Talib Kweli, Quality Full Album Zip

The album's creation was inspired by the strong rapport and mutual respect between the two emcees. They originally intended to release their solo albums around the same time, but they changed their plans and decided instead to collaborate on a full-length LP that showcased their complementary styles and skills. The album's cover was designed by artist Brent Rollins, who used a collage of images to create a striking visual representation of the album's themes and influences.[9]

The album's title is a reference to the 1973 film The Harder They Come, starring Jimmy Cliff, which depicts the life of a rebellious Jamaican musician who becomes a folk hero. The film's soundtrack features reggae classics such as \"You Can Get It If You Really Want\" and \"Many Rivers to Cross\". Mos Def and Talib Kweli pay homage to the film and its music by incorporating elements of reggae, dub, and dancehall into their hip-hop production and lyrics.

The album's lead single, \"Definition\", samples the chorus of Boogie Down Productions' \"Stop the Violence\" and features Mos Def and Talib Kweli trading verses about the senseless killings of hip-hop icons such as 2Pac and The Notorious B.I.G. The song also addresses the media's portrayal of hip-hop as a violent and negative culture. The song's video, directed by Brian Beletic, shows the duo performing in front of a mural of their fallen peers.

The album's second single, \"Respiration\", features guest vocals from Common and production from Hi-Tek. The song is a meditation on the joys and struggles of living in the city, as the three emcees describe their experiences in New York, Chicago, and Cincinnati respectively. The song's hook, sung by Mos Def, compares breathing to writing: \"So much on my mind that I can't recline / Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine / Breathe in, inhale vapors from bright stars that shine / Breathe out, weed smoke retrace the skyline\".

The album's third single, \"RE:DEFinition\", is a sequel to \"Definition\", in which Mos Def and Talib Kweli reaffirm their commitment to making positive and uplifting music. The song samples \"Armageddon\" by Roy Ayers and features a chorus that flips the title of the album: \"One two three / Mos Def and Talib Kweli / We came to rock it on to the tip-top / Best alliance in hip-hop, Y-O / I said one two three / It's kind of dangerous to be an MC / They shot Tupac and Biggie / Too much violence in hip-hop, Y-O\".

The album's fourth and final single, \"Move Somethin'\", is a party anthem that showcases the duo's playful and witty rhymes. The song samples \"The Message\" by Cymande and features a hook that invites the listeners to dance: \"We got the drop on you, you're in the right spot / If you came to move somethin', then move somethin' / If you came to rock somethin', then rock somethin' / If you came to move somethin', then move somethin'\". The song's video, directed by Little X, shows the duo performing at a block party with cameo appearances from De La Soul, Common, and Pharoahe Monch.

The album also features guest appearances from Vinia Mojica, Jane Doe, Punchline, Wordsworth, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Kool G Rap, Rah Digga, Xzibit, Cocoa Brovaz, and Apani B. The album's production is handled by Hi-Tek, Shawn J. Period, Da Beatminerz, 88-Keys, J. Rawls, Ge-ology, Mr. Khaliyl, Weldon Irvine, and DJ Premier. The album received critical acclaim from music critics and fans alike, who praised the duo's chemistry, lyricism, and social consciousness. The album is widely regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time and a classic example of conscious rap. 061ffe29dd