Black Thought Finally Rhymes Over A DJ Premier Beat & He Smashes It (Audio)

When DJ Premier, Royce Da 5’9″, and Adrian Younge started mapping out the self-title album known as PRhyme, The Roots’ Black Thought was a planned guest. However, the Grammy Award-winning band’s longtime manager/producer Rich Nichols passed away in mid-2014, halting plans.

In 2016, as PRhyme readies a deluxe edition release (December 11), Black Thought makes good on the initial plans. The South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC appears the 2014 instrumental to “Wishin’,” and takes Common’s spot for a track all of his own. Royce rises to the occasion with all new bars for his part. Not unlike Preemo’s “Militia” and sequel in the Gang Starr era, this is a cool extension of the original as as a comparison piece. Thought and Royce sound incredible side-by-side as two blue collar city MCs that share a gift of gab, and a deep love of music. Those qualities present all over these “Wishin’, Part 2” verses, with plenty of Rap-referencing similes, wordplay, and signature cadences. There are really multiple beats here, including the revived Preem intro bonus. Catch references to Rakim, Ghostface Killah nods, and mentions of tedious Slaughterhouse fan questions, in this all-out lyrical clinic.

One year later, as PRhyme has begun a major roll-out of this latest album addition, do you think that the awareness surrounding the group has risen? As DJ Premier continues to roll-out a wish-list of collaborations (MF DOOM, Phonte, Killer Mike, Jay Electronica, etc.), where would you like to see him go next?