Talib Kweli & Rapsody Raise Fists Not Arms on “Every Ghetto” (Audio)

Earlier this week, Talib Kweli premiered a new song on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, that featured Rapsody and a production by Hi-Tek. “Every Ghetto” is loud and proud and carries a message of strength, frustration and revolution. Now, they have released the studio-recorded version and its themes are even more clear.

Kweli voices his anger at the rampant crime in ‘hoods across the land, and also references the initial exploitation and eventual gentrification by outsiders, “Murder rate permanent place in the top 10. We live here, these hipsters drop in.” He addresses those who continue to place him in the box of being a “conscious rapper,” as well, and debunks some of the misconceptions associated with that one-dimensional label, “They say consciousness mean we ain’t rugged, until you get beat within an inch of it.” For her part, Rapsody takes on the continued violence of the police against citizens, rapping “Is this the art of war for cops? We double-dutchin’ duckin’ shots” and “I’m on my Viola Davis, workin’ for justice. How you get away with murder? Be a cop and just kill us.” Throughout, Hi-Tek’s pounding drums and repeated sample of a choir singing “in every ghetto” whip the track into a frenzy.

“Every Ghetto” is the second release from Talib & 9th Wonder’s forthcoming Indie 500 compilation album, which hits stores on November 6. Take a listen.

talib-kweli-rapsody-9th-wonder

Related: Talib Kweli & Rapsody Debut a New Song Liveā€¦& The Revolution Is Televised (Video)