Search - Talib Kweli :: Right About Now

Talib Kweli - Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix C

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 12/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Talib Kweli's latest release is "Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD" (2005). I am happy to have his last three solo albums in my collection, as well as the Black Star album. Standouts on this release for me include "Ms. Hill", a powerful tribute to Lauryn Hill, the upbeat "Supreme" (Side to Side) where Mos Def and Talib reunite for yet another hot cut, and "Where Ya Gonna Run" - Jean Grae delivers. My favourite track is the laidback "Two & Two" where a reflective Talib opens up, talks about the industry and creates a memorable cut. I don't feel like Talib is getting the production he deserves, its simply lackluster and in some cases some of the beats are second rate. Remember what Hi-Tek did on Reflection Eternal? Now that was real quality production. On "Quality" and "The Beautiful Struggle" Talib got some premium beats. I also have a difference of opinion about an artist everyone is claiming to be next, Papoose ("The Beast") to me isn't anything special, he rhymes with a fast flow but is basically just a punch line MC, and not on the level of the likes of other up and coming MCs like Ali Vegas and Saigon. Anyways "Right About Now:The Official Sucka Free Mix Cd" should provide Kweli fans with their necessary fix for now, maybe I have unrealistic expectations but I expect more from Kweli, and look forward to him getting the support of a record label that can properly promote him and make sure he gets the support he deserves. 3.5."

The Real Follow-Up To His QUALITY Album!

Charles L. Hubbert | Milwaukee, WI | 12/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Whether it was with Black Star or Reflection Eternal, Talib Kweli represented to the fullest. Getting praise as high as Jay-Z on The Black Album, Kweli is more than just your "favorite rapper's favorite rapper." He has a pretty solid underground and mainstream career despite the amount of album sales any of his projects have sold. His first solo effort Quality was satisfactory, but didn't match the success he had as a member of Black Star or Reflection Eternal. He revamped his approach entirely on The Beautiful Struggle by capturing a few A-listers in the industry to give his album a more commercial appeal. That move probably hurt a lot of his underground fans that he has held onto over the course of his career. Now Talib returns with Right About Now, an album deemed as a official "mixtape" but is really his attempts at recapturing his wayward fans who had reservations about his vision.



The standout track is easily "Ms. Hill," an ode to Lauryn Hill and her skills as an emcee as well as a strong Black Woman (fortunately she has recently decided to rejoin The Fugees and begin doing music again). "Drugs, Basketball, And Rap" featuring Plantet Asia and Phil The Agony is a self-analysis of the Black community and affirmation that we as a people can do so much more. "Supreme Supreme" aligns Talib with his former partner Mos Def for a long-awaited Black Star reunion. Underground phemon Jean Grae showcases her unrivaled talents on "Where You Gonna Run," despite the fact that the song basically uses the same sample as Little Brother's "Hiding Place." Other independents like Papoose and MF Doom show and prove on the songs "The Beast" and "Fly That Knot," respectively.



I gotta shout out Talib for showing love and dropping the Mil-town's name on the song "Roll Off Me." Overall, there is no reason why any Talib Kweli fan (past or present) wouldn't cop this record. The beats are on point, even though it would have been nice to have a Hi-Tek beat to complete the circle. Nevertheless, Right About Now is a superb collection for those that are looking for the real follow-up to Quality.

"

'Right About Now' put down G-Unit and Young Jeezy and...

Alex | MA | 12/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Go back to the days of wholesome hip-hop that is not about rims, jewelry, killing people, and disrespecting women.Talib Kweli comes back from a lackluster Beautiful Struggle, with an album that proves he can rap as he did in his Reflection Eternal/Blackstar days.



In the intro, mixed into the song, is Dave Chappelle talking like the late Rick James.



Drugs, Basketball, and Rap (4/5): Talib Kweli tells whack rappers to step aside, because their days are over maybe.



Who Got It (4.3/5): A combination of underground and mainstream? I don't know anyway else to say it



Fly the Knot (4/5): Catchy as hell chorus. MF Doom and Kweli provide solid rhymes.



Ms. Hill (5/5): a dedication, which moved me, to Lauryn Hill of the Fugees, and how strong she is. (Future CD planned for the reunited Fugees!) Eminem thinks it is cool to trash talk her. The beat is very soothing. Kanye West?



Flash Gordon (4.9/5): I love how he changes his tone of voice accordingly to the beat, very reminiscent of his old school style.



Supreme Supreme (4.9/5): It is always magic when Mighty Mos and Talib get together. I hope they come out with another Blackstar album. Their chemistry is unprecedented.



The Beast (4.7/5): Papoose proves that he is coming to take the spotlight from his mix tape after impressive mix tape working with DJ Kay Slay. Him working with Kweli is icing on the cake. Kweli does not disappoint



Roll off Me (3.5/5): Chorus is repetitive. It seems that the beat drowns out the lyrics.



Rock On (4.5/5): Lyrics and beat are on point.



Where you Gonna Run (4/5): Jean Grae raps well with anyone from Immortal Technique to Talib Kweli.



Two & Two (5/5): soulful and takes a great stab at how hip-hop has become polluted with G-unit and Young Jeezy, among many other trash rap. Whole song is a great comparison to the line in Common's "BE" song, "Chi-City" [So many raps about rims; surprised n***as aint become tires in the street]



Do not get confused; this album will be a great addition to any hip-hop head's collection."