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20 Years Ago Black Star Released A Gold Standard For Hip-Hop (Audio)

Twenty years ago today (September 29, 1998), Mos Def and Talib Kweli joined forces and waved the Black Star flag courtesy of an incredible album. Time-tested, that same flag is forever planted in ears, hearts, and consciousness of so many Hip-Hop Heads. After two decades, Mos Def & Talib Kweli... Read more

Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Mannie Fresh & More To Perform At 7th Annual Hiero Day

The 7th annual Hiero Day Music Festival & Block Party is taking place Labor Day, September 3. The event performers have officially been unveiled. Oakland, California's legendary Hieroglyphics crew will be performing at their festival, and joining them will be Black Thought, Talib Kweli, Freddie Gibbs, Mannie Fresh, Elzhi, Georgia... Read more

Ace Clark Shows Signs Of Greatness On A Jazzy Collabo With Talib Kweli & Joell Ortiz (Audio)

Gang Starr's Guru once professed on "Moment of Truth", “Cultivate, multiply, motivate or else we’ll die.” Twenty years later in a progressively demanding and often times burdensome social climate, these lyrics ring truer than ever. To remain positive, inspired, and purposeful in an atmosphere that can easily wear you down... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Black Star vs. The Roots. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility for... Read more

Black Star Show Why One Of Their Defining Messages Remains Timeless (Video)

Black Star represented a needed voice in the late 1990s when Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and Talib Kweli first emerged under the group name. Their “Definition” single and its next track reprise, “RE:DEFinition,” spoke out against violence in Hip-Hop at a time when the community was mourning the losses... Read more

Yasiin Bey Is Opening An Art Gallery To Keep Hip-Hop In The South Bronx

After Black Star album reports began in February, it has been a busier year than most for Yasiin Bey. He and partner Talib Kweli performed at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival just last weekend (July 14). It comes in the midst of a 20-year-celebration of their landmark Rawkus Records LP. Now,... Read more

Black Star’s Talib Kweli & Yasiin Bey Define What Hip-Hop Means To Them Today (Audio)

Celebrating 20 years since their landmark album, Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and Talib Kweli have been busy taking their show on the road. On Saturday (July 14), the pair rocked the hometown stage at the 2018 Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival. The day before (July 13), the former Rawkus Records... Read more

Black Star Is Performing Live With A Band Right Now. Watch Here (Video)

Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) and Talib Kweli, aka Black Star, are performing live right now Live at Jazz à Vienne 2018. If you miss the live performance, stay tuned. We will update the post with the on demand video, if it is made available.... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Black Star vs. Slum Village. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’ annual competition series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry (which has been determined), including the possibility... Read more

Do Remember When Pete Rock & Black Thought Breathed New Life Into Black Star (Audio)

In September, Hip-Hop will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, the album which launched Talib Kweli's solo career and spawned one of the most beloved unions in Rap music. Two decades later, the Rawkus Records masterpiece will be the star of a handful of... Read more

Finding The GOAT Group: Organized Konfusion vs. Black Star. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Group,” the fourth installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest collectives vying for the #1 spot. Sixty-two groups have been pre-selected by a panel of experts, and one slot will be reserved for a wild-card entry, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to... Read more

Dynasty Teaches That Simplicity Is Genius Over A Brilliant Apollo Brown Beat (Video)

Queens, New York's Dynasty embodies power, leadership, and sovereignty. All of this is apparent from her past work with Talib Kweli and DJ Premier. From her 2016 album Forever, DY; Dynasty recently dropped the visuals for her single, "One Day," produced by Detroit, Michigan’s Apollo Brown (Ras Kass, O.C., Planet Asia).... Read more

Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli Are Reuniting On Stage To Celebrate 20 Years Of Black Star

September marks 20 years since the release of Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The collaborative album was the first full-length efforts from both Brooklyn, New York MCs. The Rawkus Records pair has gone on to decorated solo careers, capturing some of that Black Star chemistry on a... Read more

Talib Kweli Discusses The Genius Of Madvillainy & Its Impact On Hip-Hop (Audio)

Last month, Madvillain's album celebrated its 14th birthday. In the early 2000s, MF DOOM and Madlib formed the group and recorded Madvillainy in the latter's bomb shelter studio in Glendale, California. The resulting Stones Throw Records album was a game-changer in the careers of two elusive, decorated veterans, both creatively... Read more

Talib Kweli & Jay Electronica Release A Song Meant To Bring All Of Us Together (Video)

The latest example of Hip-Hop artists bringing awareness through their art to the brutality of some law enforcement is Talib Kweli's "All Of Us" visual. Featuring Jay Electronica, Yummy Bingham, and directed by Yassin "Narcy" Alsalman, the video illustrates police intimidating communities of color. It also portrays a shooting of... Read more

Nas & Black Star Will Share The Stage This Summer

Nas and Black Star are two championed Hip-Hop acts. Whereas Nas has released 11 solo albums, in addition to compilations, and group work with The Firm and Distant Relatives, Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey have just one group LP. In 2018, reports are lingering that both entities have album plans... Read more

RZA Wrecks A Party. He Freestyles Into Headphones & Scratches (Video)

In the last year, Wu-Tang Clan released an album whereby RZA handed the production reigns to DJ Mathematics. The Abbott executive produced, but the longtime leader of the Wu appears focused on his Hollywood career more than plugging out beats on the ASR-10 in his studios. However, do not get... Read more

Talib Kweli’s New Video Is Incredibly Powerful In Its Silence

Talib Kweli’s newest video for the single “Radio Silence” featuring Amber Coffman and Myka 9, visually mirrors the track’s message in the most artfully accurate way. The visuals for the title track off Kweli’s eighth solo album, Radio Silence (an inclusion in Ambrosia For Heads' Top 15 albums of 2017),... Read more

Yasiin Bey Says Black Star Is Working On New Music With Madlib (Audio)

This August makes 20 years since the release of Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The Rawkus Records album is a benchmark album of Hip-Hop's underground uprising, and a key introduction of Mos Def (nka Yasiin Bey), Talib Kweli, and producer DJ Hi-Tek. While Talib and Yasiin have collaborated... Read more

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2017 (Battle 3): Talib Kweli vs. Joey Bada$$

We have our opinions on the best albums of 2017, but rather than simply list them, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2017. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of... Read more

JSWISS’ Latest Video Shows His Dedication To Overcome & Be Heard

Up-and-coming New York MC JSWISS is getting all the right kind of attention, and the accolades are sure to continue following the release of this simple, but highly effective visual for “Dedicate.LoveSomethin,” the latest single from his No Music EP. “Dedicate.LoveSomethin” is produced by Brady Watt, a well-known bass player from New... Read more

Nina Simone Will Be Inducted Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

The 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees have been announced. Following two consecutive years with Hip-Hop additions to the Cleveland, Ohio-based museum and hall (N.W.A. and Tupac Shakur), no Rap artists are selected. However, Jazz/R&B vocalist, arranger, and pianist Nina Simone is among the five honorees that also... Read more

Eminem’s New Song Is A Scathing Rebuke Of Racism & White Privilege (Audio)

For the second time in 2 months, Eminem has delivered some of the most potent commentaries in music. In October, his BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, a freestyle titled "The Storm" that was a 5-minute takedown of Donald Trump, became headline news around the world. Em was not the first... Read more

Talib Kweli Recalls A Great Story Involving Freestyle Fellowship, Neo-Soul & Rent Money (Video)

There have been several memorable Hip-Hop roommates. During the early 1990s, Gang Starr members Guru and DJ Premier lived together at several New York City residences (one was a Brooklyn home owned by Branford Marsalis). RZA and Ghostface Killah were under the same roof in the days before Enter The... Read more

Talib Kweli & Jay Electronica Reunite. Times Are Hard & So Are Their Rhymes (Audio)

Less than one week ago, Talib Kweli released Radio Silence. Following April's The Seven collaborative EP with Styles P, Kwe' drops his first full-length solo effort in two years. This go-round features Anderson .Paak on latest video single "Traveling Light," along with Rick Ross and Freestyle Fellowship/Project Blowed member Myka... Read more

Madlib, Talib Kweli & More Released New Music Today. Here’s Some Of The Best (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let AFH fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

From Q-Tip To Chappelle, Talib Kweli’s Inner-Circle Shines In His New Video

Since the 1990s, Talib Kweli has maintained his role as one of Hip-Hop's leading voices striving for political empowerment and enlightenment. His passion for preaching righteousness and seeking justice had recently got Kweli's Twitter account briefly suspended for calling out a racist, homophobic lawyer.  It may be poetic coincidence that... Read more

Twitter Suspends Talib Kweli’s Account Following War Of Words With Texas Lawyer

Social media platform Twitter suspended the account of Talib Kweli this week after it claimed the Black Star and Reflection Eternal MC incited harassment towards a Texas-based lawyer after he posted the attorney’s business address to his more than one million followers online. In an interview with Uproxx, Kweli said... Read more

9th Wonder Explains Why Soundbombing & Rawkus Kept His Hip-Hop Dreams Alive (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the LAST 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the LAST... Read more

Soundbombing Was Released 20 Years Ago & Launched A Generation Of Underground Hip-Hop

Twenty years ago this week (October 14, 1997) New York-based independent Hip-Hop label Rawkus Records released Soundbombing Vol. 1. Rawkus' second full-length project boasted Black Moon/Da Beatminerz producer DJ Evil Dee on the mix, and atop its cover touted, "The Ultimate Guide To Underground Hip-Hop." Time would prove it most... Read more

Talib Kweli Reflects On A “Train Of Thought” Song That Remains Eternal 17 Years Later (Audio)

Last week, Mos Def's solo debut Black On Both Sides celebrated its 18th birthday. Meanwhile, today (October 17), Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey's Black Star partner, and DJ Hi-Tek honor the 17th anniversary of Reflection Eternal's Train Of Thought. Both Rawkus Records releases are benchmark albums to Hip-Hop, as well as... Read more

Talib Kweli & Rick Ross Look To Enlighten Only The Lonely On “Heads Up Eyes Open” (Video)

Whether he's done it solo or in collaboration with some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop, Talib Kweli has spent his 20-year music career making poignant statements about self-reflection and soul searching. The Brooklyn stalwart brings food for thought to listeners who are emotionally lost or mentally starved, looking towards... Read more

EPMD Are Working On An Album Only Featuring Classic Hip-Hop Duos (Video)

It has been almost nine years since legendary duo EPMD released an album. Late 2008's We Mean Business marked the seventh group effort for Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The EP/RBC Records release was a departure from the six consecutive gold albums the Long Islanders released dating back to 1988's... Read more

Talib Kweli Releases A Song To Inspire Those With Their Heads Up & Eyes Open (Audio)

The Harvard Business Review has released an article about loneliness, and describes it in dire terms. "There is good reason to be concerned about social connection in our current world. Loneliness is a growing health epidemic. We live in the most technologically connected age in the history of civilization, yet... Read more

Talib Kweli & Blu Gang Up On A Beat. It’s Fight Night For 2 Great MCs (Audio)

In 2007, the same summer Blu & Exile released Below The Heavens, Talib Kweli dropped Eardrum. One MC made an indelible underground debut, while the other, from a similar trajectory, released a #2 overall LP on the charts, marking a new plateau. Ten years later, these two artists from opposing... Read more

Weldon Irvine Influenced Black Star, KRS-One, JAY-Z, Common & Q-Tip. His Story Is Being Told (Video)

Best-known perhaps as the songwriter of the unofficial Civil Rights anthem, "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" (popularized by Nina Simone), the late Weldon Irvine bridged the generations as a key mentor and collaborator to Hip-Hop icons during the '90s and beyond. Guru, Roy Ayers, & Donald Byrd Brought Jazzmatazz... Read more

Teen Bresha Meadows Stood Up To Her Abusive Father. Talib Kweli Tells Her Story (Audio)

In July of 2016, Warren, Ohio teenager Bresha Meadows fatally shot her father, reportedly as he slept. The 14-year-old killed Jonathan Meadows after years of physical abuse, which also included her brothers and mother, according to relatives. Despite the evidence of abuse, Meadows was charged with aggravated murder. Bresha and... Read more

Talib Kweli Is Celebrating 15 Years Of Quality With An Extended Residency At The Blue Note

In November 2002, Talib Kweli's debut solo LP hit store shelves. The Brooklyn, New York MC had already won Heads over as Mos Def's Black Star brother, but it would be on his own where he sowed the seeds for one of Hip-Hop's most successful careers and Quality would be the... Read more

Rah Digga Rates Nicki Minaj’s Bars With Brutal Honesty (Video)

For years, Rah Digga has been one of Hip-Hop's most respected lyricists and, perhaps, one of its most underrated, too. As such, she was a fitting guest on BET's "Rate The Bars" digital series where MCs are asked to read lyrics written by other artists and rate them. To make... Read more

Pusha T & Jadakiss Move Major Keys On A Heavyweight Collabo With DJ Khaled (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been. Not only are we able to go back... Read more

Bill O’Reilly Has Been Fired By FOX News. Hip-Hop Responds.

UPDATE: On April 19, it was confirmed that Bill O'Reilly has been fired by FOX News following the latest sexual harassment reports. The top-ranking pundit and Conservative personality is said to return with an independent podcast. It appears to be the end of an era at one of the world's... Read more

WAIT…Talib Kweli & Styles P Released A Great New Project Too.

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So...let us fight through it for you and only supply you with that good stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it's ever been before. Not only are we able to go... Read more

Talib Kweli & The LOX Pull No Punches On An Earthshaking Collabo (Audio)

In 2000, The LOX released We Are The Streets while Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek dropped Train Of Thought as Reflection Eternal. At the time, these New York City artists appeared to some, to exist at opposite sides of the Rap industry. While Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch were... Read more

Talib Kweli’s 10 Favorite Albums Are An Eternal Reflection Of Great Music

Last month, Raekwon raised some eyebrows and even more discussion when he listed his Top 10 albums. While his own acclaimed purple tape and Ghostface Killah's Supreme Clientele were on the list, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) missed the cut. That prompted some discourse from fans, surrounding the classic LP upon... Read more

Talib Kweli Drops a 64-Bar Video With The Kind Of Wordplay That Made Him A Star.

Talib Kweli is fast at work on his collaborative album with The LOX's Styles P. However, in the meantime, Kweli offers up a fresh batch of 64 bars built around everything that's made this Brooklyn, New Yorker so great for 20 years and counting. Just as Talib did on his... Read more

Talib Kweli Stands Up To Make The World A Better Place, Starting With Beautiful Music (Audio)

Talib Kweli has joined forces with Jazz trumpeter and rapper Maurice Brown for "Stand Up," a brooding call to action for strength during turbulent times. Brown is a Grammy-winning musician whose tutelage under the great Wynton Marsalis has helped him become one of the most successful musicians of his class,... Read more

Talib Kweli Discusses Digital Media’s Role In Shifting Discourse To Disagreements (Video)

Talib Kweli is one of the most active Hip-Hop voices on social media. The Brooklyn artist touted for his lyrical content is also celebrated as a vociferous opponent of racism, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and other microaggressive and blatant acts of abuse online. On any given day, the MC can... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Premier vs. RZA. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Quik vs. Dr. Dre. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more