"If skills sold, truth be told/I'd probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli."
That line was uttered by world famous rapper/team owner/mogul Jay-Z a few years ago on his supposed "retirement" output, The Black Album. It was a compliment on the legitimate skill set of Kweli while also backhanding the idea of how much of a mainstream shot someone has when staying true to the game of hip hop. Success is something with many different definitions and for Jay-Z, I presume he is happy being the rich mogul whom "real" hip hop fans sometimes dismiss when it comes to flow and talent.
Taib Kweli has never had a problem with legitimacy. For years now he has maintained the image of the "the socially conscious rapper" with the true underground flow. None of that matters though. All that’s important is your output, and Gutter Rainbows comes off as another great work without being prolific. The album has what you would expect from Kweli: good writing and a unique voice covering interesting topics. However, hip hop is 1/2 lyricist and 1/2 production, which is where Gutter Rainbows veers off course.
Let's take for example "Mr. International". If this sort of hybrid Kanye West bragging about the fashion show cum Jay-Z's "Change Clothes" was done by anyone else it would probably become a well reviewed hit single. However, when you're known as the "legitimate real rapper", your delivery alone cannot save what is at best a throwaway track with a horns-on-Valium sound and soft R&B hooks. It's silly really, and it gets a bit awkward when the track "In On One" starts off with Ed Lover hyping up Kweli as a "real rapper".
Speaking of "In On One", it's the "hard, singular, repetitive beat" track and it's the best example of what Kweli can do as a rapper. I suppose that this is the "hardest" track out of the whole album but its placement is weird, especially after hearing him rap over some weird version of Will Smith's "Miami".
"Wait for You" is among the standouts of the album. It kicks off with: "And who are you to talk about what I be doing? I'm the upper echelon and you're evaluating my performance; how would you like it if I came to your job and evaluated your performance? Are you the best at your job?" So meta right? You're reading a review that I wrote and Talib seemingly breaks in to defend himself half way through! The track is simply great; it harkens back to DJ Premier in Gangstarr, with much more awake horns and keys hitting about, just there to showcase Kweli's skills. This track and "Palookas" are the ones to play again and again.
Kweli is at his best when he gets a simple beat to just hang out in the background. "Cold Rain" sounds almost like an R&B lounge sound, constantly climbing higher and higher while Kweli shows us why these gigantic rappers name check Talib’s skills on their supposed retirement albums. Anytime you make a song that forces people to actually listen to what you're saying is an accomplishment, and Kweli is an artist that seems to always do this.
All things said, Gutter Rainbows is a pretty easy listen that isn't going to offend any hardcore fans and would probably draw in a few new ones too. The main issue is that it lacks focus or concept - it's too all over the place, and as a result, not as great as his previous work. However, you cannot hit every one out of the park, and Kweli is still heads and shoulders over a lot of other rappers out there.
Track List:
1. After The Rain
2. Gutter Rainbows
3. So Low
4. Palookas feat. Sean Price
5. Mr. International feat. Nigel Hall
6. I’m On One
7. Wait For You feat. Kendra Ross
8. Ain’t Waiting feat. Outasight
9. Cold Rain
10. Friends & Family
11. Tater Tot
12. How You Love Me feat. Blaq Toven
13. Uh Oh feat. Jean Grae
14. Self Savior feat. Chace Infinite
