Talib Kweli "The Prisoner of Conscious Tour" w/ J. Pinder, Bajah, The Dry Eye Crew
Mon. 05/28 | 9:00PM
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- Talib Kweli "The Prisoner of Conscious Tour" Ever since emerging as a member of Black Star in the late 1990s, Talib Kweli is one of the few artists making commercially viable music that matters. The Brooklyn bred rapper's hard-hitting music has been able to educate and entertain simultaneously. So it is no wonder that at the peak of their fame, both Jay-Z and 50 Cent named Talib Kweli as one of their favorite rappers. With Ear Drum, his first album released on his own Blacksmith Music and his sixth album overall, Kweli has delivered his career-defining work, a polished collection showcasing his advanced lyricism and his penchant for picking music that resonates long after the song ends. "The image of the ear and of the drum are powerful enough by themselves, but when you put them together, it's an instrument that's in your body that helps you hear," he explains. "They're also two very simple, yet powerful words. I wanted to focus on finding a sound that makes you move, and that's where the word 'Ear Drum' popped in my head." Throughout Ear Drum, Kweli delivers powerful music that sparks your intellect and makes your body move. He teams with Reflection Eternal partner Hi-Tek on "More Or Less." Over pounding drums and a minimalistic groove, Kweli makes brash declarations on how to improve music specifically and American society in general. "A statement like, we need 'more rap songs that stress purpose/With less misogyny and less curses/Let's put more depth in our verses,' I haven't made bold, blatant statements since that like 'Manifesto.' There are fans of mine that really appreciate those statements because there are times when those statements need to be made." An equally bold Ear Drum moment comes on "Country Cousins," which features Kweli trading verses with UGK and Raheem DeVaughn. Over a soulful beat accented by brassy horns, Kweli, Bun B and Pimp C talk about the reality of their experiences growing up in New York and Texas, respectively. "People have the perception of what an East Coast artist sounds like, who he's supposed to be listening to and what he likes, and what a Down South artist sounds like," Kweli explains. "There's preconceived notions and that's really what the song with Bun and Pimp C is about, the preconceived notions between East Coast artists and Down South artists." Throughout Ear Drum, Kweli makes a point to explore new topics, collaborate with a variety of artists and rap over distinctively innovative production. It is part of Kweli's growth as an artist and as a person. "We need to challenge our audience but we also need to challenge ourselves to know that whatever our new experiences are, we can write about them, be creative and bring that to an audience without them feeling alienated," he says. Long-time Talib Kweli followers will say the same thing about him. Since his stellar debut with Mos Def as Black Star, Kweli has been one of rap's most exceptional and consistent artists. Released in 2000, Reflection Eternal, the RIAA-certified gold album with Hi-Tek, was one of the most acclaimed albums of the year. In 2002, smash single "Get By," the biting political commentary "The Proud" and the insightful examination of America's gun culture on "Gun Music" made Quality a landmark recording and Kweli's second gold album. Subsequent recordings in 2004 (The Beautiful Struggle) and 2005 (Right About Now) solidified his status as one of rap's most talented and important voices. Now, after establishing himself as a rap visionary, Kweli along with long-time manager Corey Smyth launched Blacksmith Music. The pair signed an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. to market, promote, and distribute the music of Blacksmith artists. Following Kweli's release on Blacksmith/WBR there will be a new solo album from Jean Grae, the critically acclaimed South African-born female rapper who is among the most respected female rappers in the history of the genre. Rolling Stone called her "the best kept secret on New York&..39;s indie hip-hop scene," while XXL, Spin, Village Voice, URB and others have labeled her an artist to watch. Strong Arm Steady, a forthcoming Blacksmith/WBR release, is a super group whose members are platinum rapper and Pimp My Ride host Xzibit, Los Angeles underground star Phil The Agony, lyrical assassin Krondon and San Diego rap pioneer Mitchy Slick. Strong Arm Steady has been one of the few West Coast acts to build a rabid fanbase through mixtapes. Kweli hopes Blacksmith will create a movement with Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady, much as his own music has. "With Blacksmith, I want it to be a flag that everyone can wave," he says. "I want to be packing shows and I want people to feel like they were up on Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady before anybody else was." In the mean time, the lyrically and sonically potent Ear Drum demonstrates that strong, powerful messages can serve as the backbone for music at its best. "The vast majority of my subject matter focuses on black self-love, black self esteem, black self worth," Kweli says. "That translates to other communities because if you're a human being, it doesn't matter what color you're talking about. You've been through some sort of struggle and you can apply it to your own life." special guests: J. Pinder J. Pinder has accomplished an extraordinary amount for such a young artist. He has worked with the cream of Seattle hip hop (Jake One, Vitamin D, Kuddie Fresh) and he has worked with characters such as Guilty Simpson. Pinder has made guest appearances on releases by Rhymesayers, and has been written up by both local press and heavy hitters such as URB and Okay Player. That’s so far... and he’s twenty two years old. Such a fine resume alone would be astounding but J. Pinder has something else - something that eclipses these worldly accomplishments. J. Pinder's delivery, presence, and style suggest an understanding of the musical forms, of hip hop and beyond, that far exceeds his years on earth. His charismatic confidence and ability to tell complex stories in a poetic manner - but without mincing words and overwhelming the listener - intimate an artist that is well rounded, well listened, well versed and mature. His wide range of content, from the boisterous to the solemn, is always interwoven with his own very particular voice of strength and quiet grace. In a word J. Pinder is unique. On his new single Go Far [FIN-LE12-009] J. Pinder expertly weaves his words through the backdrop of a Kuddie Fresh produced beat, live strings, live drums and live bass. Working with veteran Seattle producer Martin Feveyear, and employing musicians such as drummer Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees, Mad Season, Tuatara) and Seattle Symphony players masterfully performing a full string arrangement by Feveyer and Katie Freeze (The Hope) Pinder positively shines. His effortlessly delivery of well-crafted verses and unforgettable hooks is executed with stellar confidence. The rich, full composition behind his voice elevates the single further skyward. To call the material epic would not be an overstatement...this is song writing of the highest order. Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew After packing the national stadium for performances in their home country of Sierra Leone and contributing music to the Academy Award–nominated film Blood Diamond, African superstars Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew are poised to conquer the global airwaves with their international debut album (due out in fall 2009) and their unique sound, which blends the swagger and funk of hip-hop, the passion and energy of dancehall, and the socially conscious vibe of reggae. The group has generated so much buzz in the hip-hop world that major stars including ?uestlove and Black Thought of The Roots, Talib Kweli, K'Naan, Res, and El-P have contributed their vocal and/or production talents to the upcoming release, helmed by the production team Fyre Department (whose credits include 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, GZA, Talib Kweli, Justin Timberlake). With this great collection of creatives, Bajah's own star is rising as the Sean Paul of West Africa with the social conscience of Bob Marley and Fela Kuti. http://www.planetbajah.com/
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flavorpill on Talib Kweli "The Prisoner of Conscious Tour" w/ J. Pinder, Bajah, The Dry Eye Crew @ Le Poisson Rouge
about 1 year agoBrooklyn rapper Talib Kweli is a legend in his own right — a smart, superlative lyricist who's remained a fixture in the hip-hop scene since his Black Star album with Mos Def in '98. And seeing him live in such an intimate venue as LPR is a seriously rare treat. more at flavorpill.com
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