Let’s Keep It Simple - Talib Kweli’s “Distractions” Is F**King Dope

For those of us who were born in the '80s Talib Kweli's been around for as long as we've been listening to hip-hop. Frankly I think a lot of folks have started taking him for granted, especially in an age that's all about the new, hot thing. So let's really take a moment to recognize just how fucking dope his new single "Distractions" is.

Most emcees would be overhwhelmed by a beat as complex as the one that Oh No lays down - who the hell layers classical harpsichords over boom-bap percussion - but there just aren't many emcees stronger than Kweli. The man's not afraid to tackle issues other rappers are too scared to touch, and the man just flat out fucking rhymes while doing it.

Do I sound a little defensive/stan-ish? Well good, because that's how I feel. I really don't give a fuck if people think I'm being a backpacker or a grumpy old man, we need more hip-hop like "Distractions" in the world. Hopefully we'll get both a new Black Star album and Kweli's upcoming solo album, "Prisoner of Conscious" delivered in 2012. Until then, turn the volume all the way up on this shit.