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Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli - Fuck The Money (CD)
$13.99
The issues of police brutality, corporate greed and racial inequality continue to fuel a powerful movement in America today. Never one to mince words, Legendary New York rapper Talib Kweli's voice has become a prominent one across not only social media platforms, but through television appearances and his music as well. His latest surprise effort, Fuck The Money, sees Kweli take politicians, bankers and the entire capitalist system head on.
Talib Kweli - Fuck The Money (2xLP)
$19.99
The issues of police brutality, corporate greed and racial inequality continue to fuel a powerful movement in America today. Never one to mince words, Legendary New York rapper Talib Kweli's voice has become a prominent one across not only social media platforms, but through television appearances and his music as well. His latest surprise effort, Fuck The Money, sees Kweli take politicians, bankers and the entire capitalist system head on.
9th Wonder & Talib Kweli - Indie 500 (CD)
$15.99
Two of Hip Hop's most cherished icons, Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder have come together to create what undoubtedly will go down as an instantly classic album. INDIE 500 features an All Star supporting cast, including Problem, Slug (of Atmosphere), Rapsody, Pharaoh Monch, Brother Ali, Hi-Tek, NIKO IS and more. After exploding on to the scene as one half of the legendary Black Star alongside Mos Def in 1998, Talib Kweli quickly followed up in 2000 with the album Train of Thought, his collaborative effort with producer Hi-Tek. As fans,critics and his peers unanimously agreed, Kweli was cemented as one of hip hop's top lyricists and continued to release one acclaimed album after another - garnering direct praise from Jay-Z on his song ""Moment of Clarity"" from Jay-Z's classic The Black Album. Meanwhile as the early 2000's progressed, a new trio was bursting on the scene from North Carolina known as Little Brother. Behind the boards of this trio was producer 9th Wonder, who very quickly established himself as one of hip hop's best producers. As their 2003 album The Listening reached a fever pitch, 9th Wonder's buzz became so hot he claimed a highly coveted production spot as well on Jay-Z's The Black Album. Through the years both Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder have gone on to work with a staggering list of hip hop royalty. However both of their respective works outside of the recording booth have become prominent pieces of their stories as well. 9th Wonder has established himself as Hip Hop's top educator, working as a professor at Harvard, Duke and North Carolina Central University, while Talib Kweli has become one of Hip Hop's most vocal and respected voices, who appears regularly on news outlets such as CNN and programs like HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. A collaboration between Kweli and 9th almost seemed to make perfect sense, but INDIE 500 represents even more to the artists. "I've always been a fan of collectives, like Native Tongues and the Dungeon Family," explains Kweli. "INDIE 500 is a tribute to the spirit of unity exemplified by some of great hip hop artists that influenced us." Collectives are nothing new to the two, who have both successfully run their own labels in Blacksmith, Javotti (Kweli) and Jamla (9th Wonder), helping to break a number of popular artists over the years.
9th Wonder & Talib Kweli - Indie 500 (2xLP)
$22.99
Two of Hip Hop's most cherished icons, Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder have come together to create what undoubtedly will go down as an instantly classic album. INDIE 500 features an All Star supporting cast, including Problem, Slug (of Atmosphere), Rapsody, Pharaoh Monch, Brother Ali, Hi-Tek, NIKO IS and more. After exploding on to the scene as one half of the legendary Black Star alongside Mos Def in 1998, Talib Kweli quickly followed up in 2000 with the album Train of Thought, his collaborative effort with producer Hi-Tek. As fans,critics and his peers unanimously agreed, Kweli was cemented as one of hip hop's top lyricists and continued to release one acclaimed album after another - garnering direct praise from Jay-Z on his song ""Moment of Clarity"" from Jay-Z's classic The Black Album. Meanwhile as the early 2000's progressed, a new trio was bursting on the scene from North Carolina known as Little Brother. Behind the boards of this trio was producer 9th Wonder, who very quickly established himself as one of hip hop's best producers. As their 2003 album The Listening reached a fever pitch, 9th Wonder's buzz became so hot he claimed a highly coveted production spot as well on Jay-Z's The Black Album. Through the years both Talib Kweli and 9th Wonder have gone on to work with a staggering list of hip hop royalty. However both of their respective works outside of the recording booth have become prominent pieces of their stories as well. 9th Wonder has established himself as Hip Hop's top educator, working as a professor at Harvard, Duke and North Carolina Central University, while Talib Kweli has become one of Hip Hop's most vocal and respected voices, who appears regularly on news outlets such as CNN and programs like HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher. A collaboration between Kweli and 9th almost seemed to make perfect sense, but INDIE 500 represents even more to the artists. "I've always been a fan of collectives, like Native Tongues and the Dungeon Family," explains Kweli. "INDIE 500 is a tribute to the spirit of unity exemplified by some of great hip hop artists that influenced us." Collectives are nothing new to the two, who have both successfully run their own labels in Blacksmith, Javotti (Kweli) and Jamla (9th Wonder), helping to break a number of popular artists over the years.
Talib Kweli - Train of Thought: Lost Lyrics, Rare Releases & Beautiful B-Sides (CD)
$14.99
Never one to follow a popular trend or path, Brooklyn legend Talib Kweli released a surprise album of rarities, B-Sides and unheard tracks to further his already extensive catalog. With features from Kanye West, Killer Mike, Mos Def, Common and more, the LP is represents an opening of the vaults with an all star lineup.
Talib Kweli - Train of Thought: Lost Lyrics, Rare Releases & Beautiful B-Sides (LP)
$16.99
Never one to follow a popular trend or path, Brooklyn legend Talib Kweli released a surprise album of rarities, B-Sides and unheard tracks to further his already extensive catalog. With features from Kanye West, Killer Mike, Mos Def, Common and more, the LP is represents an opening of the vaults with an all star lineup.
Talib Kweli - Quality (2xLP - Reissue)
$30.99
For one of New York's most notable "underground" rappers, Talib Kweli has been involved in some pretty high-profile endeavors, like the 1998 Black Star album that topped countless hip-hop polls, and his collaborations with Hi-Tek. However, it's on his own that Kweli can really focus on his vision and direction. Musically, TK is as eclectic as ever here; the manifesto "Rush" features hard-rock guitar riffing; "Where Do We Go" is a gentle, melodic track driven by sparkling piano and poignant strings. Along the way, Quality incorporates samples of everyone from Nina Simone to Chuck Mangione. Lyrically, Kweli is as positive and creative as ever, boldly continuing to provide an effective contrast to the downcast, violent themes so prevalent in hip-hop. As in all his other work, the message is ostensibly simple--wake up and look around you--but as any good lyricist (a category in which Kweli certainly belongs) must know, the devil is in the details. And it's those details that put some powerful flesh on this album's bones.
Black Star - Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (LP - Picture Disc)
$27.99
Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star was released on August 18, 1998, to critical acclaim. The title is a reference to the Black Star Line, a shipping company founded by Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey. The album deals with modern-day issues, philosophies and life in Brooklyn. The two MCs had planned to release solo albums around the same time, but decided instead to collaborate on a full-length album. The first single, “Definition (song),” is a reaction to hip-hop’s fascination with death, dedicated to both Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., with a chorus that gives a nod to Boogie Down Productions’ “Stop the Violence.” “Children’s Story” is a re-imagination of the Slick Rick original, featuring Mos Def cautioning against materialism. The second single, “Respiration,” featuring Common, includes a Hi-Tek produced beat that samples Don Randi’s “The Fox” and another from the hip-hop documentary Style Wars. The track offers a melancholy ode to city life, with references to organic life functions such as breathing, eating and sleeping, but with an ominous edge, as Kweli raps about “sitting on shitty steps/we stooped to new lows, hell froze/the night the city slept.” The album peaked at No. 53 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 13 on the Hip-Hop Albums chart, but has become considered a classic since then.
Talib Kweli - The Beautiful Struggle (2xLP - Reissue)
Sold Out - $28.99
Talib Kweli spent the winter in the studio putting the finishing touches on his second album, Beautiful Struggle features guest appearances from Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Res and Mos Def, and production by Kanye West (producer of "Get By"), Just Blaze, Charlemagne and others.
Talib Kweli - Gutter Rainbows (CD)
$13.99
As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Kweli saw gutters that ran with dirt, oil and water, revealing a shimmering rainbow to his child's eyes. Drawing its title from this memory, this album puts at the raw center what his music has been doing for years: finding and preserving the beautiful in the hideous; the rainbows in the gutter. Weaving the lyrical and the gritty, the autobiographical with an honest, no-holdsbarred hip-hop spirit; Kweli sticks fiercely to what feels true to him in creating the sound of this album. Without being tied to any particular label's conception of what his sound should be or when his work should hit his fans, Kweli is free to build his most personal album yet in both content and motivation. Kweli's true solo career has only just begun, and although the future holds more collaboration, "Gutter Rainbows" marks a new stage in the long and ever-evolving career of Talib Kweli. This release, recorded on his time and with his talent as the driving force, proves Kweli is a complete and formidable musician—it presents the depth and breadth of his experience and ability. "Gutter Rainbows" was recorded with the help of incredibly talented musicians from across the country. Eric Krasno, Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady, Iron Solomon, Outasight, Kendra Ross, Sean Price, 88-Keys, Marco Polo, Ski Beatz, M-Phazes, S-1, E. Jones, Oh No and others make appearances.
Talib Kweli - Gravitas (CD)
$12.99
Gravitas, Talib Kweli's sixth solo album, began to take shape in May, during the weeks following the release of Kweli's fifth solo album, Prisoner of Conscious. Loaded with guests, Prisoner of Conscious was well received and reviewed, and gained Talib many new fans to add to his already large following. However, Kweli soon found himself wanting to record more personal material and really document his journey thru music. When singer Ryan Leslie, who created the platform that Kweli is using to sell Gravitas, approached him with the idea of selling direct to fan, songs that were just rough ideas began to fully form in Kweli's head. "One of my favorite things about today's hip hop is the honesty," says Kweli. Today's most popular rappers aren't always politically correct or deep, but the best are unflinchingly honest. While my story may be documented, I have never truly told my story thru music. My true fans have heard bits and pieces thru the years, but Gravitas sums up my experience until now." The new songs reflect a continued determination and drive in Talib Kweli, impressive because of the fact that Prisoner of Conscious was released less than six months ago. Considered one of the top tier lyricist of all time and name dropped in songs by everyone from Jay-Z to 2 Chainz, Talib Kweli has defied the odds and remained relevant while never compromising his art, quite a feat in today's music business. The respect he is given is evident when Raekwon from the Wu Tang Clan drops by to spit on Violations. Talib Kweli has also showcased new artists throughout his storied career, giving breaks to people like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole long before they were embraced by the mainstream. This streak continues with Brooklyn's own UnderAchievers, who pop up on the Statik Selektah produced New Leaders. The OhNo produced Art Imitates Life features classic lyricism from Kweli, Rah Digga and Black Thought from the legendary Roots, and Austin's guitar prodigy Gary Clark Jr. shows up for Demonology. All of this leads up to Gravitas' final track, Colors of You, featuring Mike Posner and produced by the late, great J Dilla of Slum Village fame.
Talib Kweli - Gravitas (2xLP - Blue/White Splatter)
Sold Out - $18.99
New pressing on blue/white splatter vinyl ships week of 11/13. Gravitas, Talib Kweli's sixth solo album, began to take shape in May, during the weeks following the release of Kweli's fifth solo album, Prisoner of Conscious. Loaded with guests, Prisoner of Conscious was well received and reviewed, and gained Talib many new fans to add to his already large following. However, Kweli soon found himself wanting to record more personal material and really document his journey thru music. When singer Ryan Leslie, who created the platform that Kweli is using to sell Gravitas, approached him with the idea of selling direct to fan, songs that were just rough ideas began to fully form in Kweli's head. "One of my favorite things about today's hip hop is the honesty," says Kweli. Today's most popular rappers aren't always politically correct or deep, but the best are unflinchingly honest. While my story may be documented, I have never truly told my story thru music. My true fans have heard bits and pieces thru the years, but Gravitas sums up my experience until now."The new songs reflect a continued determination and drive in Talib Kweli, impressive because of the fact that Prisoner of Conscious was released less than six months ago. Considered one of the top tier lyricist of all time and name dropped in songs by everyone from Jay-Z to 2 Chainz, Talib Kweli has defied the odds and remained relevant while never compromising his art, quite a feat in today's music business. The respect he is given is evident when Raekwon from the Wu Tang Clan drops by to spit on Violations. Talib Kweli has also showcased new artists throughout his storied career, giving breaks to people like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole long before they were embraced by the mainstream. This streak continues with Brooklyn's own UnderAchievers, who pop up on the Statik Selektah produced New Leaders. The OhNo produced Art Imitates Life features classic lyricism from Kweli, Rah Digga and Black Thought from the legendary Roots, and Austin's guitar prodigy Gary Clark Jr. shows up for Demonology. All of this leads up to Gravitas' final track, Colors of You, featuring Mike Posner and produced by the late, great J Dilla of Slum Village fame.
Talib Kweli & Madlib - Liberation (LP)
Sold Out - $12.99
Talk of LIBERATION began to circulate around the industry after Kweli posted a short but significant blog about it on his Myspace page back in September of 2006 along with the first release from the album, "Funny Money". Since then, Kweli and Madlib fans flooded messageboards and blog pages, anxious for the impending release. With both halves known to have been members of some of the best collaborations in hip hop, the expectations for this project were, in effect, set far above the bar. When the 9-track project hit the web on January 1st, it was evident from the buzz and press reviews that these two masters of music delivered to everyone's approval. The cohesion of Kweli's sharp, quick spitting lyrics and Madlib's progressive beat production made for a much sought after product. Since then, Blacksmith has disabled the free download and is making LIBERATION available for purchase.
Talib Kweli - Gutter Rainbows (2xLP - Reissue)
$17.99
As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Kweli saw gutters that ran with dirt, oil and water, revealing a shimmering rainbow to his child's eyes. Drawing its title from this memory, this album puts at the raw center what his music has been doing for years: finding and preserving the beautiful in the hideous; the rainbows in the gutter. Weaving the lyrical and the gritty, the autobiographical with an honest, no-holds barred hip-hop spirit; Kweli sticks fiercely to what feels true to him in creating the sound of this album. Without being tied to any particular label's conception of what his sound should be or when his work should hit his fans, Kweli is free to build his most personal album yet in both content and motivation. Kweli's true solo career has only just begun, and although the future holds more collaboration, "Gutter Rainbows" marks a new stage in the long and ever-evolving career of Talib Kweli. This release, recorded on his time and with his talent as the driving force, proves Kweli is a complete and formidable musician—it presents the depth and breadth of his experience and ability. "Gutter Rainbows" was recorded with the help of incredibly talented musicians from across the country. Eric Krasno, Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady, Iron Solomon, Outasight, Kendra Ross, Sean Price, 88-Keys, Marco Polo, Ski Beatz, M-Phazes, S-1, E. Jones, Oh No and others make appearances.
Talib Kweli & Madlib - Liberation (CD)
$14.99
Despite its calculated leak, everyone's been asking for and talking about an official release of Kweli & Madlib's collab effort. Blacksmith heard the talk, and they delivered...
