Talib Kweli

Talib Kweli is an American rapper hailing from New York. He was born on 3 October 197 in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a highly educated household. His mother was a English Teacher in the City of New York University. His Dad was a administrator at the Adelphi University. As a child, he was intrigued by Afrocentric Rappers. He was a student of Experimental Theatre at New York University. He became interested in rapping at a very young age. He made his first appearance at the age of 20.

CAREER

Talib Kweli and Mos Def in their Black Star days.

Kweli made his first underground appearance with the group ‘Mood’ on their album ‘Doom’. He met DJ Hi-Tek and recorded many mix-tapes. The mix-tapes were well received among the underground hip hop groups. He collaborated with Mos Def and formed ‘Black Star’ in 1998. Hi-Tek produced their first album, Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Stars. Their genre was Afrocentric and was well-received by the critics. The album managed to attain moderate mainstream success as well. Talib Kweli and Mos def broke their partnership soon after that. Talib continued his collaboration with Hi-Tek and they recorded an album named, Train of Thought. It received rave reviews from the critics; Though it did a moderate mainstream business. They released ‘Hip Hop for respect’ after that. It was an effort to raise against the police who shot a person 41 times. 41 Rappers collaborated with them in the album. Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek decided to part ways after that. Talib decided to release a solo album with the intention to gain some mainstream attention. He released ‘Quality’ in 2002. It received rave reviews from the critics and did a decent mainstream business. The album was produced by Kanye West and DJ Quik. Quality reached the number 6 position at the Billboard R&B charts. Talib Kweli released his second solo effort named, The Beautiful Struggle. It debuted at #14 at the billboard charts. It mostly received mixed reviews from the critics. In 2005, Kweli released a mix-tape Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD. It was well received and sold 16,000 copies in its first week. The music the mix-tape had, made many people believe that it’s an actual album. It debuted at #114 on the billboard chart as well. Talib Kweli collaborated with DJ HI-tek in 2010 and they released an album named  ‘Revolutions per minute’. The album received rave reviews from the critics. It received an average score of 80/100 by Metacritic, a website which provides an aggregate score of all reviews. Talib Kweli released his fourth solo studio album, Gutter Rainbows, in 2010. The album received good reviews from the critics and did a decent mainstream business. The album sold 13,900 CD’s in its first week. Talib Kweli’s latest album was ‘Prisoner of Conscious’. It received mostly positive reviews and it debuted at #48 on the billboard charts. The album’s name comes from the persona of Kweli, whi is regarded as a conscious rapper. The album features many artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes and Nelly. In 2013, Kweli announced that he will release an album in 2014. The album would be named Gravitas.

RICHNESS

Gutter Rainbows.

Talib Kweli has a net worth of $14 Million. He has garnered this fortune as a result of his music efforts. He is considered to be one of the most intelligent rappers in the industry. He has inspired many artists with his socio-political messages. Macklemore grew up listening to Talib Kweli. He has been making music since 1995 and is going strong till today. He is known to raise a voice for many issues through his music. It is indeed commendable for a musician to do that.

FAMOUS QUOTES BY TALIB KWELI

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Rakim

Rakim is a legendary Rapper from the Golden age hip hop days. His real name is William Michael Griffin Jr. He is one half of the famous Golden age Hip Hop Duo, Eric B. & Rakim. He is often regarded as one of the most gifted MCs of all time. His album, Paid in full, was regarded as the best Hip-Hop album by MTV in 2006. He was ranked number 4 on the MTV’s list of the greatest MCs of all time. Steve Huey of Allmusic said that, “Rakim is near-universally acknowledged as one of the greatest MCs — perhaps the greatest — of all time within the hip-hop community.” The source magazine named him #1 on their list of the Best lyricists of all time. He is the nephew of the famous R&B singer, Ruth Brown. He indulged in the Hip-Hop scene at the age of 18. He was earlier known as Kid Wizard. He converted to Islam at the age of sixteen and adopted the name, Rakim Allah. Rakim met Eric B. and they first recorded the single named , ” Eric B. IS PRESIDENT”. The single was heard by the owner of Island records and they were instantly signed.

Music Career

Rakim and Eric B.

In 1987, the Duo released their first album, Paid in full, and it went on to become one of the most influential hip hop album of all time. “Eric B. Is President”, “I Ain’t No Joke”, “I Know You Got Soul”, “Move the Crowd”, and “Paid in Full” were a few popular singles from the album. Follow the Leader was the second album by  Eric B. & Rakim and was released July 25, 1988. The album achieved a moderate Success and sold more than five hundred thousand copies. It was declared gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. s ‘Microphone Fiend,’ ‘Lyrics of Fury,’ and ‘No Competition.’ were the famous tracks of the album. Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em was the third album released by Eric B. & Rakim and was released in 1990. It was lyrically more coherent than the previous albums by the duo. It received rave reviews from the critics for it’s dense lyrics. Don’t Sweat the Technique was the last album declared by the legendary Duo in  1992. It was a minor hit. The duo separated because of legal and personal troubles thereafter.

As a solo artist Rakim released albums such as 1997 ‘The 18th Letter’, 1999 The Master, 2008 The Archive: Live, Lost & Found, and 2009 The Seventh Seal. Rakim’s solo effort was critically accepted. He worked with Dr. Dre as well for a while but they separated because of creative differences. About his album The Seventh Seal, Rakim once said, he number 7 has a lot of significance. The seventh letter of the [Supreme] alphabet is G—that stands for God. There are seven continents, seven seas. The Seventh Seal deals with that and also some revelations in the Bible. Some call it the end of the world, but for me it’s the end of the old and the beginning of the new. By me naming my album that, I’m using it metaphorically in hip hop. I’m hoping to kill the old state of hip hop and start with the new.” He also appeared on Eminem’s 8 mile soundtrack. He once said, “The seals are from the Bible—Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse. But Islam, Judaism, Christianity—all have a version of the same events. The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times. After the Apocalypse, God rises from the ashes to recreate the Kingdom, taking only the greatest elements from the past with them. When you look at Hip-Hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene. I’ve always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times.”

Rapping Technique

One of the most influential rappers of all time!

Rakim was known for his laid back, relaxed yet powerful lyrics. He has been cited as an inspiration by many rappers such as Eminem, Tupac, Nas, Kool G. Rap, Jay-Z, Biggie and Kendrick Lamar. His velvet smooth flow, internally complex rhymes and powerful lyrics make him one of the best rappers of all time. Rakim’s subject matter usually included, own rapping skills and Islamic faith.

Famous quotes by Rakim

Ra

“To be truthful, being that the game has changed so much, you come hoping for the best and expecting the worst. To my surprise, there’s a lot of love out here for me.”

“What was once easy became confused and hard, which brings us back to the mystic question, who is God?”

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Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper from Compton, California. He recently rose to fame with his critically acclaimed album ‘Good kid MA.A.D city’. He is also a member of the Hip Hop group ‘Black hippy’. Lamar gained attention after the release of his mix-tape Overly dedicated. Next year, he released Section 8.0, an independent effort which received rave reviews from the critics.  His latest album has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) .  ”Swimming Pools (Drank)”, “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”, and “Poetic Justice” are some of the famous tracks by Kendrick Lamar.Eminem recently praised Lamar in an interview for his amazing rapping skills.

Early life and Career

Young Kendrick

Kendrick Lamar was born on June 17, 1987 in Compton, California. Lamar went to Centennial High School in Compton, where he was a bright student. When he was 10 years old, he saw his idols Tupac and Dr. Dre film the video of ‘ California love’. At the age of 16, he released his first mix-tape and garnered enough underground attention.  He subsequently released many mix tapes and singles. Because of his rapping skills, he collaborated with Lil wayne, Talib kweli, Dr. Dre and Busta Rhymes. He then released his independent album( Extended play) and garnered massive attention. Aftermath and Interscope records signed Lamar and his album Good kid MA.A.D city received rave reviews. It featured at number 2 on the billboard. Kendrick is now regarded as one of the best rappers in the game.

Influences

 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Nas and Eminem are the top five favourite rappers for Kendrick Lamar. He also gave Lil wayne credit for influencing his style. He is also inspired by Dr. Dre, rakim and Method man. Also, DMX was a source of motivation for Kendrick Lamar. Lamar said in an interview, ”That first album [It's Dark and Hell Is Hot] is classic, [so he had an influence on me]“. 2pac is his biggest inspiration and he is inspired by pac’s philosophy and lifestyle as well.

Collectibles

Lamar

The album Good kid M.A.A.D. city has sold 1,166,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 241,000 copies. In the second week it sold 63,000 albums. Many critics declared this album an instant classic and Lamar received massive praise and accolades. Complex named it the second best hip hop album in the last 5 year. It won the album of the year award at the BET hip hop awards. It  has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). On ‘ Metacritic’ the album received an average score of 91 which signifies an universal acclaim. Allmusic director David Jefferies wrote of the album, “ Besides all the great ideas and life, this journey through the concrete jungle of Compton is worth taking because of the artistic richness, plus the attraction of a whip-smart rapper flying high during his rookie season. Any hesitation about the horror of it all is quickly wiped away by Kendrick’s mix of true talk, open heart, open mind, and extended hand. Add it all up and subtract the hype, and this one is still potent enough to rise to the top of the pile”. ’The accuracy of its intimate autobiographical details is irrelevant—what matters is that this album helps you feel the internal struggles of a good kid who may not be good enough as he risks derailing his life by succumbing to the kneejerk loyalty, petty criminality, and gang warfare of the hood he calls home. Nobody is heroic here, including Lamar—from Christian strivers to default sociopaths, all the players are confused, weary, bored, ill-informed’, said Robert Christgau.

Reebok Pump Twilight Zone

Lamar’s expensive shoes

Lamar owns these uber-cool Reebok shoes which are extremely expensive. He wears them quite often and he loves different types of sneakers. Lamar is just 5 foot 6 inches and carries off these sneakers very well. He recently went with Kanye west on the ‘ Yeezus’ tour.

House

Kendrick lamar’s home

This is Kendrick’s home in Compton, California.He was a small boy and lived an average lifestyle. With sheer hard work and dedication, today he is one of the most renowned names in hip hop. He is still a down to earth and sober guy from Compton. Unlike other Hip Hop musicians, Kendrick Lamar is a Non-smoker.

Awards and Accolades

BET Hip Hop awards

BET awards

ASCAP awards

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