His name is Arabic, meaning 'the seeker' or 'student of truth and knowledge'. His parents were both college professors: his mother an English professor, his father a sociology professor. As a youth, he was drawn to Afrocentric rappers, such as De La Soul and other members of the Native Tongues Posse and in 1995 began recording with producer Hi-Tek and rapper Mos Def who he met at central park, and later attended New York University with. With Mos Def (together the pair were known as Black Star), Kweli achieved some mainstream success with Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998). Also noted are Kweli and Mos' central input on Rawkus Records' compilation album Soundbombing (1997). Soundbombing also include collaborations between Kweli and DJ Hi Tek as Reflection Eternal. Together they released Train of Thought in 2000, which sold better than most alternative hip hop albums at the time. He has since released a critically acclaimed solo debut, Quality in 2002. In 2004, he released his second solo album, The Beautiful Struggle. His third solo album Ear Drum was released on August 21st, 2007.
Kweli has created his own record label, Blacksmith Records and has recently signed acclaimed female rapper Jean Grae, with rumors continuing to grow that underground veteran MF Doom is the next artist to be picked up. He left Geffen Records and has signed with the Warner Music Group.
He has since broken through slightly more towards the mainstream, thanks in large part to several appearance on the comedy show Chappelle's Show, both solo and with long-time collaborator Mos Def, this is due to a friendship between the host and creator of the show, comedian Dave Chappelle and the rapper. He also had a guest spot on friend and frequent collaborator Kanye West's widely successful debut album The College Dropout on the track "Get 'Em High". West has also produced some of Kweli's songs, including his biggest commercial hit "Get By". Kweli can also be seen in a commercial for the NCAA's Big Ten Conference, rapping about the league's basketball teams. Talib Kweli provided the voice for the main character, Trane, in the video game Marc Ecko's Getting Up, released in 2006.
Broken Glass
Talib Kweli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ask her why she crying, she wanna live, she got no time for dying
Was a science, dreams too big for a small town
She gotta get to new york and watch a door fall down
Hopped off the greyhound, gotta make her way now
She sleeping on the park benches in the playground
But cash burn quick, don't wanna have to turn trick
Ready to quit 'til she met the super pimp
She quick to hop up on his dick straight hoopie style
She let the fella hit but she sang she sell-a-bit
He ain't buying that, she ain't selling it
She looking for love in all of the above
Believing videos, trying to back up all on a thug
Who wanna put it in her, withdraw like a citi card
But now she shake that ass for tips at the titty bar
Broken glass everywhere!
Louder than a bomb shattered in in the air
Try to hold back your tears baby!
Wait a second, what happens here baby?
Broken glass everywhere!
Louder than a bomb shattered in in the air, yeah
(How many of y'all think you can do what we do)
Yeah! wait a second (one! two! three! c'mon!)
Dreams shattered like broken glass
Press ignore it and your hopes get broken fast
You complain for the life you supposed to have
But when you try to make plans, god is known to laugh
Throw a song on the phonograph, and lucy start wilin
The trick start smiling, watch the loot start flying
The gucci start pilling up, she live designer plush
Start lining up the coke so she could find a rush
Time's up, she's about to turn 33
Her shit started to sag, she got surgery
Now cats are used to drive past her like a church van
Acting on thirst, 'she wants to move' like a n.e.r.d. fan
Bigger house, 10,000 dollar purse fam
She let you in, she wanted rent by the 1st man
She the ring leader in a clique of birds
And they shadowy, like the silhouette behind the curtain
Broken glass everywhere!
Louder than a bomb shattered in in the air
Try to hold back your tears baby!
Wait a second, what happens here baby?
Broken glass everywhere!
Louder than a bomb shattered in in the air, yeah
(How many of y'all think you can do what we do)
Yeah! wait a second (one! two! three! c'mon!)
She was a small city girl with big city dreams
Niggas try to figure how to get up in them jeans
Put her in them scenes, get her on the team
Hit her wit the cream 'til they figured out the schemes
Now she all up in the club looking for a new love
Really like huey lewis looking for a new drug
Cause coke's getting old, started free basing
Graduated to crack, smack on occasion
Not catching the bus, but back at the station
Back and forth pacing, acting all impatient
Last hundred dollars, she got to 'get by'
Now gotta make a choice, go home or get high
Mommy and daddy miss her, she left for the fame
Now what's left is the dirt that's thrown on her name
She need a ticket home if it's the right course
Instead she bought a ticket to ride the white horse
Broken glass everywhere!
Louder than a bomb shattered in in the air
Try to hold back your tears baby!
Wait a second, what happens here baby?
Broken glass everywhere!
Louder than a bomb shattered in in the air, yeah
(How many of y'all think you can do what we do)
Yeah! wait a second (one! two! three! c'mon!)
In Talib Kweli's song "Broken Glass," we meet Lucy, a small-town girl with big dreams who sets off to New York City to make a name for herself. She falls on hard times and ends up sleeping on park benches in playgrounds. She gets desperate for money and meets a "super pimp" who takes advantage of her. She remains naive and looks for love in all the wrong places, chasing after thugs who couldn't care less about her. The song explores the idea of shattered dreams and how sometimes, despite our best efforts, life can be difficult to navigate. The chorus is a reflection of the brokenness of her life, the shattered expectations and relationships she has experienced.
The song is a commentary on the dangers of the fast life, where people chase after fame and fortune at all costs, even if it means compromising their own values and self-worth. Lucy's story is a cautionary tale, a warning to others not to fall into the same traps.
Line by Line Meaning
This the story of lucy in the sky with diamonds
The song is about a woman named Lucy who is on a journey to fulfill her dreams.
Ask her why she crying, she wanna live, she got no time for dying
Lucy wants to live life to the fullest, and she's determined to do so despite any setbacks or struggles she may face.
Was a science, dreams too big for a small town
Lucy's dreams were too big for her hometown, and she had to leave in order to pursue them.
She gotta get to new york and watch a door fall down
New York represents the threshold of success for Lucy. She is determined to get there and break down the barriers to achieving her dreams.
Hopped off the greyhound, gotta make her way now
Lucy has left her hometown and is now working hard to achieve her goals in a new place.
She sleeping on the park benches in the playground
Lucy is struggling financially and has to resort to sleeping in public places.
But cash burn quick, don't wanna have to turn trick
Lucy is afraid of becoming a sex worker to sustain herself, but she also knows that money runs out quickly.
Ready to quit 'til she met the super pimp
Lucy meets a powerful and charismatic pimp who offers a way to make a lot of money quickly.
Flashing his toothy smile that drove little lucy wild
The pimp's charm is attractive to Lucy, who is desperate for financial support.
She quick to hop up on his dick straight hoopie style
Lucy engages in sex work with the pimp in order to make money quickly.
She let the fella hit but she sang she sell-a-bit
Lucy claims that she only engages in sex work occasionally and doesn't consider herself a full-time sex worker.
He ain't buying that, she ain't selling it
The pimp knows that Lucy is really engaging in sex work more frequently than she admits, but he is still willing to work with her.
She looking for love in all of the above
Lucy is searching for love and acceptance and believes that she might find it through sex work or relationships with men who are wealthy and powerful.
Believing videos, trying to back up all on a thug
Lucy is influenced by music videos and other media that portray a glamorous lifestyle associated with criminal activity.
Who wanna put it in her, withdraw like a citi card
Lucy engages in sex work with men who only want to use her services temporarily, like using a credit card and then immediately withdrawing from the card.
But now she shake that ass for tips at the titty bar
Lucy is now working as a stripper and is still trying to make enough money to support herself.
Dreams shattered like broken glass
Lucy is no longer able to achieve her dreams in the same way that she once could, and she feels that they have been broken like glass.
Press ignore it and your hopes get broken fast
Ignoring the fact that your dreams are no longer possible can lead to disappointment and feelings of brokenness.
You complain for the life you supposed to have
Sometimes people focus too much on what they feel they are entitled to in life rather than being grateful for what they do have.
But when you try to make plans, god is known to laugh
Sometimes life doesn't go according to our plans, and it's important to remember that we don't always have control over what happens.
Throw a song on the phonograph, and lucy start wilin
Listening to music can bring joy and excitement to life, which for Lucy is a temporary escape from the struggles she faces.
The trick start smiling, watch the loot start flying
Lucy's customers are pleased with her performance and begin to generously give her money.
The gucci start pilling up, she live designer plush
Lucy is finally able to afford expensive luxury items that she has always dreamed of having.
Start lining up the coke so she could find a rush
Lucy begins to use drugs as a way to cope with her lifestyle and numb the pain of her struggles.
Time's up, she's about to turn 33
Lucy is getting older and time is running out for her to achieve her dreams.
Her shit started to sag, she got surgery
Lucy has cosmetic surgery to try to maintain her appearance and continue to attract wealthy clients.
Now cats are used to drive past her like a church van
Lucy is no longer as attractive or desirable as she once was, and people no longer give her attention or money like they used to.
Acting on thirst, 'she wants to move' like a n.e.r.d. fan
Lucy is desperate to change her circumstances and is willing to do anything to do so, just like a fan of the hip-hop group N.E.R.D who are known for their upbeat and energetic music.
Bigger house, 10,000 dollar purse fam
Lucy is still focused on material possessions as a way to find happiness and fulfillment.
She let you in, she wanted rent by the 1st man
Lucy engages in relationships with men in order to get money from them, often telling them what they want to hear in order to maintain the relationship.
She the ring leader in a clique of birds
Lucy surrounds herself with other women who are in similar situations as herself, and they all look up to her as a leader.
And they shadowy, like the silhouette behind the curtain
Lucy and her friends often operate in the shadows, doing things that are seen as taboo or illegal.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHARRELL WILLIAMS, CHAD HUGO, TALIB KWELI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jamie Robert
One of the best tracks on the album
Flowco
Unbelievable, 228 views... Really??
And no dislikes... that must mean that this one track is also shielded from the mainstream.
So for those who stumble up on this track,
Welcome to the Underground
Mateo Crespo
A Neptunes produced track yeah I'm underground
DarkwingDuck1818
FINALLY found this on YT after so many years and failed searches
JacquieSays
I've been looking for this song online for years, the one I found around 09 vanished so thank you!
Lucy Ashurst
Took me this long 🥰🙈
RICK DA RULER
Pure genius
Gavin C. Morrison
IM SO THANKFULL FOR MY POPS - but also dad i .. why were you letting me listen to this? im not mad - but i REALLY wasnt ready
Szabolcs Szigligeti
BEST SONG IN SOLAR SYSTEM
Charles
🖖🏼