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.
Turnt up
Talib Kweli Lyrics
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Where there's nothing but cash inside my hand
Wanna dig into my pocket my profit is ever set
I dig deeper, you know I represent, represent
Yeah, money over bitches, my sisters go over everything
My bandz will make you dance forever, just like a wedding ring
Barb of the haters, the jealousy that the cheddar bring
Trying to get away from this 85's like Evelyn
Got 'em leaking like Mickey, these monkeys biting like hickeys
Cause they're seeing what I'm doing, filling them with confusion
Cut edges like a chewing, I'm flowing just like a student
Of the romance languages, only the diamonds hang with us
My meal is decorated with garnish just like your wages is
The crib's outrageous like really it's no joke
The girl of your dreams be coming over to smoke
Turn it up loud, turn it up loud
Turn it up loud, turn it up loud
Drop it, stop it
With all the soap operas and the soap boxes
Turnt up, turnt up, turnt up, for the people
You can feel the heat from your speaker, my sound will darken your features
Run it down like a zebra, I move with the speed of cheetahs
I'm from Brooklyn where the heat is the size of a two-litre
I ain't asking for no followers, I'm looking for new leaders
Is hard not consuming all the bullshit they feed us
Intravenous like a cord to the womb from the fetus
Been hard since I started reading, alliteration is literally littered
Through my DNA swimming on through my semen
So every time I bust, babies begin being born
Talk turns tough til them toasters that's tucked, yeah
Draw it like a picture, picture a perfect painting
Police profiling people peacefully praying
Lay the law like leadears the lazy as lolly
Gagging on my ground, getting guap cause green is the new black
Meet me at the bar, we throwing a few back
Hopped out the car, you know who blew that
Turn it up loud, turn it up loud
Turn it up loud, turn it up loud
Drop it, stop it
With all the soap operas and the soap boxes
Turnt up, turnt up, turnt up, for the people
Ayo we drink good, smoke good
This cat wearing funny hats like the pope wore
I come in looking quite clean in the loafer
So hood, might scheme up to no good
You know crook got sling in the notebook
I got the birds on the wire like I know I would
I still rep POC's like I'm supposed to
Come alive and down throw like I know I should
My rhymes like a laser beam - so focused
I'm in the ring so lean I need a phone ?
I ain't lying, Batista Ferocious
Maybe I'm lying bare feet in the ocean
On the beach fall asleep and I'm floating
To the beat so unique like a potion
I love music, I'm complete in my devotion
(Word, say it again)
I'm complete in my devotion
Turn it up loud, turn it up loud
Turn it up loud, turn it up loud
Drop it, stop it
With all the soap operas and the soap boxes
Turnt up, turnt up, turnt up, for the people
In Talib Kweli's song Turnt Up, he talks about his desire for wealth and the importance of his family. He speaks about his master plan to achieve this wealth and how he will do anything to succeed. He uses the metaphor of "digging deeper" to represent how he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. He repeats the phrase "money over bitches" to emphasize his focus on financial success over relationships. He also mentions his band's ability to make people dance and compares it to a wedding ring, suggesting that his music is just as valuable.
Kweli also touches on the negativity and jealousy that can come with wealth, and he desires to distance himself from those types of people. He mentions his ambition to escape the "85's", referring to the 85% of people who are considered unaware of their true potential. He compares himself to a student of romance languages and says that only diamonds hang out with him. He equates his meal being garnished to wages, showing how he values material possessions. The song also talks about his hard work and dedication to music, with a particular focus on wordplay and alliteration.
The chorus reinforces the idea of turning up the volume and being "turnt up" for the people. This suggests a desire to spread his message and music to a wider audience. He mentions the challenges of navigating the music industry and stays true to his roots in Brooklyn. He ends the song by declaring his love for music and how it completes him.
Line by Line Meaning
Thinking of the master plan
Contemplating a well-thought-out strategy
Where there's nothing but cash inside my hand
Where only money matters to me
Wanna dig into my pocket my profit is ever set
Wanting to retrieve profits I've already earned
I dig deeper, you know I represent, represent
I keep pushing harder and remain true to myself
Yeah, money over bitches, my sisters go over everything
Money is more important than women, but my family comes first
My bandz will make you dance forever, just like a wedding ring
My money and success will have a lasting impact on people
Barb of the haters, the jealousy that the cheddar bring
The hate and envy that come with wealth and success
Trying to get away from this 85's like Evelyn
Trying to escape from people who are unenlightened or stuck in a lower class
Ride with me, I got 'em leaking like Nene
Join me and we'll make people cry with joy
Got 'em leaking like Mickey, these monkeys biting like hickeys
Making haters and imitators weep while showing they're not original
Cause they're seeing what I'm doing, filling them with confusion
People don't understand my success and it confuses them
Cut edges like a chewing, I'm flowing just like a student
Sharp with my flow, constantly learning and growing
Of the romance languages, only the diamonds hang with us
Only the best qualities are attracted to us, just like diamonds
My meal is decorated with garnish just like your wages is
My food is garnished like your money is spent on superficialities
The crib's outrageous like really it's no joke
My house is grandiose and impressive, no exaggeration
The girl of your dreams be coming over to smoke
Attractive women are drawn to me and my lifestyle
You can feel the heat from your speaker, my sound will darken your features
My music is powerful and will have a physical impact on you
Run it down like a zebra, I move with the speed of cheetahs
I move quickly and efficiently
I'm from Brooklyn where the heat is the size of a two-litre
I'm from Brooklyn where the guns are large and dangerous
I ain't asking for no followers, I'm looking for new leaders
I'm not seeking followers, I want to inspire people to lead
Is hard not consuming all the bullshit they feed us
It's difficult not to be influenced by society's negativity
Intravenous like a cord to the womb from the fetus
That negativity is like a cord feeding straight into our minds
Been hard since I started reading, alliteration is literally littered
I've been skilled since a young age, with alliteration naturally present in my writing
Through my DNA swimming on through my semen
My talent is genetic and will be passed on through my offspring
So every time I bust, babies begin being born
Every time I perform or make music, future talent is created
Talk turns tough til them toasters that's tucked, yeah
People become aggressive until guns are brought into the situation
Draw it like a picture, picture a perfect painting
Imagine the most ideal situation possible
Police profiling people peacefully praying
Law enforcement unfairly targets peaceful protestors
Lay the law like leadears the lazy as lolly
Enforce the law with strength, even against the lazy or weak
Gagging on my ground, getting guap cause green is the new black
Others are choking on my success and wealth, because money is the new cool
Meet me at the bar, we throwing a few back
Let's hang out and drink together
Hopped out the car, you know who blew that
I arrived on the scene and made an impact
This cat wearing funny hats like the pope wore
This person is wearing strange clothing, like the Pope's hat
I come in looking quite clean in the loafer
I come in looking fashionable and stylish
So hood, might scheme up to no good
Despite my stylish appearance, I may still be involved in shady activities
You know crook got sling in the notebook
I, as a criminal, carry illegal substances in my bag
I got the birds on the wire like I know I would
I have control over people and situations, as expected
I still rep POC's like I'm supposed to
I still represent people of color, as I'm expected to
Come alive and down throw like I know I should
I bring great energy and enthusiasm to everything I do
My rhymes like a laser beam - so focused
My lyrics are precise and sharp
I'm in the ring so lean I need a phone ?
I'm so fit and agile, I feel like I'm in a boxing ring
I ain't lying, Batista Ferocious
I'm not lying when I say I'm strong and aggressive like Dave Batista
Maybe I'm lying bare feet in the ocean
Although I say I'm aggressive, I could also be peaceful and relaxed
On the beach fall asleep and I'm floating
I'm so relaxed that I could fall asleep and float on the water
To the beat so unique like a potion
My music is one of a kind and intoxicating
I love music, I'm complete in my devotion
I adore music and it's everything to me
Turn it up loud, turn it up loud
Make the music louder
Drop it, stop it
Stop what you're doing to listen to the music
With all the soap operas and the soap boxes
With all the drama and opinions
Turnt up, turnt up, turnt up, for the people
Let's get excited, energized, and inspired together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC BARRIER, WILLIAM GRIFFIN, TALIB KWELI GREENE, MARQUISE JAWON SIMMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind