Brooklyn bred rapper
Talib Kweli is preparing to release Ear Drum, which is the follow-up to
2004’s critically acclaimed release Beautiful Struggle.The
album is being released on Kweli’s own imprint Blacksmith Music Corporation, which
is distributed by Warner Bros. Records. "This
record [Ear Drum], I just tried to make it about the sounds and about how
the sounds hit your ear," Kweli told AllHipHop.com. "The other records
I’ve done, I’ve wanted to create certain types of songs, songs that
I had in my head. On this one, the music sort of dictated where the songs went."Ear
Drum features production from Hi-Tek, Rick Rubin, Mad Lib, Kanye West and
guest appearances from Norah Jones, UGK, Sizzla, Jean Grae and others. "Nora
Jones—that record is done and is definitely gonna be on my album," Kweli
said. "Mad Lib did the beat. I don’t care what kind of music you do.
Artists can’t be in no boxes; we can’t have limitations. I tried to
heighten my whole career like that."Ear
Drum hits stores on Oct. 10. Kweli’s Blacksmith Music Corporation is also
preparing releases from Jean Grae and Xzibit’s Cali-based group, Strong Arm Steady.