Talib Kweli Biography

Fast Facts

• Gained recognition early in his career due to his collaboration with Mos Def under the name Black Star
• Quote: "My music has been associated with․․․positivity, spirituality, intelligence and being thought-provoking and such․ I think sometimes people get caught up in that part of me․․․and don't necessarily understand the musicality․․․behind what I do․"
• Quote: "I like the position I'm in․ I feel like I'm a connector, a leader․ I feel like I've led by example and I want to continue to do that․"
• Has also collaborated with artists like Kanye West and Madlib and joined producer Hi-Tek to form Reflection Eternal
• Best known as a rapper whose hit songs include "Move Somethin'" and "Get By․"
• His first name, Talib, is Arabic for "student" or "seeker" and his middle name, Kweli, is Swahili for "true․"
• Some of his songs have been used in video games, with "Down for the Count" appearing in "Madden NFL 2002" and "My Favorite Song" appearing in "Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned․"