How come Black Thought is one of the greatest lyricists ever but is never in anybody’s top 10 rapper list?

[Amerikan Melanin]

I rarely ever hear someone mention Black Thought when talking about top 10’s.

Not enough commercial success?

Just overlooked?

 

[pete clemenza]

I rarely ever hear someone mention Black Thought when talking about top 10’s.

Not enough commercial success?

Just overlooked?

He always needed that one big, or at least slightly big, solo album.

 

[Billy Ocean]

Doesn't have the classic solo output of the other MCs usually mentioned in the GOAT conversation.

 

[TEH]

He doesn’t have a solo career. Plus the Roots as a group is underrated so of course Black Thought will be underrated.

But let’s talk about why KRS One and Big Daddy Kane are never on any top 10 lists.

 

[Billy Ocean]

He doesn’t have a solo career. Plus the Roots as a group is underrated so of course Black Thought will be underrated.

But let’s talk about why KRS One and Big Daddy Kane are never on any top 10 lists.

I see KRS and Kane mentioned in Top 10 lists all the time.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

I rarely ever hear someone mention Black Thought when talking about top 10’s.

Not enough commercial success?

Just overlooked?

The first point. Not quite enough commercial success though they sold pretty well. Most top 10's are gonna have artists that moved a lot of units though.

 

[Adeptus Astartes]

He doesn’t have a solo career. Plus the Roots as a group is underrated so of course Black Thought will be underrated.

But let’s talk about why KRS One and Big Daddy Kane are never on any top 10 lists.

I always see BDK on top 10 lists. I see KRS in top 10 lists of people who like political rap.

As for the OP, people know The Roots not Black Thought, and the Roots didn't have any songs that peaked above 30.

 

[Zero]

Doesn't have the classic solo output of the other MCs usually mentioned in the GOAT conversation.

This right here.

 

[Mindfield333]

Doesn't have the classic solo output of the other MCs usually mentioned in the GOAT conversation.

I mean… dude is rapping on. 85% of their tracks though

 

[Amerikan Melanin]

All the roots lyrics are him though. Malik B ain’t around. The Roots = Black Thought.

Questlove don’t have bars.

Black Thought album with DangerMouse is one of the best albums of the last 10yrs.

 

[NZA]

his freestyles and guest appearances are better than roots or solo stuff

 

[Elim Garak]

I've seen people put him in top 10's but it's rare.

 

[Billy Ocean]

I mean… dude is rapping on. 85% of their tracks though

All the roots lyrics are him though. Malik B ain’t around. The Roots = Black Thought.

Questlove don’t have bars.

Black Thought album with DangerMouse is one of the best albums of the last 10yrs.

Name his classic solo tracks, Roots or not. Are there enough to place him in lists with Jay, Nas, Pac, etc...?

And I agree that Dangermouse Cheat Codes album was dope asf, but it's not a classic and had no impact on the game.

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

Because there are at least 10 MC's better than him instead of 9 deserving that title.

You realize just how many there are in total?​

 

[Mr swag]

LL Cool J would wash this nikka