Name: Quality by Talib Kweli
Brand: Talib Kweli
SKU: 8811304829
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 4.5 (105 reviews)

ALBUM Explicit

While his erstwhile Black Star mate Mos Def concentrated on his acting career, Talib Kweli set about crafting a truly solo follow-up to his acclaimed debut, Reflection Eternal, this time with a variety of producers in place of partner DJ Hi-Tek. The excellent Quality only ups the ante, building on its predecessor's clear-minded focus with greater scope and a more colorful musical palette. Right off the bat, it's apparent that Kweli has traded his old-school minimalism for a warmer, richer sound -- complete with some live instrumentation -- that's immediately inviting and accessible. The opening trio of songs -- "Rush," "Get By," and "Shock Body" -- ranks among the most exciting music he's recorded, and the album only branches out from there. Kweli can pull off genial, good-time hip-hop like lead single "Waitin' for the DJ" and the DJ Quik-produced "Put It in the Air," and follow it with the blistering (and incisive) political fury of "The Proud." He reflects on his image as a so-called conscious rapper on "Good to You," and pushes its boundaries on the Cocoa Brovaz collaboration "Gun Music," where he twists the lyrical conventions of dancehall reggae to his own ends. Pharoahe Monch and the Roots' Black Thought put in exciting guest spots on "Guerrilla Monsoon Rap," and Mos Def appears on "Joy," where Kweli manages to describe the births of his two children without getting self-indulgent. A couple of the mellow R&B jams do get a little too mellow for their own good, drifting along and slowing the album's otherwise consistent momentum. Nonetheless, nearly everything Kweli tries works, and the array of producers keeps things unpredictable. Quality is proof that intelligent hip-hop need not lack excitement, soul, or genuine emotion; it's one of the best rap albums of a year with no shortage of winners. ~ Steve Huey

1. Keynote Speaker

by Talib Kweli, Dave Chappelle

Featured Artist: Dave Chappelle; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Eric Coomes; Performer
Bass Guitar: Eric Coomes; Performer
Performer: Eric Coomes
Talib Kweli; Performer
Composer: Eric Krasno
Dave Chappelle
Talib Kweli Greene; Composer
Lyricist: Dave Chappelle
Eric Krasno
Talib Kweli Greene; Composer
Mixing: Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Producer: Eric Krasno; Production
Recording: Joe Nardone
Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Recording Arrangement: Talib Kweli; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone; Production
Composer Lyricist: Eric Krasno
Talib Kweli Greene
Dave Chappelle; Other

2. Rush

by Talib Kweli

Background Vocals: Xzibit; Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Doug Winbush; Performer
Bass Guitar: Doug Winbush; Performer
Guitar: Morgan Micheal Craft; Performer
Performer: Morgan Micheal Craft
Doug Winbush
Xzibit; Performer
Composer: Dorsey Wesley
Talib Kweli; Composer
Lyricist: Talib Kweli
Dorsey Wesley; Composer
Mixing: Axel Niehaus; Production
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Producer: Megahertz; Production
Recording: Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave "supastar" Dar
Axel Niehaus
G Man; Production
Composer Lyricist: Dorsey Wesley
Talib Kweli; Other

3. Get By

by Talib Kweli

Background Vocals: Abby Dobson
Chinua Hawk
William Taylor
Kendra Ross
Vernetta Bobien; Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Performer: Vernetta Bobien
Abby Dobson
Chinua Hawk
William Taylor
Kendra Ross
Duane Eubanks; Performer
Trumpet: Duane Eubanks; Performer
Composer: Nina Simone
Talib Kweli
Kanye West; Composer
Lyricist: Talib Kweli
Nina Simone
Kanye West; Composer
Mixing: Serban Ghenea; Production
Producer: Kanye West; Production
Recording: Geoff Allen
Joe Nardone; Production
Studio Personnel: Geoff Allen
Serban Ghenea
Joe Nardone; Production
Composer Lyricist: Kanye West
Nina Simone
Talib Kweli; Other

4. Shock Body

by Talib Kweli

Background Vocals: Stephanie Mckay
Tiffany Phinazee; Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Performer: Tiffany Phinazee
Stephanie Mckay; Performer
Composer: Roger Karshner
Talib Kweli
Chuck Mangione
George Spivey; Composer
Lyricist: Talib Kweli
Chuck Mangione
George Spivey
Roger Karshner; Composer
Mixing: Serban Ghenea; Production
Producer: Dj Scratch; Production
Recording: Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Recording Assistant: Joe Nardone; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave "supastar" Dar
Serban Ghenea
Joe Nardone; Production
Composer Lyricist: George Spivey
Chuck Mangione
Talib Kweli
Roger Karshner; Other

5. Gun Music

by Talib Kweli, Cocoa Brovaz

Featured Artist: Cocoa Brovaz; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Doug Wimbush; Performer
Bass Guitar: Doug Wimbush; Performer
Performer: Doug Wimbush
Junior Cat; Performer
Rap: Junior Cat; Performer
Composer: Tekomin Williams
Talib Kweli
Darrell A. Yates Jr.
Dorsey Wesley; Composer
Lyricist: Tekomin Williams
Talib Kweli
Darrell A. Yates Jr.
Dorsey Wesley; Composer
Mixing: Axel Niehaus; Production
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Producer: Megahertz; Production
Recording: Joe Nardone
Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Recording Assistant: Marco Bruno; Production
Studio Personnel: Marco Bruno
Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone
G Man
Axel Niehaus; Production
Composer Lyricist: Dorsey Wesley
Talib Kweli
Darrell A. Yates Jr.
Tekomin Williams; Other

6. Waitin' For The DJ

by Talib Kweli, Bilal

Featured Artist: Bilal; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Composer: T. Greene
B. Oliver
D. Darien; Composer
Lyricist: T. Greene
B. Oliver
D. Darien; Composer
Mixing: Axel Neihaus; Production
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Producer: Dahoud Darien; Production
Recording: Joseph Nardone; Production
Studio Personnel: Axel Neihaus
Joseph Nardone
G Man; Production
Composer Lyricist: T. Greene
D. Darien
B. Oliver; Other

7. Joy

by Talib Kweli, Mos Def

Featured Artist: Mos Def; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Composer: Lamont Dorrell
Curtis Mayfield
Talib Kweli; Composer
Lyricist: Lamont Dorrell
Curtis Mayfield
Talib Kweli; Composer
Mixing: Neal Pogue; Production
Producer: Ayatollah; Production
Recording: Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone; Production
Studio Personnel: Neal Pogue
Joe Nardone
Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Composer Lyricist: Curtis Mayfield
Talib Kweli
Lamont Dorrell; Other

8. Talk To You (Lil' Darlin')

by Talib Kweli, Bilal

Lyricist: Pino Palladino
Bilal Oliver
James Poyser
Hal Davis
Amir Thompson
Herman Griffith
Talib Kweli Greene
Eddie Kendricks; Composer
Background Vocals: Aisha Mike; Performer
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Recording Assistant: Marco Bruno; Production
Drums: Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson; Performer
Featured Artist: Bilal; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Pino Palladino; Performer
Bass Guitar: Pino Palladino; Performer
Guitar: Randy Bowland; Performer
Composer: Bilal Oliver
Talib Kweli Greene
Herman Griffith
Amir Thompson
James Poyser
Eddie Kendricks
Pino Palladino
Hal Davis
?uestlove; Composer
Performer: Emmanuel Pratt
Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson
Pino Palladino
Duane Eubanks
Randy Bowland
James Poyser
Aisha Mike; Performer
Piano: James Poyser; Performer
Trumpet: Duane Eubanks; Performer
Violin: Emmanuel Pratt; Performer
Mixing: Axel Niehaus; Production
Recording: Joe Nardone
Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Studio Personnel: Marco Bruno
Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone
G Man
Axel Niehaus; Production
Composer Lyricist: Bilal Oliver
Pino Palladino
Eddie Kendricks
James Poyser
Talib Kweli Greene
Hal Davis
Herman Griffith
Amir Thompson; Other
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Producer: The Soulquarians
Talib Kweli; Production

9. Guerrilla Monsoon Rap

by Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Black Thought

Featured Artist: Black Thought
Pharoahe Monch; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Composer: Eugene Booker Record
Talib Kweli
Tariq Trotter
S. Mckenney
Troy Donald Jamerson; Composer
Lyricist: S. Mckenney
Troy Donald Jamerson
Talib Kweli
Tariq Trotter
Eugene Booker Record; Composer
Mixing: Axel Niehaus; Production
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Producer: Kanye West; Production
Recording: Joe Nardone; Production
Studio Personnel: Joe Nardone
Axel Niehaus
G Man; Production
Composer Lyricist: Eugene Booker Record
Talib Kweli
Tariq Trotter
Troy Donald Jamerson
S. Mckenney; Other

10. Put It In The Air

by Talib Kweli, Dj Quik

Featured Artist: Dj Quik; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Eric Coomes; Performer
Bass Guitar: Eric Coomes; Performer
Performer: Eric Coomes; Performer
Composer: Talib Kweli
David Marvin Blake; Composer
Lyricist: David Marvin Blake
Talib Kweli; Composer
Mixing: Dj Quik; Production
Producer: Dj Quik; Production
Recording: Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Studio Personnel: Dj Quik
Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Composer Lyricist: Talib Kweli
David Marvin Blake; Other

11. The Proud

by Talib Kweli

Background Vocals: Jeymes Samuel; Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Performer: Jeymes Samuel; Performer
Composer: Talib Kweli
Lamont Dorrell; Composer
Lyricist: Talib Kweli
Lamont Dorrell; Composer
Mixing: Axel Niehaus; Production
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Producer: Ayatollah; Production
Recording: Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone; Production
Recording Assistant: Marco Bruno; Production
Studio Personnel: G Man
Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone
Marco Bruno
Axel Niehaus; Production
Composer Lyricist: Talib Kweli
Lamont Dorrell; Other

12. Where Do We Go

by Talib Kweli, Res

Featured Artist: Res; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Keyboard: James Clark; Performer
Performer: Maryham Blacksher
James Clark; Performer
Viola: Maryham Blacksher; Performer
Composer: James Yancey
Shareese Ballard
Talib Kweli; Composer
Lyricist: James Yancey
Shareese Ballard
Talib Kweli; Composer
Mixing: Axel Niehaus; Production
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Producer: Dilla; Production
Recording: Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone; Production
Studio Personnel: G Man
Axel Niehaus
Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone; Production
Composer Lyricist: Talib Kweli
James Yancey
Shareese Ballard; Other

13. Stand To The Side

by Talib Kweli, Novel, Vinia Mojica

Featured Artist: Vinia Mojica
Novel; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Performer: James Poyser; Performer
Piano: James Poyser; Performer
Composer: Alonzo Stevenson
Vinia Mojica
James Yancey
Talib Kweli; Composer
Lyricist: James Yancey
Vinia Mojica
Alonzo Stevenson
Talib Kweli; Composer
Mixing: Axel Niehaus; Production
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Producer: Dilla; Production
Recording: Joe Nardone
Neal Pogue
Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave "supastar" Dar
Axel Niehaus
G Man
Neal Pogue
Joe Nardone; Production
Composer Lyricist: Alonzo Stevenson
Talib Kweli
Vinia Mojica
James Yancey; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Savion Glover; Other

14. Good To You

by Talib Kweli

Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Composer: Kanye West
Al Green
Talib Kweli; Composer
Lyricist: Talib Kweli
Kanye West
Al Green; Composer
Mixing: Serban Ghenea; Production
Producer: Kanye West; Production
Recording: Dave "supastar" Dar; Production
Studio Personnel: Dave "supastar" Dar
Serban Ghenea; Production
Composer Lyricist: Kanye West
Al Green
Talib Kweli; Other

15. Won't You Stay

by Talib Kweli, Kendra Ross

Background Vocals: Kendra Ross; Performer
Featured Artist: Kendra Ross; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Talib Kweli; Main Performer
Performer: Teodross Avery
Kendra Ross; Performer
Saxophone: Teodross Avery; Performer
Composer: Clem Young
Talib Kweli
Kendra Ross
Maxwell Romer
Andres Titus
Harold Clayton
Sigidi Abdullah
Wilbur Bascombe
William G. Young
William Mclean
Wuang Hankerson; Composer
Lyricist: William Mclean
Wuang Hankerson
Talib Kweli
Kendra Ross
Maxwell Romer
Andres Titus
Clem Young
Harold Clayton
Sigidi Abdullah
Wilbur Bascombe
William G. Young; Composer
Mixing: Axel Niehaus; Production
Mixing Assistant: G Man; Production
Producer: Dave West; Production
Recording: Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone; Production
Studio Personnel: G Man
Dave "supastar" Dar
Joe Nardone
Axel Niehaus; Production
Composer Lyricist: Andres Titus
William Mclean
Talib Kweli
Kendra Ross
Wuang Hankerson
William G. Young
Harold Clayton
Sigidi Abdullah
Wilbur Bascombe
Maxwell Romer
Clem Young; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

15 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 5 minutes and 22 seconds

Explicit

Containing curse words, language, or art that is sexually, violently, or offensively oriented.

Coverart

Available and up to 1424x1424 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

14/15 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Rap, Alternative Rap, Underground Rap, East Coast Rap, Indie Rap, Lyrical

Label

Rawkus Entertainment

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Nov 18, 2002

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

8811304829

Shopping cart

Notification

Quality

1. Keynote Speaker

2. Rush

3. Get By

4. Shock Body

5. Gun Music

6. Waitin' For The DJ

7. Joy

8. Talk To You (Lil' Darlin')

9. Guerrilla Monsoon Rap

10. Put It In The Air

11. The Proud

12. Where Do We Go

13. Stand To The Side

14. Good To You

15. Won't You Stay

Technical Specifications

Quality

Product information

Release options

1. Keynote Speaker

2. Rush

3. Get By

4. Shock Body

5. Gun Music

6. Waitin' For The DJ

7. Joy

8. Talk To You (Lil' Darlin')

9. Guerrilla Monsoon Rap

10. Put It In The Air

11. The Proud

12. Where Do We Go

13. Stand To The Side

14. Good To You

15. Won't You Stay

Technical Specifications