Black Thought

I'm in great company and some may say that the underexposure has added to my allure and the staying power of me as a MC and The Roots as a band. ”

I do not seem like a funny guy. ”

Something that is funny, that I use sometimes if I'm doing comedy, is the fact that I'm now often mistaken for the rapper Rick Ross. And I don't know that I've ever corrected anyone - like I've never said, 'No no, I'm not Rick Ross, I'm Black Thought from The Roots.' ”

You are an instrument if you understand your voice and how to use it - this sound, that sound and certain ranges and different pitch. Within that I try to find a rhythm and play the voice as if it was a horn. ”

The Roots are well-respected and considered vanguards in the music. ”

We've been branded 'the thinking man's hip-hop.' So the music's got to have some level of maturity. ”

If hip-hop is dead, then let it rest in peace and let's move on to something else. ”

To me I think leadership is activism. It's giving back to your community, it's investing in oneself, and you know women and children. ”

I think we need more community health programs and we need to develop programs that are low-cost. ”

We are true to our name. We're somewhat beneath the surface, and I think well always be to a certain extent. ”