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For one of New York's most notable "underground" rappers, Talib Kweli has been involved in some pretty high-profile endeavors, like the 1998 Black Star album that topped countless hip-hop polls, and his collaborations with Hi-Tek. However, it's on his own that Kweli can really focus on his vision and direction. Musically, TK is as eclectic as ever here; the manifesto "Rush" features hard-rock guitar riffing; "Where Do We Go" is a gentle, melodic track driven by sparkling piano and poignant strings. Along the way, QUALITY incorporates samples of everyone from Nina Simone to Chuck Mangione.
Lyrically, Kweli is as positive and creative as ever, boldly continuing to provide an effective contrast to the downcast, violent themes so prevalent in hip-hop. As in all his other work, the message is ostensibly simple--wake up and look around you--but as any good lyricist (a category in which Kweli certainly belongs) must know, the devil is in the details. And it's those details that put some powerful flesh on this album's bones.
Parental Advisory.Single Feat. Bilal
Personnel includes: Talib Kweli, Dave Chapelle, Cocoa Brovaz, Xzibit, Mos Def, Novel, Vinia Mojica, Res, Pharoahe Monch, Black Thought, Kanye West, Kendra Ross, Bilal.
Producers include: Ayatollah, Megahertz, Kanye West, Jay Dee, DJ Quik.
Audio Mixers: Neil Pogue; DJ Quik; Serban Ghenea; Axel Niehaus; Dave Dar.
Recording information: Larabee West Hollywood; Quad Recording Studios; Skylab, New York, NY; The Cutting Room, New York, NY.
Photographers: Shay Peretz; Greg Scaffidi.
Arranger: Talib Kweli.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Rolling Stone (1/23/03, p.64) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Kweli smoothly bridges the physical and the political.... a rich palette of summer-morning horns, somber strings and crisp, chattering snares..." Spin (2/03, p.99) - 8 out of 10 - "...Kweli wins by spitting knotty verbiage over high-test beats..." Uncut (2/03, p.76) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...It's lyrically potent stuff, and musically he deploys most of the trademark devices of modern hip hop....Refreshingly cliche-free..." CMJ (12/02, p.47) - "...On his first solo CD, Kweli pens hip-hop quotables too numerous to name....Kweli is positioning himself as rap's savior." Vibe (12/02, p.204) - 4.5 discs out of 5 - "...QUALITY's rugged beats are more incensed than incense burning. Kweli's flow is ...potent, all winking wordplay, compelling imagery, limber cadences, and passion..."
Quality-with a name like that.... Ouality...what more can I say? This album which has so much more to offer than the average artist's sophomore album, proves that no matter who Kweli puts it down with, he will always be in a class all his own. With lyrics confronting (like always) commercial rappers, children of this f*cked up generation, and the nation's issues, Kweli tells he is much more than a 'conscious' rapper.
****
4 Stars...mwah! Submitted by a reviewer (Springfield, OH) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Quality Indeed Kweli has created a great cd with Quality. If you heard his first cd, you'll love the "Nelson Mandela" drop he gets on this one. Great beats, conscious lyrics, and collabos with some great artists (Pharoah, Mos, Bilal) on this album. I definitely recommend buying this one. Submitted by a reviewer (NY,NY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
straight dope i have to admit mainstream references may seem anguish to us but nothing can ruin talib kweli! this is classic as train of thought. Submitted by yarrakkafa (Istanbul, Turkey) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
TALIB KWELI Classic. Period. This cat does it BETTER than DOC if u can feel me!! Unbelievable mix of inspiring beats and tru 2 life lyrics..Hope Kweli gets his deserved crown as king of this era of rap....we'll see Submitted by Danali` (Misery) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
True Poetic Justice Kweli goes off the deep end in a poetic rant in almost every song. Metaphorically and overall lyrically there are none better. He speaks on the everyday struggles in life no matter if you're black, white, blue, or green and does it in a way that truly says hip-hop.
Submitted by Josh (Louisville, KY, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Quality-with a name like that....
straight dope
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