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.
Old school
Talib Kweli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
MF Doom, Talib Kweli, ah here we go
On born days, I used to blow out the candles and every Saturday
Watch cartoons 'til noon and then I'd switch to Ralph McDaniels
I was, makin up a miracle flow, over a cereal bowl
And a paused beat from my stereo
Rhymes stronger than Popeye with the spinach
Maybe I'm trippin' and it's just a cartoon to you
But I got chills when I heard how Doom flipped the Scooby Doo
And, I might be buggin' but it seem to me
That cartoons be realer than reality TV
They inspire my decision to be open and listen
But folks got it all twisted, like a yoga position
Like, in order to spit it dope, you gotta have a criminal past
That's similar to the cast of Different Strokes
Me and my people break bread, sit and smoke
The conversation rich, but that depend on what you consider broke
I draw on anything for inspiration
A fond memory, a piece of paper, walls in a train station
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
And we'll be right back after these messages
Fellas grab your nutsacs, chicks squeeze your breastesses
We ain't all that grown, it's still funny like
Goin' to the store on your own with rainbow money
Since then had an insane flow sonny
Walkin' to the corner rhymin in the rain, nose runny
Breakdanci'n maybe ten, bummy
Is when Subroc would run up handspring Arabian somee!
Ooh wee, like a Hong Kong Phooey kick
Or a weekend afternoon, karate movie flick
Slept good, no justice, no peace
Woody kept it hoody, never discussed it with police
Shot the fair one nobody ran to get the gat
Or felt they had to put it up in they raps to set it fat
And since when lyrical skills had to do with killin a cat?
What type of chitlins is that?
The Super Villain as the bat, hide your tonic
Whoever willin to ride, provide raw chronic
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
Yeah!
The lyrics of "Old School" by Talib Kweli ft. Danger Doom are heavily influenced by the nostalgic memories of the old school hip-hop era. The song speaks to the simplicity and purity of that time before hip hop became as saturated and commercialized as it is now. In the first verse, Kweli talks about his childhood days, spending hours watching cartoons and rapping over beats from his stereo. He compares the authenticity of cartoons to reality TV, suggesting that cartoons are more realistic because they are not created for the explicit purpose of marketing to an audience. The song emphasizes the importance of unconventional sources of inspiration, rather than focusing solely on money and a criminal record, as is often reinforced in modern day hip-hop.
In the second verse, Danger Doom (a collaboration between producer Danger Mouse and rapper MF Doom) adds to the nostalgia by referencing old school hip-hop icons like Subroc and Woody. He describes the simpler times where people didn't feel compelled to romanticize their criminal records or flaunt their material possessions. He reinforces the idea that creative skill and authenticity are what should distinguish artists in the hip-hop industry, not their willingness to participate in illegal activities.
Overall, "Old School" is a tribute to the origins of hip-hop and a critique of the way it has evolved into a genre that values commercial success over artistic integrity.
Line by Line Meaning
One two three, in the place to be!
Introducing the artists, hyping the crowd
On born days, I used to blow out the candles and every Saturday
As a child, celebrating birthdays and watching Saturday morning cartoons
Watch cartoons 'til noon and then I'd switch to Ralph McDaniels
Switching from cartoons to music video shows
I was, makin up a miracle flow, over a cereal bowl
Writing rhymes while eating breakfast cereal
Rhymes stronger than Popeye with the spinach
Boasting about the strength and power of his lyrics
Yeah I'm gangster like the frog on Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse
Comparing himself to a cartoon character known for being tough
They inspire my decision to be open and listen
Cartoons influencing his openness to new ideas and perspectives
Me and my people break bread, sit and smoke
Sharing food and smoking with friends
The conversation rich, but that depend on what you consider broke
The quality of conversation depends on one's definition of poverty
I draw on anything for inspiration
Finding creative inspiration in anything
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
Embracing traditional hip-hop styles and sounds
Fellas grab your nutsacs, chicks squeeze your breastesses
Making a vulgar joke about gendered body parts
Goin' to the store on your own with rainbow money
Recalling a childhood memory of buying candy with colorful currency
Woody kept it hoody, never discussed it with police
Keeping quiet about illegal activities to avoid trouble with law enforcement
And since when lyrical skills had to do with killin a cat?
Questioning the association between rap skills and violence
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
Reiterating the preference for traditional hip-hop styles
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Daniel Dumile Thompson, Brian Joseph Burton, Talib Kweli, Keith Mansfield
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@misanthropiq3433
[Intro: Talib Kweli]
Lord, I can't take it no' mo'
One two three, in the place to be!
MF DOOM, Talib Kweli, ah here we go
[Verse 1: Talib Kweli]
On born days, I used to blow out the candles; and every Saturday
Watch cartoons 'til noon and then I'd switch to Ralph McDaniels
I was, makin up a miracle flow, over a cereal bowl
And a pause beat from my stereo
Rhymes stronger than Popeye with the spinach out
I'm gangster like the frog on Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse
Maybe I'm trippin and it's just a cartoon to you
But I got chills when I heard how DOOM flipped the Scooby Doo
And I might be buggin but it seem to me
That cartoons be realer than reality TV
They inspire my decision to be open and listen
But folks got it all twisted, like a yoga position
Like in order to spit it dope, you gotta have a criminal past
That's similar to the cast of Different Strokes
Me and my people break bread, sit and smoke
The conversation rich but that depend on what you consider broke
I draw on anything for inspiration
A fond memory, a piece of paper, walls in a train station
[Chorus: Talib Kweli]
It's just that I'm old school like that
Roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that
Roll that rap over soul loops like that
(I'm old school y'all, keep it goin y'all) It's just that I'm old school like that
(I keep it goin y'all, here we go, we'll see) Roll that rap over soul loops like that
(I'm old school y'all, keep it goin y'all) It's just that I'm old school like that
(Keep it goin y'all, ah here we go, c'mon) Roll that rap over soul loops like that
Yeah!
[Verse 2: MF DOOM]
And we'll be right back after these messages
Fellas grab your nutsacks, chicks squeeze your breastesses
We ain't all that grown, it's still funny like
Goin to the store on your own with rainbow money
Since then had an insane flow sonny
Walkin to the corner rhymin in the rain, nose runny
Breakdancin maybe ten, bummy
Is when Subroc would run up handspring Arabian somee!
Ooh wee, like a Hong Kong Phooey kick
Or a weekend afternoon, karate movie flick
Slept good, no justice, no peace
Woody kept it hoody, never discussed it with police
Shot the fair one nobody ran to get the gat
Or felt they had to put it up in they raps to set it fat
And since when lyrical skills had to do with killin a cat?
What type of chitlins is that?
The Super Villain has the bad hydrotonic
Whoever willin to ride, provide raw chronic
[Chorus: Talib Kweli]
It's just that I'm old school like that
Roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that
Roll that rap over soul loops like that
(I'm old school y'all, keep it goin y'all) It's just that I'm old school like that
(I keep it goin y'all, here we go, we'll see) Roll that rap over soul loops like that
(I'm old school y'all, keep it goin y'all) It's just that I'm old school like that
(Keep it goin y'all, ah here we go, c'mon) Roll that rap over soul loops like that
Yeah!
@theboredfella9429
One two three, in the place to be!
MF Doom, Talib Kweli, ah here we go
On born days, I used to blow out the candles; and every Saturday
Watch cartoons 'til noon and then I'd switch to Ralph McDaniels
I was, makin up a miracle flow, over a cereal bowl
And a paused beat from my stereo
Rhymes stronger than Popeye with the spinach
Yeah I'm gangster like the frog on Courageous Cat and Minute Mouse
Maybe I'm trippin and it's just a cartoon to you
But I got chills when I heard how Doom flipped the Scooby Doo
And, I might be buggin but it seem to me
That cartoons be realer than reality TV
They inspire my decision to be open and listen
But folks got it all twisted, like a yoga position
Like, in order to spit it dope, you gotta have a criminal past
That's similar to the cast of Different Strokes
Me and my people break bread, sit and smoke
The conversation rich, but that depend on what you consider broke
I draw on anything for inspiration
A fond memory, a piece of paper, walls in a train station
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
(I'm old school y'all, yes y'all, I keep it goin y'all, here we go)
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
(I'm old school y'all, keep it goin y'all, keep it goin y'all)
It's just that I'm old school like that, roll that rap over soul loops like that
(Ah here we go, c'mon)
And we'll be right back after these messages
Fellas grab your nutsacs, chicks squeeze your breastesses
We ain't all that grown, it's still funny like
Goin to the store on your own with rainbow money
Since then had an insane flow sonny
Walkin to the corner rhymin in the rain, nose runny
Breakdancin maybe ten, bummy
Is when Subroc would run up handspring Arabian somee!
Ooh wee, like a Hong Kong Phooey kick
Or a weekend afternoon, karate movie flick
Slept good, no justice, no peace
Woody kept it hoody, never discussed it with police
Shot the fair one nobody ran to get the gat
Or felt they had to put it up in they raps to set it fat
And since when lyrical skills had to do with killin a cat?
What type of chitlins is that?
The Super Villain as the bat, hide your tonic
Whoever willin to ride, provide raw chronic
Yeah!
Rest east doom
@TrueTrife
...i remember Adult Swim advertised the hell outta this album..I bought it the day after it came out and played the entire album on repeat the whole day, love this album.
@halal861
RIP #MFDOOM it's sad ☹
🙏🤲🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿
" The Best MC with no chain you ever heard "
@nuggnugg2081
CARTOONS BE REALER THAN REALITY TV. HOW TRUE.
@wbip4879
Kweli and DOOM are great together, I wish DOOM would collab with Mos Def as well.
@thedrewdog
Rest in Peace MF DOOM..damn.
@perrydimes6915
rip to the goat man
@mkadoza
Jesus. Proof positive that Talib is one of the top 20 lyrics if all time, dead or alive, maybe top ten. His flow, diction, cadence, styles, topical depth, imagery, metaphors are all exemplary. He's one of the rappers that should be studied in classes. And if you have a question about how I feel about Vic Vaughn, gtfo yo. Hes an unquestioned god.
@56postoffice
Cool Keith. The Living Tribunal of Rappers. End of.
@PM-kx7cz
This comment aged like fine wine
@jjpc225
@@PM-kx7cz not really lol As good as a lyricists he is he is such a nuisance on social media I just keep reminding myself I love this song so much though. Respect