kanye west

There’s been a lot of chatter about Kweli and artists that straddle the line between mainstream and street rap. Kweli, like many of his peers that earn any sort of success, are always subjected to this sort of criticism. To my surprise, Kweli actually entertained the notion that he’s been trying to “go pop” for years. People that have this sort of misunderstanding are normally huge fans. They’re fans that feel what seems like a betrayal when an artist does something that’s outside of the bubble they pigeon hole music they like into. For an emcee that’s as diverse and skilled as Kweli, coming to such a simple conclusion just won’t do.

Kweli has worked with some of the best in the business (Mary J., Nas, Mos Def, Kanye West, & DJ Premier to name just a few). Some of those artists have a wider range of appeal to their music for various reasons, but it’s not a far fetched idea that Talib would work with them. Any hip-hop head would jump at the chance to hear a collaboration between him and any of those people again. The problem comes in when he steps outside of what casual listeners normally expect from him. He’ll write a song like “Soon the New Day” with Norah Jones or a song like “The Nature” with Justin Timberlake and people just don’t understand what’s really happening.

What people aren’t seeing is that he ISN’T going pop when he does things like that. He ISN’T compromising his music and going to THEIR world. THEY are changing up THEIR game and entering HIS world. Think of how out of place “The Nature” would’ve been on any JT album. It just wouldn’t fit. At the same time, he has that side of him as an artist. Working with someone like Talib Kweli helps him to express that side of himself without either of the artists compromising what they believe in. What is so wrong about that? Where’s the part when either of the collaborators sold out? Talib Kweli could do a song with Justin Bieber and it would still be hot if Bieber’s talents were used in the right way. If you doubt that, think of how ‘Ye used him in the “Runaway Love” remix. It was perfect! Who’s to say that Kwe isn’t talented enough to work with ANYONE of ANY genre and make it work if the vibe is right?

People need to stop being narrow minded and actually listen to the music instead of looking at the name on a feature and dismissing it. Do you fools listen to music, or do you just skim through it?

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