Biography
Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) and Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) are two of the most acclaimed figures in contemporary music, each with a storied career before coming together as a duo. Danger Mouse rose to prominence with his genre-bending production on projects like 'The Grey Album' and as one half of Gnarls Barkley, while Black Thought is revered as the frontman of The Roots, known for his incisive lyricism and commanding stage presence. Their paths first crossed in 2005, sparking a creative partnership that would take nearly two decades to fully materialize.
Their collaborative album 'Cheat Codes' (2022) was a critical triumph, praised for its seamless blend of Danger Mouse's cinematic, soul-infused hip-hop production and Black Thought's dexterous wordplay and introspective lyrics. The album featured a roster of high-profile guests and reaffirmed both artists' reputations: Danger Mouse as a pioneering beat-maker with a unique ability to bridge rock and hip-hop, and Black Thought as one of the greatest rappers of his generation. In 2025, the duo released 'Up,' a new single featuring British singer Rag'n'Bone Man, whose soulful vocals added a powerful new dimension to their sound.
Rag'n'Bone Man (Rory Graham) is a British artist best known for his breakout hit 'Human,' which has garnered over 2 billion views on YouTube. His rich, gospel-tinged voice and emotive delivery have made him a sought-after collaborator across genres. On 'Up,' his contribution is both vocal and instrumental, seamlessly integrating with Danger Mouse's production and Black Thought's lyricism to create a track that is cinematic, urgent, and deeply resonant.
Fun Facts
- Danger Mouse and Black Thought first met and began working on material together in 2005, but their collaboration was delayed for nearly 20 years due to other commitments.
- Rag'n'Bone Man's hit song 'Human' has amassed over 2 billion views on YouTube, making him one of the most streamed British artists of the decade.
- Cheat Codes was Danger Mouse's first full hip-hop album since his 2005 collaboration with MF DOOM on DANGERDOOM.
- Black Thought is also known for his work as a playwright and actor, having written, composed, and starred in the off-Broadway show 'Black No More.'
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Questlove - Roots co-founder and long-time collaborator with Black Thought, shaping his musical direction and approach (The Roots albums, live performances) [1990s–present]
- MF DOOM - Influential underground rapper and producer, collaborated with Danger Mouse on DANGERDOOM, inspiring his hip-hop production style (DANGERDOOM: The Mouse and the Mask) [2005]
Key Collaborators
- Rag'n'Bone Man - Featured vocalist and instrumentalist on 'Up' with Danger Mouse & Black Thought (Up (2025)) [2025]
- A$AP Rocky - Guest artist on 'Cheat Codes' (Cheat Codes (2022)) [2022]
- Run The Jewels - Guest artists on 'Cheat Codes' (Cheat Codes (2022)) [2022]
- Joey Bada$$ - Guest artist on 'Cheat Codes' (Cheat Codes (2022)) [2022]
- Conway the Machine - Guest artist on 'Cheat Codes' (Cheat Codes (2022)) [2022]
- Kid Sister - Guest artist on 'Cheat Codes' (Cheat Codes (2022)) [2022]
- MF DOOM - Guest artist on 'Cheat Codes' and previous collaborator with Danger Mouse (Cheat Codes (2022), DANGERDOOM: The Mouse and the Mask (2005)) [2005, 2022]
- Michael Kiwanuka - Guest artist on 'Cheat Codes' (Cheat Codes (2022)) [2022]
- Raekwon - Guest artist on 'Cheat Codes' (Cheat Codes (2022)) [2022]
Artists Influenced
- Younger hip-hop producers and lyricists - Inspired by Danger Mouse's genre-blending production and Black Thought's lyrical prowess (Various contemporary hip-hop and alternative projects) [2010s–2020s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Rising Tied | 2005-11-21 | Album |
| Cheat Codes | 2022-08-12 | Album |
| Who Is Jill Scott? - Words and Sounds, Vol. 1 | 2000-07-18 | Album |
| Music To Be Murdered By | 2020-01-17 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Belize (feat. MF DOOM) (Cheat Codes)
- Crowns for Kings (Feat. Black Thought)
- Yah Yah (feat. Royce Da 5'9", Black Thought, Q-Tip & Denaun) (Music To Be Murdered By)
- Because (feat. Joey Bada$$, Russ, and Dylan Cartlidge) (Cheat Codes)
- Aquamarine (feat. Michael Kiwanuka) (Cheat Codes)
- Pimpa's Paradise (Welcome to Jamrock)
- Strangers (feat. A$AP Rocky and Run The Jewels) (Cheat Codes)
- The Darkest Part (feat. Raekwon and Kid Sister) (Cheat Codes)
- Education (feat. Yasiin Bey & Black Thought) (Bandana)
- Roman Candles (feat. Roc Marciano & Black Thought) (Bread)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Danger Mouse, Black Thought & Rag'n'Bone Man has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 14, 2025 | 00:45 | Upfrom Up- Single | Adjacentw/ Benny Poppins |