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.
Soon The New Day
Talib Kweli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, here we go like
Yes yes ya'll
To the beat ya'll
Ain't no sleep ya'll
To the break of dawn
Five o'clock in the morn'
The workin' people runnin' like the stop clock is on
We got it poppin' in the meat market
Chicks take a seat, park it
By the bar so they can meet the vic with deep pockets
And them dudes buy them cars and turn 'em in to sweet objects of desire
Big rims and them tires
We finna drop it like it's heavy as hell
The Clan of the Cavebear
Used to use the club to hit and drag her by the hair
Still use the club to get her a martini or a beer
Try to get her home and put the smell of sex in the air
Come through like the Cable Guy
Get 'er done
That 'ole hit 'n run, turn 'em into bitter ones
Tonight is catch me if you can
You can taste the ginger bread
Ain't nothin' like wakin' up with a stranger in your bed, nope
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Tomorrow I'll be like, where am I? What's your name?
Gotta go, I'm glad you came
But tonight you will be so fun
Maybe you're the one
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Putting on some Airs
King For a Day
Hard to face your fears we wear the mask like Claude McKay
You have a ball today
It's all a masquerade
Shorty paint her face like a clown but can't take away the frown
Found under the make-up
I asked her, what's your passion
Answered, what's the paper, she sleepin' and they don't want her to wake up
Maybe then she'll realize her own beauty
Baby, you a star and not just a star on some dude's home movies
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Tomorrow I'll be like, where am I? What's your name?
Gotta go, I'm glad you came
But tonight you will be so fun
Baby you're the one
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Yeah, steppin' out, I got my best outfit on
Gotta get it in
I'm slippin' in the darkness like most of the day is gone
We up all night I wonder if you can hang
We used to hang from a tree, now we hang behind the rope, we V.I.p
We do it B.I.g
Ain't no need to see I.D
The entire scenery shrouded in mystery
Clouded with greenery
Six girls to every three dudes
So you have half a chance if you ask to have a dance
The ones ready to freak off don't need no romance
They belong to the sisterhood of the traveling pants
They got them hungry eyes you know sensual trance
At a glance the alcohol got you sexually advanced
The truth is so boring you gotta pretend a little
The antidote is more colorful the rainbow that end in Skittles
And the quest to trap the cat
The game is your Tender Vittles to get the boost to say the sky's fallin'
Like you Chicken Little, come on
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Tomorrow I'll be like, where am I? What's your name?
Gotta go, I'm glad you came
But tonight you will be so fun
Maybe you're the one
Soon the new day (c'mon) breaks the dawn, uh
(Mmh) but tonight you could be so fun
Ooh
Ohh
(Ohh) soon the new day breaks the dawn
But tonight you will be so fun
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
The lyrics of Talib Kweli's "Soon The New Day" describe the excitement and thrill of a night out, with the dawn of the new day symbolizing the end of the fun and the return to reality. Kweli paints a vivid picture of the scene, describing the club, the people, and the nature of the interactions. He touches on the excess and materialism of the scene, with references to luxury cars and expensive drinks. However, he also acknowledges the inner struggles and masks that people wear, epitomized by the woman who paints her face like a clown to hide her true pain. The chorus repeats the phrase "soon the new day breaks the dawn" which adds to the idea that the night is temporary, and that the fun is fleeting.
The song is emblematic of Talib Kweli's hip-hop style, with intricate lyrics, dense vocabulary, and a strong rhythm. It showcases his ability to observe the world around him and capture it in his music. The presence of Norah Jones adds a layer of mellowness to the song, which contrasts with the fast-paced rap verses. The song is not just about partying; it also has a deeper message about the human condition, with a focus on the challenges of balancing our desire for pleasure and material gain with our need for genuine human connection and meaning.
Overall, "Soon The New Day" is a thoughtful and contemplative piece of hip-hop that encapsulates the experience of a night out, while also delving deeper into the complexity of human nature and the relationships we form.
Line by Line Meaning
And nature's game once more begins
The start of a new day is like nature's game beginning again
Yeah, here we go like
Let's go, we're starting
Yes yes ya'll
Affirming agreement and excitement
To the beat ya'll
Dancing to the music
Ain't no sleep ya'll
No need to sleep, it's time to party
To the break of dawn
We're going to party until the sun comes up
Five o'clock in the morn'
It's already 5 AM
We keep rockin' on
We're still partying hard
The workin' people runnin' like the stop clock is on
People are working hard all day, every day
We got it poppin' in the meat market
Having a good time at the club
Chicks take a seat, park it
Women are sitting and waiting at the club
By the bar so they can meet the vic with deep pockets
Women are looking to meet a wealthy man
And them dudes buy them cars and turn 'em in to sweet objects of desire
Men buy cars to impress women
Big rims and them tires
Upgrading your car's wheels is a sign of wealth
We finna drop it like it's heavy as hell
We're going to party hard like there's no tomorrow
The Clan of the Cavebear
Refers to a novel about prehistoric humans
Used to use the club to hit and drag her by the hair
Men used to be violent towards women in the past
Still use the club to get her a martini or a beer
Men use their charm to get women to buy them drinks
Try to get her home and put the smell of sex in the air
Men are trying to seduce women
Come through like the Cable Guy
Similar to Jim Carrey's character in the movie Cable Guy
Get 'er done
Finish what you're doing
That 'ole hit 'n run, turn 'em into bitter ones
Men often use women for one night stands which can leave them feeling bitter
Tonight is catch me if you can
Tonighy's the night to have fun and not worry about tomorrow
You can taste the ginger bread
Everything is sweet and fun
Ain't nothin' like wakin' up with a stranger in your bed, nope
Having a one night stand can be exciting but also dangerous and regrettable
Putting on some Airs
Acting confident or aloof
King For a Day
Feeling powerful and in control
Hard to face your fears we wear the mask like Claude McKay
We try to hide our emotions and fears
You have a ball today
Enjoy your life
It's all a masquerade
We're pretending to be someone we're not
Shorty paint her face like a clown but can't take away the frown
People may try to hide their emotions with makeup but the sadness remains
Found under the make-up
Sadness or truth can be found beneath someone's facade
I asked her, what's your passion
Asking someone what they're interested in
Answered, what's the paper, she sleepin' and they don't want her to wake up
She's focused on making money but maybe she's ignoring other aspects of her life
Maybe then she'll realize her own beauty
She hasn't realized her self-worth yet
Baby, you a star and not just a star on some dude's home movies
You are important and valuable
Yeah, steppin' out, I got my best outfit on
Going out with style and looking your best
Gotta get it in
Time to have some fun
I'm slippin' in the darkness like most of the day is gone
Time seems to be passing quickly and we don't realize how much of it has gone by
We up all night I wonder if you can hang
We're going to be partying all night long
We used to hang from a tree, now we hang behind the rope, we V.I.p
Referring to the history of slavery and how now there are some opportunities for black people to be VIPs
We do it B.I.g
We do it big
Ain't no need to see I.D
Don't need to check anyone's ID, we're all here to have fun
The entire scenery shrouded in mystery
The environment seems unfamiliar and exciting
Clouded with greenery
Surrounded by lush green plants
Six girls to every three dudes
There are twice as many women as there are men
So you have half a chance if you ask to have a dance
You might be able to get a dance partner
The ones ready to freak off don't need no romance
Some people are just interested in hookups rather than relationships
They belong to the sisterhood of the traveling pants
Referring to a novel and movie about female friendships
They got them hungry eyes you know sensual trance
The women are looking for someone to hook up with
At a glance the alcohol got you sexually advanced
Alcohol can make you feel more confident and sexual
The truth is so boring you gotta pretend a little
Sometimes it's fun to pretend and be someone you're not
The antidote is more colorful the rainbow that end in Skittles
Having fun and being yourself is the cure for boredom
And the quest to trap the cat
Trying to get someone to like you
The game is your Tender Vittles to get the boost to say the sky's fallin'
Referring to a commercial about cat food, saying that the game is to gain confidence
Like you Chicken Little, come on
Don't panic or worry unnecessarily
Yeah, but tonight you could be so fun
Everyone can have an exciting time tonight
Ooh
Expressing excitement and anticipation
Ohh
Expressing pleasure or comfort
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Morning is approaching
But tonight you will be so fun
Everyone is going to have a great time tonight
Maybe you're the one
Maybe you'll find the perfect person tonight
Soon the new day (c'mon) breaks the dawn, uh
Morning is coming soon
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Morning is approaching
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Morning is approaching
Soon the new day breaks the dawn
Morning is approaching
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Charles, John Mason, Talib Kweli Greene, Otis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind