Around the release of the album, the Roots performed at the Lollapalooza alternative music festival and Montreux Jazz Festival. Recorded without any sampling, the album was more popular among alternative music fans than those of hip hop. The Roots signed to DGC and followed up with Do You Want More?!!!?! in 1995. The Square Roots renamed themselves the Roots and released their debut album Organix in 1993. In high school, Black Thought became interested in the lessons of the Nation of Gods and Earths. Trotter would subsequently spend some time as one of two MCs in the group the Square Roots: the other one was Malik B., whom Tariq met in college. In 1987, Trotter became friends with drummer Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson and formed a drummer/MC duo, performing on the streets of Philadelphia and at talent shows. Trotter attended the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts and Millersville University, studying journalism.

He sold crack cocaine briefly, and was sent to live with family in Detroit for a few months in high school.

He spent time tagging 'DT' or 'Double T' with graffiti around Philadelphia. His father was murdered when Trotter was one year old, and his mother was murdered when he was in high school.

Black Thought was born Tarik Luqmaan Trotter, to Thomas and Cassandra Trotter, both members of the Nation of Islam.

The coup pick a bigger weapon zip