Childhood trauma and transformation delved by The Roots band co-founder Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter in his latest book.
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Musician Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter set the stage for his breathtaking life journey in his memoir, "The Upcycled Self, A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are." At just six years old, he sparked a fire that engulfed his family home in South Philly.
"Life's a bitch – had to turn over some stones, gotta unload some baggage," Trotter confessed. "With such a traumatic start, I reckon that was a hell of an entrance into understanding the man I've become. Gives ya a better glimpse of my vibe. We gab about wounds that fester from our formative years."
Trotter uses "upcycle" as a term for recycling something to make it more valuable than before.
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Post-pyrotechnics, Trotter's family relocated to Mt. Airy.
Last Tuesday, he shared his experiences during a discussion at Bonnell Auditorium on the Community College of Philadelphia campus, moderated by English professor Cherise Shane. With about 75 attendees, the book signing that followed was a hit.
The book follows Trotter on his actual rise from smoking ruins to become a famed music artist who, alongside Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, co-founded the Roots – a beloved Philly hip-hop band – back in 1987. The Roots hosted the annual Roots Picnic this past weekend, an event formed during their school days at the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Trotter, a Platinum artist, bagged three Grammys and three NAACP Image Awards.
💡 Hearing from Trotter was a blast – totally awesome!
Shane, who deemed interviewing Trotter a privilege, stated the book was crucial reading, emphasizing its relevance to Black males from Philadelphia.
"Too often, there's this erasure or blaming or focus on violence or illiteracy," Shane said. "But what we should focus on is how we can rediscover the actual legacy of literacy within and begin contemplating how Tariq Trotter, through love and experiences, risen to this peak."
Trotter's book was selected as a 2025 One Book, One Philadelphia pick – a series organized by the Free Library aimed at promoting literacy, fostering library usage, and sparking dialogue. It also landed on this year's New York Times Best Seller list.
Growing up, drawing and painting was Trotter's heart's desire.
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"For me, visual arts were my first love, my sanctuary, and the life-saver," Trotter said. "Art education saved my life in seventh grade."
Today, the Roots serve as NBC's "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" house band and have cranked out eleven albums. Trotter has also produced albums without the Roots and co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in the Off-Broadway play "Black No More."
"When I got something to say, I aim to make it accessible," Trotter concluded. "I'm here to serve as a voice for the voiceless."
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- Trotter's memoir, "The Upcycled Self," is a crucial reading, especially for Black males from Philadelphia, as it focuses on the legacy of literacy and the journey of a man who rose from smoking ruins to become a famous music artist.
- Trotter's love for visual arts was his first sanctuary, saving his life in seventh grade, and it continues to influence his work today.
- In addition to his music, Trotter has produced albums, co-wrote, co-produced, and starred in the Off-Broadway play "Black No More."
- The Roots, co-founded by Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, serve as NBC's "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" house band and have cranked out eleven albums, aiming to make their messages accessible and serve as a voice for the voiceless.
