Editing Talib Kweli

{{Person2
| image                 = Talib_Kweli.jpg
| date of birth         = October 3, 1975
| home town             = Brooklyn, New York<ref name="Rott">[http://rap.about.com/od/artistsmz/p/TalibKwelibio.htm Talib Kweli]</ref>
| genre                 = Hip Hop <br> Alternative Hip Hop
| occupation            = Rapper
| instrument            = 
| years active          = 1997-present
| label                 = [[Wikipedia:Rawkus Records |Rawkus]]<br>[[Wikipedia:Geffen Records|Geffen]]<br>[[Wikipedia:Blacksmith Records |Blacksmith]] / [[Warner Bros. Records |Warner Bros.]]
| associated acts       = [[Wikipedia:Black Star (group)|Black Star]] <br> [[Wikipedia:Reflection Eternal |Reflection Eternal]] <br> [[Wikipedia:Madlib |Madlib]] <br>[[Wikipedia:Mos Def |Mos Def]]<br> [[Wikipedia:Kanye West |Kanye West]]<br>[[Wikipedia:The Roots |The Roots]]<br>[[Wikipedia:Pharrell |Pharrell]] <br> [[Wikipedia:KRS-One |KRS-One]]
| website               = http://talibkewli.com
}}

'''Talib Kweli Greene ''' (born October 3, 1975
),<ref name="Rott"/> better known as '''Talib Kweli''', is an American MC from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student"or "seeker"; his [http://translate.google.com/#sw|en|kweli middle name] in Swahili means "truth". Kweli first gained recognition through [[Wikipedia:Black Star (group)|Black Star]], a collaboration with fellow MC [[Wikipedia:Mos Def |Mos Def]].

==Biography==
===Early life===
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Kweli grew up in a highly educated household in Park Slope. His mother, Brenda Greene, is an English professor at [[Wikipedia:Medgar Evers College |Medgar Evers College]] of the [[Wikipedia:City University of New York |City University of New York]] and his father an administrator at [[Wikipedia:Adelphi University |Adelphi University]]. His younger brother, Jamal Greene, is a professor of Constitutional Law at [[Wikipedia:Columbia Law School |Columbia Law School]], and former clerk to Justice [[Wikipedia:John Paul Stevens |John Paul Stevens]] on the [[Wikipedia:United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]]. As a youth, he was drawn to Afrocentric rappers, such as [[Wikipedia:De La Soul |De La Soul]] and other members of the [[Wikipedia:Native Tongues Posse |Native Tongues Posse]] whom he had met in high school. Talib Kweli was a student at [[Wikipedia:Cheshire Academy |Cheshire Academy]], a boarding school in Connecticut. He was also a student at [[Wikipedia:Brooklyn Technical High School |Brooklyn Technical High School]], before being academically dismissed. He later studied experimental theater at [[Wikipedia:New York University |New York University]].<ref name=musicianguide.com>[http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608003729/Talib-Kweli.html Talib Kweli Biography]</ref>

===Early career (1995-2001)===
Kweli made his underground debut in 1995, with featured five appearances on "[[Wikipedia:Doom (Mood album)|Doom]]", an album by Cincinnati, Ohio group [[Wikipedia:Mood (band)|Mood]] (Main Flow, Donte, Jahson).<ref name="mood doom discogs">[http://www.discogs.com/Mood-Doom/release/427659 Mood - Doom - at Discogs]</ref> In Cincinnati, Kweli also met [[Wikipedia:DJ Hi-Tek |DJ Hi-Tek]] and the two collaborated on a few well received underground recordings as [[Wikipedia:Reflection Eternal |Reflection Eternal]], including "Fortified Live" (1997),<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Reflection-Eternal-Fortified-Live-2000-Seasons/master/88733 Fortified Live - Reflection Eternal at Discogs]</ref> and "B-Boy Document 99/Chaos" (1999, featuring [[Wikipedia:The High & Mighty |The High & Mighty]]).<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/High-Mighty-Reflection-Eternal-B-Boy-Document-99-Chaos/master/237144 B Boy Document at Discogs]</ref> Shortly afterwards, upon returning to New York, he reconnected with [[Wikipedia:Mos Def |Mos Def]] and formed [[Wikipedia:Black Star (group)|Black Star]].<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/Black+Star Black Star Discography at Discogs]</ref> Kweli brought along Hi-Tek to produce their first and only album, 1998's ''[[Wikipedia:Black Star (album)|Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star]]''.<ref>[http://www.citypages.com/1998-10-14/music/black-star-black-star/ Black Star: Black Star]</ref> The album, released amidst a late '90s renaissance of conscious, Afrocentric hip hop, was immediately hailed by critics and achieved modest mainstream success.<ref name="chicagotribune talib spot">[https://archive.is/20130119042611/www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/events/ct-ott-0204-talib-kweli-20110204,0,6545530.story You might not know Talib Kweli, but you should]</ref> When Kweli and Mos Def parted ways shortly thereafter, Kweli and Hi-Tek continued their [[Wikipedia:Reflection Eternal |Reflection Eternal]] partnership on the 2000 album ''[[Wikipedia:Train of Thought (Reflection Eternal album)|Train of Thought]]'', which was likewise met with critical acclaim, but modest sales.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Tslib-Kweli-Hi-Tek-Reflection-Eternal-Train-Of-Thought/master/88738 Talib Kweli - Train of Thought at Discogs]</ref>

===''Quality'' and ''The Beautiful Struggle'' (2002-2004)===
Following ''Train of Thought,'' Kweli and Hi-Tek split as well, and Kweli used his first truly solo debut to attempt a move toward a more mainstream sound. 2002's ''[[Wikipedia:Quality (album)|Quality]]'' accomplished this goal to some extent, featuring production by a host of different producers, including [[Wikipedia:DJ Quik |DJ Quik]] and [[Wikipedia:Kanye West |Kanye West]].<ref name="qualitydiscogs">[http://www.discogs.com/Talib-Kweli-Quality/release/196285 Talib Kweli - Quality at Discogs]</ref> Additionally, [[Wikipedia:Dave Chappelle |Dave Chappelle]] provided two features on ''Quality''.<ref name="qualitydiscogs">[http://www.discogs.com/Talib-Kweli-Quality/release/196285 Talib Kweli - Quality at Discogs]</ref> The album was met with wide spread critical acclaim and received some mainstream attention thanks to the West-produced single "Get By" which peaked at #77 on the Billboard Hot 100.<ref name="allmusic singles">[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/talib-kweli-p311367/charts-awards/billboard-singles Talib Kweli - Singles Charting at AllMusic]</ref> ''Quality'' peaked at #21 on the US Billboard 200 and at #6 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart.<ref name="allmusic albums">[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/talib-kweli-p311367/charts-awards Talib Kweli Albums at AllMusic]</ref> In 2001, Kweli with [[Wikipedia:Black Star (group)|Black Star]] partner [[Wikipedia:Mos Def |Mos Def]] contributed to the ''[[Wikipedia:Red Hot + Indigo |Red Hot + Indigo]]'' compilation album created by the [[Wikipedia:Red Hot Organization |Red Hot Organization]] in tribute to [[Wikipedia:Duke Ellington |Duke Ellington]], that raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease.<ref>[http://www.redhot.org/about/ About - Red Hot Organization]</ref> Black Star collaborated with fellow artists [[Wikipedia:John Patton (musician)|John Patton]] and [[Wikipedia:Ron Carter |Ron Carter]] to record "Money Jungle." In 2002, Kweli contributed to the critically acclaimed [[Wikipedia:Red Hot + Riot |Red Hot + Riot]], a compilation CD created by the [[Wikipedia:Red Hot Organization |Red Hot Organization]] in tribute to the music and work of Nigerian musician [[Wikipedia:Fela Kuti |Fela Kuti]].<ref name=redhotriotpage>[http://www.redhot.org/catalog/red-hot-riot/ Red Hot + Riot 2002]</ref> He collaborated with fellow hip-hop artists [[Wikipedia:Dead Prez |Dead Prez]], [[Wikipedia:Jorge Ben |Jorge Ben]], and [[Wikipedia:Bilal (American singer)|Bilal]] to remake the famous song by Fela Kuti, "Shuffering and Shmiling," for the CD.<ref name="redhotriot at discogs">[http://www.discogs.com/Various-Red-Hot-Riot/release/324140 Various - Red Hot + Riot]</ref><ref name="redhotriot amazon">[http://www.amazon.com/Red-Hot-Riot-Music-Spirit/dp/B00006LWS7 Red Hot + Riot: The Music and Spirit of Fela Kuti [Vinyl] at Amazon]</ref>

In February 2004, Kweli also had a guest spot on [[Wikipedia:Kanye West |Kanye West]]'s widely successful [[Wikipedia:The College Dropout|debut album]]  on the track "Get 'Em High".<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Kanye-West-The-College-Dropout/release/727190 Kanye West - The College Dropout at Discogs]</ref> On April 7, 2004, Kweli was the musical guest on ''[[Wikipedia:Chappelle's Show |Chappelle's Show]]'' for the third and final time (his previous performances had been on February 5, 2003<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0538696/ Chappelle's Show (TV series 2003–2006) Episode #1.3]</ref> and April 9, 2003, the latter as part of [[Wikipedia:Black Star (group)|Black Star]]).<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0538692/ Chappelle's Show (TV series 2003–2006) Episode #1.12]</ref><ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0538706/ Chappelle's Show (TV series 2003–2006) Episode #2.12]</ref> In the summer of 2004, Talib Kweli, along with Bob Moore's Amazing Mongrels, supported the [[Beastie Boys]] on their "Challah At Your Boy World Tour",<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1489784/beastie-boys-taking-talib-kweli-on-tour.jhtml?headlines=true Beastie Boys Taking Talib Kweli On Tour In September]</ref> and appeared on a [[Wikipedia:Dilated Peoples |Dilated Peoples]] song called "Kindness for Weakness",<ref>[http://www.yaledailynews.com/news/2006/feb/24/peoples-barely-induce-dilation/ Peoples barely induce dilation]</ref> (a live remix of which was later featured on the video game ''[[Wikipedia:NBA Street Vol. 2 |NBA Street Vol. 2]]'').<ref>[http://www.ask.com/wiki/NBA_Street_Vol._2#Soundtrack NBA Street Vol. 2: Ask Encyclopedia]</ref> Also that summer, Kweli performed at Dave Chappelle's Block Party (both as a solo act and as one half of Black Star).<ref>[http://www.chappellesblockparty.com/home.html "Cast & Crew - In order of onscreen appearance and performance"]</ref> In October 2004, along with [[Common]] and [[Wikipedia:Questlove |Questlove]], Kweli contributed to [[Wikipedia:Zap Mama |Zap Mama]]'s ''Ancestry in Progress'' (2004) with "Yelling Away."<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Zap-Mama-Ancestry-In-Progress/release/1355442 Zap Mama - Ancestry in Progress at Discogs]</ref>

In November 2004, he released his second solo album and final Rawkus release, ''[[Wikipedia:The Beautiful Struggle |The Beautiful Struggle]]'', which debuted at #14 in the billboard top 100.<ref name="allmusic albums" /> Kweli responded to [[Wikipedia:Jay-Z |Jay-Z]]'s 2003 record "Moment of Clarity" (on ''[[Wikipedia:The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|The Black Album]]'', in which Jay-Z rapped: "If skills sold, truth be told/I'd probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli")<ref name="washingtonpost">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/25/AR2005112500241.html Talib Kweli, Selling Himself Short]</ref>  in his own track "Ghetto Show" by stating "If lyrics sold then truth be told/I'd probably be just as rich and famous as Jay Z." Despite this nod, the album featured much more commercial production (including [[Wikipedia:The Neptunes |The Neptunes]], [[Wikipedia:Kanye West |Kanye West]] and [[Wikipedia:Just Blaze |Just Blaze]])<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Talib-Kweli-The-Beautiful-Struggle/release/377217 The Beautiful Struggle - Talib Kweli at Discogs]</ref> and although Kweli's lyrics retained their socio-political content, he affected a somewhat harder persona. The album failed to cross over into the mainstream and suffered a critical backlash. For example, Britt Robson of [[Wikipedia:The Washington Post |The Washington Post]] "Struggle" was a "frequently awkward, too-obvious bid to exploit the commercial buzz Jay-Z created."<ref name="washingtonpost">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/25/AR2005112500241.html Talib Kweli, Selling Himself Short]</ref>

===BlackSmith Records, ''Liberation'' and ''Eardrum'' (2005-2009)===

In 2005, Kweli released a Mixtape-CD off of his newly formed [[Wikipedia:Blacksmith Records |Blacksmith Records]]. The project was called ''[[Wikipedia:Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD |Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD]]'', a title which is considered likely a response to the criticism of ''[[Wikipedia:The Beautiful Struggle |The Beautiful Struggle]]''.<ref name="washingtonpost">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/25/AR2005112500241.html Talib Kweli, Selling Himself Short]</ref> The musical offering was generally considered to be a mixtape.  However, some people regard "Right About Now" as an official album because of its availability through commercial sites and its release of two singles. "Right About Now" also lacks the DJ overlays often accompanied by mixtapes which makes the CD read more like an official album. The album sold 16,000 copies in its first week of release, debuting at #113 on the Billboard 200.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1516656/system-down-on-top-again.jhtml System Of A Down Make It A Double With Chart-Topping Hypnotize]</ref> Sparking some controversy, on ''[[Wikipedia:Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD|Right About Now]]'' Kweli sampled [[Wikipedia:Ben Kweller |Ben Kweller]]'s "In Other Words" for his own song "Ms. Hill". In part 7 of Kweller's video podcast series "One Minute Pop Song," Kweller said he found Kweli's use of the song "a little fucked up" due to the fact that it was sampled without permission.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCX54oh0p2o One Minute Pop Song by Ben Kweller]</ref>

In 2006, Kweli enjoyed a number of media appearances after signing a distribution deal with [[Warner Bros. Records]] for Blacksmith Records.<ref name="okayplayer dec 08">[http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Talib-Kwelis-Blacksmith-Music-Splits-With-Warner-Bros.html Talib Kweli’s Blacksmith Music Splits With Warner Bros.]</ref> Warner Brothers launched an online community via [[Wikipedia:Second Life |Second Life]] for Kweli.<ref>[http://www.djbooth.net/index/news/entry/warner-bros-records-blacksmith-launches/ Warner Bros. Records/Blacksmith Launches Virtual Community for Talib Kweli]</ref> In January, Kweli was featured in a commercial for the [[Wikipedia:National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]'s [[Wikipedia:Big Ten Conference |Big Ten Conference]], rapping about the league's basketball teams.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/luke_winn/01/06/power.rankings/2.html Power Rankings: Michigan St. Spartans (11-2)]</ref> In February 2006, Kweli provided the voice of the protagonist in the graffiti-themed video game ''[[Wikipedia:Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure |Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure]]''.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/fun.games/02/24/getting.up/index.html Review:Graffiti game fresh and fun]</ref> In October 2006, Kweli performed on [[Wikipedia:MTV |MTV]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Wild 'N Out |Wild 'N Out]]'', hosted by [[Wikipedia:Nick Cannon |Nick Cannon]].<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/videos/wild-n-out-the-after-show-talib-kweli/1541905/playlist.jhtml Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out › After Shows]</ref> On December 31, 2006, Kweli released nine songs he recorded with acclaimed underground producer [[Wikipedia:Madlib |Madlib]] for free download in conjunction with the web site for [[Wikipedia:Stones Throw Records |Stones Throw Records]], the label to which Madlib is signed.<ref>[http://www.sfstation.com/stones-throw-10-year-anniversary-tour-e25821 Stones Throw 10 Year Anniversary Tour]</ref><ref>[http://www.stonesthrow.com/madlib Madlib at Stones Throw]</ref> The album was entitled '' [[Wikipedia:Liberation (Talib Kweli and Madlib album)|Liberation]]'', of which Talib later was quoted by [[Wikipedia:XXL Magazine |XXL Magazine]] as saying releasing the album was liberating to him; "The idea that I could put out an album like that: record it in my house, put it out for free and get that type of response."<ref name="XXL2">Big Dog Status by Thomas Golianopoulos. XXL Magazine. January 2008. Page 82.</ref> In 2007, the album was made available for purchase.<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Talib-Kweli--Madlib-Liberation/release/955115 Liberation - Talib Kweli and Madlib at Discogs]</ref> In 2007 Kweli signed acclaimed rapper [[Wikipedia:Jean Grae |Jean Grae]]<ref name="Chinen">Chinen, Nate (2008) "[http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/arts/music/02grae.html?_r=1 A Hip-Hop Classicist Defies Her Meager Turnout]", ''[[Wikipedia:New York Times |New York Times]]'', 1 December 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.492/title.jean-grae-the-jeanius Jean Grae: The Jeanius]</ref> and the group [[Wikipedia:Strong Arm Steady |Strong Arm Steady]] to [[Wikipedia:Blacksmith Records |Blacksmith Records]].<ref>[http://www.yearoftheblacksmith.com/artist]</ref> Also in 2007, Kweli released his third solo album, entitled ''[[Wikipedia:Ear Drum (album)|Eardrum]]'', which was released on August 21st. It debuted at #2 on the [[Wikipedia:Billboard 200 |Billboard 200]]. The first single was [[Wikipedia:Listen!!! |Listen!!!]].<ref name="XXL2" /> Kweli embarked on a national Australian tour in October, 2007. "Eardrum", which featured a mix of mainstream and underground producers like [[Wikipedia:Kanye West |Kanye West]], [[Wikipedia:Just Blaze |Just Blaze]], [[Wikipedia:will.i.am |will.i.am]], [[Wikipedia:Nick Speed |Nick Speed]] and [[Wikipedia:Pete Rock |Pete Rock]],<ref>[http://www.discogs.com/Talib-Kweli-Eardrum/release/1061049 Eardrum at Discogs]</ref> received generally favorable reviews<ref>[http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/kwelitalib/eardrum Eardrum at Metacritic]</ref> and went on to sell 129,000 copies after four weeks.<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.5751/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-9-23-07 Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 9/23/07]</ref> Also in 2007, Kweli released a mixtape containing rare and collaborative songs, entitled ''Focus''.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Focus-Talib-Kweli/dp/B000WTNDTO Focus [Import] on Amazon]</ref>

In March 2008, Kweli was featured on MTV's TV show ''[[Made (TV series)|MADE]]'' as the coach of Colin Colt, a young man who wanted to be made into a rap star.<ref>{{cite web|title=MADE (Season 8) {{!}} Ep. 13 | Rapper: Colin | MTV|url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/made-season-8-ep-13-rapper-colin/1579178/playlist.jhtml|publisher=MTV|accessdate=5 February 2011|date=March 19, 2008}}</ref> Kweli was a featured artist on the [[9th Wonder]] and [[Buckshot (rapper)|Buckshot]] album "The Formula", released on April 29th, 2008 (on the track "Hold It Down").<ref>{{cite web|title=9th Wonder & Buckshot - The Formula - Discogs|url=http://www.discogs.com/9th-Wonder-Buckshot-The-Formula/release/1326310|publisher=[[Discogs]]|accessdate=5 February 2011}}</ref> Kweli's [[Blacksmith Records]] split with [[Warner Bros. Records]] in December of 2008. Kweli confirmed to AllHipHop.com that Warner Bros. would still distribute [[Reflection Eternal]] and Talib Kweli projects, but not other acts on the Blacksmith label.<ref>{{cite web|last=Saint Louis|first=Tai|title=Talib Kweli's Blacksmith Music Splits With Warner Bros.|url=http://www.allhiphop.com/stories/news/archive/2008/12/29/20770108.aspx|publisher=[[AllHipHop.com]]|accessdate=6 February 2011|date=December 29, 2008}}</ref><ref name="okayplayer dec 08">{{cite web|title=Talib Kweli’s Blacksmith Music Splits With Warner Bros.|url=http://www.okayplayer.com/news/Talib-Kwelis-Blacksmith-Music-Splits-With-Warner-Bros.html|publisher=[[Okayplayer]]|accessdate=6 February 2011|date=December 30, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Edwin|title=Talib Kweli’s Blacksmith Label Splits with Warner Brothers Records|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8323/title.talib-kweli-s-blacksmith-label-splits-with-warner-brothers-records|publisher=Hip Hop DX|accessdate=6 February 2011|date=December 30, 2008}}</ref> Kweli was featured at the fifth installment of Hot 97 radio personality Peter Rosenberg's acclaimed live interview series "Noisemakers with Peter Rosenberg" on October 21, 2009.<ref>{{cite news|title=Talib Kweli Reflects on Career at Noisemakers Event [With Exclusive Video]|accessdate=5 February 2011|newspaper=[[XXL Magazine]]|date=October 22, 2009}}</ref> Kweli recorded an album entitled ''Party Robot'' with [[R&B]] singer [[Res (singer)|Res]] and musician [[Graph Nobel]] under the group alias [[Idle Warship]].<ref name="sohh feb 09">{{cite web|last=Langhorne|first=Cyrus|title=Talib Kweli gives "Reflection Eternal II" UPDATE|url=http://www.sohh.com/2009/02/talib_kweli_gives_reflect.html|publisher=Souls of Hip-Hop|accessdate=5 February 2011|date=February 11, 2009}}</ref> The album was released as a free download on the website for Kweli's label Blacksmith with 2 different cover art options in late 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Edwin|title=DX News Bits: Eternia, Idle Warship|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10160/title.dx-news-bits-eternia-idle-warship|publisher=Hip Hop DX|accessdate=5 February 2011|date=November 19, 2009}}</ref> There were videos shot for two of the songs from the album: "Bedroom Lights" and "Black Snake Moan".<ref>{{cite web|title=Talib Kweli’s Idle Warship – Bedroom lights|url=http://rothstien.com/2009/12/talib-kwelis-idle-warship-bedroom-lights/|publisher=Rothstein.com|accessdate=5 February 2011|date=December 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Idle Warship (Talib Kweli + Res)|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/videos/id.1909/title.idle-warship-talib-kweli-res-black-snake-moan|publisher=Hip Hop DX|accessdate=5 February 2011|date=November 26, 2008}}</ref>

===Reflection Eternal reunion and ''Gutter Rainbows'' (2010-Present)===

Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek released a second Reflection Eternal album titled ''[[Wikipedia:Revolutions Per Minute (Reflection Eternal album)|Revolutions Per Minute]]'' on May 18, 2010. ''Revolutions per Minute'' was recorded at [[Wikipedia:Electric Lady Studios |Electric Lady Studios]]. It is their second album after a 10-year hiatus. The album has so far sold 33,000 copies.<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11433/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-6-6-2010 Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 6/6/2010]</ref> The album received generally positive reviews from most music critics, based on an aggregate score of 80/100 from [[Wikipedia:Metacritic |Metacritic]].<ref>[http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/reflectioneternal/revolutionsperminute ''Revolutions per Minute'' (2010): Reviews]. [[Wikipedia:Metacritic |Metacritic]]. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.</ref>

''[[Wikipedia:Gutter Rainbows |Gutter Rainbows]]'', Kweli's is the fourth solo album, was the first to be released by his imprint Talibra. The album was originally intended to be released in only a digital format. However, on November 16th, 2010, Duck Down Records announced its plans to offer ''Gutter Rainbows'' a CD release.<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.12784/title.talib-kweli-to-release-gutter-rainbows-on-january-25-2011 Talib Kweli To Release "Gutter Rainbows" On January 25, 2011]</ref> This will include an import edition and a special edition with extras.<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657237/talib-kweli-gutter-rainbows.jhtml Talib Kweli Talks Gutter Rainbows: 'The Music Industry Doesn't Exist']</ref> In its first week, the album sold 13,900 copies in the United States.<ref>[http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/02/nicki-minaj-surpasses-kanye-west-in-overall-sales-on-charts/ Nicki Minaj Surpasses Kanye in Overall Sales]</ref>

Kweli has confirmed the title of his next album will be ''Prisoner of Conscious'', a title derived from Talib's constant labeling as a "conscious rapper" and based on Nigerian reggae artist [[Wikipedia:Majek Fashek|Majek Fashek's]] album "Prisoner of Conscience." Kweli began working on "Prisoner" before "Rainbows" was released, and put cuts that were originally intended for "Conscious" on "Rainbows". He also confirmed that he will reunite with MadLib to offer ''Liberation 2''.<ref>[http://social.entertainment.msn.com/music/blogs/groove-blogpost.aspx?post=4745e330-e2ad-49d9-9cc9-a8a19b2f532e Talib Kweli: Speak Of Freedom]</ref>

==Other ventures==
In February 2009 it was announced that Talib would be featured in the graphic novel-turned-animated series [[Wikipedia:Blokhedz |Blokhedz]] on [http://www.missiong.com/show/Blokhedz Missiong.com], voicing the lead part of the character Blak.<ref>[http://blokhedz.tv/?p=588 We’re on a Mission, G.]</ref><ref>[http://vimeo.com/5991734 DJ Khalil + Talib Kweli working on Blokhedz ACT II]</ref> Additionally, Talib Kweli is a spokesperson and mentor for P'Tones Records a non-profit after school music program that's mission is "to create constructive opportunities for urban youth through no-cost music programs."<ref>[http://www.ptonesrecords.com/spokespeople.html P Tones Records - Spokespersons]</ref>

==Personal life==
Talib Kweli married DJ Eque on May 9, 2009 in Bel Air, California.<ref>[http://www.s2smagazine.com/node/862 Talib Kweli ties the knot]</ref>

Kweli has a son and a daughter.<ref>[http://www.popmatters.com/music/features/041112-talibkweli.shtml TALIB KWELI'S BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE]</ref><ref>[http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=13823708 Talib Kweli Hitting Your 'Eardrum']</ref>

==Discography==
:''Main article:[[Wikipedia:Talib Kweli discography |Talib Kweli discography]] and [[Wikipedia:List of Talib Kweli songs |List of Talib Kweli songs]]''

'''Solo'''
*''[[Wikipedia:Quality (album)|Quality]]'' (2002)
*''[[Wikipedia:The Beautiful Struggle |The Beautiful Struggle]]'' (2004)
*''[[Wikipedia:Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD|Right About Now]]'' (2005)
*''[[Wikipedia:Eardrum (album)|Eardrum]]'' (2007)
*''[[Wikipedia:Gutter Rainbows |Gutter Rainbows]]'' (2011)
'''With [[Wikipedia:Mos Def |Mos Def]] as [[Wikipedia:Black Star (group)|Black Star]]'''
*''[[Wikipedia:Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star |Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star]]'' (1998)
'''With [[Wikipedia:Hi-Tek |Hi-Tek]] as [[Wikipedia:Reflection Eternal |Reflection Eternal]]'''
*''[[Wikipedia:Train of Thought (Reflection Eternal album)|Train of Thought]]'' (2000)
*''[[Wikipedia:Revolutions per Minute (Reflection Eternal album)|Revolutions Per Minute]]'' (2010)
'''With [[Wikipedia:Madlib |Madlib]]'''
*''[[Wikipedia:Liberation (Talib Kweli and Madlib album)|Liberation]]'' (2007)

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==

* [http://ukvibe.org/index.php/interviews/ Interview Talib Kweli by Michael 'The Dood' Edwards for UK Vibe October 2010]
* [http://talibkweli.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.yearoftheblacksmith.com/profiles/blog/list?user=2cum77csuee8s Official blog]
* [http://www.myspace.com/talibkweli Talib Kweli at MySpace]
* [http://www.youtube.com/talibkweli Talib Kweli] at [[Wikipedia:YouTube |YouTube]]


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