[Produced by Kanye West]
A previously unreleased track from Talib Kweli. This could’ve been a perfect fit for Ear Drum, if that album wasn’t already loaded with heartwrenching songs.
[Shout out to: Ben de Ayora]
Kweli didn’t reference Obama on “Say Something” for nothing. In a recent chat with the Detroit Free Press, Talib explained that though his stance on voting hasn’t changed, he likes what he sees in Obama (and Hillary) so far.
Peep game:
DFP: A lot of your lyrics have a political consciousness. However, you’ve been pretty forward about not voting in elections because the system is broke and you typically don’t believe in any candidates. Has Barack Obama changed your mind or is it politics as usual?
Kweli: Obama is very inspiring. Certainly I am considering whether or not I am going to vote for him, which is a big step for me. When I was younger, I might have voted for Bill Clinton in his first election, but haven’t since. There is still a long time to go before Obama even gets nominated; we just have to see what is going to happen. But I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t impressive. I still feel the same way I do about voting, but I have never seen anyone like Barack Obama before. I’m equally impressed with Hillary Clinton as a person, but she to me is definitely part of the system. She doesn’t inspire me the same way he does, you know?
Game recognize game.
As you might expect, Ne-Yo sounds a tad bit outta place on this. But my girl Jean picks up the slack. And for once, the only thing Kweli is trying to uplift here is his JT. I prefer the O.G though.
Bonus:
Hot Thing (Remix) [Instrumental]
[Props to Lee L'Heureux]
10 years from now someone will say, “Hey, remember when HP transformed the video industry?” and “Hot Thing” will be cited as an example.
[Edit: Sorry, guys, the douche bags at Kweli's label dig the video so much that they've decided to save it for their eyes only. Update.]
Talib Kweli is a funny guy. How can he not be, with words of wisdom like: “Nothing is as simple as it seems” and “There’s mainstream music that’s very good and there’s underground music that always sucks”?
And for the record, New York did not create hip-hop music. Pimp C did.
