On Monday (Nov. 26), Black Thought, the lead emcee of the Philadelphia hip-hop group The Roots, will release Streams Of Thought Vol 2 (Black Thought x Salaam Remi presents Traxploitation). In preparation for the EP, Thought released a soulfully stirring video for the lead single titled, “Conception.”
Directed by Morian Thomas, the video features a young couple on their respective hustles. With one as a waitress and the other an aspiring fashion designer, the designer makes something special for his partner as Thought’s vocals and Remi’s production soundtrack their love story.
Thought has released 11 albums with The Roots and is now starting to branch off on his own. His follow-up EP to Streams of Thought Vol. 1 is a mere extension of the magic made in June. The project cracked the Billboard Top 10 and Top 40 of the Independent Albums charts and R&B/Hip-Hop charts respectively.
Stream of Thought, Vol. 2 will feature production from Salaam Remi who has famously worked with the likes of the late Amy Winehouse, Nas and Mack Wilds with up to nine tracks. On this album, the 47-year old rapper incorporates throwback soul sounds as well as classic Motown in his music.
His new single “Conception” is filled with doo-wop corner harmonies and hypnotic horns with Reek Ruffin on the vocals. Thought also teamed up with popular music streaming platform TIDAL to release the music video for the song exclusively.
The leading Roots MC is also incorporating the art world in this forthcoming EP. He collaborated with visual artist and former Yale student Leslie Hewitt for the album’s cover art and will be speaking with her at New York City’s Modern Museum of Art on Wednesday (Nov. 28) at 7 pm.
Check out the new music video above.
#StreamsofThought Vol. 2 cover art collaboration with visual artist Leslie Hewitt — presenting “Riffs on Real Time (Streams of Thought)” pic.twitter.com/I2uvvH0n2X
— Black Thought (@blackthought) November 15, 2018
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