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Talib Kweli Interview
RnB/Hip Hop | Monday 20th May 2013 | Alex
Ahead of the release of his fifth solo album “Prisoner Of Conscious”, which sees guest features from RZA, Kendrick Lamar, Busta Rhymes, Miguel and J Cole we spoke to hip hop’s own lyrical legend. Over 15 years in the game, he bought us irrepressable music from Black Star, classics like Reflection Eternal and iconic tunes such as “Get By” and “Listen”.
I feel blessed to be talking to one of my favourite artists, how you doing?
I’m good.
Where are you?
I’m sitting at my kitchen table in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn, New York. So, how long has Brooklyn been home?
All my life.
So ‘Prisoner Of Conscious’, your new project that’s coming right now, What is the title about?
Yeah it’s the new album. It’s about people’s perception of me - how people have placed me in a box.
They try and box you in as a conscious rapper?
Yeah. I mean it’s not a bad box to be in, but it’s still a box.
Do you feel that’s something you’ve been fighting your whole career?
It is definitely not a fight because I’m in control of it, but I’m speaking on it because it has a lot to do with the way I’m marketed and promoted, so I chose to go ahead and call the album that.
Do you think that there’s some deeper issues as to why other music gets promoted more heavily?
Yeah, I think that the corporate nature of rap is easier promoted, club music, strip club music, music that’s not given the samples and beats, so I don’t think it’s like a conspiracy theory but you know it is what it is. It puts the burden on me as an artist to still be seen as relevant.
Would you say that you are trying to make a statement with the music on your album?
Yeah I mean people focus so much on me as a lyricist that they miss the musicality of what I do, so yeah I focus on the music on this album.
So you’ve got some serious hits such as, ‘Listen’, ‘Get By’, ‘Say Something’, ‘The Blast’, is there a song that you feel has had the most impact on people?
Definitely, ‘Get By’ is the song that has the most impact on people, but you know there are other songs that people like of course
So growing up I assume you always wanted to be a rap star right?
I wanted to be a baseball player real quick, but yeah rapping was what I wanted to do.
So what’s left for you to accomplish? When the New Year comes around and you’re thinking about what you’re aiming for?
I think puppeteering. Be the black Geppetto
Have you done any so far?
No I actually haven’t, I need to learn.
Now I know you’ve been to London many of times, you’ve shot videos over here, you’ve been to Peckham, what do you think about the culture over here in London?
Yeah I love London, London is an expensive New York.
Expensive New york?
Yeah it looks just like New York but just way more expensive.
So just going back to rap and a touch on politics here, I think that rap had a bit to play in Obama becoming president, have you met him?
No I have not.
Do you think its helped the struggle having a black man in power?
I do, I think having the first black president has reminded people what America can be, it's a great county and we don’t often live up to our potential, and Obama is living up to our potential. You know he’s not the prefect president and I definitely don’t support all his policies, but there’s a lot about what he represents that I do support.
"If skills sold, Truth be told, I'd be probably lyrically", now Jay-Z had to recognise what you did there in a moment of clarity, how did that make you feel?
It made me feel like I was doing the right thing, in the right place at the right time, and that people I respect, respect me so you know it’s a good feeling.
Ok, did you read him address those lines in his book Decoded, how did the comments make you feel?
Oh yeah I read that. It made me feel good you know.
Nice, and when are we going to get a book from you, have your written a book yet?
Yeah I wrote a book, and it will be out maybe in a year or two.
Now could you tell me one of your career highs Talib?
That was one of them.
Yeah, that would be a big one I’m sure. You were involved in Dave Chappelle's Block Party, do you still hang out with him?
Yeah that’s my homie.
'Ms Hill’, a sick song, have you heard any feedback from her about it?
No, I haven’t heard anything back from her.
When are you next over in London?
As soon as I get invited and someone buys me a plane ticket!
If you could have and superpower and do anything what would it be?
I already have a superpower, I can rap
I heard your album for the first time - wow. I look forward to paying attention to it as I do. It’s been a pleasure catching up.
Thank you
His new album “Prisoner Of Conscious” is out now. For more information check www.talibkweli.com
Check out the lead single:
Interviewer - Oshi Okomilo
