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As a Brooklyn native, there are certain artists that embody the essence of the borough. Big and Jay-Z captured the feel of streets with their presence. Artists like Mos Def and Talib Kweli always brought me back to the corner ciphers and barbershop conversations. Their music always invokes thought and dialogue beyond the average MC. This is why it was a pleasure to speak with Talib recently about issues that spanned from his latest CD, “Gutter Rainbows,” to politics. Read on to find out more.

Jay Billion: How is the project going?

Talib: It’s going good. 

JB: I know you’ve recorded a lot of tracks. Is there a track that speaks to you more than any other?

TK: All of them. The ones that stood out are the ones that made the album. Cause I had a lot more songs that I am working on in general.

JB: Right now there is a rap renaissance thing going on. What do you think it’s gonna take for a rapper in the 30 and over category to shine?

TK: To not be dismissive of what’s going on in the music business. And to acknowledge the youth, and acknowledge the trends. The acknowledgement of the youth is how you get artists who pay respect to those who came before them.

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JB: What about downloading? Do believe that loyalty can help curtail downloading (illegally)?

TK: Yeah I think that there is a generation of fans that feel like they are owed music for free. They mistakenly think that by stealing an artist’s music or downloading it for free on the internet, it’s some sort of act of rebellion or a revolution against the music business. And it’s not. But it wouldn’t serve me to sit and complain about it. I just have to adapt to the times.

JB: But I think you have a pretty loyal fan base. 

TK: It’s not just the fan base being loyal, it’s about marketing and promoting to that fan base. Yes my fan base is pretty loyal, but the people I f*ck with on the business side always know how to reach that fan base.

JB: Can we ever expect to hear another Black Star CD?

TK: It’s possible, but I don’t have anything in the works right this second.

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JB: Outside of hip-hop, what kind of music do you listen to?

TK: I listened to all types of music. I listen to good music.

JB: You were on stage with Prince recently. What was that like?

TK: That’s one of the things I do when Prince is around. Prince is the homie. I am one of a bunch of artists that he gravitates to and allows the honor of rocking with him when does an after party.

JB: Would you ever do a song collaboration with Prince?

TK: I would love to. It’s funny cause when I first asked him about that he was like, “ain’t you on Warner Brothers”? And I was like “Yeah.”  He was like, “Okay, when you get off Warner Brothers we can do a song.” Now that I am off of Warner Brothers, I forgot to ask him about it.

JB: What’s a dream collaboration for you?

TK: Bjork.

JB: Who do you think are the greatest MC’s coming up in the game?

TK: MC wise I like Jay Electronica, Blu, J. Cole, I like Fred Da Godson, I like Wale, Mickey Facts. I like Drake too.

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JB: Is Jean Grae going to be dropping soon?

TK: Cake or Die is coming out this Spring. She’s on tour with Pharoahe (Monch) in Europe.

JB: For a non-controversial artist, why do you think people like to pull you into rumors? Like when they said you had an altercation with the lady at a 50 Cent party. And then recently something similar with your wife. Why do you think they start these rumors about you? Is it because there is nothing else to say about you?

TK: Yeah, I think that’s really it. I’ve been doing this professionally for 15 years, so when you are out and about things are gonna happen. I didn’t even think people cared enough to talk about stuff like that.

JB: The thing in Egypt where the President stepped down is similar to hip hop. We don’t just take the status quo. We demand what we want. How did you feel about that situation?

TK: We witnessed history there. Those people threw those old fogies out and proved that the youth could move mountains. To prove that the people cannot be stopped.

“Gutter Rainbows” is in stores now.