Biography of Talib Kweli

Brooklyn native Talib Kweli became one of the hottest MCs in underground rap with his recordings for the New York-based Rawkus label. While still just a teenager, Kweli met DJ Hi-Tek (b. Tony Cottrell) on a trip to Cincinnati in 1994, and the two hit it off. Hi-Tek served as the DJ for the Cincinnati rap group Mood, and Kweli contributed several verses to their 1997 debut Doom. Impressed by each other's work, Kweli and Hi-Tek formed a recording partnership under the name Reflection Eternal, frequently taking the bus back and forth between their respective hometowns to work together. All the hard work and travel paid off when the duo signed to Rawkus and released the acclaimed single "Fortified Live." Next, Kweli hooked up with labelmate Mos Def to form Black Star; after several well-received singles, the duo recorded a full-length album, known variously as Black Star or Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. Released in 1998, the album attracted glowing notices from critics who anointed Def and Kweli as the heirs to the Native Tongues throne. Black Star went on hiatus in favor of hotly anticipated solo projects from both members (Def's Black on Both Sides was released to rapturous reviews in 1999). In late 2000, Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek issued their full-length debut, which was titled Reflection Eternal but credited to both individually. ~ Steve Huey