Black Thought (real name Tariq Trotter, born October 3, 1972) a.k.a. Bad Lieutenant, Big Bank Willie Gank, and 'Riq Geez B. is the MC of the Philadelphia-based hip hop group The Roots. Although nowhere near the most popular performer in hip-hop, Black Thought and The Roots have a solid and devoted following. Thought, who co-founded The Roots with drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Thompson), is widely lauded for his lyrics' political bent, lyrical complexity, and his live performances.