I’ve got something special for all you hip-hop heads out there. If you’ve ever wondered about the unseen side of rap legends, this one’s for you. Two heavyweights, Black Thought of The Roots and Redman, recently sat down together for a candid interview, and some deep stories came out.
They go beyond bars and beats: we learn about respect, missed opportunities, behind-the-scenes decisions, and a long-promised collaboration finally on the horizon.
If you love lyrical breakdowns, rap history, or just the human side of hip-hop culture, keep reading. Because what they share in this sit-down connects to the craft, the hustle, and those moments fans never got to hear.
Black Thought & Redman: Unheard verse from the roots
In the conversation with Rolling Stone, Redman recalled that he once recorded a verse for The Roots that never saw the light of day. He admitted, “I was actually hurt from that, bro,” indicating how much it meant to him.
He even wondered if his “cursing too much” might’ve been the reason the group didn’t move forward with it: “I might have said ‘b***h’ or something derogatory that they probably didn’t like.”
Black Thought didn’t cast blame, though. He explained that the late Rich Nichols, long-time manager/creative director of The Roots, “ran such a tight ship… he would shoot down every submission.”
Black Thought said: “You know what happened? Rich, rest in peace, who was very much the brains of The Roots operation, … there was something about that verse that Rich didn’t like. I can’t remember what it was. I’m gonna find that verse, and if I listen to it, I can tell you why Rich didn’t rock with it.”
This moment is pure rap culture gold: two veterans, talking openly about the cuts, the decisions, the ego-free truth behind why tracks don’t always reach us. For fans of lyricism and hip-hop history, it’s riveting.
Black Thought & Redman: The unreleased album streams of Thought Vol. 4
As if that scene weren’t enough, the two also revealed something major: they already recorded together on an album that’s been sitting, waiting for its moment. Black Thought confirmed that the album Streams of Thought Vol. 4, laid down back in 2020, features Redman.
The only blocker? Sample clearances. Black Thought noted that the couples’ track will eventually drop once everything is cleared and time is right.
For rap purists, this is big: two craft-masters teaming up across decades, but the business side of hip-hop still determining the timing. It’s a reminder of how many albums exist only in partial form, and how painstaking the process is behind the scenes.
The fact that both artists are upfront and real about it makes the story even richer: not just hype, but transparency. It’s the kind of thing that makes you lean in and appreciate the journey as much as the final track.
Why this matters for hip-hop Fans
Rap is more than beats and punchlines. It’s culture. It’s respect. It’s unseen layers. When Black Thought and Redman open up about what didn’t make the album, what’s still waiting, and how they view each other, you get a rare glimpse behind the curtain.
This conversation boosts the importance of collaboration in hip-hop, and highlights how even legends deal with rejection, industry filters, and creative roadblocks.
If you’re someone who keeps digging vinyl crates, studying lyric sheets, or just loves that raw element in rap, this is a moment to celebrate. Two icons, candid, connecting dots in real time.
Keep an ear out for that upcoming album. When Streams of Thought Vol. 4 drops, you’ll know what you’re listening to isn’t just another release, it’s a piece of hip-hop history in motion.