Talib Kweli

Talib Kweli emerged on the national hip-hop scene as part of the rap group Black Star, along with Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tec in 1998, with the debut album Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star. The album launched both artists’ careers and two of the most politically informed and lyrically talented MCs in the business. Two years later, Talib collaborated with Hi-Tec under the group name Reflection Eternal to release the album Train of Thought. He has released four solo albums since then, including Quality in 2002, The Beautiful Struggle in 2004 and the bestselling 2007 Eardrum, which he released on his own label Blacksmith Music. He has featured guests and producers on his albums from some of the best folks in the music business today from Kanye West, Madlib, Pete Rock and Mos Def to Justin Timberlake and Norah Jones.  He made numerous appearances on Chappelle Show and appears in the documentary Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. From his work with Black Star to Rawkus Records and his own Blacksmith label, which signed the critically acclaimed underground MC Jean Grae, Talib has been at the forefront of some of the most significant moments in hip-hop history. His 2011 cd Gutter Rainbows is his most recent release.