Black Thought
Co-Founder + Lead Emcee of The Legendary Roots Crew. GP, Impellent VC

Feels like a dream.
This is a concerted effort. Thank you to all of you who bought a book, or two. Thank you to all who have attended the events or who will attend. Those that have shared this work with friends, family, communities.
Thank you to every news outlet and press publication that has granted this book time and coverage. Thank you to every partner that has hosted an event. And thank you to the entire team.
Onwards and upwards!

PHILLY!! Only way to start Roots Picnic weekend is with Delirious! 🙌🏾
Meet us Friday night, May 29th at @punchlinephilly!
#Delirious #Comedy #RootsPicnic #Philly
Sigourney Weaver & Jimmy go head-to-head with @andrewrannells & @blackthought in Password! #FallonTonight

As a middle-schooler, the Roots’ Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter (@blackthought) was known as “The Pretzel Guy” because he’d spend first period selling hot soft pretzels that he picked up from a local factory. Since then, food has developed into a love language. This past Monday, he brought homemade lunch to 30 Rock for his fellow bandmates to enjoy before prepping for @fallontonight, where they’ve been the longtime backing band. He does this once every other month as a morale booster — though most recently, it was by request. The menu included six half jerk chickens and jerk wings, cedar-plank salmon, some snapper filets, crab legs, plantains and rice and peas, whipped up that morning. (And a few DoorDashed sides he didn’t have time to make.)
In addition to that, he’s had his hands in a few projects, including work on the most recent Gorillaz album and an upcoming show at the Jazz Club at Aman next Thursday. But there’s a lot that he can only say with food. “The need to create carries over and transcends medium,” he says. “Sometimes I want to paint a picture with words, or write a song, or tell a story with my outfit. And other times, it manifests itself onto the plate.”
Read his full #GrubStreetDiet at the link in our bio.
Illustration: @adamazur

As a middle-schooler, the Roots’ Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter (@blackthought) was known as “The Pretzel Guy” because he’d spend first period selling hot soft pretzels that he picked up from a local factory. Since then, food has developed into a love language. This past Monday, he brought homemade lunch to 30 Rock for his fellow bandmates to enjoy before prepping for @fallontonight, where they’ve been the longtime backing band. He does this once every other month as a morale booster — though most recently, it was by request. The menu included six half jerk chickens and jerk wings, cedar-plank salmon, some snapper filets, crab legs, plantains and rice and peas, whipped up that morning. (And a few DoorDashed sides he didn’t have time to make.)
In addition to that, he’s had his hands in a few projects, including work on the most recent Gorillaz album and an upcoming show at the Jazz Club at Aman next Thursday. But there’s a lot that he can only say with food. “The need to create carries over and transcends medium,” he says. “Sometimes I want to paint a picture with words, or write a song, or tell a story with my outfit. And other times, it manifests itself onto the plate.”
Read his full #GrubStreetDiet at the link in our bio.
Illustration: @adamazur

As a middle-schooler, the Roots’ Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter (@blackthought) was known as “The Pretzel Guy” because he’d spend first period selling hot soft pretzels that he picked up from a local factory. Since then, food has developed into a love language. This past Monday, he brought homemade lunch to 30 Rock for his fellow bandmates to enjoy before prepping for @fallontonight, where they’ve been the longtime backing band. He does this once every other month as a morale booster — though most recently, it was by request. The menu included six half jerk chickens and jerk wings, cedar-plank salmon, some snapper filets, crab legs, plantains and rice and peas, whipped up that morning. (And a few DoorDashed sides he didn’t have time to make.)
In addition to that, he’s had his hands in a few projects, including work on the most recent Gorillaz album and an upcoming show at the Jazz Club at Aman next Thursday. But there’s a lot that he can only say with food. “The need to create carries over and transcends medium,” he says. “Sometimes I want to paint a picture with words, or write a song, or tell a story with my outfit. And other times, it manifests itself onto the plate.”
Read his full #GrubStreetDiet at the link in our bio.
Illustration: @adamazur

As a middle-schooler, the Roots’ Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter (@blackthought) was known as “The Pretzel Guy” because he’d spend first period selling hot soft pretzels that he picked up from a local factory. Since then, food has developed into a love language. This past Monday, he brought homemade lunch to 30 Rock for his fellow bandmates to enjoy before prepping for @fallontonight, where they’ve been the longtime backing band. He does this once every other month as a morale booster — though most recently, it was by request. The menu included six half jerk chickens and jerk wings, cedar-plank salmon, some snapper filets, crab legs, plantains and rice and peas, whipped up that morning. (And a few DoorDashed sides he didn’t have time to make.)
In addition to that, he’s had his hands in a few projects, including work on the most recent Gorillaz album and an upcoming show at the Jazz Club at Aman next Thursday. But there’s a lot that he can only say with food. “The need to create carries over and transcends medium,” he says. “Sometimes I want to paint a picture with words, or write a song, or tell a story with my outfit. And other times, it manifests itself onto the plate.”
Read his full #GrubStreetDiet at the link in our bio.
Illustration: @adamazur

The line up for Roots Picnic’s first ever London edition is here 🇬🇧
Sign up via the link in bio for early access to presale tickets. 🔗
Festival Presale: Monday 20th April 12PM BST
General Sale: Tuesday 21st April 12PM BST
Join us at Crystal Palace Bowl and watch history be made!
Roots Picnic family, for the first time ever we’re heading to London! 🇬🇧🔥
Sign up via the link in bio for early access to presale tickets. 🔗
Festival Presale: Monday 20th April 12PM BST
General Sale: Tuesday 21st April 12PM BST
Join us at Crystal Palace Bowl and watch history be made!
Questlove reveals The Roots may not exist today without an early 1990s Levi’s commercial directed by Spike Lee.
Watch the full episode on YouTube & Spotify or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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#theroots #spikelee #questlove #philadelphia #hiphop

IT’S HERE - YOUR ROOTS PICNIC 2026 LINEUP 🧺🌳
ALL TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW FOR MAY 30 & 31!
See you at the Plat!!

A special year, requires special treatment.
Summertime, growing up in Philly, the Plateau was the place to be.
It was only right that for 2026, our most incredible Roots crew did something extra special to bring their @rootspicnic to “The Plat” with the legendary Jay Z and Erykah Badu.
I can’t thank @theroots, Shawn Gee, President of @livenationurban, @philaparkandrec and @phillycityrep enough for making this happen, and once again, making history in our great City.
We are ready to welcome the world to Philly all 2026!

A special year, requires special treatment.
Summertime, growing up in Philly, the Plateau was the place to be.
It was only right that for 2026, our most incredible Roots crew did something extra special to bring their @rootspicnic to “The Plat” with the legendary Jay Z and Erykah Badu.
I can’t thank @theroots, Shawn Gee, President of @livenationurban, @philaparkandrec and @phillycityrep enough for making this happen, and once again, making history in our great City.
We are ready to welcome the world to Philly all 2026!
Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Soul Music x Hip Hop + Improvisation = One Of Those Nights.
More experiences to come. Stay tuned.
🎥 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151

Black Thought Presents: One Of Those Nights
Experience # 1
Thank you to everyone who played a part. My amazing band, the ever talented @Ladynicolewray , @thejazzclubny and @briana.swann , and to all the lovely folks who braved the rain to experience One Of Those Nights. More experiences to come.
📸 @lrich151
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