Talib Kweli is the latest to feel the sting of net downloading as a very rough version of his latest LP,
A Beautiful Struggle, has found its way to the net. Upon learning that his work had been booted, Kweli posted a rather terse statement on the OkayPlayer.Com forums, promising to seek retribution by all means necessary on the person/persons responsible for the leak (which is more than likely someone very close to the recording process). Regardless, similar to his sophomore effort, Quality, this very early and skeletal version of A Beautiful Struggle shows that Kweli is furthering his transitioning from underground superstar and seeking crossover staying power. Again, while this rough draft is still in the infant stages and there's no telling what will stick to thefinal release, it is marked by commercial reaches like the Midi Mafia produced "From A Place" featuring Killer Mike, "Around My Way" which refurbishes the Police's "King Of Pain", and the club scented "We Got The Beat (Planet Rock)", which is almost embarrassing for an artist of Kweli's stature. Yet, maybe the most disappointing aspect is Kweli's reuniting effort with Hi-Tek, as after their end-to-end burner of a debut, Reflection Eternal, "Back Up Off Me" lacks the same indelible chemistry the pair shared just a few years ago. While this leak shows both a regression and a step back for Kweli as he will obviously have to rework this LP now, its not as if he'll be starting from scratch; with the sunny "It's The Ghetto" featuring /Common, Kweli comments on the props Jay-Z gave him on "Public Service Announcement" "If lyrics sold then truth be told/I'd probably be/just as rich and famous as Jay-Z/truthfully I wanna rhyme like Common Sense/next best thing I do a record with Common Sense." The kiddie chorus and slinky snyth's of "Hold Your Hands Up High" featuring Jean Grae delivers the neck-nod and uplifting lyrics we've come to expect, same with the looking for love in all the wrong places ode "Lonely People" where Kanye West bravely lifts the Beatles tune of the same name. But with how strictly guarded the Beatles catalog is (ask Danger Mouse), it's doubtful that this essential nod will ever appear in its intended form (due to the outrageous fee the procurators of the catalog will surely ask for). While Kweli and Hi-Tek's collabo leaves much to be desired, "Supreme" featuring Mos Def will have everyone fiending for another Black Star LP. - Matt Conaway
In related news, some funny internet kids came up with the knee-slapping idea that Talib Kweli and RJD2, both disgruntled victims of pre-release downloading, would record an album together to express the dismay with downloading. In a word? It's bullshit, folks. Oh, those clever kids with their quick wit and collegiate senses of humor.
Es geht noch weiter...
Roughly a week after denouncing bootlegging, Talib Kweli is now teaming up with Def Jux producer RJD2 to record a conceptual EP entitled, You Are Not Alone.
According to Spitkicker.com, the EP's theme will center around technology with mentions of "identity theft, the death of intellectual property and the use of technology by the government to spy on Americans" among other topics. The EP is described as "angry" and the pair are said to be recording in a secluded studio with one engineer and antiquated equipment.
The collaborative EP will be released on vinyl only and made available at tour stops and selected retailers.