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Biography
Kweli was born into an affluent family, with both parents in academia and a younger brother who eventually became a professor at Columbia Law School. Kweli took an interest in music and the arts, listening to afrocentric rappers like De La Soul. He also studied experimental theater at New York University. His first name Talib means “student” in Arabic.
Kweli began putting out music in the underground rap scene with producer Hi-Tek in 1995. After meeting Yasiin Bey, a rapper that goes by Mos Def, in Central Park, Kweli introduced the two and began producing music under their name Black Star. The duo’s debut album “Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star” dropped in 1998 followed by the sophomore album “Train of Thought” in 2000. Both albums achieved moderate success.
Before branching off independently, Kweli contributed to a few collaborations in the hip hop scene like “Hip Hop For Respect” in 2000, which raised awareness of police brutality. He also participated in the Red Hot Organization compilations, which helped raise awareness for fighting AIDS. Kweli finally went down his own path in 2002 with his debut album “Quality.” The single “Get By” produced by Kanye West is one of Kweli’s most popular commercial hits. Kweli was featured on the hip hop artist’s song “Get ‘Em High” from his 2004 “College Dropout” album.
Kweli’s follow up album “The Beautiful Struggle” was released in 2004 with contributing artists such as The Neptunes and Kanye West. It reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marked the shift toward mainstream hip hop with songs like “Ghetto Show.” By this time Kweli had made numerous appearances on comedian and rapper Dave Chapelle’s show, which helped to promote his and Mos Def’s latest work.
Talib Kweli has two labels: Blacksmith Records and Javotti Media. He was featured in a commercial for the NCAA Big Ten Conference in 2006. In 2007 his hit “Infinite Love” was part of the “You Got Served: Beat the World” soundtrack. Kweli is known to be an activist against police brutality and the prison system.
Live reviews
Talib Kweli is known as a solo rapper/hip-hop artist as well as a member of the collective Black Star. Since his career began in 1995 his work has gained critical and commercial acclaim and his fan base has grown dramatically over time. Honing his style whilst performing as both a soloist and part of Black Star, Talib knows how to work a crowd and performs renditions of his discography at lightning pace.
From the opening reverberated beats of 'Palookas' the audience cheer manically as Talib stands and merges this track with single 'Rocket Ships' effortlessly. Often described as one of the most intelligent men in hip hop, the rapper's music is just as powerful onstage as it is recorded. A humble artist too, he lacks the arrogance of Kayne/Dr. Dre and instead interacts with his audience throughout, thanking them for their support.
He treats them to one Black Star song, 'K.O.S' but it is his solo work that evokes the best reaction, such as 'Hot Thing'. The finale of his early single 'Get By' receives huge cheers and Kweli throws himself into a perfect rendition where he doesn't fit a note of this complex hip-hop gem.
sean-ward
Talib Kweli is an American Hip Hop artist that hails from the Brooklyn area of New York. He is one of the most educated and intelligent rappers of all time. When he speaks and rhymes you listen, because you know that something epic is about to happen. This is how he is on the record, and also how he is on stage live as well.
I was sitting in on a studio performance for a small group of us at a local radio station in Los Angeles and it was an amazing experience. We saw Talib perform one of his hit songs "get By". This song has a very fast paced lyrical delivery with a catchy beat and background music. It is one of my favorite songs to listen to while driving so I was very happy and lucky to get to see him perform. The majority of the studio audience consisted of radio station employees that were also Talib Kweli fans. So we were all very lucky and excited that he was in studio performing for us.
Shortly after, he went on air for an interview with the radio station and also performed to the radio audience as well. It was a very cool experience and one that I will not forget in my lifetime.
The man is awesome as always. He makes the whole coward feel the energy and he preforms with such a passion. I love that he always talks about the issues and concerns regarding the black community he means it and does not mix his words. One of the best things was that as the coward was walking out to leave the venue he was walking right along with us and did photos and signed stuff after the show, before his next performance. #RealHipHop
Phenix84
He wasn't on the show.Some error was made.I remember when I bought the ticket and I saw the pic ,I said to myself is Talib really on the show ? Songkick has never made this type of mistake before .Elise Testone and Chris Rob was good .They were channeling James Brown. As well as the backing band was doing their thing . Met awesome people .But just be sure next time before you guys mention a show if that artist will be there.Thanks
nicola-phillips-2
The Talib Kweli gig was great. The energy he performed with, the venue, the song selection, the DJ, the crowd, one of the best gigs I have been too. Talib stayed after the show to meet and greet fans, take pictures and sign merchandise. He signed my Prisoner of Conscious vinyl. :) Plus someone told me how good my beard was to top it off.
etheruler
One of the best emcees to ever touch the mic. He is without question AMC they gives you your moneys worth. He engages the crowd he incorporates all the elements of hip-hop gives you a bit of the nostalgia send you home feeling good about yourself and about Hip-hop
djliphe
Awesome show, every performer bought the life and talent worthy of their own concert. Javotti knows how to entertain. Absolutely recommended to fans of hip hop. Full of life and good energy to unify the crowd, music sourced from multiple decades and styles. 10/10
maaliek-carter
Talib Kweli was absolutely amazing - great energy, message on point - great vibes all round 100% hip hop. However, poor promotion, bad organisation arranging joey badass and Talib on same venue one upstairs another artist downstairs- bizarre!!!
denzz
My first time seeing Talib I've been a fan for number of years now and last night was just a great experience great venue great atmosphere Soul Rebels were more than I expected them to be. Promised myself to see Talib every time he's in town
SteveCWoods
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