You may or may not know Talib Kweli, but you should. Fan of Hip Hop or not, you should be aware of this positive voice in the community and the issues that he speaks about. Sure, not every one of his raps is politically motivated but the body of his work is as socially conscious as any artist since Chuck D and Public Enemy's heyday.
Kweli gave an interview to
Vibe Magazine that was posted to the 'net on August 14. "Talib Kweli Talks Michael Brown And Police Brutality In The Social Media Age"
The interview is an interesting look at how one man views race, violence and the media in the US today. I suggest you take a look.
Oh yeah, you may not know that Kweli is in Ferguson, MO. That's how he wants it.
Oh, and there's this:
Some excerpts from the Vibe interview:
On police brutality in the social media age
It’s easier now to spread and to receive information. Now as a community we’re more responsible to hold our police and our government more accountable.
On the hip-hop community’s responsibility to address police brutality
Every aspect of our community has a responsibility. Sometimes people think that because artists have a larger platform that they have a responsibility to speak on topics; I don’t necessarily agree with that. People who have the knowledge have the responsibility to speak.
The following are Kweli's 10 reasons for going to Ferguson:
You can follow Kweli on Twitter for another view of the situation.