Released November 19, 2002 Length 65:13 Release date 19 November 2002 | Recorded 2001–2002 Artist Talib Kweli Label Rawkus Records | |
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Producer Kanye West, Megahertz, DJ Quik, DJ Scratch, J Dilla, Soulquarians, Supa Dave West, Ayatollah, Eric Krasno, Dahoud Darien Quality
(2002) The Beautiful Struggle
(2004) Genres Hip hop music, Alternative hip hop Similar Talib Kweli albums, Hip hop music albums | ||
Talib kweli keynote speaker
Quality is the debut studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on November 19, 2002, by Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By", produced by Kanye West. Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002.
Contents
Background
In 1998 Talib Kweli and Mos Def as duo Black Star released critically acclaimed album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The duo planned to release their second album, but Mos Def was busy working on film The Italian Job. Meanwhile, Kweli decided to work on other projects. As part of Reflection Eternal duo with Hi-Tek he released Train of Thought in 2000. Then, following the success of his previous albums, Kweli decided to release his debut solo album.
The album was called Quality. In 2002 interview with Rolling Stone rapper explained the album's name:
It was just the best way of trying to describe what I wanted to do. The word just fit. I'm trying to focus on quality over quantity.
According to Billboard, the album's name is also a wordplay on rapper's similarly pronounced surname.
Release and promotion
Quality was released on November 19, 2002 (November 25 in the UK), by Rawkus Records. Despite Kweli still being an underground rapper, album was commercially successful. It peaked at number 21 on Billboard 200 and number 6 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Three singles were released from the album: "Good to You" with "Put It in the Air" as b-side, "Waitin' For The DJ" with "Guerilla Monsoon Rap" as b-side, and "Get By". First two didn't achieve success, so the label decided to not release the third one, considering it too underground. Then Talib Kweli and his manager made several copies of the single and sent them to radio DJs. With help from DJ Enuff, Power 106 crew, and some other DJs the single gained popularity, and was later released by Rawkus. "Get By" received radio airplay in early 2003 and charted on Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 77. "Get By" became Kweli's biggest solo hit. Music video for the song was later released and official remix was recorded. The remix, featuring Kanye West, Mos Def, Jay Z, and Busta Rhymes, was aired briefly and was never officially released.
After release of Quality, Talib Kweli went on tour, promoting the album, and brought Kanye West with him. Back then, West was considered a talented producer, but nobody was interested in his rapping. Kweli allowed West to perform on stage with him during his concerts, which became West's first official performances as a rapper. West later praised Kweli, saying that Kweli is one of the artists he owes his success to.
Songs
1Keynote Speaker2:15
2Rush3:42
3Get By3:47