Buy this album
by Adam Brown
The Metropolitan
Few outside of hip-hop circles have heard of Talib Kweli and most are unable to even pronounce the name of one of the truest MCs on the market today.
Kweli hasn't been as widely recognized as other east coast superstars like Jay-Z, Nas, P. Diddy, or Wu-Tang Clan, who emerged in the late 1990s, but his heartfelt intelligent rhymes always have been welcome among the hip-hop underground, where he is regarded as a genius.
On Sept. 28 Rawkus Records will release The Beautiful Struggle, Kweli's much anticipated second solo album. The album, for the first time in his career, features the kind of production and guest appearances necessary these days to make a hip-hop artist popular with the mainstream crowd.
Born into a well-read African family in Brooklyn, New York, Kweli's name (pronounced Tah-Leeb Kwa-Lee) literally means "seeker or student of truth or knowledge."
Kweli's interest in hip-hop music started in 1994, when he met Hi-Tek, a brilliant DJ. His interest grew when he met rapper Mos Def in 1995 at NYU, where they both studied theatre.
After forming the popular Reflection Eternal with Hi-Tek and releasing a universally acclaimed record of the same title, Kweli and Hi-Tek joined forces with Mos Def to form the group Black Star.
In 1997, Rawkus Records began releasing their singles. Soundbombing (1997) and Lyricist's Lounge (1998) won acceptance, but it wasn't until the release of the full length, self- titled CD in 1998 that this supergroup got the props they deserved. All three members have since gone on to enjoy successful solo careers.
With the release of Quality in 2002, Kweli cemented his status as one of the illest underground MCs on the market, yet his sales were disappointing at best.
The first single off the album, "I Try," features Mary J. Blige, and the production line up includes Kanye West, The Neptunes, and of course, Hi-Tek.
This album figures to be one of the best hip-hop releases of the year, and come this time next year, the world will know who Talib Kweli is and how to pronounce his name. |
