Album: Talib Kweli: Eardrum
Talib Kweli is one of the biggest underground rappers. He doesn’t make club bangers, instead he tries to make socially conscious rap songs. Although, Kanye West took him under his wing, Talib remains cynically outside the mainstream looking in.
It should be no surprise to the listener that he decides to focus most of Ear Drum making snarky comments about the current state of rap. I guess your state of mind will depend if you enjoy the lyrical content.
Any rap fan should enjoy the production. With production from Madlib, Just Blaze, will.i.am, Pete Rock, Kanye West, Hi-Tek and Justin Timberlake, it’s an all-star effort. Guest wise he has UGK, will.i.am, Jean Grae, Kanye West, Norah Jones, Lyfe Jennings, Krs-One, Musiq, Strong Arm Steady and Justin Timberlake. All of these guests are very mainstream, almost as if Talib wants to be mainstream but feels he has to carry the torch for “underground hip hop” since Mos Def is no where to be found now.
Either way, Talib still has a great flow and a great voice. His lyrics use great similes. If only he could figure out exactly what he wants to be, he might be able to make the masterpiece he is capable of.
September 6th, 2007 at 4:16 am