Talib Kweli

Featuring: Dave Chappelle

Songwriter: Dave Chappelle Talib Kweli

Producer: Talib Kweli

[Intro: Dave Chappelle as Rick James]
Turn my mothafuckin’ headphones up
Are they up? Louder, even louder than this (Kweli)
(Welcome to the Grand…)

Bitches, this is Rick James, that’s right bitch, the real Rick James. I’m Rick James bitch. One of the baddest mothafuckers you’ve ever seen when and one of the best-lookin motherfuckas, one of the best singers. This is the mixtape bitches. Sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself bitches. It’s a celebration. (Kweli!)

[Talib Kweli]
Step up front to my nigga Mos Def
Step up front to my man Hi-Tek
Step up front to my nigga CornBread
Step up front to my people, weak G
Step up front
Step up front
Hurry, Hurry, step right up
The show is about to begin
It’s a struggle, but it’s a beautiful struggle
Yea

If skills sold, Talib Kweli would have been one of the most commercially successful rappers of his time. As it was, however, the earnest MC became one of the most critically successful rappers of his time, which dawned in the late ‘90s when he rapped alongside Yasiin Bey (then known as Mos Def) and DJ Hi-Tek as part of the group Black Star.

Talib is known for his numerous collaborations with other artists like Kanye West, Common, Madlib, Bilal, The Roots, Dead Prez, Q-Tip, John Legend, the list is endless. He has also embraced a whole new generation like Blu, Kendrick Lamar, Curren$y, and Ab-Soul.

Kweli has recently spearheaded a direct-to-fan means of distributing his music via his new site #KweliClub. Check it out to get his latest music including many free downloads.

more tracks from the album

The Beautiful Mix CD

From the album

The Beautiful Mix CD (2004)

Talib Kweli popular songs

Rick James IntroTalib Kweli

Talib Kweli

The Beautiful Mix CD