Talib Kweli

Talib Kweli often serves as a lightning rod for critics disenchanted by the unfulfilled promise of the late-Nineties indie hip-hop movement. Much of The Beautiful Struggleprobably won't satisfy them, thanks to fluffy cuts such as "Around My Way," where guest John Legend sings over a smooth jazz interpolation of the Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." Other songs, however, prove that Kweli can still bring it, as he addresses everything from squashing beef in the black community ("Work It Out") to the challenges of raising a young daughter ("Black Girl Pain"). Musically uneven and lyrically on point, The Beautiful Struggle isn't bad. Still, one suspects that he can do better than this.

Related Content

• Top Ten Songs About Sex in Public
  October 24, 2012
• Talib Kweli's Independence Day Show at SET Nightclub on South Beach, July 4
  July 5, 2012
• Miami's Austin Paul Releases Six-Song Debut, Velvet
  May 9, 2013
• Five Best Concerts in Miami This Week
  April 8, 2013
• Miami's 13 Best New Year's Eve Parties
  December 27, 2012

More About

• Talib Kweli
• John Legend
• Hip-Hop and Rap
• Racial Issues