Cheat Codes

Artist: Danger Mouse & Black Thought

Released: August 2022

Length: 38m 19s

My review:

Cheat Codes is the phenomenal and much-desired collaboration between Danger Mouse, a multi instrumentalist turned producer, and Black Thought, co-founder and long time emcee from The Roots. This album signals a return to true Hip-Hop, a record crammed full with countless samples ranging from songs all the way back from 1967 to a film snippet from 2009, backed up with "bars as hard as Angola's", an impeccable flow throughout from Black Thought and multiple guest features that really are the crowning glory.

Danger Mouse first broke through into the mainstream with his mash-up using verses from Jay-Z's The Black Album alongside samples from The Beatles' self titled ninth album, commonly referred to as the white album, in a collaboration, naturally titled The Grey Album. That was back in 2004 and since then he has had a magnitude of success producing for big names across the board, such as Gorillaz (Demon Days including single Feel Good Inc. featuring De La Soul), Gnarles Barkley - duo with CeLo Green (St. Elswhere including UK number 1 single Crazy), Danger Doom - a collaboration with MF DOOM (The Mouse and the Mask) and even Adele (25, which one Album of the Year at the Grammys). A certified legend in his own right, but today I am here to talk about his partnership with emcee Black Thought and his input on Cheat Codes.

Black Thought is a hugely acclaimed and well respected wordsmith that has helped shape Hip-Hop music over the years, mainly through his band The Roots, a journey started with long time friend, fellow classmate and all talented Questlove. Together they would busk on the street corners of Philadelphia, Questlove on the drums while Black Thought would rap over the top, they accumulated another emcee and bass player before moving to London to release their first album Organix. There they developed a following through their album and consequent tours throughout Europe, before being signed to DGC/Geffen. A move back to the U.S. and the introduction of more bandmates shaped their sound further, Black Thought introducing it as "organic hip hop jazz" on the opening track of their second album Do You Want More?!!!??!. The third album, also my favourite, Illadelph Halflife saw their sound become a little darker and featured a few great guests and collaborators, most notably Common, D'Angelo and Q-Tip. Next up was Things Fall Apart, the bands breakthrough record, peaking at 4 on the Billboard 200 charts and eventually being certified platinum in April 2013. Since then they have produced a plethora of hits and albums with a constantly interchanging line-up of members, but always including Black Thought and Questlove. The Roots are also known, perhaps most famously, for being the house band for 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon' 2009 - 2014 before joining Jimmy as he went on the host 'The Tonight Show'.

Danger Mouse has a great ear for picking fantastic samples but I feel its the way he weaves them into the songs that is extraordinary, picking certain elements or bars to repeat, creating a hook that draws you in, this usually has a simpler or stripped down section for rapping over so it never feels too congested. Then he will use another section or part of the song being sampled to create a sort of chorus, which provides a strong sense of coherence and continuity while also honouring and showcasing the original tune. Another aspect I love about this album is that a lot of the tracks linger a little longer after the rapping has finished, almost mimicking the interludes that have become a staple in classic Rap albums, this also allows time for reflection. I feel this works incredibly well with Black Thought as he is used to rapping with an actual band and real instruments, so it plays to his advantages and feels so natural for anyone who has listened to any previous records from The Roots.

Black Thought has such a tight flow, his cadence is captivating and his complex lyricism always has something relevant or meaningful to share, often politically charged and always socially aware. He manages to do all of this while also working in multisyllabic rhymes and double entendres, a prolific performer and a true master of the microphone.

I feel like every song on this album is a highlight for me, but No Gold Teeth is definitely up there, with its energetic rhythm and pulsing beat, it also includes my favourite line from the album 'Please, you ain't fucking with no amateurs, homie, Philly ain't known for cheesesteak sandwiches only'. It really is hit after hit, with no signs of slowing down and then before you know it, the record is over and you have to listen to it all over again.

Stand out song:  Belize (feat. MF DOOM)

There are only a handful of people who would be entrusted to use a verse from MF DOOM after his untimely death in 2020, Danger Mouse is one of those select few, they worked on a few tracks together after The Mouse And The Mask and this was one of them that, after some alterations, made it onto this album. There are many elements taken from Peace in My Mind a Psychedelic rock song from the self-titled album from Federal Duck, which ended up being their first and last. The slow bass line keeps you chugging along while Black Thought spits one of my favourite verses on the album before MF DOOM delivers another routine killer verse, with his cryptic and layered lyrical approach in his classic, laid-back style. The way the vocal sample is utilised throughout the track is bewitching, especially the last section after DOOM's verse, it really feels like a proper send off and farewell to one of the greatest wordsmiths and rappers of all time.

When to listen: 

I listened to this album a lot while on a ski season the winter after it came out, I loved listening to this while snowboarding, there is nothing better than carving up the slopes with the sun shining and this record getting you pumped all the way to a bar for a refreshing beer pêche in the Alps. With its catchy hooks and thumping tempo wherever you decide to listen to it, you will be bobbing your head to the beat and singing/rapping along for sure.

Spotify: Listen here

Vinyl:

The artwork for this album is cool, but for me it is all about the music! I have seen people commenting about a skip in Saltwater, which has never happened with mine, my copy is quiet and well rounded. The printed inner sleeve contains info on all the samples used, including the Artists, year released and who owns the rights, very informative (and I also suppose necessary). My vinyl came with a CD and free download code and can be found here - Discogs link

Other useful links:

Danger Mouse doesn't have a personal website but you can view the extensive list of releases he has been credited for - here

To view upcoming shows from The Roots and keep up to date with all their socials visit their website - https://www.theroots.com/

If you want to visualise all the different samples/snippets that have been expertly repurposed then this is a fantastic website, whosampled shows you exactly where the sample is taken and appears through neighbouring youtube videos with timestamps - https://www.whosampled.com/album/Danger-Mouse/Cheat-Codes/

If you like this try these:

The Roots - Illadelph Halflife

Danger Doom -  The Mouse And The Mask

BadBadNotGood & Ghostface Killah - Sour Soul