No. 29: Talib Kweli

Though often overshadowed by his former Black Star partner Mos Def, Talib Kweli has done more than enough to establish himself as one of the elite emcees of all time.

Born Talib Kweli Greene, the Brooklyn native first arrived on the national underground map as part of Reflection Eternal with producer Hi-Tek, then blew up a bit more after teaming with Mos for the acclaimed LP Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The album, driven by the hit single "Definition," helped both emcees launch big-time solo careers in the late 1990s.

After parting ways with both Mos and Hi-Tek, Kweli put out Quality in 2002, and though the LP was an obvious attempt to generate more mainstream appeal (Kanye West and DJ Quik handled much of the production), it was clear that the foundation of the album was still laid with pure hip-hop. The lead single, "Get By," had a pop feel to it — almost a softer version of the Dilated Peoples hit "This Way" — but the rest of the album was loaded with gems, particularly "Won't You Stay," the rare hip-hop slow jam that actually managed to work. Kweli's final bars were fantastic:

When love play with us/it sting like paper cuts
Doused in alcohol, but if it's real there ain't no greater rush
I've got faith in us/it's only you who really know me
I'll be surrounded by people and still feel lonely...

Back up off of me...

The follow-up album, The Beautiful Struggle, was panned as an even more obvious attempt to sell out. Still, many of the verses were still fresh despite production that didn't always fit (the track for "Broken Glass" was far more suited for a punchline-heavy battle cut than it was for a serious story).

Such fame-grabs are now seemingly behind Kweli, who finally seems content with his niche as an underground heavyweight. He has remained extremely busy, putting out roughly two mixtapes per year while making countless guest appearances with other "conscious" acts such as Common, The Roots and dead prez.

The notoriety and riches he once sought have largely eluded him, but Talib Kweli can still lay claim to a spot among the greatest lyricists in hip-hop history. It may not pay the bills, but it's at least as satisfying.