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.
Touch You
Talib Kweli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talib kweli, dj hi tek, reflection eternal
We make the music that change your life
'Bout to touch you just right
All night we gonna to shine the light
'Bout to touch you just right
We make the music that change your life
All night we gonna to shine the light
'Bout to touch you just right
Piakhan floating on the mighty clouds of joy
Building a future, yo, for my baby boy (uh huh)
I moved form the hood yet the shit still in me
And your opinion is nothing to me
I have plenty like bein' out of prison
With a roof over my dome
And possessing the gift such as sparking the microphone
Accumulate the provolone makin' it happen with talib
A nattian cat we got em' snappin' roberta flackin' the track and
Killin' em softly with out flossin'
But yet the shine is glossy and
The run the lyrical train through your brain shit
Strategy pain, I'm on some clubber lane shit
With the iron, ain't no use in you trying "I ain't lyin'"
Through your ears mesmerize em'
It's about time we started risin'
Once again replace bullets with words, try to make it fun again
We make the music that change your life
'Bout to touch you just right
All night we gonna to shine the light
'Bout to touch you just right
We make the music that change your life
'Bout to touch you just right
All night we gonna to shine the light
'Bout to touch you just right
If the put my life on the screen then its got to be the imax
I live large stroke your mind, till you reach climax
Terrorist hijack on hi tek fly tracks front don't try that
My niggas got my back, you gotta relax, ease back
What's that all about with the feedback?
All up in my mouth we don't need that
Enjoy life open up a tree sack
Take a trip past thought no passport just leave that
The asphalt is the place to be at
Where the people fire burn so bright you can see that believe that
It ain't light music (no)
We make the right music (true)
Keep it tight music (yes)
Affirmin' life music (come on)
We make the music that change your life
'Bout to touch you just right
All night we gonna to shine the light
'Bout to touch you just right
We make the music that change your life
'Bout to touch you just right
All night we gonna to shine the light
'Bout to touch you just right
It's like girls got the bass all up in they hips
My favorite part on the face is the shape of the lips
Yeah I wanna touch you there (right there)
Your mind is my concubine, when I deliver shivers up your spine
Wordsy and that's your soul like the bread and wine
My brain is embedded with rhyme, that's ahead of they time
I rock the better design
You cats ain't got the touch
You all suck, like getting head from a dime
I run up in em and, touch them with the rhythm and
Clutch em' if they tremblin'
It's a rush like adrenaline, at a point break the joint shake
When you play this (yeah), your crew is haters when they come
Through with the newest latest (like that)
Reflection eternal
Shine light bright like the day till the sky turn purple
And the moon arrive, reflection through the night
That touch you just right
With the rhythm, the rhythm, god bless the rhythm
It's the rhythm, rhythm; yes ya'll the rhythm
Shorty on the dance floor giving me rhythm
Hi tek make ya'll nod ya'll neck to the rhythm
And
We make the music that change your life
'Bout to touch you just right
All night we gonna to shine the light
'Bout to touch you just right
We make the music that change your life
'Bout to touch you just right
All night we gonna to shine the light
'Bout to touch you just right
The lyrics to Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek's song Touch You describe their desire to touch their audience with their music. Kweli raps about his experiences moving out of the hood and accumulating wealth, but still keeping his roots. He also touches on how he wants to replace bullets with words and bring the fun back into music. Hi-Tek's production complements this message by creating a head-nodding beat that encourages listeners to move and groove. The song has an uplifting message, urging people to enjoy life, open up their minds, and affirm their existence through music. Kweli ends his verse by describing how his music touches people's souls and provides them with the same nourishment that bread and wine do.
Overall, the song encourages its listeners to engage with life through music, to find connection and joy in our connections with others. The song's title "Touch You" is about the power of music to touch people's hearts, to move them emotionally and physically. Kweli and Hi-Tek see themselves as purveyors of this type of experience, bringing joy and transformation to those who hear their music.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh what's up everybody this is rick james
Introducing themselves as Talib Kweli and DJ Hi Tek
We make the music that change your life
Stating that their music has the power to change lives
'Bout to touch you just right
Promising that their music will have a profound impact on the listener
All night we gonna to shine the light
Vowing to keep the momentum of their music going throughout the night
Piakhan floating on the mighty clouds of joy
Describing the feeling of being on top of the world
Building a future, yo, for my baby boy (uh huh)
Working hard to secure a future for his son
I moved form the hood yet the shit still in me
Despite moving out of the hood, he still retains his identity
And your opinion is nothing to me
Asserting that he doesn't care about others' opinions
I have plenty like bein' out of prison
Grateful to be out of prison
With a roof over my dome
Appreciating having a home to live in
And possessing the gift such as sparking the microphone
Acknowledging his talent for rapping
Accumulate the provolone makin' it happen with talib
Working with Talib Kweli to make music and achieve success
A nattian cat we got em' snappin' roberta flackin' the track and
Boasting about the quality of their music
Killin' em softly with out flossin'
Captivating listeners with their music without being flashy
But yet the shine is glossy and
Acknowledging that their music is still impressive
The run the lyrical train through your brain shit
Creating powerful lyrics that resonate with the listener
Strategy pain, I'm on some clubber lane shit
Creating a strategic plan to succeed in the music industry
With the iron, ain't no use in you trying "I ain't lyin'
Asserting his dominance with a powerful and effective approach
Through your ears mesmerize em'
Having a hypnotic effect on the listener
It's about time we started risin'
Realizing that it's time to take their music to the next level
Once again replace bullets with words, try to make it fun again
Advocating for using music as a form of entertainment, rather than violence
If the put my life on the screen then its got to be the imax
Believing that his life is worth being portrayed on the big screen
I live large stroke your mind, till you reach climax
Creating music that has a powerful impact on the listener
Terrorist hijack on hi tek fly tracks front don't try that
Warning others not to try to compete with their music
My niggas got my back, you gotta relax, ease back
Having a strong support system and wanting others to chill out and enjoy their music
What's that all about with the feedback?
Questioning why people feel the need to offer negative feedback
All up in my mouth we don't need that
Refusing to entertain negative criticism
Enjoy life open up a tree sack
Encouraging others to relax and enjoy life
Take a trip past thought no passport just leave that
Encouraging listeners to take a mental journey without needing to physically travel
The asphalt is the place to be at
Believing that the city is where the action is
Where the people fire burn so bright you can see that believe that
Describing a place where the energy and excitement are palpable
It ain't light music (no)
Acknowledging that their music is not superficial or meaningless
We make the right music (true)
Believing that their music is meaningful and valuable
Keep it tight music (yes)
Ensuring that their music is high-quality and well-produced
Affirmin' life music (come on)
Creating music that celebrates life and its beauty
It's like girls got the bass all up in they hips
Describing the way music affects people physically
My favorite part on the face is the shape of the lips
Expressing appreciation for physical beauty
Yeah I wanna touch you there (right there)
Using music to create a sensual experience for the listener
Your mind is my concubine, when I deliver shivers up your spine
Creating an emotional and intellectual connection with the listener
Wordsy and that's your soul like the bread and wine
Using lyrics that nourish the listener's soul
My brain is embedded with rhyme, that's ahead of they time
Creating lyrics that are innovative and forward-thinking
I rock the better design
Believing that his music is better than the competition's
You cats ain't got the touch
Asserting that his music is superior to others'
You all suck, like getting head from a dime
Making a crude comparison to emphasize how much better his music is
I run up in em and, touch them with the rhythm and
Using music to create a powerful and intimate connection with listeners
Clutch em' if they tremblin'
Offering support to listeners who may be affected emotionally by the music
It's a rush like adrenaline, at a point break the joint shake
Creating a high-energy and intense musical experience
When you play this (yeah), your crew is haters when they come
Expecting negative criticism from those who don't appreciate their music
Through with the newest latest (like that)
Producing music that is current and fresh
Reflection eternal
Their music has a timeless quality
Shine light bright like the day till the sky turn purple
Creating a sense of transformation and beauty through their music
And the moon arrive, reflection through the night
Describing the emotional connection listeners have with their music
With the rhythm, the rhythm, god bless the rhythm
Believing that rhythm is a divine force
It's the rhythm, rhythm; yes ya'll the rhythm
Emphasizing the power and importance of rhythm in their music
Shorty on the dance floor giving me rhythm
Describing how rhythm is present in every aspect of life
Hi tek make ya'll nod ya'll neck to the rhythm
Acknowledging Hi Tek's influence in creating a beat that moves people
And
Ending the song as it began, with Talib Kweli and Hi Tek introducing themselves
We make the music that change your life
Reiterating the message that their music has the power to make a difference
'Bout to touch you just right
Finalizing their promise to create a powerful and meaningful musical experience
All night we gonna to shine the light
Vowing to continue making music that inspires and uplifts
'Bout to touch you just right
Finalizing their promise to make a meaningful impact on their fans
Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dave Nathaniel West, David Sanford, Talib Kweli Greene, Tony Louis Cottrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind