Talib Kweli Talks Activism in Hip-Hop, Yasiin Bey, Prince and More with ‘Drink Champs’ [Watch]

Talib Kweli is known as one of the most prolific MCs in Hip-Hop, but he’s also etched his name as one of the most vocal activists who’s not afraid to fight on the scene. So it was only right that one of the illest MCs in the game sat down with another ill MC to discuss life over drinks.

Prior to their deal with REVOLT, Drink Champs had a slew of audio interviews that they are now putting out via video. The throwback footage includes the classic and hilarious interview with Talib Kweli, which has been re-released at a seemingly perfect time.

During the interview with Noreaga and DJ EFN, which originally aired in June of 2016, Talib revealed the reasoning behind his now infamous confrontation with Don Lemon in Ferguson.

“CNN had called me like  10 times to do an interview for a segment and I turned them down,” Kweli said. “Then they called while I was in Ferguson and asked me to discuss Mike Brown with Anderson Cooper, so I agreed, but instead it was Don Lemon. Honestly, I clown Don Lemon a lot but I have a lot of respect for him for doing what he does, but that day he had me upset because we are out here fighting and he was upset that I grouped CNN as a part of the problem. The moment I saw him riding for them, it made me upset because [to me] he was choosing the corporation over fighting for the people.”

In regards to his partner in rhyme Yasiin Bey, Kweli credits Bey’s talent with sparking the interest of joining together for Blackstarr. Kweli also explained how the DJ played pivitol role in the success of the Brooklyn-bred group.

“We were both signed to Rawkus and I loved it because Rawkus was the only label at the time still putting out vinyl and catering to the DJ,” Talib continued. “So Rawkus pressed up the “DEFinition” album and sent it to the DJs and they respected it.”

Although Kweli has worked with a lot of talented and legendary artists in the game, he credits his wife for the connection in meeting the biggest legend of them all-Prince.

“My wife, DJ Eque, was deejaying at one of his parties,” Kweli said. “But before that, she was spinning a party in L.A. and Prince attended and loved her work. The crazy thing is the party was full of women, other than me because of my wife, one other guy because of his girlfriend and Prince. The party shut down about 3 am, but before everyone could leave, Prince gave this look so we were all standing there and next thing you know he pulls out this Bible and begins to have Bible study. It was the most random thing I had ever seen.”

Check out the interview below.

 

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