thaFormula.com - How did you feel during the early Rawkus Days or the days leading up to Rawkus.  Seeing that Biggie and Pac had recently passed and hip hop was crazy at the moment? 

Talib Kweli - I just think that Rawkus came in at a good time and they recognized the power of the scene that was existing and bubbling off the energy that came from the disenchantment.  Two of hip hop's icons were murdered in broad daylight and the murderers still have not been found or charged with a crime and I think that hip hop in smaller cities around the country, people were trying to make a return to the values and principles of why they liked hip hop.  That's why they fuckin' with vinyl and talkin about the things they were talkin about and I think Rawkus tapped into that at that time.

thaFormula.com - Was it hard to breakthrough during the time when the West Coast gangsta rap was runnin' things?

Talib Kweli - Nah, I wouldn't say it was that deep at all.  I think music is music and I think the West Coast probably had it's  time when it was supposed to have it's time.  That energy was needed in the music at the time.  If it wasn't needed it wouldn't have bubbled so hard.  I think the East Coast / West Coast thing that was happening and stuff around that time or the vibe that contributed to the death of 2Pac and Biggie had alot more to do with blacks and our places in society and how the media actually twists and turns things.

thaFormula.com - I notice that you were one of only a couple of the artists on the Lyricists Lounge that was able to maintain your hustle and get out to the mainstream?

Talib Kweli - I mean I think that as far as talent level, I'm equal to many of the artists that were on that project.

thaFormula.com - How were you feelin' about hip hop around that time?

Talib Kweli - I was feelin' good.  I thought hip hop was in a good space.

thaFormula.com - When you and Hi-Tek dropped "Reflection Eternal", did you ever think that it would end up getting the recognition it got?

Talib Kweli - I mean we felt good about the project and I feel we made something that we could be proud of and that's all that really matters.

thaFormula.com - It seems like that album revolutionized alot in hip hop and brought back a style of hip hop to the mainstream that hadn't been seen in a long time.

Talib Kweli - I'm glad that you feel that way.

thaFormula.com - What led to you and Hi-Tek not really working together that much anymore?

Talib Kweli - Well Hi-Tek did like four songs on this new album so we are working together.

thaFormula.com - Now with you solo album you came to the West and hooked up for a track with Quik.  How did that come about?

Talib Kweli - Quik was a fan of "The Blast" and he used to have a radio show on the Beat.  He used to play "The Blast on the show all the time and I got a chance to speak to him on the phone and thank him for playin' it and he invited me to come to the studio and make some music.  So I came by the studio and we made a bunch of songs and we found a real good working relationship.  He's real dope.

thaFormula.com - Were you surprised that DJ Quik was feelin' you?

Talib Kweli - I was a little bit but I shouldn't have been because Quik is a very talented musician and any good musician will pay attention to what's going on out there.  I mean I was already a fan of his so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that he was already a fan of mine.

thaFormula.com - Were you happy with the overall results of your solo album?

Talib Kweli - I mean I'm proud of the album.  I feel like it's not my best work and I don't feel like I have ever given my best work so I'm always striving to do better.

thaFormula.com - Is it hard recording an album when your not even sure what's going on with your label situation?

Talib Kweli - Yeah, it's hard but it makes you get back to the principles of why you started recording in the first place.

thaFormula.com - When you are in a situation like that, do you have to think about what type of album you are gonna make since you don't even know what label you will be on?

Talib Kweli - No, it just becomes harder not knowing where the checks are coming from and where the support is coming from, but not at all creatively.

thaFormula.com - You were one of the first to use Kanye before he blew up.  How did that connection come about?

Talib Kweli - Kanye came to my studio session I was working on to drop off the beat CD for Mos Def.  So we kicked it and exchanged numbers and I listened to a beat CD of his and it blew me away and so that's how he ended up producin' a couple of the songs on the "Quality" album and he's got a song on this album.

thaFormula.com - What do you feel the difference is between being able to change with the times and just straight up sellin' out because you seem to be able to change with the times?

Talib Kweli - I just never think that I'm better then what's going on in the music.  I never think that my style is to complicated or whatever. I really just play my part and participate in it and try to listen and figure out where things are going instead of complaining about where they are going.  I mean people are gonna do what they gonna do and you can't really judge anybody for what they gonna do.  You have artists like Madonna or Janet Jackson who for years have been able to come out and sound like what's going on and that's been the reason that they succeed and that's what they are good at.  Some people come out and they are always consistent like your Gangstarr's.  It's like everyone has their lane and I just try to make the best music possible using all the resources.  Using everything I heard and everything that's going on.

thaFormula.com - How far back to you and Chapelle go man because I notice you guys seem to have a real cool ass relationship?

Talib Kweli - Yeah we go back.  Dave was at just about every recording session for the Reflection album.  That's how he ended up doing the Rick James and the Nelson Mandela on my album.  You know he was always around and Dave is a good friend.

thaFormula.com - Now I know your new album was leaked early.  How do you feel about the constant leakage of albums and bootleggin'?

Talib Kweli - I mean the violation comes when people are stealing things that I haven't finished.  The stuff that was leaked was not finished.  It wasn't mixed.  There are elements missing from the songs and that's just the only problem that I have with it.  That's where the real disrespect comes in.  I think this can be a problem but you have to turn it on its head and make it into a positive.

thaFormula.com - Many people seem to want a Black Star album.  But people seem to forget that was 1999 and a different time.  How would a Black Star album sound in 2004 in your eyes and do you ever think about that?

Talib Kweli - I don't know.  When it comes out, that's when we will know.  I mean yeah I think about what it would sound like but I really have no idea what it would sound like.

thaFormula.com - 3 years have passed since 9/11.  Do you view that differently now then you did back then or still the same?

Talib Kweli - My view on it is the same as it was then when it happened.  You know the media is not in the interest of people so I didn't trust the media then and I don't trust the media now.  I believe what I see and what my experience tells me.  

thaFormula.com - Do you believe the conspiracies about 9/11?

Talib Kweli - I mean, I think there is overwhelming evidence that their are people who profit from a terrorist attack in America and their is people who profit directly from the events of September 11th.  Were seeing a situation now where you are seeing a bunch of rich people running around using poor people as pawns in their little war games and that's what it is.  It's not something that's new.  This stuff has been happening for thousands of years.

thaFormula.com - What should people expect from the new album Talib?

Talib Kweli - They should expect that it's going to be the hottest hip hop shit they hear in a long time.  It will be out September 28th so make sure you go get it.

thaFormula.com - Is the content and message still the same?

Talib Kweli - Sure, go get it and find out.

feedback: info@thaformula.com

Be  sure to join the over 600,000 Industry Heads that have signed up to our exclusive mailing list!!  Click here to join and receive exclusive interviews only available to members. Leave contact info ( name, email address, city, state, and country) at info@thaformula.com.