In The Mood
Talib Kweli feat. Kanye West & Roy Ayers Lyrics

Yes, welcome to the wonderful sounds of Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli is introducing himself and his music in a positive way

I got you in the mood, for an interlude, Raw like in the nude, I hope this ain't considered rude
Talib is implying that he wants to be intimate with his partner and may be upfront about it

But let's stop talkin, cause it's feelin like an interview, I know you into me, so, let me get into you
He wants to stop talking and start acting on their mutual attraction

I'm always in the mood for laughin and lovin and rappin and *fcukin*, And passin the dutch and Relaxin and puffin and hittin and duckin
Talib is listing the things that he enjoys doing, including some risqué activities

The rippin production, these kittens ain't muffins, Just because we stuff 'em in the oven
Talib is saying that just because someone is a rapper, doesn't mean they are good, and that he has talent

My words drippin off the tongue like the wax from a candle wick, Ill the way I lay down the rap, they can't handle it
He believes that his rhymes are so good, they melt off his tongue and leave a lasting impression

Cats all sappy like romantic flicks, dude, get a clue, Like Colonel Mustard in the study with a candlestick
Talib is saying that some other rappers are too sentimental and need to toughen up and be more strategic, like in a game of Clue

They holdin hands with these dudes like they goin steady, But, one glimpse and I know they ready, you already know
He's saying that it's obvious when someone is interested in him and that they don't need to act like a couple in public

Slipped her a note like, 'you ready to go?' We make a getaway plan and we head for the do'!
Talib is saying that he and his partner are going to sneak away together for some alone time

I wear the night like a cloak 'cause I move with the stars, Navigate through the truly bizarre, Who we are, who we is, it's the kids that stay true to this life, And if the mood is right, we gon' do it tonight
This chorus is about celebrating their unique lifestyle and being true to who they are. If the mood is right, they will enjoy themselves

You messin up my mo', my whole mood, told y'all, oh, Lose, eat crews like crews like soulfood
Kanye is saying that someone is ruining his mood, which is affecting his music. He's powerful and can easily defeat other rappers like they're food

The only producer that feel like "fuck rappers!" Only backpacker with a chip like hackers, Only Michael Richardson, only much blacker, So if he say nigga, then I'ma say *cracker*
Kanye is calling himself the only producer who feels better than rappers, and boasts about being different from other rappers. He also has a chip on his shoulder

Is this the Ritz? Carlton? Dress like, fresh, like, just like.. I'm the shit (Uggh) You ain't figured out what I'm about yet, Always rockin that 'this ain't out yet'
Kanye is wearing fashionable clothing and tells people they don't know him yet, and he frequently has new music to unveil

From a city where niggas plug like outlets, Far as music go yo, it ain't no outlets, so, When I go out, niggas always out to get me in the studio, And I ain't in the mood to flow, I'm with my girl and I'm tryin to hit the movies yo, And they tryna act stupid, oh!
He's saying that in his city, people are always trying to get him to work on music, but he's trying to relax by going to the movies with his girlfriend. Others are bothering him

In the club with Silicone Suzie, What happened to real girls like Rudy? With real titties like Tooty, This girl got a silicone booty! And got the nerve to act moody!
Kanye is dissing fake women in the club who have fake body parts and attitudes

Now I ain't tryin to judge like Judy, But bitch you a man, you can't fool me! Act like Fifty, throw her in a pool G...
Kanye is saying that he knows a woman in the club is actually a man dressed up, and he's not fooled by her. He then references rapper 50 Cent's lyric about tossing someone into a pool

Bringin the drum, keep it funky like a stink in a slum, 'Cause see they wanna breed cursin for the things that don't come
Talib is saying he keeps the beat going and funky, and that other rappers are too focused on bringing negativity

The speakers wrong that we rap dudes speakin in tongues, Christmas time choice for what? No we keepin our guns
He believes that other rappers are rapping nonsensically and that instead of celebrating Christmas with family, it is more important to protect themselves with guns

Smokin a piff to cause a leak in your lungs, You ain't got shit to do like Friday when the weekend begun
Talib is bragging about smoking potent weed and that the listener probably doesn't have much to do in their free time

Completely done with rap dudes - don't compete with the dumb, I spill my blood for the people, see how deep it can run?
He's sick of other rappers who lack intelligence and challenges them. He also says he's committed to his audience and will invest everything into them

I'm in the mood like Dante and Main Flow, Never comin with the same flow, got it's change, yo
Talib is saying he's in the mood to rap like Dante and Main Flow, who are known for their versatility and creativity

It's strange yo, to make yo chain glow, that's yo main goal, That's a facade like I'm somewhere over the rainbow
He thinks it's weird that some rappers' main goal is to have shiny jewelry, which is fake like the idea of the Wizard of Oz's rainbow

Really these cats sweeter than mangoes, Mr Bonjangles-ass dudes, Dancin around the club, doin the tango, Go hard like Iverson playin with hurt ankles, Plus, wrestle the topic from a different Kurt Angle!
Talib is insulting other rappers by saying that they are more sweet than mangoes, are bad dancers like Mr. Bonjangles, and aren't tough like NBA player Allen Iverson. He also says he's going to change the subject, like wrestler Kurt Angle