Sat. Oct. 12
Talib Kweli
Live at The Blind Pig A2
208 S. First | Ann Arbor

$28 Cover | 18+ | Doors 8pm
Tix: https://bit.ly/2TNMAst

http://www.talibkweli.com/

The Brooklyn-based MC earned his stripes as one of the most lyrically-gifted, socially aware and politically insightful rappers to emerge in the last 20 years.

“I’m a touring artist. I’m an artist that’s internationally known. I’m not just a local artist at this point in my career. I’m cognizant of the fact that what I do is beyond where it started. I’m trying to reach the apex of where I am now, but without turning my back on or dismissing what I’ve done before.”

In Kweli’s two decades on the scene, the 42-year-old artist’s unwavering political salience has solidified his legacy. When it comes to sociopolitical commentary in hip-hop and activism, both in and outside of music and the internet, Kweli is tethered to the title of “conscious” rappers. But now, he’s straddling the fence between visibility and invisibility, even as conscious rap is enjoying a renewed level of interest.

In a recent interview, Kendrick Lamar was described as “inhabiting the kind of rarefied sphere where the various standards of success — pop chart dominance and cultural relevance, street-level authenticity and worldwide stardom — all seem to align.”

While Lamar’s conscious-adjacent status and considerable skill helped him become this era’s premier political rapper, Kweli’s success has been diametrically opposed to that formula. He is the purveyor of traditional political rap, but now he’s tasked with navigating the modernized version of “woke” artistry. Kweli was conscious at a time when being conscious wasn’t cool, and now it seems like people have overlooked him as a result. Come see one of the greatest to ever do it live at the Blind Pig on Sat. Oct. 12!