by Damian Garde
Daily Lobo
Talib Kweli doesn't want to be
famous.
At least that's what the veteran New York rapper would have you believe.
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In 1998, Kweli was among the standout MCs on Rawkus Records, the home of Company Flow, Pharoahe Monch and Common. Kweli teamed with fellow Brooklynite Mos Def to form Black Star, releasing the group's critically lauded debut the same year. Ever since, Kweli has walked the line between underground accolades and mainstream stardom.
Now, five albums into his career, Kweli seems reluctant to pick a side. While he's relatively well-known - at least compared to R.A. the Rugged Man - Kweli still feels jilted by the mainstream press.
"BET has never really played my music," he said in an interview. "No one I know even watches BET. My music is not designed on a pop standpoint."
While his railing against the established media outlets is fitting for an indie rapper, Kweli is not being entirely truthful.
According to his Web site, he recorded a track for the newest season of the BET series "Beef." Furthermore, he was the featured guest on an October episode of MTV's "Wild 'N Out," an improv-comedy show hosted by Nickelodeon veteran
Nick Cannon.
But despite these seeming pleas for mainstream acceptance, Kweli hasn't lost sight of his independent aesthetic. After the release of his 2004 album, The Beautiful Struggle, Kweli ended his relationship with Geffen Records.
"They weren't putting my records out, nor were they taking me seriously as an artist," he said.
In response, Kweli formed his own label, Blacksmith Music, signing longtime collaborator Jean Grae and West Coast rap crew Strong Arm Steady in the process.
"I just want to have a situation where I can support artists who are talented and inspired," he said. "I want to be in control of my artistic output."
Kweli's first album under
Blacksmith, Ear Drum, is slated for release in early 2007. Keeping with his habit of straddling fame and anonymity, Kweli will have tracks produced by millionaire mainstreamers like Kanye West and indie-rap superproducers like Madlib.
Taking the stage at the Sunshine Theater on Thursday, Kweli was dressed modestly in a yellow sweatshirt and matching yellow Yankees hat. Noticeably absent was the diamond chain that has become ubiquitous on the necks of even the most middle-class of rappers.
Kweli's choice in songs perhaps best illustrated his duality, bouncing from the hard-hitting fury of "Move Somethin'" to the radio friendly, Kanye West-produced "Get By."
After the requisite encore, Kweli asked for any breakdancers in attendance to come to the stage. However, upon realizing that the Sunshine's security wouldn't allow such audience participation, Kweli became annoyed.
"We had like another half hour left in the show," he said after his squabble with security, "but if that's how it's going to be, peace."
To the jeers and shouts of the audience, Kweli turned his head, delivering a final peace sign before stepping off stage. Despite the repeated chants of his name, Kweli neglected to reemerge as the house lights came on, urging the crowd to disperse.
While his sudden departure initially seemed odd, perhaps it fits with Kweli's subtle hypocrisies. He wants his music on television but refuses to bow to a major label. He makes songs for the masses with Just Blaze, but he's always in the market for a track from Hi-Tek. Furthermore, he's happy to play a two-hour show for his fans, but he's stepping out the moment he doesn't get his way.
