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When you say the Roots, cats don't respond, "oh yo Black Thought is ill". it's "oh, the dude with the 'fro, right?"
the one real reason (besides the fact that he spends 90% of his rhymes talkin about how nice he and his team is) that he ain't the best is this.
He has no charisma.
watch his interviews on Rap City. Look at him in the DSN video.
He's just the cooled-out, chill cat that's just there. he spits raw unadulterated fire then sits down.
listen to Hurricane (the track with Common and Mos on it). I speak for most people when i say that I don't sit there and wait for Thought's verse to come on...it's Mos or Com's verse that I wait for.
The reason taht cats sleep on him and the reason that he's not the best ever is because of this total lack of charisma. he don't stand out...simple as that.
it's why he's so perfect as part of the Roots. the music is charming and full of soul and vigor and attracts you to it, while you can listen to a dope MC rip it. but BT over beats by anyone else other than the Roots would be boring...let's face it. it's the same reason why Don't Say Nuthin isn't a great track...it's standard fare for contemporary rap, and there's nothing about BT that screams "LISTEN TO THE WORDS I SPIT!". on the other hand, Jay-Z, Common, Nas, Pac, and Biggie could/can all spit over a weak or lackluster beat and you STILL wanna listen. not the same with Black Thought.
Thought is wildly slept on and is definitely top 15 or 20, but the fact that not many people remember him in their "top" lists illustrates the fact that he will always be the no-frills MC with very little charisma.
charisma is probably the deciding factor in how dope an MC is...because it's the saem thing as dynamics. it's like listening to a saxophone player who's technically great but doesn't play from the heart. it's not hte same...you don't feel like BT is exposing himself and giving you everything he has, and although i think he actually does have a dynamic personality, he doesn't come off that way on record.
I put these MC's above him, and there's plenty more that I like better but wouldn't say ARE better:
KRS Rakim Nas Jay Biggie Pac Common
I have to add that I think it's ridiculous that people value empty verbiage over meaningful, poetic rhymes. and that's what it comes down to with BT versus cats like Common and Nas.
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