Talib Kweli - Right About Now

HHH Official Rating: 3.5/5
Beats rating: 3/5
Lyrics rating: 4/5
Music Quality: 3/5



by the god Dirty Backpacks

"That's right, b***hes -
you're now rockin' with the best!
Talib Kweli!"

- Dave Chappelle on "Right About Now"


In recent times on Hiphophavoc, there has been a sort of mini-debate about what is and isn't lyrical. The truth of the matter is it comes down to choice - those of us raised on more old school Hip Hop and can appreciate the Golden Age of Hip Hop (the mid-90s) concentrate more on lyrical content along with the other elements; and those who are more caught up in the now tend to simply like a dope beat with a few lines that complement the beat. I tend to appreciate both schools of thought, but if you read my Top 5 MCs in the news section, you know where my heart lies.

Talib Kweli's Right About Now is definitely for those who love lyricism. Always respected as one of Brooklyn's Finest, this collection of underground hits and songs left off his previous projects will make Kweli and Black Star lovers rejoice. But, as tight of an MC as he is, there is a problem with this album that detracts from the overall grade.

The biggest problem with truly lyrical MCs is that they're so lyrically nice that they can make an ordinary or average beat sound better because of their skill level. So, as a result, many lyricists have been paired with average to sub-par beats over the years, because they don't need over-produced beats to sell the song, and this hurts them. Their lyricism can actually be a liability. Such lyrical juggernauts such as Method Man, Can-I-Bus, Kool G. Rap, Nas and Kurupt have all suffered from this - and Kweli, unfortunately, is no different.

Don't get me wrong - this is NOT bad production. But many of the beats simply don't match up with the flames being spit by Talib Kweli. And it's not for a lack of good producers - Right About Now features production from such noted beatmakers such as Jay Dee, 88 Keys, Charlemagne, Dave West, The Fyre Dept. and even Midi Mafia. But, for the most part,it seems like Kweli received their "C" beats.

But, even with this seeming liability, Kweli still drops a good album. Never one to spit about bullsh*t, he breaks down history, who his influences are and who he loves in Hip Hop on the title track "Right About Now" with some humorous antecdotes from Dave Chappelle. And on the Needlz-produced "Drugs, Rap & Basketball" he breaks down the weak state of Hip Hop, and let's it be known there's more to Blacks than the title of the song. The song features the lyrical stylings of The Strong Arm Steady crew, who many on the West Coast and any underground heads like myself will know. Phil The Agony is cool, but Planet Asia really flows on this joint.

But perhaps the most poignant and meaningful song on the album has to be "Ms. Hill", Kweli's stirring tribute to Lauryn Hill. Over a smooth beat he really makes you think about how necessary and powerful an MC like Lauryn is in this world of female MCs talking nasty, showin' their a$$, and coming off like gold diggers and sex objects. It's about time someone talked about her impact and worth in Hip Hop.

But lest you think this album is all serious and "preachy", Kweli has quite a few joints where he just spits flame! "Who Got It" is a perfect example of this, and his collabo with MF Doom on "Fly That Knot" may be one of my favorite collabos in the past few months - MF actually steals the show with his uncanny, uncategorical flow over a hot beat by The Fyre Dept (who are making a name for themselves after dropping heat on J-Live's project earlier this year). And "Flash Gordon", which was left off The Beautiful Struggle, is one of my favorites - he should've included it on that previous album, no doubt.

I do have mixed feelings on some of these collabos, however. "Supreme, Supreme" features fellow Black Star alum Mos Def, but really disappoints - neither spits anything special, and the beat is much too over-orchestrated and detracts from their flow because it's way too average. Very surprising, considering how many people just live for these type of Black Star reunions. Even more surprising (well, maybe not to some) is how Papoose completely steals "The Beast" from Kweli! Kweli's flow is dope, the beat is hot, but honestly speaking - Pap pulls off what Eminem did to Jay-Z on "Renegade" - which is completely steal the song. I already thought this kid was a monster, but after hearing this song, he's in my top 5 of the new generation - easily.

But the collabo I looked forward to the most was "Where You Gonna Run" with the 2nd nicest female MC (next to Lauryn) in the game, Jean Grae. The song uses the same beat as Little Brother's "Hidin' Place", and while that song is better, this one's dope as well. For those of you who don't know who Jean Grae is, while this isn't the best I've ever heard her spit, her flow and lyrics will open your eyes:

"She lacks delivery-
Really? I pack Rap symmetry
And send it to your dorm
Why y'all iggin' me
For sure, Jean is synonymous with chivalry
Open doors, but I, step through first."

That line may be a little over some y'all heads, but trust - she's a problem.

On the same song, Kweli provides the reason why EVERYONE in the industry respects and loves this dude, from all regions. For those of you who wonder what we're talking about when we speak of lyricism, peep this:

"Diamond cut lyrics so sharp
the spit splits the glass
Your mouth's writing a check
that your a$$ ain't quick to cash
Screamin' how you quick to shoot
don't even know the screenplay
Ni99as rap in Black or white -
I'm rappin' shades of Jean Grae
Sick of ni99as lickin' boots
I pick and choose my battles
When I spit the truth, it's hot
like the prod that moves the cattle
Y'all don't really want no beef
That's too real - you want veal
You baby sheep hanging in the air
to tenderize the meat!
Me? I don't like the taste -
The sh*t's gamey
Like magazines tellin' lies
to start wars like Dick Cheny
They suck - they losin' they flavor like Now & Laters
when I bust them ni99as run for the hills like Al-Qaeda."

THAT is what we mean.

Right About Now is a solid, but not great, effort by Talib Kweli. If you get the bonus CD with this album, you'll love it - all 4 songs on it are dope, and are the type of songs you wish he'd put on his albums instead of mixtapes (these songs were essentially lifted from his Beautiful Mixtape Pt.2). The bonus tracks feature collabos from Musiq, Killer Mike (yeah!), and Toronto's own Kardinal Offishal (T.Dot stand up! - let's get it, Toronto!) and have production from DJ Quik and Midi Mafia. The track "So Good" with Musiq actually uses the same dope beat as the Shyne classic "More Or Less"! This bonus CD actually brought my overall grade of this joint up.

Kweli lovers - you'll like this, and those searching for a true MC, search no further. But it does suffer from average production in some spots, and does have a few surprises. Is it worth purchasing? Definitely, but for the standard that he's set previously, some may be a bit surprised. Still a solid joint, though.


Track List:

1. Right About Now [3.5]
2. Drugs, Basketball & Rap w/Planet Asia & Phil The Agony [3]
3. Who Got It [3]
4. Fly That Knot w/MF Doom [3.5]
5. Ms. Hill [3]
6. Flash Gordon [4]
7. Supreme, Supreme w/Mos Def [2.5]
8. The Beast w/Papoose [4]
9. Roll Off Me [2.5]
10. Rock On [2.5]
11. Where You Gonna Run w/Jean Grae [4]
12. Two & Two [3.5]

BONUS CD TRACKS:

1. Murderous w/Kardinal Offishal [4.5]
2. So Good w/Musiq [4]
3. Tryin' To Breathe w/Killer Mike [4]
4. 7:30 [3.5]