The Roots' Black Thought Debuts Three New Songs During 'Tiny Desk' Performance [Watch]

Late last week, The Roots co-founder Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter performed for the new “Home” edition of NPR Music‘s “Tiny Desk Concert” video series, where the emcee veteran debuted three new tracks.

Keeping with the video series’ theme of performing around a desk, Black Thought jumped into his first song, “Thought Vs. Everybody”, from a leather chair in front of a glass table.

“We will hear from the most powerful black man in the world today,” said a vocal sample at the beginning of the track before the brilliant lyricist began stringing lines together effortlessly. Throughout the song, Black Thought calls for unity at a time when society needs it most with lines like, “Yo the devil tryna pull together his team, me too,” eluding to the need for community bonds in advance of the impending dystopia. “Yellow”, from Trotter’s forthcoming musical Black No More, saw the rapper lay down verses over a swing music-inspired beat, replete with horns and the big band grooves prevalent during the 1930s.

Finally, Black Thought closed with “Nature Of The Beast”, a collaboration with the Alaskan rock band, Portugal. The Man. The cross-genre track saw Portugal. The Man members Zoe Manville and John Gourley provide vocal harmonies during the song’s chorus, which they recorded from a separate location. Watch the entire, 17-minute performance below.

Black Thought – Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

[Video: NPR Music]

The Roots currently have several dates scheduled throughout the summer months, however, the status of those performances is in question due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Head to the band’s Facebook for the latest tour information.