Kwelity Music
The title of Talib Kweli’s newest solo venture sums up his message. Quality’s lyrics speak to a higher quality of living – preaching love in place of violence and personal health over material wealth. The passion of Kweli’s words is met perfectly by the craftsmanship of his music, compositions blending classical tones, funk, blues and soul molded by Kweli’s amazing sense for melody.
Kweli’s socially conscious attitude is all but absent in the world of commercial hip-hop. Quality’s greatest success is taking the undeniably infectious tone and production of commercial hip-hop and infusing it with underground energy and integrity. Kweli’s rhymes are playful yet their message dead serious, such as on the track “The Proud”: “Kurt Loder asks me what I say to a dead cop’s wife / Cops kill my people every day, that’s life.” Longtime friend and collaborator Mos Def joins on “Joy,” an inspiring song where Kweli proclaims “I’m so blessed to have a boy and a girl, everyday they bring joy to my world”. On “Get By” Kweli challenges drug addiction over a perfect danceable track of piano and soulful vocal harmonies that aim straight for the heart. Featuring guest spots by Black Thought, Pharoahe Monch, Novel and others, this is a must have for fans of lyrical substance and quality melodic hip-hop.
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