Black Thought
Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane and Able
Republic
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Black Thought really might be the best rapper of all time. With a discography that spans over a quarter of a century, he certainly has the body of work to back up such claims. As a member of The Roots and as a solo artist, he has delivered countless flawless performances. What’s even more impressive is that with his newest release, Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane and Able, he continues to grow and show new facets an emcee.

Streams of Thought, Vol. 3 is very much a unique animal when compared to the previous two Streams of Thought installments. It’s also a different animal than any album by The Roots. For the most part, Streams of Thought volume 1 and 2 were focused on Black Thought’s expertise as an emcee. On Cane and Able, he has a lot more on his mind.

Sure, the project features pure lyrical performances as masterful as anything that Black Thought has ever delivered, but the Philly emcee also explores themes such as social justice, police brutality, and just how fucked up this planet is circa 2020. Thought grapples with a crumbling society, seeking to find meaning amongst world that’s reeling from the constant pound of COVID-19, police brutality, and environmental disasters. This is a project with a lot on its mind, with Thought rhyming like the world’s about to end. Which it just might.

What also sets Cane and Able apart is its production. Only one producer works behind the boards for each volume of Streams of Thought; volumes 1 & 2 were handled by 9th Wonder and Salaam Remi, respectively. For volume 3, Black Thought enlists Deleno “Sean C” Matthews, simultaneously his most “familiar” and leftfield choice. Sean C a.k.a. Sean Cane got his start in the mid-1990s producing for crews like Jay-Z, Big Pun, Smif-N-Wessun, and the E. Bros. He eventually became a member of Puff Daddy’s Hitmen, producing material for Jay-Z’s American Gangster (2007). During the late ’00s/early ’10s, he widely expanded his resume, even producing “The Stomp” for The Roots’ album Undun (2011).

But with Cane and Able, Sean C. changes up his production style considerably. He adopts a murky palette, seemingly reminiscent of Madlib’s recent work with Freddie Gibbs, or the recent work of The Alchemist. Given the urgency and uncertainly that permeates Black Thought’s lyrics, it’s a perfect fit for the content of the album.

From the opening track, its apparent that Black Thought means business. Amidst soaring vocal samples, a grim piano, and pounding drums, “the talented Mr. Trotter” levitates on the track as “an angel from the Lord in ceremonial garb,” laying down two verses of pure lyrical magma. Even in the context of a career as storied as his own, Black Thought’s performance stands out here, as he raps, “If it's too brutal, look the other way like I'm bribing you / But surrender all your valuables as if I'm robbing you.”

“The Magnificent” is one of the best songs on the project, an understated dedication to artistic growth. Thought details has evolution as an emcee, metaphorically metamorphosizing “To Hajj Malik el-Shabazz from Detroit Red.” In his newly ascending role, he disperses harsh judgement, rapping, “Don’t make me burn your wings off like the Icarus / The Lord take away the same thing he giveth us / Temptation, do not lead, please deliver us / When you a beast, you kinda cease to give a fuck.”

The project features more outside contributors than the previous two installments, all of which work in their respective contexts. “Good Morning” is a gritty tour-de-force, featuring verses by Pusha T and Killer Mike, and a hook by the usually insufferable Swizz Beatz. I guess it should say something that Thought even brings the best out of him. All three emcees are on the top of their game, holding court as masters of their respective domains. Killer Mike positions himself as a 21st century Mansa Musa as he raps, “How you product of a God and you worship a man? / I was God in the flesh before I drove a Mulsanne / Five keys of gold sitting on my neck in the frame / Surrounded by Black women, West African king.”

Black Thought teams with TDE’s Schoolboy Q on the bleak and foreboding “Steak Um.” Though the young Los Angeles rapper’s off-kilter styles contrast well with Black Thought, the Bad Lieutenant is the star of the track, reflecting on the journey of his recording career. “Listen, they told me I was bound to lose,” he raps. “I had the crown to prove and fucked around and found the tools / Could have failed, but I’m more compelled, I torched the trails / Of an Orson Welles, rock jewels big as oyster shells.”

Multiple Portland-based artists make multiple appearances throughout Cane and Able, with both the rock band Portugal. The Man and the rapper/vocalist The Last Artful, Dodgr contributing to three different songs. “Quiet Trip” is a moving dedication to living on the streets of Philadelphia, with Thought ducking police raids while hustling through extra-legal means. Thought uses his vocal skills on “Nature of the Beast,” occasionally crooning with The Last Artful, Dodgr and members of the band. He contemplates the frequent emptiness of the human experience in 2020, where self-worth is derived from social media interactions, while we digitally wall ourselves off from meaningful human interaction.

The album ends with “Fuel,” which features an introspective Black Thought at the crossroads, contemplating the direction of his life. While acknowledging feelings of hopelessness and depression, he finds a source of inspiration to be great. “But are my best years of life behind us still ahead of me?” he ponders. “What would I leave behind if I was over everything? / The foundation for creation of a better me / That's honestly the true definition of legacy.”

It’s no longer surprising how Black Thought continues to astound as an artist, but Cane and Able is still an impressive next step in his progression. Apparently, he’s already recorded the fourth volume of the Streams of Thought series, and I personally can’t wait to experience what comes next. Until then, the third volume will give me lots to chew on.

Notable Tracks: “Fuel” | “Magnificent” | “State Prisoner” | “Steak Um”

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