Talib Kweli is one of this generations most influential hip hop artists. With over 20-years in the music industry he\u2019s worked with an amazing group of artists and producers. From \u201cGet \u2018Em High\u201d to \u201cGet By\u201d and now \u201cHigh Life\u201d we\u2019ve 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hi. How are you today?<\/strong>
\nI\u2019m good. You?<\/p>\n

Good thanks. How many interviews you got lined up? <\/strong>
\nA whole bunch<\/p>\n

Where am I in the queue? Closer to the start, closer to the end\u2026?<\/strong>
\nI have no idea actually.<\/p>\n

Alright let\u2019s get started… You grew up in a highly educated household. It\u2019s 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?<\/strong>
\nUm, I try to stress to them to look beneath the surface with things and do what they like and think about they want.<\/p>\n

Are there any things you\u2019re learning from them?<\/strong>
\nYes, I learn about the world and how it is now versus how it was when I grew up<\/p>\n

Do they influence your writing in any way<\/strong>?
\nYes, I think they\u2019re my biggest inspiration. “All My Stars” is about my children, “Black Girl Pain” is about my children, “Joy” is about my children. I\u2019ve done several tracks about my children.<\/p>\n

I guess it\u2019s 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?<\/strong>
\nYou know, I don\u2019t personally feel as though I am that. But people always consider me that, you know, in all my interviews and stuff. Actually it\u2019s misleading to say that I don\u2019t 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\u2019t break it down into genres like that. It\u2019s either good hip hop or it\u2019s not, you know what I\u2019m saying?<\/p>\n