Quality (Talib Kweli album)

In 1998 Black Star released critically acclaimed album Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star.{{cite web|last1=O'Connor|first1=Christopher|title=Black Star, Common, Rah Digga Rap In Protest Of NY Police Shooting|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/819995/black-star-common-rah-digga-rap-in-protest-of-ny-police-shooting/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514045256/http://www.mtv.com/news/819995/black-star-common-rah-digga-rap-in-protest-of-ny-police-shooting/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2016|website=MTV|access-date=3 May 2016}} The duo planned to release their second album, but Mos Def was busy working on film The Italian Job.{{cite web|last1=Vineyard|first1=Jennifer|title=Talib Kweli Promises New Black Star LP, Rejoices At Demise Of Bling Bling|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1459277/talib-kweli-promises-new-black-star-lp-rejoices-at-demise-of-bling-bling/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514045249/http://www.mtv.com/news/1459277/talib-kweli-promises-new-black-star-lp-rejoices-at-demise-of-bling-bling/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 14, 2016|website=MTV|access-date=3 May 2016}} Meanwhile, Kweli decided to work on other projects. As part of Reflection Eternal duo with Hi-Tek he released Train of Thought in 2000.{{cite web|title=Reflection Eternal - Train Of Thought|url=http://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.30/title.reflection-eternal-train-of-thought|website=HipHopDX|access-date=3 May 2016|language=en-US|date=2000-11-07}} 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:{{cite magazine|last1=Dansby|first1=Andrew|title=Talib Kweli Ups the "Quality"|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/talib-kweli-ups-the-quality-20021115|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=3 May 2016|date=15 November 2002}}

{{Quote|text=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. |author=Talib Kweli |source= }}

According to Billboard, the album's title is also a pun on Kweli's similarly pronounced surname.{{cite magazine|title=Black Star Alum Kweli Offers 'Quality'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/73974/black-star-alum-kweli-offers-quality|magazine=Billboard|access-date=3 May 2016}}

{{Album ratings

| MC = 79/100{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/quality/talib-kweli |title=Reviews for Quality by Talib Kweli |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=October 5, 2015}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Huey |first=Steve |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/quality-mw0000662603 |title=Quality – Talib Kweli |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=October 5, 2015}}

| rev2 = Blender

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Lewis |first=Miles Marshall |url=http://www.blender.com:80/reviews/review_161.html |title=Talib Kweli: Quality |magazine=Blender |issue=12 |date=December 2002 |access-date=January 28, 2018 |page=145 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040820035340/http://www.blender.com/reviews/review_161.html |archive-date=August 20, 2004 }}

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite news |last=Lynskey |first=Dorian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/dec/06/popandrock.artsfeatures4 |title=Talib Kweli: Quality |newspaper=The Guardian |date=December 6, 2002 |access-date=January 28, 2018}}

| rev4 = Houston Chronicle

| rev4Score = 4/5{{cite news |last=Chonin |first=Neva |url=http://www.chron.com/music/article/Discs-not-to-be-missed-2708884.php |title=Kweli's Gift of Gab |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=December 29, 2002 |access-date=January 28, 2018}}

| rev5 = Los Angeles Times

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{cite news |last=Sterling |first=Scott T. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-dec-01-ca-rack1-story.html |title=Talib Kweli 'Quality' (Rawkus) |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=December 1, 2002 |access-date=January 28, 2018}}

| rev6 = Pitchfork

| rev6Score = 9.1/10{{cite web |last=Chennault |first=Sam |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/4549-quality/ |title=Talib Kweli: Quality |work=Pitchfork |date=December 10, 2002 |access-date=October 5, 2015}}

| rev7 = Rolling Stone

| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Caramanica |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/talibkweli/albums/album/257213/review/5945378/quality |title=Talib Kweli: Quality |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 3, 2003 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014035620/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/talibkweli/albums/album/257213/review/5945378/quality |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |url-status=dead}}

| rev8 = Spin

| rev8Score = 8/10{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IHNuYCb0ewoC&pg=PA99 |title=The Breakdown |magazine=Spin |volume=19 |issue=2 |date=February 2003 |access-date=January 28, 2018 |page=99}}

| rev9 = USA Today

| rev9Score = {{Rating|4|4}}{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Steve |title=Talib Kweli, Quality |newspaper=USA Today |date=November 26, 2002}}

| rev10 = Vibe

| rev10Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Berry |first=Elizabeth Mendez |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uyUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA204 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124070512/https://books.google.com/books?id=uyUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA204#v=onepage&q&f=false |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |title=Talib Kweli: Quality |magazine=Vibe |volume=10 |issue=12 |date=December 2002 |access-date=October 5, 2015 |page=204}}

}}

Quality was released on November 19, 2002{{cite web|title=Quality by Talib Kweli|url=http://www.mtv.com/artists/talib-kweli/discography/328811/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330191618/http://www.mtv.com/artists/talib-kweli/discography/328811/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 30, 2016|website=MTV|access-date=3 May 2016}} (November 25 in the UK),{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/kwelitalib-quality/ |title=Talib Kweli: Quality |publisher=PopMatters |access-date=2015-10-05}} by Rawkus Records. Despite Kweli still being considered an underground artist,{{cite web|last1=Mistry|first1=Anupa|title=On record: Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star|url=http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2012/2/On-record-Mos-Def-and-Talib-Kweli-are-Black-Star|website=CBC Radio 3|access-date=3 May 2016}} the album was commercially successful.{{cite web|last1=Neal|first1=Mark Anthony|title=Talib Kweli's Beautiful Struggle|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/041112-talibkweli/|website=PopMatters|access-date=3 May 2016}} It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200 and number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Three singles were released from the album; "Good to You"/"Put It in the Air", "Waitin' For The DJ"/"Guerilla Monsoon Rap" and "Get By". Despite positive reception, the first two singles failed to make any impact on mainstream charts, so the label decided to not release the third single, considering the song and its content not commercially viable. In response to this, Kweli and his manager made several copies of the single and sent it to a number of popular radio DJs across New York. With help from DJ Enuff, the team at Power 106, and many other local DJs, the single gained popularity through local airplay,{{cite web|last1=Ahmed|first1=Insanul|title=Talib Kweli Breaks Down His 25 Most Essential Songs|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/06/talib-kweli-breaks-down-his-25-most-essential-songs/|website=Complex|access-date=4 May 2016}} and was eventually released by Rawkus. "Get By" received radio airplay in early 2003 and charted on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 77, becoming Kweli's biggest solo hit.{{cite web|last1=Cantor|first1=Paul|title=25 Hip-Hop Artists People Think Are One-Hit Wonders (But Totally Aren't)|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/05/25-hip-hop-artists-people-think-are-one-hit-wonders-but-totally-arent/|website=Complex|access-date=4 May 2016}} A music video for the song was later released and an official remix was recorded. The remix, featuring Kanye West, Mos Def, Jay Z, and Busta Rhymes, was aired for a short time on New York hip-hop radio, but did not receive an official release.

After the release of Quality, Kweli embarked on a tour in support of the album, where he was accompanied by friend and producer Kanye West as an opening act.{{cite web|last1=Markman|first1=Rob|title=Kanye West Owes Rap Success To 'Technique,' Not Talib Kweli|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1709017/kanye-west-talib-kweli-new-york-times-interview/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117073509/http://www.mtv.com/news/1709017/kanye-west-talib-kweli-new-york-times-interview/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 17, 2014|website=MTV|access-date=4 May 2016}}{{cite magazine|last1=Cantor|first1=Paul|title=Kanye West's 'The College Dropout' at 10: Classic Track-by-Track Review|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5901147/kanye-wests-the-college-dropout-at-10-classic-track-by-track-review|magazine=Billboard|access-date=4 May 2016}} At the time, West was considered a talented producer, but executives at West's label, Roc-A-Fella, did not feel he had potential as a solo rapper.{{cite web|last1=Cooper|first1=Roman|title=Talib Kweli Recalls That "No One Wanted To Hear Kanye [West] Rap"|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.24243/title.talib-kweli-recalls-that-no-one-wanted-to-hear-kanye-west-rap|website=HipHopDX|access-date=4 May 2016|language=en-US}} Kweli allowed West to perform on stage with him during his concerts, giving West his first stage exposure to large crowds. West later expressed his gratitude to Kweli, saying that he owed a part of his early success to these performances.

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.{{cite AV media notes|title= Quality |year= 2002 |type= booklet |publisher= Rawkus}}

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length =

| title1 = Keynote Speaker

| note1 = featuring Dave Chappelle

| writer1 = {{hlist|Talib Kweli Greene|Dave Chappelle|Eric Krasno}}

| extra1 = Eric Krasno

| length1 = 2:14

| title2 = Rush

| note2 =

| writer2 = {{hlist|Greene|Dorsey Wesley}}

| extra2 = Megahertz

| length2 = 3:42

| title3 = Get By

| note3 =

| writer3 = {{hlist|Greene|Kanye West|Nina Simone}}

| extra3 = Kanye West

| length3 = 3:47

| title4 = Shock Body

| note4 =

| writer4 = {{hlist|Greene|Stephanie McKay|George Spivey|Roger Karshner|Chuck Mangione|Tiffany Phinazee}}

| extra4 = DJ Scratch

| length4 = 3:49

| title5 = Gun Music

| note5 = featuring Cocoa Brovaz

| writer5 = {{hlist|Greene|Tekomin Williams|Darrell Yates|Wesley}}

| extra5 = Megahertz

| length5 = 3:45

| title6 = Waitin' for the DJ

| note6 = featuring Bilal

| writer6 = {{hlist|Greene|Bilal Oliver|Dahoud Darien}}

| extra6 = Dahoud Darien

| length6 = 4:03

| title7 = Joy

| note7 = featuring Mos Def

| writer7 = {{hlist|Greene|Dante Smith|Lamont Dorrell|Curtis Mayfield}}

| extra7 = Ayatollah

| length7 = 4:14

| title8 = Talk to You (Lil' Darlin')

| note8 = featuring Bilal

| writer8 = {{hlist|Greene|Oliver|Pino Palladino|James Poyser|Ahmir Thompson|Hal Davis|Herman Griffith|Eddie Kendricks}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|The Soulquarians|Talib Kweli{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length8 = 5:00

| title9 = Guerrilla Monsoon Rap

| note9 = featuring Black Thought & Pharoahe Monch

| writer9 = {{hlist|Greene|Tariq Trotter|Troy Jamerson|K. West|Eugene Record|Stan McKenny}}

| extra9 = Kanye West

| length9 = 4:13

| title10 = Put It in the Air

| note10 = featuring DJ Quik

| writer10 = {{hlist|Greene|David Blake}}

| extra10 = DJ Quik

| length10 = 4:56

| title11 = The Proud

| note11 =

| writer11 = {{hlist|Greene|Dorrell}}

| extra11 = Ayatollah

| length11 = 5:06

| title12 = Where Do We Go

| note12 = featuring Res

| writer12 = {{hlist|Greene|Shareese Ballard|James Yancey}}

| extra12 = J Dilla

| length12 = 3:58

| title13 = Stand to the Side

| note13 = featuring Novel & Vinia Mojica

| writer13 = {{hlist|Greene|Alonzo Stevenson|Vinia Mojica|Yancey}}

| extra13 = J Dilla

| length13 = 6:32

| title14 = Good to You

| note14 =

| writer14 = {{hlist|Greene|K. West|Al Green}}

| extra14 = Kanye West

| length14 = 4:21

| title15 = Won't You Stay

| note15 = featuring Kendra Ross

| writer15 = {{hlist|Greene|Kendra Ross|Dave West|Wilbur Bascomb|Max Romer|William McLean|Andres Titus|Harold Clayton|Sigidi Abdullah|Waung Hankerson|William Young|Michael Young|Teodross Avery}}

| extra15 = Supa Dave West

| length15 = 5:25

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer

Sample credits

• "Get By" contains elements from "Sinnerman", written and performed by Nina Simone.
• "Shock Body" contains elements from "Diana in the Autumn Wind", written by Roger Karshner and Chuck Mangione, performed by Chuck Mangione.
• "Joy" contains elements from "I Get High", written by Curtis Mayfield, performed by Aretha Franklin.
• "Talk to You (Lil' Darlin')" contains replayed elements from "Can I", written by Hal Davis and Herman Griffith, performed by Eddie Kendricks.
• "Guerrilla Monsoon Rap" contains elements from "I Never Had It So Good", written by Eugene Record and Stan McKenny, performed by The Chi-Lites.
• "Good to You" contains elements from "Simply Beautiful", written and performed by Al Green.
• "Won't You Stay" contains replayed elements from "Devil's Triangle", written by Wilbur Bascomb and Max Romer, performed by Wilbur Bascomb. It also contains re-sung elements from "Strobelite Honey", written by William McLean, Andres Titus, Harold Clayton, Sigidi Abdullah, Waung Hankerson, William Young, Michael Young; performed by Black Sheep.

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.

{{Div col}}

• Geoff Allen – engineer {{small|(track 3)}}
• Teodross Avery – saxophone {{small|(track 15)}}
• Ayatollah – producer {{small|(tracks 7, 11)}}
• Bilal – featured performer {{small|(tracks 6, 8)}}
• Black Thought – featured performer {{small|(track 9)}}
• Maryham Blacksher – viola {{small|(track 12)}}
• Vernetta Bobien – background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
• Randy Bowland – guitar {{small|(track 8)}}
• Tom Brick – mastering
• Marco Bruno – assistant engineer {{small|(tracks 5, 11)}}
• Dave Chappelle – performer {{small|(track 1)}}
• James Clark – keyboards {{small|(track 12)}}
• Cocoa Brovaz – featured performers {{small|(track 5)}}
• Erick Coomes – bass {{small|(tracks 1, 10)}}
• Morgan Michael Craft – guitar {{small|(track 2)}}
• Dave Dar – engineer {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10–15)}}, mixing {{small|(track 1)}}
• Dahoud Darien – producer {{small|(track 6)}}
• Abby Dobson – background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
• Duane Eubanks – trumpet {{small|(tracks 3, 8)}}
• G-Man – mixing assistant {{small|(tracks 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11–13, 15)}}
• Serban Ghenea – mixing {{small|(tracks 3, 4, 14)}}
• Savion Glover – tap dance {{small|(track 13)}}
• Chinua Hawk – background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
• J Dilla – producer {{small|(track 13)}}
• Junior Cat – intro vocals {{small|(track 5)}}
• Eric Krasno – producer {{small|(track 1)}}
• Talib Kweli – main performer, co-producer {{small|(track 8)}}, arranger {{small|(track 1)}}, executive producer
• Stephanie McKay – chorus vocals {{small|(track 4)}}
• Megahertz – producer {{small|(tracks 2, 5)}}
• Aisha Mike – additional vocals {{small|(track 8)}}
• Vinia Mojica – featured performer {{small|(track 13)}}
• Mos Def – featured performer {{small|(track 7)}}
• Joe Nardone – engineer {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 5–9, 11–13, 15)}}, assistant engineer {{small|(tracks 4, 8)}}
• Axel Niehaus – mixing {{small|(tracks 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11–13, 15)}}
• Novel – featured performer {{small|(track 13)}}
• Tiffany Phinazee – chorus vocals {{small|(track 4)}}
• Pino Palladino – bass {{small|(track 8)}}
• Pharoahe Monch – featured performer {{small|(track 9)}}
• Neil Pogue – engineer {{small|(track 13)}}, mixing {{small|(track 7)}}
• James Poyser – keyboards {{small|(tracks 8, 13)}}
• Emmanuel Pratt – violin {{small|(track 8)}}
• DJ Quik – featured performer, producer, and mixing {{small|(track 10)}}
• Michael Rapaport – skit performer {{small|(tracks 5, 13)}}
• Res – featured performer {{small|(track 12)}}
• Kendra Ross – background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
• Jeymes Samuel– background vocals {{small|(track 11)}}
• DJ Scratch – producer {{small|(track 4)}}
• Corey Smyth – executive producer
• The Soulquarians – producers {{small|(track 8)}}
• William Taylor – background vocals {{small|(track 3)}}
• Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson – drums {{small|(track 8)}}
• Dave West – producer {{small|(track 15)}}
• Kanye West – producer {{small|(tracks 3, 9, 14)}}, additional vocals {{small|(track 9)}}
• Doug Wimbish – bass {{small|(tracks 2, 5)}}
• Xzibit – additional vocals {{small|(track 2)}}

{{Div col end}}

{{Columns-start}}

{{Column}}

{{Columns-end}}

{{certification Table Top}}

{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=Talib Kweli|title=Quality|award=Gold|certyear=2018|relyear=2002|access-date=26 June 2018}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Metacritic album|title=Quality}}

{{Talib Kweli}}

{{Soulquarians}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2002 debut albums

Category:Talib Kweli albums

Category:Rawkus Records albums

Category:MCA Records albums

Category:Albums produced by Kanye West

Category:Albums produced by J Dilla

Category:Albums produced by DJ Scratch

Category:Albums produced by Ayatollah

Category:Albums produced by Questlove

Category:Albums produced by DJ Quik

Category:Albums produced by Megahertz (record producer)