The Bottom Line: Kweli's unique form of rhyme, some call "intelligent rap" is really impressive. He expresses himself and shows pride in his beliefs through his music.
ace3502's Full Review: Reflection Eternal [PA] by Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek
This cd truly exemplifies and accentuates Kweli's rhyming skills and Hi-Tek's unique form of expression in every one of his beats. Anyone who is a fan of Mos Def, Common, or any other underground artists I urge you to go out and pick up this cd.
Kweli was able to get some pretty impressive people to either rap with him or just introduce a song. For example, Lennox Lewis, Mos Def, Rah Digga, Xzibit, Les Nubians, Kool G Rap, and Vinia Mojica.
Here are a few words about my personal favorite songs on the cd:
1-Experience Dedication: Introduction, with a few words from Nelson Mandela, thanks all of the people who stayed faithful fans to Kweli and Hi-Tek. This I thought was a cool tribute to all of the fans, it shows that even though he is very successful, he remembers who got him where he is today.
2-Move Sumthin': A quick make you think kind of song, talking about how people can be fake and how they will all be discovered for what they are. "Y'all cats ain't real y'all just a reenactment/ Better yet dramatization, soon as the director say action you start fakin'."
5-This Means You: Featuring one of my favorite artists Mos Def, combine to form a unique blend of words and beats urging the listener to get up and move sumthin.
6-Too Late: Featuring Res, this slower, head nodding beat, talks about how today's rap artists do not put their heart and soul into their songs like he does and their efforts to try now and be more like him are too late. "Nowadays rap artists coming half hearted/ commercial like pop or underground like black markets/ Where were you the day hip-hop died/ Is it too early to move, is it too early to ride."
7-Memories Live: He reminisces of past memories and gives us a view into his personal life. He proclaims he "Chose his direction like Spike Lee to speak my life through mics and I never take it lightly." He also goes back to his influences, "Like the first time I saw KRS live rockin it/ Or heard Resurrection by Common Sense."
8-Africa Dream: Kweli goes back to his heritage and shows how he will never forget the dreams of the people of Africa. He says "If you can talk you can sing if you can walk you can dance/ That's an old proverb from Zimbabwe." I thought this was a nice way to recognize his heritage and pay tribute to it.
15-Soul Rebels: Featuring De La Soul this song has sort of an old fashioned beat. It's one of a kind beat is the reason I enjoy listening to it so much. Kweli and De La state, "We don't live for hip-hop, it lives for us."
Overall this cd is incredible. I really can not stress enough the fresh new sound that Kweli comes out with in this cd. He expresses himself to the fullest and lets his fans listen to the product.
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