Black Thought & Danger Mouse Because
Listen to this soft audio studio work labeled Because on SAHipHopZA Today.
Two of hip-most hop’s talented, long-serving, and underappreciated exponents are collaborating.
Danger Mouse and Black Thought have recently released the single “Because” from their upcoming album Cheat Codes, which is set to be released in early August.
The chorus features verses from Joey Bada$$ from New York, Russ from New Jersey, and English singer and rapper Dylan Cartlidge.
A month ago, the duo released the single “No Gold Teeth.”
Danger Mouse whips up some terrific boom-bap that’s also a little trippy, with just enough vinyl static to match Black Thought’s typical East Coast flows and delivery.
The tune sounds like it was taken from a ’90s mixtape and reworked with punchier rhythms to give it more movement.
The guitars and high-pitched keys provide lushness to the instrumental, making the beat hazy and dreamy while highlighting the soul elements.
The verses mirror the excitement of the chorus, which has a vintage feel to it.
Black Thought delves into his perilous childhood in Philadelphia, as well as his inner struggle, to give a picture of his existence.
His lines are razor-sharp, vibrant, and to-the-point, with particular highlights including
“We stole shoestrings, lemon drops, and chips from the deli / Knocked ’em out the box with spinner tops and skelly / Mr. Woo Mac would urge me, “Do it, you’ll get to it,” / I was locked, my celly read nigga, no Makaveli.”
Joey Bada$$’s New York husk complements the retro sound nicely, and his delivery is reflective in tone as well.
He tells a story about his former experiences, with lines like “Havin’ flashbacks, niggas gettin’ applauded at in front of the cleaners / On 34th street, it haunts me until this day” cutting deep into the song.
Russ’ verse closes out the track, and given the disparity in tone between both musicians, it’s an unexpected placement on the track.
He isn’t a slouch on the track, either, delivering one of his most confident and seamless verses in a long time.
Fans are likely to be excited for more with this new tune, as Danger Mouse and Black Thought are two legends that will always have highly anticipated releases.
Black Thought’s stint with The Roots and his streak of superb features and singles combine for an amazing and increasing record as one of hip-most hop’s accomplished and consistent lyricists.
On Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show, he recently discussed his upcoming musical, Black No More.
On the other hand, Danger Mouse is known for his collaborations and team-ups.
He’s done joint albums before with MF DOOM for their iconic Danger Doom album and with A$AP Rocky for his AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP record, in addition to his work with Gorillaz and mashing up The Beatles instrumentals with Jay-Z verses.
You can listen to “Because” from Black Thought and Danger Mouse’s upcoming album Cheat Codes, which is set to be released in early August.
