I'll probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweil...

There are only a few artists capable of maintaining underground credibility while also gaining mainstream appeal. It's an elusive trait that many artists spend their entire careers trying to capture--often unsuccessfully. Lately it appears as though Talib Kweli may be on the verge of breaking into that elusive and elite group that has evaded 95% of the rappers out and practically ensures longevity in this game called hip hop. And longevity is what separates the true talent from the novelty.

Kweli has already managed to release two critically acclaimed records; both of which were tag team efforts. The first alongside friend and fellow Brooklynite Mos Def and the second, a joint effort with collaborator DJ Hi Tek. His two solo efforts have had its moments but somehow both discs have been plagued with inconsistency. If records sold based on lyrical skill alone, Kweli would probably be in the oval office over at Def Jam. But the reality is, lyrics are merely one factor in a bevy of items that contribute to the sale and the consistency of an album. Unfortunately for Kweli, his beat selection has been somewhat skeptical and has tarnished the luster of his solo efforts, most notably his latest, The Beautiful Struggle. Since the release of The Beautiful Struggle, Kweli has started his own Blacksmith label, signed underground darling and uber talent Jean Grae, and released back to back mixtapes to generate a buzz for his latest solo effort Eardrum. But it takes more than a label and a couple of mixtapes to shed the "underground rapper" moniker and move towards becoming a household name. Not that Kweli is fixated on becoming the next 50 Cent. Judging by the title of his solo debut, I'm sure Kweli's more focused on releasing quality music that transcends any notoriety based given out by the hands of commercialism. Without any platinum albums and virtually no radio play, Kweli still managed to score a spot on an ESPN commercial promoting college basketball and moving himself one step closer to that aforementioned elite group. In addition to his work with ESPN, Kweli has also worked with the Black August Hip Hop Project, though he insists he's not a "conscious" rapper. Despite Kweli's denouncing of his "consciousness", you'd be hard pressed to find any lyrics of his that promote drug dealing, objectifying women or violence of any form. So if he's not a "gangsta" rapper and he's not a "conscious" rapper; what is he? Talib Kweli is a rapper. A true artist devoted to mastering his craft and cultivating the Hip Hop culture.