Talib Kweli is on his way to finishing up 2013 strong. Taking matters into his own hands, the release of his second album Gravitas is distributed directly from the rapper to the masses. Production credits include J Dilla (RIP), Statik Selektah, Oh No, Lord Quest and others. In the vain of consistency, Talib shows how to stand on your own two and never bow down to something that goes against for what you stand for.
Getting the album off to a serious, hard-hitting start is “Demonology” produced by Lord Quest . Guitar riffs and hard bass drum hits. Make sure your sub is connected to hear those hard drum bass hits. Talib goes in like usual “No wonder I’m losing blood, everybody taking a cut, speaking in tongues, quit depicting your funds.”
I played “Violators” which features the legendary Raekwon five times over before finishing the rest of the album. The ill ILL combination is like a sailboat flowing effortlessly over the waves. The beat gets you stuck in the moment like a war call. Listen closely, the flow is quick. Talib, “This cat, y’all call a rapper is weak, my honor matter more, you? The shot to your Kenny I mean the latter more”, Rae “Blessed with the belts, flying in the stealth, Jewelry on neck, diamond on the cheals…”
“Art Imitates Life” features Black Thought and Rah Digga and is produced by Oh No. This single was out earlier in the year and still is a banger with ill rhymes. Oct 3rd brothers Talib and B. Thought show why they are some of the best in this young or old. The beat gets me nodding quick off the bat, with that champagne glass ring. Thought comes in with the sick thoughts as always “I’m out of Philly where the ecstasy and syrup is, and we don’t need Theraflu, we need therapists”. Then Talib to match, “That’s when I’m letting the Brooklyn out when they pull it out, Better let it off cause you set it off.”
This album is a must for any collection. Talib is a lyrical master who has paid his dues three times over. This is another classic delivered by a man who has held his own since he came out.
Talib Kweli
Gravitas
Lyricism –9/10
Production –9/10
Album Cohesiveness –7/10
Replay value –8/10
Overall –9/10
Personal Favorite Tracks: “Violations” feat. Raekwon, Art Imitates Life feat. Black Thought, Rah Digga, Demonology feat. Gary Clark Jr.