TALIB KWELI INTERVIEW

Talib Kweli is one of this generations most influential hip hop artists. With over 20-years in the music industry he’s worked with an amazing group of artists and producers. From “Get ‘Em High” to “Get By” and now “High Life” we’ve enjoyed the lyrical journey Kweli has set out for us. Now he has just finished his 5th studio album, “Prisoner of Conscious”, an album that has been 4 years in the making. He raps truth, politics, positivity and love and “Prisoner of Conscious” does not disappoint.

Hi. How are you today?
I’m good. You?

Good thanks. How many interviews you got lined up?
A whole bunch

Where am I in the queue? Closer to the start, closer to the end…?
I have no idea actually.

Alright let’s get started… You grew up in a highly educated household. It’s clear that your upbringing has something to do with the artist you are today. What are some of the things you try to pass onto your children?
Um, I try to stress to them to look beneath the surface with things and do what they like and think about they want.

Are there any things you’re learning from them?
Yes, I learn about the world and how it is now versus how it was when I grew up

Do they influence your writing in any way?
Yes, I think they’re my biggest inspiration. “All My Stars” is about my children, “Black Girl Pain” is about my children, “Joy” is about my children. I’ve done several tracks about my children.

I guess it’s not the worst thing you could be associated with… But does it ever bother you that your name is synonymous with socially conscious rap? Do you ever feel like you want to break out of that mould?
You know, I don’t personally feel as though I am that. But people always consider me that, you know, in all my interviews and stuff. Actually it’s misleading to say that I don’t consider myself conscious rap, I do. But I consider myself more than that, you know and the way I look at hip hop, I don’t break it down into genres like that. It’s either good hip hop or it’s not, you know what I’m saying?

The TV and radio airwaves are clogged with everything but conscious music, I know you just said you don’t believe in genres, but do you think the conscious rap following is growing? Do you think people want to hear conscious messages in music?
No you know, I think it’s about people just want to hear good hip hop. I think that hip hop that’s pushed on corporate mainstream radio definitely has one subject matter – strip club music or whatever. But I don’t think that’s what the fans want to hear. I think the fans want to hear a balance.

Aside from this being your life’s work, what kind of messages do you want to leave in your legacy?
I just want to contribute to my community the best way I can, raise my kids right and uh, have people enjoy listening to me.

In the last 20 or so years you’ve been active, Internet has changed a lot of things, especially the movement and availability of music. From being a well-known artist to an independently signed musician, how do you think this has helped, if at all?
I think it’s helped in a lot of great ways. It allows you to connect with your fans; you can market or promote your music – whether you’re assigned to a label or not.

You dropped a verse on Skyzoo’s “Spike Lee was My Hero” track. Do you think it’s necessary for younger generations to know the importance of his films?
Yeah without a doubt, Spike Lee is one of the greatest icons of this generation. He’s one of the greatest film makers to ever live. And his films have informed hip hop generations in ways they don’t even know. The kids nowadays around my way, the young, young, young kids are dressing like they’re from Spike Lee films from 20 yrs ago.

Have you ever met Spike Lee?
No I haven’t.

Tell us about your latest album, “Prisoner of Conscious”?
What do you want to know?

Do you feel like a prisoner of conscious? What does that mean?
I don’t consider myself a prisoner but people try to pin that on me and that’s how I dealt with that, you know, head-on with the album title.

When you’re a prisoner it implies that you are being held against your will, do you feel you’re being held prisoner?
Um no, I don’t again, I don’t see myself as a prisoner, but I think people think that I am.

The album was 4 years in the making. What was the creative process like?
Creative process for every song was different. The album took 4 years so there was a bunch of creative processes.

Compared to other albums and mixtapes why 4 years?
There’s a lot of reasons. I wanted to get the songs right, I took my time making it and when I had it right I had to do the business. It’s just the time it took.

You worked with a bunch of producers including Oh No, Sean C, S1, RZA and J. Cole on this album. You’ve worked with some before, but how did the others come about?
I just picked tracks and music that I felt at the moment. I was very free with it and I didn’t have any boundaries with who I wanted to work with and these people were just the ones that ended up on the project.

You work with a plethora of gifted artists including, Melanie Fiona, Curren$y, Nelly, Busta Rhymes, Marsha Ambrosius and Ryan Leslie to name a few. How did the collabs come to?
Just people I know, who I kick it with. I just asked them to get on my album.

I love that fact that you sometimes write love songs. I believe there are 3 sorta lovey tracks on this album (“Come Here” ft Miguel, “Favela Love” ft Seu Jorge and “Outstanding” ft Ryan Leslie which is a bonus track). Why do you write about love? Is it cause you’re a sensitive kind of guy, is it… you know..
Um, I think love is our biggest inspiration, you know. Songs people want to hear from every genre about love. I think that’s what every artist strives to do.

What’s your definition of Grindin?
Just going to the wheels full-on. You know, working hard even when you don’t feel like working

Interview by Janine Cushnie