Talib Kweli Talks Macklemore, Race In Hip-Hop


From TMZ:

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis have at least one fan in the hip hop community — former Black Star rapper Talib Kweli says haters need to back off because the real issue isn’t Mack’s skin color… it’s about his fans.

Talib came out swinging on DJ Whoo Kid’s SiriusXM show today … defending Mack & Ryan against rap fans and critics by saying, “When you hear people dissing them, they really dissing their audience.”

He explained, “Their audience don’t know about hip hop, but their audience is into them.”

It’s an interesting perspective … because ever since Macklemore blew up last year he’s been hearing that he has an unfair “white rapper” advantage.

Talib doesn’t buy it, but check the clip … he addresses the whole white rapper theory.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Talib Kweli Feat. Raekwon – Violations (Video)

Talib Kweli and Raekwon get together in Brooklyn, New York to film the visuals for the track Violations. Hotnewhiphop was there to interview Raekwon and ask him about his thoughts on “How did the internet change hiphop?” and find out how the wu-tang star feels about the evolution. See how Talib Kweli takes control over his wardrobe. Official music should be dropping very soon and was directed by R.A. the Rugged Man.

ARTWORK/TRACKLISTING: Talib Kweli – Gravitas

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Talib Kweli’s upcoming effort drops December 15th. You can check out the tracklisting below.

01 Inner Monologue (prod. Khrysis)
02 Demonology f. Gary Clarke Jr. (prod. Lord Quest)
03 State of Grace f. Abby Dobson (prod. Lord Quest)
04 Violations f. Raekwon (prod. Thaddeus Dixon)
05 Rare Portraits (prod. OhNo)
06 New Leaders f. The Underachievers (prod. Statik Selektah)
07 The Wormhole (prod. OhNo)
08 What’s Real f. RES (prod. Rich Kidd)
09 Art Imitates Life f. Black Thought, Rah Digga & AlBe Back (prod. OhNo)
10 Lover’s Peak (prod. 6th Sense)
11 Colors of You f. Mike Posner (prod. J Dilla)

Talib Kweli Announces New Album & Release Date

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Once again, Talib Kweli is keeping things independent with a upcoming new album Gravitas, which drops December 15th on Kweli Club (where you can also preorder).

When you pre order my newest project, Gravitas, available Dec 15th, you will be buying it directly from me, no middleman, and I will now have a direct relationship with you. Who needs this industry when we have each other. The technology exists for me to have this relationship with the fans, and vice versa. It is a grand experiment. Lets go for it!

Gravitas is my sixth solo album. It will feature production from OhNo, Q-Tip, Lord Quest, Rich Kidd and more.