you as I slide
The [?] to the side like a [?] with a facade
[?] place where I reside is like the castle on the honorable
Pensée Noir, my nom de guerre
I'm the tsar, the Peking to Paris is my kind of car
I'm the R, I'm the L, I'm the K
Uncorrelated, unadulterated
Terror, the king's been coronated
No masquerade, remove the make-up
It's no sleeping, my eyes refuse to stay shut
It's gatekeepers responsible for this place, but historically
The authorities were morally bankrupt
Enter the executioner speaking that retribution
I will send shots to Lucifer even to catch a future
Me and the best producers out again, on route again
Air-born audio spores, it's like an allergen
You know what I'm saying? It goes on and on

Black Thought

Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter is the co-founder and MC of the legendary Philadelphia-based hip-hop group The Roots.

Thought is highly renowned in the Hip-Hop community for his socially aware, informed, and character-driven rap style. He is considered by many, a lyrical killer and legend that falls in the same category as Yasiin Bey, Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, members of the Wu-Tang Clan and even Nas.

He also is a member and founder of supergroup Money Making Jam Boys, consisting of Black, and other Roots collaborators Sugar-Tongue-Slim (STS), Greg Porn, Truck North, and Dice Raw. STS can be heard on “Right On” while the other three are widely and largely on Undun.