THE ‘DOSTOEVSKY OF HIP HOP’ INFLUENCED MY POETRY
THE PERFORMATIVE PROWESS OF THE ROOTS’ LEAD MASTER OF CEREMONIES
BILAL AKRAM (GUEST AUTHOR @ DIL)
“To me, rap is poetry.” ~ Bilal Akram (2024)
THE ‘DOSTOEVSKY OF HIP HOP’
When described as the ‘Dostoevsky of Hip Hop’ in an interview with Barry Michael Cooper, Tariq Trotter, also known as Black Thought (the lead MC of The Roots), did his research on the figure.
He found that the Russian novelist’s work consisted of layered philosophical tales on the underbellies of his society, told as fiction, yet felt as reality.
Shortly after the interview, Thought released a track named Dostoyevsky. Featuring Rapsody, and produced by 9th Wonder, it was released on his EP, Streams of Thought Volume 1 (2018).
On the record, Black Thought raps:
“Where I reside is the dark side of the glory.
The fury I manipulate is the arc of the story.
Written without a ghostwriter to author it for me.
This is crime and punishment, I'm the judge and the jury.
Listen, Dostoyevsky…”
Black Thought describes his work as ‘dark’, full of ‘fury’, and authentic, with no ‘ghostwriter to author it for [him]’. He ends the verse with an allusion to Dostoevsky’s famous novel, ‘Crime and Punishment’.
The difference now is that Thought is the ‘judge and the jury’, taking control of his ‘dark side’, through masterful rap, just as Dostoyevsky did whilst writing about life in the underworld of 19th century Russia.
SPOKEN THOUGHTS
I’ve been writing poetry for many years. Hip Hop flow patterns are an integral part of my creative process.
Black Thought, a master of flow, scheme, cadence, and maintaining lyrical substance, is an influence and inspiration of mine. After listening to him for almost four years, I find myself naturally incorporating his writing styles and techniques.
Many other Hip Hop artists have inspired my artistry too, including Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Mos Def, Kendrick Lamar, and more. However, Black Thought’s messages, coupled technical delivery, always leave me mesmerised. He rarely compromises provocative lyricism for commercial success, adding to his artistic integrity and supporting his argument for the GOAT crown.
Throughout his discography, Thought has compared himself to various novelists, stating ‘[I’m] rapping at a doctorate level, so F. Scott Fitzgerald’ on his viral 2017 freestyle on Funk Flex Hot 97. Here, he raps for nearly ten minutes straight, without a single break or a stumble, to the disbelief of the radio host.
Clearly, Thought shares a deeper connection to writing than most rappers, beyond rhyme, and into the realms of literature and history. As both a fiction writer and poet, Thought’s pieces connect with my passions outside of rhyming. My poetry draws upon my knowledge of literature and writing techniques, as well as lyrical flows and schemes of Hip Hop. For me, Black Thought is exceptional at combining these disciplines. He is, therefore, not just a great rapper, but a great writer, among the novelists he so admires.
Once I realised Thought’s influence on my writing, I believed that I could reach the artistic heights of this skilled poet with hard work. I got off to a promising start when I shared my first ever poem online.
THE ROOTS OF MY EPIPHANY
The first poem I shared online was reminiscent (according to a friend) of Black Thought’s style. It was an incredible comparison that I felt completely unworthy of receiving.
My friend recently clarified the sincerity of the comparison. He believed that the effect of, and the ability he saw in my work, was of a similar calibre to Thought’s. This comparison instilled the belief that I could reach the heights of this lyrical titan after putting the time and effort in.
It’s been almost four years since that fateful comparison, and since then, Thought has released many projects and feature verses. In conjunction, I, as a poet and artist, have improved enormously too, so much so that I now perform my poetry as spoken word on stages across the United Kingdom.
My work is characterised by layered commentaries on society, pop culture, and literature, alongside discussions of philosophical and theological ideas, similar to Thought. Overall, I have learned the value and impact of words themselves, plus the beauty that they elicit when strung together and spoken aloud.
DAZZLING DELIVERY
Black Thought and The Roots host an annual music festival called The Roots Picnic in Philadelphia. The festival features the biggest names in music, let alone Hip Hop, ranging from Usher to the Wu-Tang Clan. While watching Thought’s performances on stage, I was struck by his authority and presence on the mic. The way he delivered his multilayered, complex lyrics so emphatically yet effortlessly. Wow.
The distinguishing factor of spoken word from page poetry lies in its performativity. In many ways, I can also be described as a performance poet. As someone always looking for methods to improve their art, Thought’s performance skills, coupled with his general aura, helped to evolve my on-stage impression, from simply saying words, to performing and being words. There’s a huge difference.
Whilst performing, I have learned to play around with my delivery, and the specific sounds of words, to immerse audiences, craft a unique atmosphere, and essentially create music without musical instruments. This innovation in my craft is also inspired by the many voices and songs of Kendrick Lamar, though Thought’s lyrical structures have more similarities to my own.
‘RAPPING’ UP
I have many years of hard work ahead of me to become as good a poet as Black Thought.
In theory, I can craft verses and projects similar to his level, with time and study, yet Thought’s output, freestyle ability, longevity and prolificness are way beyond my current skill set.
That early comparison started a chain of events that turned me from a poet into a spoken word artist.
I’ll leave you with some thought-provoking lines from the man himself. It’s from one of my favourite feature verses on the posse cut, titled Pravda, by emcee Your Old Droog, featuring underground lyricists Mach Hommy, EL-P and Tha God Fahim. All three are overshadowed by Thought’s closing words:
“The sun's energy taken in form of poetry.
I am the one, rappers is influenced unknowingly.
What's worse is I don't do in the club verses.
I am subversive, my thoughts connected like cursive.
Far as these other rappers all I got for them is nada.
I'm a one person iron curtain, all you hear is "Pravda.”
