(AllHipHop News) This past Tuesday (December 17th) Talib Kweli celebrated the release of his second album of 2013, Gravitas with a concert performance at Brooklyn Bowl. After the show, the Brooklyn-bred MC spoke EXCLUSIVELY with AllHipHop about his feelings towards Trinidad James’ comments, updates on the BlackStar project and reveals a surprising collaboration he hopes to have completed.
Talib Kweli released his sixth solo album, Gravitas last Sunday (December 15th) exclusively on his KweliClub.com website in a move similar to Beyonce’s iTunes-exclusive release of her self-titled album two days prior. Kweli expresses how these moves and others are just indicative of a larger shift in distribution:
I think that’s where it’s at. People don’t respond to corporate marketing plans. Kanye did the same thing with Yeezus. He just dropped it out of no where. People respond to the actual artist. So as an artist we have to take responsibility into what we put out.
A few weeks ago, the outspoken lyricist caught flack from Hot 97’s Program Director Ebro Darden over stating ” New York radio does not support New York music.” Kweli further elaborated on his stance
I got respect for Trinidad James. I think he was trying to make a point and he made it poorly. I understand where he’s trying to get at. I think that Maino was making a point and made it correctly. That’s my man. Me and Maino got records to goetehr. But you know, I understand there’s a difference between saying ‘the south runs New York’ and saying New York radio play mostly down south records. Now if you want to get into the cause and the rudiments of that there’s a lot of different reasons. It’s not always the fault of the artist or the radio station. Sometimes the fans have to take some responsibility in what they purchase and what they listening to.
Check out the full interview where Talib explains what’s holding up a new BlackStar album, a collaboration he hopes happens and more below: