Originating from the late ’90s era largely remembered for Hip Hop’s former civil war, Talib Kweli‘s disposition has always stood to bring about change and balance in the mainstream without being overly angry or confrontational. Rather than staging a coup against the music industry, his at times confusing strategy of infiltration has been to broaden his exposure by aligning with those from completely opposite sides of the spectrum, examples not limited to Skyzoo and Gucci Mane. Witnessing the veteran flesh out this identity complex hasn’t made a smooth ride for the set of believers who have confined his ideals to a progressive bent, seeing potential for him to fully betray the pride he once conveyed. Faced with reconciling the stringent wishes of fans and the right to his artistic freedom, Gravitas is Talib Kweli’s quick follow up to this past spring’s aptly titled Prisoner of Conscious.
Breaking fresh ground with the latest addition to an already prolific catalog, Gravitas finds Talib Kweli simultaneously wearing the hats of businessman and creator. A proponent of the “new rules” campaign, he has breathed air into his career by independently cutting off outside forces seeking to profit off of his labor. Pushing the envelope conceptually, Kweli edges towards territory hardly explored by prominent emcees, as “Wormhole” tackles our culture’s obsession with the supposed Illuminati. Its surprising effect is slightly offset by “State of Grace,” with a contrived double time flow lamenting women losing their love for Rap, a worthwhile topic were it not for him covering this theme in prior rhymes. Another familiar angle, “Rare Portraits” honors the Brooklyn mainstay’s longevity and resilience in a cinematic and introspective fashion, giving respect to John Forte, DJ Hi-Tek and Yasiin Bey amongst the primary names to play factors in his trajectory.
As has become his typical procedure, Talib Kweli uses the help of comrades on Gravitas, most of whom contribute to the greater picture instead of taking away from it. “Violations” features an edgy guest spot from Raekwon and a vintage highlight compounded by Black Thought’s show stealing appearance on “Art Imitates Life.” Dim moments appear as Big K.R.I.T. lends a helping hand on “Demonology” where substandard rock influenced production surrounds poignant messages of spirituality, along with the high spirited Underachievers duo whose Southern deliveries come off as derivative on “New Leaders.” Though these tracks are less inspired, they don’t distract from the running dialogue built around boundless ingenuity.
Nearing two decades since his earliest professional recordings, time has seen Talib Kweli evolve into an eclectic solo act separate from his past incarnations as half of supergroups Black Star and Reflection Eternal. Thus, Gravitas is a superior showing, whereby he will likely reap the benefits of continual hard work and dedication. The spirit of J. Dilla is kept alive on the album’s closer “Colors of You,” a mild concession to the rigid-minded audience looking to keep him boxed into a preexistent sound. With this release, Kweli has placed himself in a fortunate position where we can rest assured his next moves will be completely self-determined regardless of critical skepticism.
This is a pretty solid album right here. 4/5, and way better than Prisoner of Conscious. Good job by Kweli !
that video/song is not good o.O
It’s pretty solid
Much better than Prisoner of Concious. I’d say about a 4-4.5
I give 4/5 . This album is way better than his last album !!
Quite a solid album. Better than Prisoner of Conscious which I also happened to like.
where can i find the album? It’s not on Amazon… Some1?
You can only download trough his Homepage for now ( Digital ). CD will come in Feb. 2014
Alright, thanks
Gucci mane is the blueprint of a real nigga and heres why
GUCCI MANE is the realest rapper and heres why.
1) all other rappers rap about being gangster shooting and killing but they havent done it.
2) Eminem raps about killing he hasnt.
3)Jay z raps in open letter about sending shots he hasnt.
4)Nas raps about how he is a queens thug but he wasn’t.
5)Most of the rappers rap about stuff they havent done yet you all support them and say its real rap.
6)When rick ross does it you all claim he is fake and say its fake rap.
This shows that hiphop fans are hypocritical and all these real hiphop fan wanna be’s are just some unjustified haters whose opinions are just as irrelevent as the swag fag rapper fans.
GUCCI MANE KILLED A MAN HE WAS A DRUG DEALER BEFORE RAPPER HE HAS STREET CREDENTIALS HE IS THE ONLY RAPPER THAT RAPS ABOUT FACTS THERE FORE BIG GUWOP IS THE REALEST RAPPER IN THE RAP GAME AND THATS A FACT!
This is the comeback Kweli needed. A real solid effort that reminds listeners why Kweli is held at such standards.
UGH. All Kweli’s solo albums suck.
God Flow
Gucci Mane realest rapper outthere:
– this nigga throws bitches out his car
– shoot niggas dead
– beat niggas up.
Gucci aint no fantasy nigga like:
– mobb deep,
– nas escobar lol nigga only had a ticket for parking his car wrong
– 2pac never gangbanged
– rick ross
Solid album. I like POC better. 1ne of the hardest working men in the business.
favela love wasn’t in gravitas but on prisoner of conscious his last album. what is it doing in the article?
Cooool
Once again REAL hiphop at it’s best! Big ups to Talib Kweli for staying TRUE to the game!!!!
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great album! i loved every track
dope
guess what his fans, music, album, and this album review have in common? Answer = they are all irelevent and don’t matter
GIVE ME A CHANCE
Youtube is all about finding new artist, & though I been rapping for a while im still consider a new artist. I just want my music heard thats all, im not looking for no record deal, getting famous ‘r anything like that.! so please just spare a few sec. to check me out, & if you like what you heard please SUBSCRIBE so ill know you actually listen & support
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaSNK0pm4eY
Dope Shit!
xxxxxx
Great Kweli album
Track 3 is flames.
Album of the year
“Rare Portraits” is dope
Kweli aint been relevant since Rawkus.
Dope album, nice to see Kweli back at it after a disappointing Prisoner of Conscious
Different class.
The production is on point and Kweli’s flow (and content!) is as a higher calibre MC’s should be. As Thought would say, he’s a little bit better than dope is…
Best thing about Gravitas? It came just a few months after the equally brilliant Prisoner of Conscience LP and Attack the Block mixtape. Rap is blessed to have such a prolific MC.
Hip-Hop stand up!
Raw!!
Disappointment. The old school rappers ain’t what they used to be.
Great album!
a very good album much better then his previous release hip hop lives
very good album loved it