Talib Kweli

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Talib Kweli is a Hip-Hop artist, not a rapper. my decision to identify Kweli as an artist is conscious one. The images and assumptions that trail behind the label "rapper" are sex, drugs, gangs, female oppression and aggressive lyrics. Talib possesses Rapper qualities in the sense that he does in fact use Rap instrumentals, was strongly influenced by rappers, however, he is creative, positive and sincere with his deadly arsenal of diction. This man speaks out against violence, racial discrimination, and government acts destroying urban communities.

Talib Kweli is a 34 year old beacon of creativity. Born October 3rd, 1975 in Bed-Stuy, a densely populated section of Brooklyn New York City. As a person who frequented this area much as a child, i can personally assure you that this is one of the rougher neighborhoods in the city. Without a doubt, Talib Kweli was influenced as an amateur artist by gospel and old school Hip-Hop and likely even blues and soul. With further examination of his intricate rhyme schemes, you can detect traces of black revolutionary in his messages. Though he heavily advocates for black rights, he advocates for many things that are positive. Commonly he speaks to vast demographics about ways he personally feels the community and world alike can be improved through communication and peaceful tactics.

Though his work is all around positive, and i have yet to discover an opinion of his that is irrational or outlandish, it is another quality of his that brings me to connect with his poetic word play. It is the concept that he represents in my mind. An established Hip-Hop artist who speaks not as a superior, not as a leader, but an equal. In my case, his lyrics are relatible as well as honest, not to mention clever and catchy. i can hear his music and compliment the way he went about addressing an issue, as well as commend his skills as an artist from the streets of B-stuy. i truly look forward to every bar of his music because with that bar, i take away knowledge on that topic as well as knowledge on how to improve my method as a hip hip artist also.

Money, cars, clothes, guns, yea, cool. But how will this advance the Hip-Hop community in any way? it is no longer intimidating due to the fact that we now know most rappers don't live what they rap. It is not at all useful. Kweli, mos def, common and many other artists spread knowledge of what's going on and what we can do, as well as how they feel and what they have done. This is without a doubt music by, for, and from the soul of a true hip hopper.