Prisoner of Conscious
Talib Kweli · 2013
56 min · 15 tracks · alternative hip-hop
A vibrant blend of introspective lyricism and eclectic production that challenges societal norms and personal struggles.
Top tracks — play these first
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Human Mic Start here — This track features a powerful celebration of community and self-expression, showcasing Kweli's skillful wordplay and passion for hip-hop culture.
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Come Here — The collaboration with Miguel blends soulful melodies with Kweli's incisive verses, creating a dynamic exploration of love and ambition.
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Hamster Wheel — In this track, Kweli articulates the struggles of modern life and the relentless pursuit of success, using vivid metaphors that resonate deeply.
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Favela Love — This song highlights cross-cultural connections through its narrative about love amidst socio-economic challenges, emphasizing Kweli’s global perspective.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyricism and varied production but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its length.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate diverse instrumentation, blending elements of jazz, funk, and electronic music to create a varied sonic landscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with gradual peaks
- introspective lyrics for reflection
- vibrant beats for engagement
- social consciousness exploration
- headphone detail hunting
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike lyrical depth and complexity
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Solid entry in Kweli's catalog, but not widely recognized as a standout.
- Career context
- By the time Talib Kweli released 'Prisoner of Conscious' in 2013, he had already established himself as a prominent figure in hip-hop, known for his socially conscious lyrics. This album followed his 2007 release 'Eardrum', demonstrating his continued evolution as an artist by incorporating diverse sounds while addressing complex themes of identity and consciousness.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Common· Black Thought· J. Cole
Tracklist
- 1 Intro 1:07
- 2 Human Mic Start here 2:18
- 3 Turnt Up 3:45
- 4 Come Here 4:27
- 5 High Life 4:12
- 6 Ready Set Go 4:26
- 7 Hold It Now 2:10
- 8 Push Thru 4:58
- 9 Hamster Wheel 3:26
- 10 Delicate Flowers 3:18
- 11 Rocket Ships 3:27
- 12 Before He Walked 3:51
- 13 Upper Echelon 3:38
- 14 Favela Love 6:19
- 15 It Only Gets Better 5:29
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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