The Seven
Talib Kweli · 2017
29 min · 7 tracks · alternative hip-hop
A reflective blend of sharp lyricism and soulful production, navigating personal and political landscapes with nuanced storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Poets and Gangstas Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its exploration of the duality between artistic expression and street life, showcasing Kweli's lyrical prowess.
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Brown Guys — In this track, Kweli addresses themes of race and identity with poignant commentary that resonates through its vivid storytelling and socio-political relevance.
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Teleprompters — Here, Kweli critiques media narratives and their impact on public perception, employing clever wordplay that underscores his role as a socially conscious artist.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP showcases strong lyricism and cohesive themes, maintaining relevance in hip-hop while exploring personal and political topics.
What we noticed
- Each track features a distinct beat that complements Kweli's flow, with varied instrumentation ranging from soulful samples to more contemporary sounds.
- The EP maintains a consistent thematic focus on social issues and personal reflection, with each song contributing to an overarching narrative.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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8/10
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 pacing for focused listening
- reflective themes for deep thought
- sharp lyricism that engages intellect
- socially conscious exploration of ideas
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification
- prefer standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues Kweli's exploration of relevant themes, showcasing his sustained artistic vitality.
- Career context
- By the time 'The Seven' was released in 2017, Talib Kweli had established himself as a prominent voice in hip-hop, known for his thought-provoking lyrics and activism. This EP came after a series of collaborative projects and marked his return to solo work following the 2013 album 'Gravitas'.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Common· Black Thought· J. Cole
Tracklist
- 1 Poets and Gangstas Start here 4:24
- 2 Brown Guys 2:31
- 3 Nine Point Five 4:55
- 4 In the Field 5:01
- 5 Teleprompters 3:38
- 6 Let It Burn 3:47
- 7 Last Ones 5:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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