TALIB KWELI

PRISONER OF CONSCIOUS (EMI)

13/20

There’s a sense of grandeur seeping through Talib Kweli’s sixth solo LP which doesn’t take long to make itself known. From the Intro track, pianos and cinematic string lines dominate before Kweli cascades onto a continuation of the beat on Human Mic. His flow is unmistakable: heartfelt and aggressive to almost sermonising effect. “I’m a legend like Tutankhamun” he spits, but his proclamations are underpinned by forgettable production. For an artist at the heart of one of the most exciting periods in the history of hip-hop, this LP seemingly relies on a legendary status assumed rather than proved. Come Here, featuring Miguel, boasts slick production values and a faultless hook showing a clear engagement with the modern game, while Kweli’s storytelling harks back to his Rawkus Records peak, full of dialogue and character. But it’s undermined by Push Thru, where Kendrick Lamar’s verse sounds as raw and potent as he did on Good Kid…, which can’t be said for the somewhat lacklustre flexing of Kweli. This LP could be a frustrating listen for fans, especially when cuts like Hamster Wheel are so smart and vivid in narrative. Talib Kweli is by no means a man void of ideas, but there are one too many moments on Prisoner Of Conscious where inspiration runs dry.

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Words: Duncan Harrison