Rapper Talib Kweli was destined for greatness. Having come from a highly educated family in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, he didn’t have time for mediocrity.
The thirty-eight year old rapper attended New York University for experimental theater. However, it was in his youth he found a passion for music, specifically rap. Through his “politically insightful” lyrics, Kweli inspires his fans to take a stand and have a voice in society. However, this came at a cost for the rapper, when he became a “prisoner of sorts” to his music.
“My music has been associated with those types of causes, with positivity, spirituality, intelligence and being thought-provoking and such,” writes Kweli on his website. “I think sometimes people get caught up in that part of me as an artist and don’t necessarily understand the musicality or fully appreciate the music and the entertainment value behind what I do.”
Kweli began his career with the Prisoner of Consciousness artistic tour. This three-year tour led the politically driven rapper to discover “new vibes, joining in some unlikely collaborations and taking him to foreign lands.” During his career, Kweli has worked with the likes of Common, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Nelly, John Legend, Busta Rhymes and Norah Jones, solidifying his talent and reputation among bonafide rap and R&B artists. He formed the group Black Star with fellow rapper Mos Def and released an album with them in 1998. Kweli has continued to release hip-hop albums throughout the 21th century.
Kweli is scheduled to share his thoughts on the Civil Rights Movement next week as the keynote speaker for the University of Wyoming’s Days of Dialogue event.
Chicory Bechtel, the project coordinator for the Multicultural affairs, believes that through the event, students will witness Kweli’s activism and passion that echoes that of Martin Luther King Jr.
With a commitment to promote awareness and diversity through the event, Kweli and Bechtel are eager to contribute to the commemoration of this historic movement within the upcoming week.
