[ featuring ]
Talib Kweli
Hip-Hop Artist, producer
A father of two, Talib Kweli began his career in the late 1990s collaborating with DJ Hi-Tek (Reflection Eternal) and Mos Def (Black Star). Together, these groups were formative influences on underground hip hop, and helped the genre gain more mainstream attention. His music became increasingly popular in the years that followed, with messages that resonated in songs like "Get By," "The Proud" and "Gun Music." In 2007 his sixth album, Eardrum, was released on Blacksmith Records -- Kweli's own label.
On Eardrum, Kweli conveys a strong message about improving music and American society. He says, "a statement like, we need 'more rap songs that stress purpose / With less misogyny and less curses / Let's put more depth in our verses,' I haven't made bold, blatant statements that like since 'Manifesto.' There are fans of mine that really appreciate those statements because there are times when those statements need to be made."
With poignant social critiques and calls to action woven throughout his lyrics, many fans refer to Talib Kweli as the “conscious rapper.”
