Released March 11, 2003 Genre Hip hop Label Rawkus | Recorded 2002 Length 3:47 | |
Format CD single, digital download | ||
"Get By" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Talib Kweli. It was released on March 11, 2003 as the third single from his debut studio album Quality (2003). The song, produced by Kanye West, samples "Sinnerman" as performed by Nina Simone and features background vocals from Abby Dobson, Chinua Hawk, Kendra Ross, Vernetta Bobien and William "Na2" Taylor. The song peaked at number 77 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and at number 29 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Contents
Remix
A remix was later released featuring verses from fellow American rappers Kanye West, Mos Def, Jay-Z and Busta Rhymes. A full-fledged posse cut, the latter three are also from Brooklyn, New York City, much like Kweli. The radio version of the remix featured only Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z, with lengthier versions of theirs and Kweli's verses.
In popular culture
In 2008, Atlanta-based rapper Rocko released a song titled "Dis Morning", from his debut album Self Made, which interpolates Kweli's "Get By". Also in 2008, "Get By" was featured in the comedy film First Sunday, as well as the film's soundtrack. In 2009, North Carolina-bred rapper J. Cole, freestyled over the song's production, which was featured on his 2009 mixtape The Warm Up.
On the December 12, 2016 episode of the American satirical show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Kweli and writer Ashley Nicole Black modified the lyrics of "Get By" to one that touts the benefits of online encryption.