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.
Too Late
Talib Kweli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like it's way crunk, yeah
Fake punks get they face lumped
Sent to the most high, by the most fit
You gotta do, fuck that almost shit
The fam is close knit
You diggin', know the clock don't stop tickin'
Glocks still spittin', the whole block politickin'
Leaving no evidence of a struggle for survival
Songs relevant to the times like the psalms read in the Bible
Stepping to this leaves thoughts in your head 'it's suicidal'
It's the T to the A-L-I-B the deep rooter
Rolling with my wanna battle cats who chief buddha
And see through the overspecialized, underpressurized
No lie texturized, emcees who got the masses mesmerized
With empty rhetoric, they better quit
Niggas so hollow that they echo like sentiments
Nowadays rap artists coming half-hearted
Commercial like pop, or underground like black markets
Where were you the day hip-hop died?
Is it too early to mourn? Is it too late to ride?
Kwa is chillin', Tone is chillin'
What more can I say, we stay building
And make killings
Take children through the wilderness, by the hand
It's a great feeling, show 'em how to be a man
Exactly, pack trees in my khakis
My sound fat like a Neve while you thin like a Mackie
C'mon, shine so bright when I walk by
You got ta squint like the motherfucking sun in your eye
What! Say somethin, you stay frontin
It ain't nothing, let off like I'm big game hunting
Me and Tek stay way blunted
Wave running on beaches with white sand
With a slight tan
Smack the mic stand with my right hand
When I'm excited
Leave you so far in the dust that you forced to bite it
On fire like property lost to riots
Yo, ain't no stopping us when we all united
Nowadays rap artists coming half-hearted
Commercial like pop, or underground like black markets
Where were you the day hip-hop died?
Is it too early to mourn? Is it too late to ride?
In "Too Late", Talib Kweli is discussing the state of the hip-hop industry, particularly the lack of authenticity in the music being produced. He sets the tone by rapping about his contribution to the genre, reminding listeners of his place in the industry. He then proceeds to criticize the new wave of commercialized artists whose music lacks substance or depth. Itβs expressed the fact that the rap industry has lost its essence and has now taken a new direction that is either more commercial or more underground. The chorus serves as a question to the audience, asking if it's too late for hip-hop or if it's still possible to revive it. Talib's flow is impeccable, and he raps with a sense of urgency, as if he's on a mission to save hip-hop from extinction.
In the second paragraph, he continues to set the tone by referencing the violence and corruption in the streets, and how hip-hop was created to represent the struggles of African-Americans. He seems to be saying that the current rap industry no longer represents the struggles but rather perpetuates the problems. The line "emcees who got the masses mesmerized but with empty rhetoric" emphasizes his point towards contemporary artists. He emphasizes the need for real and honest music that reflects the current state of the world, and perhaps more importantly needs to motivate positive change. In closing, through his lyrics, Talib is pushing for change and a revival of the true hip-hop that reclaims its core values and essence.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, when the bass thump, the place jump
The crowd goes wild when the bass drops and the energy in the room skyrockets.
Like it's way crunk, yeah,
The level of excitement and hype is unreal.
Fake punks get they face lumped
Anyone who pretends to be someone they're not will be exposed and dealt with accordingly.
Sent to the most high, by the most fit
Those who are not authentic will ultimately face their maker and be judged by the fittest.
You gotta do, fuck that almost shit
Don't make excuses, don't half-ass it, just do it.
The fam is close knit
Family is everything and should stick together.
You diggin', know the clock don't stop tickin'
Be aware of the time and don't waste it.
Glocks still spittin', the whole block politickin'
The violence and politics in the neighborhood are still rampant and ongoing.
Like presidents with they minds dead on arrival
People in power often have no idea what they're doing and are useless in the grand scheme of things.
Leaving no evidence of a struggle for survival
Those in power only care about maintaining their own status and don't bother helping those in need.
Songs relevant to the times like the psalms read in the Bible
Music can be a powerful tool to convey important messages that are relevant to the current state of society.
Stepping to this leaves thoughts in your head 'it's suicidal'
Challenging the status quo can be dangerous and may make you feel like you're doing something that could end badly.
Nowadays rap artists coming halfhearted
Many current artists lack passion and put out music that is insincere and lacks depth.
Commercial like pop, or underground like black markets
Artists often choose to sell out for commercial success or stay underground and not make much money, like a black market.
Where were you when hiphop died?
When the art form of hip hop started to lose its authenticity and soul, where were you?
Is it too early to mourn? Is it too late to ride?
Is it too early to give up on hip hop, or is it too late to save it?
Kwa is chillin', Tone is chillin'
Talib Kweli and his friend Tone are relaxed and taking it easy.
What more can I say, we stay building
They are always working hard and building towards their success.
And make killings
They are killing the game and dominating in their field.
Take children through the wilderness, by the hand
Talib Kweli wants to guide and mentor young people through the rough terrain of life.
It's a great feeling, show 'em how to be a man
There is no greater feeling than helping someone grow and mature into a responsible, respectful adult.
Exactly, pack trees in my khakis
Talib Kweli wears pants with pockets filled with weed.
My sound fat like a knee
Talib Kweli's music is heavy and substantial, like a body part.
While you thin like a Mackey
Other artists' music lacks substance and is weak, like a thin person.
Come on, shine so bright when I walk by
Talib Kweli radiates success and confidence when he enters a room.
You got ta squint like the motherfucking sun in your eye
His presence is blinding and powerful, like staring into the sun.
What! Say something
Challenging anyone who wants to speak up or try to bring him down.
You stay fronting
You're pretending to be something you're not.
It ain't nothing, let off like I'm big game hunting
It's no big deal, Talib Kweli is ready to go after his prey like a skilled hunter.
Me and Tek stay way blunted
Talib Kweli and his friend Tek are always high on drugs.
Wave running on beaches with white sand
They are enjoying their success and relaxing on beautiful beaches.
With a slight tan
They have been outside in the sun and have a light tan.
Smack the mic stand with my right hand
Talib Kweli is so pumped and excited that he is hitting the microphone stand with his hand.
When I'm excited
When he's hyped up and feeling good.
Leave you so far in the dust that you forced to bite it
He is so far ahead of everyone else that they can't keep up and are left behind.
On fire like property lost to riots
His talent and success are spreading like wildfire, like a property lost in a riot.
Yo, ain't no stopping us when we all united
Talib Kweli and his crew are a force to be reckoned with and nothing can slow them down when they work together.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: Talib Kweli Greene, Tony Cottrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jasper Jasper
19 years gone by, only seems like yesterday and still get chills.
S H
One of my favourite albums ever.
Dev Ware
Same
Trent Yates
Same here
Ifiami Patrice
Period. 2021
Papa Milo
Same here.
Shout out
From Nigeria
Javier Pavon
Yup π―
Loud Silence
Omg, Res makes me cry every time on this track. the fact that it sounds like she's mourning over hip hop as a culture, that it will never be the same again. is touching. This song means more now than it used to. I still believe the underground saved dj's and mc's in out hip hop culture : rhythm and poetry is still around, but unfortunately it has disappeared for the most part. It's why I feel this touched my heart time and time again. still listening in 2020.
NIMMHATV Rap Beats
It will NEVER DIE !!!! WU TANG IS FOREVER AND WU TANG IS JUST THE TIP OF US ALL
C'lo 20
This song definitely speaks of today's hip hop it's crazy