In 1998, Mos Def and Talib Kweli released the album "Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star". The LP featured several Hi-Tek beats, and marked the critical breakthrough of all three artists involved.
In 2000, the now-classic debut LP "Train of Thought" hit the stores. The 20 track album featured, among others, De La Soul, Kool G Rap and Xzibit, and received much critical acclaim. It is a very soulful, jazzy and intelligent album, combining a wide variety of lyrical topics, moods and beats.
Following "Train of Thought", both Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek moved on to successful solo-careers. The second Reflection Eternal album, Revolutions per Minute, was released on May 18, 2010.
In This World
Reflection Eternal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's happening to love? (It's that feeling you miss)
I'd like to know (it's that love, it's that passion)
(Tone, they don't get shit like this no more)
Welcome to my longitude and latitude
My attitude is shaping my surroundings
Skyscrapers, public housing
The wolves is howling at the moon
It's tragic how you in the street
'Cause you ain't got no avenues
When it come to rapping, who's the baddest dude?
(In this world)
You still don't get it
This a recession--what recession?
Dog, we been stressing
Shit been a mess and we been dealing with this depression
Since way back, but you ain't got to say that
That's the greatest lesson
Slave to our possessions
Greed the devil favorite weapon
Fight to the death; only the greatest left
(In this world)
Let's get it
[Chorus]
Lordy, lordy, lordy, lord
I been hustling really, really hard
Get up off my ass, start making some moves
Put two and two together, start paying my dues
I got to get up for it, stand up
In this world
If skills sold, truth be told, I'd probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli (Jay-Z)
I get respected by the best emcees
(In this world)
The recipe for my success is
One part pain and suffering
Two parts brains and hustling
Sprinkle it over Hi-Tek production
We bubbling like volcanic eruptions
You better buckle in
Push the panic button
Come get your mama to tuck you in
You know we did like no other did it
(In this world)
You gots to get with it
In this world
What's happening to love?
I'd like to know
[Chorus]
I grab the mic until my hands develop the calluses
My style is bit--I only see myself with John Malkovich
My grind miraculous, rhyme for slums to palaces
Facing all my challengers, raising the black-power fist
Here to eliminate the counterfeit
(In this world)
Add it up it--don't amount to shit
I paid my dues, kept the receipt for taxes
Although we stack it, we stay stuck in the bracket
It's like a straitjacket
My rebel tactics got the planet spinning off its axis
The devil laughing when you lazy; man, get off your ass and
Talent don't mean nothing without all the practice
(In this world)
[Chorus]
"In This World" is a reflective and contemplative song from Reflection Eternal. The lyrics focus on the issues facing society and humanity as a whole. The first verse comments on the urban landscape and the divide between the haves and have-nots. The "running sheep" and "howling wolves" serve as a metaphor for the struggles of people in the inner cities. The second verse is pointed criticism of the current state of the rap game - a powerful message delivered with Kweli's signature style. The chorus then ties it all back to a universal message of personal responsibility and the importance of hard work.
The song is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Kweli speaks from his own experience and his perspective on society as a whole. His message is one of empowerment, encouraging people to take control of their own lives and break free from the constraints that hold them back. It's a powerful message of hope and perseverance that's sure to resonate with many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
In this world (this that feeling)
This world is filled with a certain feeling
What's happening to love? (It's that feeling you miss)
What's happening to the love that we used to feel and miss dearly
I'd like to know (it's that love, it's that passion)
I want to understand and know the love and passion that we once knew
(Tone, they don't get shit like this no more)
This kind of feeling is rare and not found often anymore
Welcome to my longitude and latitude
Welcome to my specific location on the globe
My attitude is shaping my surroundings
My mindset and behavior is influencing the environment I am in
Skyscrapers, public housing
The landscape consists of towering buildings and low-income housing
The sheep is running from the sun
People are afraid of the light and truth
The wolves is howling at the moon
While some people are afraid, others are embracing their wild side
It's tragic how you in the street
It's sad how you are struggling and have nowhere to go
'Cause you ain't got no avenues
Because you have no opportunities or means to improve your situation
When it come to rapping, who's the baddest dude?
When it comes to rhyming, who is the most skilled and impressive?
(In this world)
All of this is happening in the world
You still don't get it
You still don't understand the extent of the issues we're facing
This a recession--what recession?
This is a time of financial hardship, but many deny it and refuse to acknowledge it
Dog, we been stressing
We've been under immense pressure and anxiety
Shit been a mess and we been dealing with this depression
Things have been chaotic, and we've been trying to cope with this state of depression
Since way back, but you ain't got to say that
We've been dealing with these issues for a long time, but it's not necessary to point that out
That's the greatest lesson
The lesson is that we need to overcome adversity and work towards a better future
Slave to our possessions
We are trapped and controlled by our material possessions
Greed the devil favorite weapon
Greed is a powerful tool used by the devil to manipulate and control us
Fight to the death; only the greatest left
Survival of the fittest; only the strongest will survive
(Chorus) Lordy, lordy, lordy, lord
The chorus repeats the phrase 'Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lord' to express desperation and the need for help
I been hustling really, really hard
I've been putting in a lot of hard work and dedication
Get up off my ass, start making some moves
Stop being complacent and start taking action
Put two and two together, start paying my dues
Connect the dots and start holding myself accountable for my actions
I got to get up for it, stand up
I need to rise to the challenge and stand up for myself
(In this world)
All of this is happening in the world
If skills sold, truth be told, I'd probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli (Jay-Z)
If lyrical talent was profitable, the artist believes they would be as successful as Talib Kweli and Jay-Z
I get respected by the best emcees
The most talented rappers acknowledge and admire my skills
The recipe for my success is
The key elements that contribute to my success are
One part pain and suffering
Experiencing hardship and suffering has helped shape my artistry
Two parts brains and hustling
My intellectual capability and hard work has contributed to my success
Sprinkle it over Hi-Tek production
My success has been achieved through Hi-Tek's production and sound quality
We bubbling like volcanic eruptions
I'm rapidly rising in popularity and success
You better buckle in
Get ready for what's to come
Push the panic button
Take action and prepare for the unexpected
Come get your mama to tuck you in
You're not ready for what's to come and need to be comforted
You know we did like no other did it
We've achieved success and created a unique sound unlike any other
(In this world)
All of this is happening in the world
You gots to get with it
You need to catch up with the times and adapt to the world around you
I grab the mic until my hands develop the calluses
I'm dedicated to my craft and willing to put in the hard work and practice to improve
My style is bit--I only see myself with John Malkovich
My artistic vision is unique and unconventional
My grind miraculous, rhyme for slums to palaces
My success has been achieved through hard work, and my music appeals to all walks of life
Facing all my challengers, raising the black-power fist
I'm not afraid to take on my opponents and stand up for my beliefs
Here to eliminate the counterfeit
I'm dedicated to rooting out and exposing the fakes and phonies in the music industry
(In this world)
All of this is happening in the world
Add it up it--don't amount to shit
When you do the math, it doesn't add up to anything significant
I paid my dues, kept the receipt for taxes
I've put in my fair share of hard work and made sure to keep track of it
Although we stack it, we stay stuck in the bracket
Even when we accumulate wealth, we're still confined to our social class and financial bracket
It's like a straitjacket
We're trapped and limited by our financial circumstances
My rebel tactics got the planet spinning off its axis
My provocative and unconventional methods are shaking up the world and causing chaos
The devil laughing when you lazy; man, get off your ass and
The devil enjoys seeing people being unproductive and aimless; it's important to take action and be productive
Talent don't mean nothing without all the practice
Natural talent alone is not enough without hard work and dedication
(Chorus) Lordy, lordy, lordy, lord
The chorus repeats the phrase 'Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, Lord' to express desperation and the need for help
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, ME GUSTA MUSIC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARSHALL B. III MATHERS, TREVOR DANDY, WILLIAM BOOKER WASHINGTON, MICHAEL WAYNE ATHA, JASON P. D. BOYD, KAWAN PRATHER, LUIS EDGARDO RESTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bingly Binglyhhbhb
Can't wait for this album. Hi-Tek's beats have such an organic sound. They were meant for each other
Feelin Nice
Thank you, Pandora, for turning me onto this song. As usual Talib kills it. Grown Folk Rap Music.
216loudsmoke
Powerful lyrics and dope ass production
Ouas Imako
when a song sends chills down your spine from the shear brilliance over the track, that is what the game is missing. Talib and Hi-tek do it again, and Nas and Damien killed it as well.
daniel florio
Haven’t listened to RE II in years until today and I gotta say it’s diff but almost as good as the first. Underrated album.
Mighty Mad
THE JAM OF THE SUMMER - NO DOUBT! The minute I listen to it, I couldn't get it out of my head! TALIB = LYRICAL MASTER.
shelliefosho
will never forget seeing this at audio. talib and hitek KILLED it thank you for one of the best memories!
Keith Saunders
talib kweli is straight epic....and I love that he doesn't care if he's "mainstream"....He's just reppin' true down to earth hip hop...Love it.
il villain
"Here to Eliminate the counterfeit" i still bang this track a year on, still banging the train of thought to be honest. Fire!!!
blakdad
This album is really tight. I really haven't stop bumping it since I got it last May.