Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD cover

Released 21 years ago this November

Right About Now: The Official Sucka Free Mix CD

Talib Kweli · 2005

49 min · 12 tracks · alternative hip-hop

A vibrant mix of sharp lyricism and eclectic production that bridges classic hip-hop with contemporary sounds.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Right About Now Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its assertive beat and introspective lyrics, establishing Kweli's narrative style.
  • →
    Drugs, Basketball, & Rap — This track cleverly intertwines elements of urban culture, reflecting on societal issues through personal anecdotes and sharp commentary.
  • →
    Ms. Hill — An homage to Lauryn Hill, this song showcases Kweli's admiration for female artists while blending storytelling with a soulful production backdrop.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100
Foothills
Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong lyricism and varied production but lacks a cohesive flow throughout its runtime.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks feature guest appearances from other artists, adding diverse vocal styles and perspectives to the overall sound.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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 engaging lyrics
  • thought-provoking themes throughout tracks
  • for focused listening sessions
  • energetic beats for motivation
  • gradual development of ideas

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • seek standalone hit singles

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Fan Favorite — Showcases Kweli's lyrical prowess and resonates with dedicated fans of underground hip-hop.
Career context
Released on November 22, 2005, this compilation came during Talib Kweli's post-mainstream breakthrough phase, following his critically acclaimed album 'Quality' in 2002. This mix CD showcased his continued evolution as an artist while highlighting collaborations that defined his career thus far.
Stylistic neighbors
Common· Black Thought· J. Cole

Tracklist

  • 1 Right About Now Start here 2:59
  • 2 Drugs, Basketball, & Rap 4:30
  • 3 Who Got It 4:27
  • 4 Fly That Knot 4:08
  • 5 Ms. Hill 3:44
  • 6 Flash Gordon 4:11
  • 7 Supreme Supreme 4:30
  • 8 The Beast 3:48
  • 9 Roll Off Me 4:02
  • 10 Rock On 3:19
  • 11 Where You Gonna Run 4:17
  • 12 Two & Two 5:45

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata