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.
Music
Talib Kweli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My crew take of your bodies
The more the merrier
Point and spray the area
Niggas is quick to bury you
Punk niggas feel inferior
Guns make us superior
Cats start acting scarier
You know who killing it,
Niggas saying they militant
The only blood in the street
Is when the government spilling it
You could have a hand gun or a cannon
And you still
Without the knowledge and wisdom
And understanding of
A 22 derringer
A 38 long
A 44 desert eagle
A Glock Nine
Time to protect the fam I'm a cock mine
I make the streets run red
Like a stop sign stop lying
Co Coi Coi Clak Clak Clak Clak Clak
Gun man music never take shot back (oh!)
Co Coi Coi Clak Clak Clak Clak Clak (Come On)
Ghetto Red Hot 'round the world you hear that (oh oh oh come on)
Co Coi Coi Clack Clak Clak Clak Clak
Gun man youth never take shot back (Yes!)(Brooklyn)
Co Coi Coi Clak Clak Clak Clak Clak
Ghetto red hot 'round the world you hear that
In Jamaica (Kingston)
In Brooklyn (Flatbush)
In Ethiopia (Yep)
We Go There and Back (Come On)
To all my real live soldier cats where you at
Dogs don't hold them back
Those the cats that go to strapped to blow a back
You could be whoever
A black panther or lap dancer
When respect is the question
Folks coming with the gat answer
Shoot at your feet like spider, you a tap dancer
What am I amusing to you?
You better have that answer
Toys for guns, I got guns for toys
Silencers bring the heat without bringing the noise
Bringing the funk of dead bodies
Go ahead bring in your boys
You'll see the soul of black folk like W.E.B DuBois
Israelis got tanks and Palestinians got rocks
Inmates got shanks and dirty cops they got glocks
We got tribes in Africa that listen to Pac
Fighting with brothers who pump Biggie
Like they live on the block
Co Coi Coi Clak Clak Clak Clak Clak
Gun man music never take shot back (oh!)
Co Coi Coi Clak Clak Clak Clak Clak (Come On)
Ghetto Red Hot 'round the world you hear that (oh oh oh come on)
Co Coi Coi Clack Clak Clak Clak Clak
Gun man youth never take shot back (Yes!)(Brooklyn)
Co Coi Coi Clak Clak Clak Clak Clak
Ghetto red hot 'round the world you hear that
In Jamaica (Kingston)
In Brooklyn (Flatbush)
In Ethiopia (Yep)
We Go There and Back (Come On)
To all my real live soldier cats where you at
Dogs don't hold them back
Those the cats that go to strapped to blow a back
These are the tools of the trade
That we use to get paid
When we cruise on escapades
And escalades with guns to blaze
We been this ways since the younger days
Safe from the hunger pains
Pop Bang when the trouble came
Pioneers of gun slang
Supply you with them things
A little something, something
Set fire to the game
My system be thumping
Co Coi Coi! the sounds of guns busting
Co Coi Coi! your heart just start pumping
From a 22 derringer
A 38 long
A 44 desert eagle, a glock 9
Time to protect the fam I 'ma cock mine
I make the streets run red
Like a stop sign stop lying
Gun Music y'all
The lyrics to Talib Kweli's song "Gun Music" espouse the belief that guns make a person superior and that they are necessary for protection. The verses are a commentary on the idea that people resort to violence and guns to maintain a sense of power and control. The chorus encourages listeners to embrace "gun man music" and not back down from conflict.
Kweli emphasizes the futility of using guns to solve problems, questioning the value of "militancy" and its consequences. He muses on the irony of there only being "blood in the streets" when the government is involved in a violent incident. Regardless of the kind of gun one has, Kweli suggests that without "knowledge and wisdom" to accompany it, a gun is nothing more than a false sense of security.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, If I'm out of town
If I'm not present, my crew will take care of business.
My crew take of your bodies
My crew is capable of causing harm to others.
The more the merrier
Having more people around to commit violent acts is preferable.
Point and spray the area
Shooting indiscriminately is an acceptable mode of attack.
Niggas is quick to bury you
People will dispose of the bodies of those they have killed.
Punk niggas feel inferior
Those without guns are seen as inferior.
Guns make us superior
Holding a weapon makes one feel powerful.
Cats start acting scarier
People with guns become more aggressive and intimidating.
Situations get hairier, yo
Violent situations become more intense and dangerous.
You know who killing it,
Violence is being perpetrated, and everyone knows who is responsible.
Niggas saying they militant
People are laying claim to being military or violent.
The only blood in the street
The government is the only one allowed to use violence on the street.
Is when the government spilling it
Any bloodshed by regular citizens is not tolerated.
You could have a hand gun or a cannon
Any type of gun is equally effective for causing harm.
And you still
Regardless of the type of gun...
Without the knowledge and wisdom
...without the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of using a gun...
And understanding of
...and taking into account...
A 22 derringer
...with a small gun...
A 38 long
...with a medium-sized gun...
A 44 desert eagle
...with a larger gun...
A Glock Nine
...with a powerful and reliable gun...
Time to protect the fam I'm a cock mine
It's time to protect my family, so I'll prepare my gun for use.
I make the streets run red
I'll cause violence and bloodshed on the streets.
Like a stop sign stop lying
Stop lying and admit that violence is often necessary.
Co Coi Coi Clak Clak Clak Clak Clak
The sound of gunfire.
Gun man music never take shot back (oh!)
Gun violence is often one-sided and not retaliated against.
Ghetto Red Hot 'round the world you hear that (oh oh oh come on)
Gun violence is prevalent in many areas around the world, especially in areas with poverty.
Gun man youth never take shot back (Yes!)(Brooklyn)
Young people involved in gun violence often don't fear retaliation.
Ghetto red hot 'round the world you hear that
Violence is a common occurrence in impoverished areas.
In Jamaica (Kingston)
Violence is prevalent in many areas of Jamaica, such as Kingston.
In Brooklyn (Flatbush)
Brooklyn, especially Flatbush, is an area with high instances of gun violence.
In Ethiopia (Yep)
Violence is not limited to any one area, even in countries like Ethiopia.
We Go There and Back (Come On)
Violence is an unfortunate reality that occurs everywhere.
To all my real live soldier cats where you at
To all those involved in violence, where are you?
Dogs don't hold them back
No one is holding back those who participate in violence.
Those the cats that go to strapped to blow a back
Those who carry guns are often willing to use them to cause harm.
You could be whoever
Anyone can be involved in gun violence.
A black panther or lap dancer
Even someone who appears non-threatening can participate in violence.
When respect is the question
Guns are often used to gain respect from others.
Folks coming with the gat answer
People often use guns to answer questions or challenges.
Shoot at your feet like spider, you a tap dancer
Guns are often used to intimidate and threaten others.
What am I amusing to you?
Is the idea of gun violence amusing to you?
You better have that answer
Be prepared to explain your thoughts on gun violence.
Toys for guns, I got guns for toys
Guns are not seen as dangerous, but rather as toys or tools.
Silencers bring the heat without bringing the noise
Silencers make guns quieter, but the violence is still intense.
Bringing the funk of dead bodies
Violence is a grotesque reality.
Go ahead bring in your boys
Bringing more people to violence is encouraged.
You'll see the soul of black folk like W.E.B DuBois
The violence and suffering of black people is a common theme.
Israelis got tanks and Palestinians got rocks
Violence is present in conflicts all around the world.
Inmates got shanks and dirty cops they got glocks
Even those involved in the criminal justice system are not immune from participating in violence.
We got tribes in Africa that listen to Pac
Rap and hip hop are often listened to by those involved in violence.
Fighting with brothers who pump Biggie
Violence is often seen as a way to demonstrate loyalty to certain artists or communities.
These are the tools of the trade
Guns are seen as tools for making a living through violence.
That we use to get paid
Participating in violence is a source of income for some.
When we cruise on escapades
Violence is often a way to break up the monotony or boredom of life.
And escalades with guns to blaze
Cars can be used as a means of traveling to commit acts of violence.
We been this ways since the younger days
Violence has been a part of our lives since we were young.
Safe from the hunger pains
Violence can sometimes be a way to get food and resources.
Pop Bang when the trouble came
Guns are often used to deal with problems or conflicts.
Pioneers of gun slang
Creating new language to describe guns and violence.
Supply you with them things
Providing guns to those who want and need them.
A little something, something
Guns are often seen as something small or insignificant, despite their violent potential.
Set fire to the game
Violence is a way to shake up the power dynamic and gain respect.
My system be thumping
The adrenaline and excitement from participating in violence is addictive.
Co Coi Coi! the sounds of guns busting
The sound of gunfire.
Co Coi Coi! your heart just start pumping
Hearing the sound of gunfire can be both exciting and frightening.
Gun Music y'all
This song is all about celebrating and promoting gun violence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DARRELL A. JR. YATES, DORSEY WESLEY, TALIB KWELI GREENE, TEKOMIN B. WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tupacsnosering992
Naah the beat is Hip hop
Talib is on some poetry shit
RAP stands for rhythm & Poetry !!!
The song starts off Wit him rapping
then on the 2nd verse he falls off flow and starts doing more spoken word poetry lol
It’s kool but ehhh talib be losing me wit all that poetry wale shit.
@EMerdelac
When I'm low and out of focus I always come back to this. It's become a mantra -
This morning, I woke up
Feeling brand new, I jumped up
Feeling my highs and my lows
In my soul and my goals
Just to stop smokin', and stop drinkin'
And I've been thinkin, I've got my reasons
Just to get by
Song is a gift from God.
@dam419
One of the coldest Kanye beats bruh...EVER
@pragmatic1ultramagnetic202
This is his best beat by far.
@SmokeScreensEmerge
That Kanye died a long time ago. Now he's just a confused mess
@EricG-bv2ui
+Pragmatic1 Ultramagnetic...... that's a big debate. He has some big beats with Common, Jay Z & Common just to name a few.
@pragmatic1ultramagnetic202
Eric G To me it's his best. I searched for it for ages.
@EricG-bv2ui
***** lucky you that you were able to pick one. I have a few songs I can't decide in my head which one is better.
@menik6575
"Even when the condition is critical, when the living is miserable, your position is pivotal." That line hit my heart bad.
@weedaq
yep
@palestar55
@@weedaq ikr
@Starboy-le3pq
True lyrical shit brutha man