Talib Kweli to Release 6th Solo LP Gravitas on CD & Vinyl Feb 18 via Direct-To-Fan Platform KweliClub.com

Tue Feb 11 13:38:42 CST 2014

TALIB KWELI

TO RELEASE 6th SOLO ALBUM, GRAVITAS, ON CD & VINYL FEBRUARY 18th

AVAILABLE THROUGH DIRECT-TO-FAN PLATFORM WWW.KWELICLUB.COM<http://WWW.KWELICLUB.COM>

as well as in stores & online via Javotti Media/Fat Beats

[http://www.okayplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tkcover.jpg]

"...smart, provocative, political and too rarely noted for his melody." - CNN.com

"The variety of sounds and collaborators Kweli works with demonstrate a desire to live on the charts and in the dorm room, and his flexibility negates the idea that pop isn't conscious and conscious isn't any fun." - NPR All Things Considered

"Erudite Brooklyn rhymer Talib Kweli sets the bar high for rap..." - USA TODAY

LISTEN: "State of Grace" ft. Abby Dobson<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaGWILNwXiQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUF4EQffE1WIaWfAyOnlXngw> / "Violations" ft. Raekwon<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwzXi8NFSmk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUF4EQffE1WIaWfAyOnlXngw>

(New York, NY - February 11, 2013) - Hip-hop luminary Talib Kweli will release his acclaimed 6th solo album, Gravitas, available direct to fans on CD and blue vinyl February 18th via his new web platform www.kweliclub.com<http://www.kweliclub.com>. The physical release of the album follows Kweli's much-buzzed-about move late last year to digitally release Gravitas by cutting out the middle man and bringing his music directly to his fans. The album, his second in one year, came as a welcome surprise to many, released just as Kweli was wrapping up one of the hottest tours of the year with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It is the follow up to his critically lauded 2013 album Prisoner of Conscious.

Kweli, who brings his pioneering spirit to the business of music as much as to his creation of it, wanted to find a way to better connect with his legions of followers, and this meant experimenting with the industry model. Those who buy the album through www.kweliclub.com<http://www.kweliclub.com> will activate an exclusive membership in the club, which includes becoming part of Kweli's personal address book. Fans will be able to communicate directly with him via email and, after nearly 20 years in the industry, he will have the opportunity to interact with each fan on an even more personal level to say thank you for all of the support throughout his celebrated career. PRESS HERE<http://kweliclub.com/products/gravitas-cd-pre-order> to pre-order the CD and PRESS HERE<http://kweliclub.com/products/talib-kweli-gravitas-lp-blue-vinyl-pre-order> to pre-order the blue vinyl.

Those looking to purchase through traditional retailers can find the Gravitas CD & vinyl in stores or online though Javotti Media's partnership with Fat Beats.

Armed with an album full of songs that provide the deepest look yet at Kweli's personal journey, and a slew of guest artists including Black Thought, recent Grammy-Award winner Gary Clark Jr., Raekwon, Res and Mike Posner, Kweli jumped at the idea of a direct-to-fan release.

Says Kweli, "Social media, YouTube and music streaming sites have made it where a casual listener can say they are a big fan without ever having to actually support the artist by purchasing the music. Kweliclub.com is set up for me to be able to stay in touch with my truest fans, the ones who are happy to support me with their dollars. This is a way for me to give back to them."

The new songs reflect the continued determination and drive in Kweli. Considered one of the top lyricists of all time, he has defied the odds and remained relevant while never compromising his art, quite a feat in today's music business.

"One of my favorite things about today's hip-hop is the honesty," says Kweli. "Today's most popular rappers aren't always politically correct or deep, but the best are unflinchingly honest. While my story may be documented, I have never truly told my story through music. My true fans have heard bits and pieces through the years, but Gravitas sums up my experience until now."

Kweli always has an eye for fresh talent and has showcased new artists throughout his storied career, giving breaks to people like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole long before they were embraced by the mainstream. This streak continues with Brooklyn's own UnderAchievers, who pop up on the Statik Selektah-produced "New Leaders." The OhNo produced "Art Imitates Life" features classic lyricism from Kweli, Rah Digga and Black Thought from the legendary Roots, and Austin's guitar prodigy Gary Clark Jr. shows up for "Demonology". All of this leads up to Gravitas' final track, "Colors of You", featuring Mike Posner and produced by the late, great J Dilla of Slum Village fame.

Gravitas Tracklisting and Producers:

1. Inner Monologue - produced by Khrysis

2. Demonology - featuring Big K.R.I.T & Gary Clark Jr., produced by Lord Quest

3. State of Grace - featuring Abby Dobson, produced by Lord Quest

4. Violations - featuring Raekwon, produced by Thaddeus Dixon

5. Rare Portraits - produced by OhNo

6. New Leaders - featuring UnderAchievers, produced by Statik Selektah

7. The Wormhole - produced by OhNo

8. What's Real - featuring RES, produced by Rich Kidd

9. Art Imitates Life - featuring Black Thought, Rah Digga & ALBe. Back, produced by OhNo

10. Lover's Peak - produced by 6th Sense

11. Colors of You - featuring Mike Posner, produced by J Dilla

www.kweliclub.com<http://www.kweliclub.com>
www.talibkweli.com<http://www.talibkweli.com> / www.facebook.com/talibkweli<http://www.facebook.com/talibkweli> / @TalibKweli

For more information on Talib Kweli, please contact:

Press Here

Carla Senft

212-246-2640

carla at pressherepublicity.com<mailto:carla at pressherepublicity.com>

Carla Senft
PRESS HERE (New York)
138 W. 25th St., 9th Floor, New York, NY 10001
P: (212) 246-2640
carla at pressherepublicity.com<mailto:carla at pressherepublicity.com>

PRESS HERE (Los Angeles)
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P: (323) 556-9752

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