danger mouse

Black Thought And Danger Mouse Drop A Kaleidoscopic Video For ‘Aquamarine’

by

Ahead of their hotly anticipated collaborative album, Cheat Codes, Black Thought and Danger Mouse have dropped a new track, “Aquamarine.” On their new track, Danger Mouse delivers a clashing, drum-driven beat, as Black Thought raps about contemporary world issues while channeling the power within himself.

On a notable line, Black Thought raps, “I’m a king, I’m dipped in God’s Black, a blessing / Survival of the fittest is a natural selection.”

His royal rap stylings are garnished with a soft-tinged chorus by UK singer Michael Kiwanuka, who is one of many promising collaborators on Cheat Codes.

“For ‘Aquamarine,’ when I heard the music I just had a feeling to sing about standing up for something that’s unique and following that path,” said Kiwanuka in a statement. “I don’t know why but that’s what came out. Sometimes when you’re following something that’s unique to you it’s as if ‘enemies are all around.’ At times life can feel fragile like ‘everything’s burning down.’ For some reason the chords and music made me feel that way.”

The song’s accompanying video, directed by George Muncey and Elliott Elder, sees Black Thought spitting his rhymes, as a kaleidoscopic effect captures various angles of his face and his expressions.

Check out “Aquamarine” above.

Cheat Codes is out 8/12 via BMG. Pre-save it here.

Black Thought & Danger Mouse Take Over The Streets In Their ‘Because’ Video With Joey Badass And Russ

by

Black Thought, Danger Mouse, Joey Badass, and Russ take over the streets in the new video for “Because” from Black Thought & Danger Mouse’s upcoming joint project, Cheat Codes, which drops on August 12 on BMG. The trippy visual sees the trio of rappers perform via the massive screens in New York’s Times Square, as well as on the POV character’s phone screen. Indie singer Dylan Cartlidge continues to provide the song’s melodic chorus, while Danger’s presence is constricted to the beat and some extreme closeups on the screens.

Cheat Codes was selected as one of Uproxx’s Most Anticipated Hip-Hop Albums Of Summer 2022, with excitement focused on hearing one of hip-hop’s most gifted and skilled rappers over beats guided by the quirky ear of Danger Mouse, whose previous collaborations include The Mouse and the Mask with the late MF DOOM (as Danger Doom) and ASAP Rocky’s At.Long.Last.ASAP (ALLA). Other guests on the album will include prior Danger Mouse collaborators ASAP Rocky and DOOM, as well as Conway The Machine, Kid Sister, Michael Kiwanuka, Raekwon, and Run The Jewels.

Watch Black Thought & Danger Mouse’s “Because” video featuring Joey Badass, Russ, and Dylan Cartlidge above.

Cheat Codes is out on 8/12 via BMG. Pre-save it here.

Black Thought And Danger Mouse Tap Russ, Joey Badass, And Dylan Cartlidge For The Posse Cut ‘Because’

by

Posse cuts tend to come few and far between these days, but when they do, they’re always refreshing. Something about a simple drum pattern, vocal sample, and unbridled spitting just does the beloved Hip-Hop genre justice. Today, Black Thought and Danger Mouse unleashed their latest single “Because” featuring Joey Badass, Russ, and Dylan Cartlidge. Each rapper takes turns doing what they do best, seemingly unphased by the fact they are part of the single that is shorter than a typical song. Who could complain about more bars?

“Because” is the second release from Black Thought and Danger Mouse’s upcoming collaborative project Cheat Codes, a major moment for Danger Mouse who hasn’t maintained much of a presence in the rap space since his Dangerdoom project The Mouse & The Mask with the late MF DOOM from 2006. Mouse hasn’t completely been away from music though, joining up with Karen O for 2019’s Lux Prima. For Black Thought, this follows his Streams Of Thought trilogy which concluded in 2020.

Danger Mouse and Black Thought released their lead single “No Gold Teeth” back in May, kicking off the Cheat Codes rollout which is set to also feature Raekwon, Conway The Machine, A$AP Rocky, Run The Jewels, and more.

Listen to “Because” above.

Cheat Codes is out 08/12 via BMG. Pre-order it here.

Black Thought And Danger Mouse Announce Their Joint Album, ‘Cheat Codes’

by

Black Thought, frontperson of The Roots, has teamed up with producer Danger Mouse for a full-length collaborative album called Cheat Codes, which is set for release this summer. The album has been anticipated for years and was once originally rumored to be titled Dangerous Thoughts.

Ahead of Cheat Codes, Black Thought and Danger Mouse have released the lead track, “No Gold Teeth.” The song features Black Thought rapping in his signature chorus-less flow over Danger Mouse’s pulsating bass lines and crisp drums and cymbal patterns. In the song’s video, Black Thought is seen rapping, with a square screen over his face, alternating images of dogs, flowers and other human figures.

In addition to Black Thought and Danger Mouse, Cheat Codes boasts an impressive set of collaborators, including Raekwon, Joey Badass, Run The Jewels, and a contribution from the late MF Doom.

Check out “No Gold Teeth” above and the Cheat Codes tracklist and cover art below.

Black Thought Danger Mouse Cheat Codes Cover Art
Courtesy of BMG

1. “Sometimes”
2. “Cheat Codes”
3. “The Darkest Part” Feat. Raekwon and Kid Sister
4. “No Gold Teeth”
5. “Because” Feat. Joey Badass, Russ, and Dylan Cartlidge
6. “Belize” Feat. MF Doom
7. “Aquamarine” Feat. Michael Kiwanuka
8. “Identical Deaths”
9. “Strangers” Feat. ASAP Rocky and Run The Jewels
10. “Close To Famous”
11. “Saltwater” Feat. Conway The Machine
12. “Voilas & Lupita”

Cheat Codes is out 8/12 via BMG.