Talib Kweli is a 48-year-old MC, songwriter, entrepreneur and activist from Brooklyn, New York who stands out as 1/2 of the duos Black Star & Reflection Eternal with Yasiin Bey and Hi-Tek respectively. His solo debut Quality released in fall 2002 to critical acclaim through Rawkus Records following Black Star's self-titled debut and Reflection Eternal's debut album Train of thoughtthe sophomore effort The Beautiful Race received a more moderate reception although songs like “Broken Glass” and “I Try” always stood out and Ear drum has to be my 2nd favorite album from Kweli's behind the debut. Gutter rainbow as well as Prisoner of Conscience & Gravity they were all received positively, though not by much Quality & Ear drumbut Fuck the money left the audience divided and Indies 500 produced by The Soul Council was a major improvement as it was Radio silence. We've last heard from Talib on his own, barring Gotham's self-titled debut and of course sophomore efforts Black Star & Liberation without fear of time* & Liberation 2 it was last christmas when the Holy Daze EP that was okay, so I was intrigued when I heard that J. Rawls was fully producing Kweli's 10th album.
“Breath, Eyes, Memory” is a laid-back opener that explains the difference between European art and African art, while the title track with Blu speaks passionately about being brave enough to be yourself. “Native Sons” goes full boom bap paying tribute to the Native Tongues collective just before the jazzy, drumless “We Outside” featuring TriState himself finds the 2 talking about never being apart.
As for “To the Ghetto,” we have Kweli over synths mixed with kicks and snares that tell us he really has no friends in this business that only trusts a select few, while Coast Kweli's “SWAT” gets the hard-hitting advice leaving y We all know who's at home tonight. “Turnstyle” featuring Buckshot & Skyzoo keeps things underground, taking you all back to '92, but then “Shalamar” featuring Ras Kass steps into a bag similar to the venerable soul trio.
“Pay Homage” featuring IDK, Phil Da Agony & Planet Asia soulfully advises to respect the institution, while “Love for Life” draws on neo-soul discussing the magic in comforting one another. “Steve Austin” featuring Diani finds the father/daughter duo swaggering flawlessly while “Sing into the Sky” featuring Niko Is back to boom bap just doing it until they drop. “It's Workin” ends on a jazzy note talking about what you do is work.
All 3 duo albums Kweli has been involved with this decade so far have all been near perfect in their own right and I don't think The confidence of knowledge it's a classic in its own right, but I think it's way better than the holiday EP we got from him almost 9 months ago. Even putting aside Talib's social media behavior, he's still an extremely talented lyricist, and J. Rawls' production bounces between boom bap and bare jazz loops.
Rating: 8/10
