Today, legendary MC Talib Kweli and fellow Black Star veteran J. Rawls have shared a new single “Native Sons.” The new track comes ahead of a new collaborative album from the two Hip Hop greats, The Confidence Of Knowing, out September 13 via Javotti Media and Fat Beats Distribution. Like many of their peers, Talib Kweli and J. Rawls have been heavily influenced by the Native Tongues crew that featured Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Black Sheep, Chi Ali and more. Fostered by Kool DJ Red Alert, the Native Tongues represented a brand of Hip Hop that encouraged Black pride, cultural awareness, and social justice themes. In a poignant salute, Kweli and Rawls declare themselves the “Native Sons” to the Native Tongues.
The new track comes on the heels of “To The Ghetto,” released earlier this month. Kweli speaks on the harsh realities, social challenges, and the uncompromising resilience of those who rise up from challenging circumstances. Kweli spits his signature multi-syllabic, intelligent rhyme schemes over lush, J. Rawls jazz-influenced production.
The Confidence Of Knowing is a long time in the making unique collaboration from Brooklyn’s Talib Kweli and producer J. Rawls from Columbus Ohio. As the producer of “Brown Skin Lady” from Mos Def and Talib Kweli’s legendary album Black Star, J. Rawls started his career alongside Talib Kweli. Now in addition to being a sought after producer for Hip Hop’s underground sound and a founding father of the lo-fi movement, Dr. Jason Rawls is also a professor at Ohio State University.
After nearly 20 years of releasing mesmerizing music, Talib Kweli stands as one of the world’s most talented and most accomplished Hip Hop artists. Whether working with Mos Def as one-half of Black Star, partnering with producer Hi-Tek for Reflection Eternal, releasing landmark solo material or collaborating with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Just Blaze, J Dilla, or Madlib, Kweli commands attention by delivering top-tier lyricism, crafting captivating stories and showing the ability to rhyme over virtually any type of instrumental. The Confidence Of Knowing promises to continue his legendary streak, one that shows no signs of slowing down.
