When someone leaked much of his upcoming album onto the Internet not long before its planned release, Talib Kweli found a way to use the situation to his advantage.
"I liked my album and I liked the way it sounded, but it wasn't completely finished and I didn't know what I had to do to finish it," the hip-hop veteran said in April during a visit to campus. "It's like it's forced me to challenge myself to try to make the album even better than I thought it was."
Fans that purchase Kweli's album, "The Beautiful Struggle," will be pleased with the result. With a few exceptions, the artist's second solo album is every bit as thoughtful and energetic as his 2002 release, "Quality."
Fueled by solid production from the likes of Kanye West, Just Blaze and Kweli's "Reflection Eternal" comrade Hi-Tek - as well as Kweli's standard-issue intricate lyrics - "The Beautiful Struggle" does not disappoint those who have been awaiting the album since its original June release date.
Like "Quality," the album is an amalgamation of energetic party joints, serious, issue-driven orations and love grooves. With a title that serves as a metaphor for life, "The Beautiful Struggle" provides insight into Kweli's life and his views on society.
The album's strongest track is "I Try." With a melodic beat provided by West and guest appearance by Mary J. Blige, the song immediately stands out in a listener's mind and is likely to be the album's first single. Like many of Kweli's tracks, the song is a commentary on the state of America's ghettos. Although he is quick to point out problems he sees, Kweli suggests that society's ills will not be cured by people like him. He notes: "The 'hood need us, but rappers just ain't the right leaders."
Other notable tracks on the CD include "Going Hard" - possibly the album's most thoughtful song - The Neptunes-produced "Broken Glass" and "Beautiful Struggle," the album's title track.
Although the album is rich with special appearances by prominent vocalists and producers, it is relatively free of guest emcees. Common graces one track, and female sensation Jean Grae adds meat to "Black Girl Pain," but that's where all emcee collaboration ends.
Also missing from "The Beautiful Struggle" is a grabbing track, one that truly takes hold of the listener. "The Proud," for example, was easily the best song on "Quality" because of the controversial topics discussed and viewpoints offered on the track. Similarly, "Too Late" on Kweli and Hi-Tek's 2000 "Reflection Eternal" release, delivered sharp insight into the state of the rap industry and really stirred up the blood of hip-hop fans. Any number of songs on Kweli and Mos Def's "Black Star" album were distinctly compelling.
Sadly, "The Beautiful Struggle" contains no such track and so lacks some of the luster of Kweli's other efforts.
Still, the album is another bright feather in Kweli's New York Yankee's cap and a gift to longtime and recent fans alike.
