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.
The Time Is Now
Talib Kweli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The crowd is tight, the lab ac' ain't workin' right
But I'ma get it done, even if we gotta fight
I ain't goin out like that, no not tonight
Yo let me get a mic check
This my prayer for y'all niggas 'cause the game ain't got no life left
Came in with Mos Def and Hi-Tek
And that's my family dawg, they might catch the last gasp of my breath
My mind into real estate like a bigger villa
Your rhymes are cheaper than gas in Jersey
Before you leave the state you know you got to fill up
Matter fact, put your schwag back, 'cause I got the realest
If not the killer then I ain't smokin'
I'm not buyin off the street or be askin 'em what kind you growin'
You can't flush it is 'cause the kind is floatin'
Kids be eyein' totin' open defyin', mothers that's cryin' oceans
It's Sin City without the Clive Owen
I keep it fresh, these rappers staler than a big of chips you findin' open
Let's take our time and, have a silent moment
It's like I'm jokin', I get 'em open like multiple lines are snorted
They snortin' I'm spittin flames, nigga the flow'll blowtorch ya
I'm on fire so they always try to put me out
Flatbush all day but they don't know what my hood about
I'm so good without your props and accolades
Crackin' like whips on the back of slaves, spittin' on the master's grave
I'm tighter than 'yette's braids, y'all niggas are "Tenderheaded"
Just 'cause I ain't you as my friend yet, then forget it
Sheesh y'all niggas are sensitive
That's really me on that shit, not a representative
Nothin' pretend or fake, many came and went, tryin' to imitate
That's the quickest way to disintegrate
It's cause I innovate, my shit hardly assimilate
Still I'm bringin' "Sexy Back" like Timbaland and Timberlake
I don't stop, I never hesitate
Plus it don't start 'til I arrive and so I'm never late
The time is right get it straight
The time is right get it straight, come on
I'm so slick it's slide when you ride with it
Like the Y kitted, do or die with it like the Stuy in it
Fly with it, Do or Die with like the Chi in it
Live the life of Riley like my nigga from Guy, shit
In the song "Time Is Right" by Talib Kweli & Madlib, Kweli expresses his determination to perform and make music despite obstacles that he faces in the studio. He references his connections to his fellow artists, Mos Def and Hi-Tek, who are like family to him. He also pays homage to J Dilla, who died in 2006, and draws attention to how the rap industry has become worn out. Kweli takes shots at other rappers who he believes are not as talented as him and refers to his ability to innovate and bring something new to the scene. He also makes references to various cities such as Flatbush and Stuyvesant and artists like Timbaland and Timberlake.
The lyrics of this song speak to Kweli's persistence in creating and performing music despite setbacks. He emphasizes how significant it is for him to find a microphone and perform for his audience, indicating that it is his calling. He also emphasizes his individuality as an artist, refusing to conform to the style of other artists and instead staying true to his own unique vision. In this way, Kweli presents himself as a devoted artist who is always willing to push his limits and find new ways to express himself through his music.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, the time is right for me to find a mic
It's the perfect moment for me to pick up a mic and perform
The crowd is tight, the lab ac' ain't workin right
The audience is hyped, but the recording studio equipment is malfunctioning
But I'mma get it done, even if we gotta fight
I'm determined to succeed, even if it means facing challenges and obstacles
I ain't goin out like that, no not tonight
I refuse to fail, not tonight or any other night
Yo let me get a mic check
I need to ensure the audio is working before starting my performance
This my prayer for y'all niggas cause the game ain't got no life left
I'm sending positive vibes to my fellow musicians because the industry is losing its vitality
Came in with Mos Def and Hi-Tek
I started my career collaborating with Mos Def and Hi-Tek
And rest in peace to my nigga Dilla
I pay tribute to my friend and fellow musician J Dilla who passed away
Your rhymes are cheaper than gas in Jersey
Your lyrics are of low quality and easily accessible, like the gas prices in New Jersey
Before you leave the state you know you got to fill up
You need to refuel before leaving the area
Matter fact, put your schwag back, cause I got the realest
Your inferior product is not needed, I have the best
If not the killer then I ain't smokin
I won't settle for anything less than the highest quality
I'm not buyin off the street or be askin 'em what kind you growin
I won't buy drugs from shady sources or question the quality of the product
You can't flush it is cause the kind is floatin
The quality is so high that it won't dissolve in water
Kids be eyein' totin' open defyin, mothers that's cryin oceans
Children carry firearms with no regard for the devastating effects on their families
It's Sin City without the Clive Owen
It's a chaotic and dangerous place, without the heroism of Clive Owen's character in the film Sin City
I keep it fresh, these rappers staler than a big of chips you findin open
I constantly innovate, while other musicians become outdated and irrelevant
Let's take our time and, have a silent moment
Let's slow down and appreciate the moment with a moment of silence
It's like I'm jokin, I get 'em open like multiple lines are snorted
I'm so captivating that I have a similar effect to drugs on the listener
They snortin I'm spittin flames; nigga the flow'll blowtorch ya
While they consume drugs, I'm delivering intense and overpowering lyrics
I'm on fire so they always try to put me out
I'm so successful that my competitors try to sabotage me
Flatbush all day but they don't know what my hood about
I represent Flatbush, but people outside the area don't understand its culture
I'm so good without your props and accolades
I don't need external validation to know my worth
Crackin like whips on the back of slaves, spittin on the master's grave
I'm fighting against oppression and racism, even if it means defying authority
I'm tighter than 'yette's braids, y'all niggas are "Tenderheaded"
My music is tight and well-crafted, while others are weak and sensitive
Just cause I ain't you as my friend yet, then forget it
Just because we're not yet friends, doesn't mean we can't collaborate in the future
SHEESH~! Y'all niggas are sensitive
Wow, you're all easily offended
That's really me on that shit, not a representative
I speak for myself, not as a mere representative
Nuttin pretend or fake, many came and went, tryin to imitate
I'm genuine and authentic, while others try to copy my style and fail
That's the quickest way to disintegrate
Copying others is the fastest route to failure
It's cause I innovate, my shit hardly assimilate
My creativity and originality make it difficult for others to replicate my style
Still I'm bringin "Sexy Back" like Timbaland and Timberlake
I'm bringing new sounds and styles to the industry, like Timbaland and Timberlake did with the song "Sexy Back"
I don't stop, I never hesitate
I'm constantly pushing forward and never second-guessing myself
Plus it don't start 'til I arrive and so I'm never late
The true action and excitement doesn't happen until I'm present, so I'm never tardy
The time is right get it straight
The present moment is perfect, seize the opportunity
The time is right get it straight c'mon!
The perfect moment is right now, let's take action!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Talib Kweli, Otis Jackson Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zizoumiles5
Fire.
@AssasynCounterExtrem
Time is now, but I'm too afraid, depressed and feel like shit to act. It's not impossible but tough. What should I do?
@TheFUNKSTARR
Stay positive and keep striving, like you said it's tough but not impossible!
@Thefaceoftheword
I like this thunder
@wazifmuhammad2723
#Moneyball 6
10/19
🏀