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.
Put It In The Air
Talib Kweli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So amazin' (yeah)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down (uh, yeah)
We be blazin' (uh)
So amazin' (come on, uh)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down
New year, new record, time to do bigger shit
Caught a plane to cali linked with my nigga quik
I figure with the combination we bomb the nation but stay calm and patient
As the world get hyped from hearin our musical conversation
This a beautiful situation right here
Given birth on the track cuz the cypher stay pregnant with ideas
And we rockin it - rock, rock, rockin it
Tell the hater players put a sock in it!
Proper shit, that you got to get, cause we properly document
How cats look more like dicks than the washington monument
Validly try to challenge me, but who you racin wit'
It's amazing the lyrical lingerie I be lacin shit, we be blazin it
Put it in the air with the chronic
My lyrics like drugs got you hooked on my phonics
From brooklyn to compton the lounge of soundbombing
Still rockin' over "balance & options," now
If you got a spliff then put it in the air
If you want a rift then put it in the air
If you shakin yo' ass, put it in the air
If you makin it last, put it in the air
If you leave the crib strapped then put it in the air
Take ya hand of your gat and put it in the air
Snook your bud in the club, put it in the air
Got nuttin but love, put it in the air
They say my rhymes is too heavy, I come thicker than the fog
You get it when I retire and battle my catalogue
Writin rhymes in my captain's log, blackstar date
Mc's fake like egyptian gods in +stargate+
Lovin the hate, bubble all types of weight in they rap
I draw blood like mosquitos y'all annoy like gnats
Pop that around the wrong cat get laid flat
Concrete adjust to the contours in your back
Quik where you at?
Yo I'm in the back room makin a run
Ain't even touched her n makin her cum
N you can catch me out in portland with stoudamire
Everybody doin shows but I'm the hottest flyin'
Bitches say honest, I swear to god
So how come then believin them is so damn hard
Could you really blame a nigga if you fucked a skate
You ain't even pay that's why you flunked the date
"all you heard was eat salad, talk shit about niggas and drink wine"
And your answer kept changin cos bitch you keep lyin'
Talkin bout "he make me sick
All he do is disrespect me keep callin me bitch
And he only wanna fuck me when he all for that dough"
What the fuck you think I'm here for not to love you I hope
All I'm bout to do is listen for a minute
While I get my drink in n' introduce you to my dog kweli n go up in it
If you got a spliff then put it in the air
If you want a rift then put it in the air
If you shakin yo' ass, put it in the air
If you makin it last, put it in the air
If you leave the crib strapped then put it in the air
Take ya hand of your gat and put it in the air
Snook your bud in the club, put it in the air
Got nuttin but love, put it in the air
Come on
We be blazin' (come on)
So amazin' (yeah)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down (yeah, come on, yeah)
We be blazin' (uh)
So amazin' (come on, yeah, come on, come on)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down
Now let me tell you how I am
I'm mild-mannered at day but superhero at night
I got the special invite to make your spot look right
No ice, no rain, not bottles of champagne n'
Half these motherfuckers can't pronounce my name
I'm so cool while you hype-r than a coffee shop
Hype niggas make girls be like 'get off me stop'
Real niggas like thirst so of course we rock
Cos the game unorthordox, off top
You got cold feet like I pulled off your socks
Always goin down town pullin all the stops
Your breath smellin like fish from straight off the docks
Dats how you lost your spot
You too hype
If you got a spliff then put it in the air
If you want a rift then put it in the air
If you shakin yo' ass, put it in the air
If you makin it last, put it in the air
If you leave the crib strapped then put it in the air
Take ya hand of your gat and put it in the air
Snook your bud in the club, put it in the air
Got nuttin but love, put it in the air
Yeah
We be blazin' (come on, uh)
So amazin' (yeah, everybody come on)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down (yo, all the people in the house)
We be blazin' (come on yeah)
So amazin' (yeah, come on)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down
Yo, 1, 2, (come on) 1, 2
We be blazin' (come on, yo)
So amazin' (come on get down)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down (yeah, everybody yo)
We be blazin' (light it up, light it up)
So amazin' (yeah, I'm feelin that, come on)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down (yeah)
Yo do that shit
We be blazin' (yeah)
So amazin' (come on get dowwwn, uh)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down (yo, yo do that shit)
We be blazin' (come on, yo)
So amazin' (yeah)
Everybody get down
Everybody get down
In the song "Put it in the Air," Talib Kweli shows off his lyrical prowess while sharing his love for marijuana. The chorus, "If you got a spliff then put it in the air, if you want a rift then put it in the air, if you shakin yo' ass, put it in the air, if you making it last, put it in the air," is a reference to smoking weed while dancing and enjoying life. The song begins with Kweli reflecting on his experiences recording music with various artists, including MC Breed and Rakim. Next, he talks about how he is loving life and the creative process of making music in the studio.
Kweli then goes on to mention that he is like a superhero at night that makes anything he touches "spot on" in terms of production. He speaks about the lack of authenticity in the rap game and how the hype men do not reciprocate the energy that "real" rappers like him put forth. The final verse is about how he and his friends are at the club, with Kweli advising the listeners to smoke, dance, and enjoy themselves. The song's overall message of celebrating life and having a good time is accentuated by the catchy beat and Kweli's tight lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
We be blazin' (uh)
We're smoking weed
So amazin' (yeah)
It's really good weed
Everybody get down
Everyone should smoke with us
Everybody get down (uh, yeah)
This is a party and everyone should join in
New year, new record, time to do bigger shit
It's a new year and we plan to do something big this year
Caught a plane to cali linked with my nigga quik
We went to California to meet up with our friend and collaborator, DJ Quik
I figure with the combination we bomb the nation but stay calm and patient
Together, we can make something great, but we need to take our time and work together
As the world get hyped from hearin our musical conversation
People are getting excited about our music and the conversations we're starting
This a beautiful situation right here
This is a great opportunity for us
Given birth on the track cuz the cypher stay pregnant with ideas
Our creativity flows continuously and we're always coming up with new ideas
And we rockin it - rock, rock, rockin it
We're doing great and having fun
Tell the hater players put a sock in it!
We don't care about the haters - they should just shut up and enjoy the music
Proper shit, that you got to get, cause we properly document
Our music is important and worth paying attention to
How cats look more like dicks than the washington monument
Some people look ridiculous and unimpressive, like a statue that represents a phallic symbol
Validly try to challenge me, but who you racin wit'
People try to challenge me, but they aren't even in the same league as me
It's amazing the lyrical lingerie I be lacin shit, we be blazin it
I'm proud of the clever lyrics I'm creating, and we're still smoking weed
Put it in the air with the chronic
Let's smoke weed together
My lyrics like drugs got you hooked on my phonics
People love my music and are addicted to my style of rapping
From brooklyn to compton the lounge of soundbombing
Our music is appreciated and enjoyed by people from Brooklyn to Compton
Still rockin' over "balance & options," now
We're still performing and promoting the same music from our album "Balance & Options"
If you got a spliff then put it in the air
If you have a joint, smoke it with us
If you want a rift then put it in the air
If you want to have a good time and enjoy our music, join in
If you shakin yo' ass, put it in the air
If you're dancing and having a good time, keep going
If you makin it last, put it in the air
If you're making the party last, keep it going
If you leave the crib strapped then put it in the air
If you're carrying a gun, put it away and enjoy the music
Take ya hand of your gat and put it in the air
Keep your firearms away and enjoy the party
Snook your bud in the club, put it in the air
If you're sneaking in weed, be discreet and enjoy it with us
Got nuttin but love, put it in the air
We're all here for a good time and with good intentions - so let's smoke and party together
They say my rhymes is too heavy, I come thicker than the fog
Some people say my rap is too intense and hard to understand
You get it when I retire and battle my catalogue
You'll only truly appreciate my music when I'm retired and people look back at my career
Writin rhymes in my captain's log, blackstar date
I'm always creating new music and documenting my thoughts and ideas
Mc's fake like egyptian gods in +stargate+
Some rappers are fake and pretentious like the gods in the movie Stargate
Lovin the hate, bubble all types of weight in they rap
I use the hate I receive as fuel to create better and more meaningful music
I draw blood like mosquitos y'all annoy like gnats
My raps pack a punch and are more effective than annoying pests
Pop that around the wrong cat get laid flat
If you mess with the wrong person, you'll get hurt
Concrete adjust to the contours in your back
The hard concrete will mold to your body if you get knocked down
Quik where you at?
Asking where DJ Quik is currently located
Yo I'm in the back room makin a run
DJ Quik is in another room performing live
Ain't even touched her n makin her cum
Quik is performing well without much effort
N you can catch me out in portland with stoudamire
I'm also performing in Portland with NBA star Damon Stoudamire
Bitches say honest, I swear to god
Women say I'm truthful and reliable
So how come then believin them is so damn hard
Despite my reputation, some people still don't believe me
Could you really blame a nigga if you fucked a skate
Can you really be angry at someone for sleeping with a skateboard?
You ain't even pay that's why you flunked the date
You probably didn't even pay for the date and that's why you failed
"all you heard was eat salad, talk shit about niggas and drink wine"
You only heard bad things about me, but it's not true
And your answer kept changin cos bitch you keep lyin'
You're lying and your story keeps changing
Talkin bout "he make me sick
You say I make you feel disgusted
All he do is disrespect me keep callin me bitch
I only disrespect you because you don't respect me and keep calling me names
And he only wanna fuck me when he all for that dough"
You think I only want to have sex with you when I have money
What the fuck you think I'm here for not to love you I hope
I'm not just here for sex - I hope to love and respect you too
All I'm bout to do is listen for a minute
Let me listen to what you have to say
While I get my drink in n' introduce you to my dog kweli n go up in it
Let me finish my drink and then we can have sex
I'm so cool while you hype-r than a coffee shop
I'm calm and collected while you're overly excited
Hype niggas make girls be like 'get off me stop'
Overly excited men can be annoying to women
Real niggas like thirst so of course we rock
Authentic people appreciate a good time and enjoy partying
Cos the game unorthordox, off top
The rap game is unconventional and unpredictable
You got cold feet like I pulled off your socks
You're nervous and uncertain, like when someone pulls off your socks
Always goin down town pullin all the stops
We're going all out and having a great time
Your breath smellin like fish from straight off the docks
Your breath smells bad because you ate fish
Dats how you lost your spot
You lost your place because of your bad breath
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DANIEL JOHNSON, DANIEL ANDREW JOHNSON, ROBERT GALLINARES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind