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<p align="center" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">TALIB KWELI
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">TO RELEASE 6<sup>th</sup> SOLO ALBUM, <span class="il"><i>GRAVITAS</i></span>, ON CD & VINYL FEBRUARY 18<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">AVAILABLE THROUGH DIRECT-TO-FAN PLATFORM
</span></b><a href="http://WWW.KWELICLUB.COM"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">WWW.KWELICLUB.COM</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">as well as in stores & online via Javotti Media/Fat Beats<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><img border="0" width="307" height="307" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image003.jpg@01CF2735.F8907380" alt="http://www.okayplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tkcover.jpg"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">“…smart, provocative, political and too rarely noted for his melody.” –
<b><i>CNN.com</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">“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.” – <b><i>NPR All Things Considered</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">“Erudite Brooklyn rhymer Talib Kweli sets the bar high for rap…”<b><i> – USA TODAY</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="il"><b>LISTEN:
</b></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaGWILNwXiQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUF4EQffE1WIaWfAyOnlXngw"><b>"State of Grace" ft. Abby Dobson</b></a><span class="il"><b> /
</b></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwzXi8NFSmk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUF4EQffE1WIaWfAyOnlXngw"><b>"Violations" ft. Raekwon</b></a><span class="il"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">(<i>New York, NY – February 11, 2013</i>) - Hip-hop luminary
<b>Talib Kweli</b><span class="il"> will release </span>his acclaimed 6<sup>th</sup> solo album,
<span class="il"><b><i>Gravitas</i></b>, available <b>direct to fans</b> on <b>CD and blue vinyl</b>
<b>February 18<sup>th</sup></b> via his new web platform </span><a href="http://www.kweliclub.com"><b>www.kweliclub.com</b></a><span class="il">. The physical release of the album follows Kweli’s much-buzzed-about move late last year to digitally release
<b><i>Gravitas</i></b><i> </i>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
<b>Macklemore & Ryan Lewis</b>. It is the follow up to his critically lauded 2013 album
<b><i>Prisoner of Conscious</i>.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="il"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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 <a href="http://www.kweliclub.com"><b>www.kweliclub.com</b></a><span class="il"><b>
</b></span>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.
<a href="http://kweliclub.com/products/gravitas-cd-pre-order">PRESS HERE</a> to pre-order the CD and
<a href="http://kweliclub.com/products/talib-kweli-gravitas-lp-blue-vinyl-pre-order">
PRESS HERE</a> to pre-order the blue vinyl. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="il"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="il">Those looking to purchase through traditional retailers can find the
<b><i>Gravitas</i> CD & vinyl in stores or online</b> though <b>Javotti Media</b>’s partnership with
<b>Fat Beats</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="il"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">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
<b>Black Thought</b>, recent Grammy-Award winner <b>Gary Clark Jr</b>., <b>Raekwon, Res</b> and<b> Mike Posner,</b> Kweli jumped at the idea of a direct-to-fan release.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Says <b>Kweli</b>, “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.”<span lang="EN" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica","sans-serif";color:#666666"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">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.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">"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 </span><span class="il"><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Gravitas</span></i></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> sums
up my experience until now."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">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<b> UnderAchievers</b>, who pop up on the
<b>Statik Selektah</b>-produced <b>“New Leaders.”</b> The <b>OhNo </b>produced <b>
“Art Imitates Life”</b> features classic lyricism from <b>Kweli, Rah Digga</b> and
<b>Black Thought</b> from the legendary Roots, and Austin's guitar prodigy <b>Gary Clark Jr.</b> shows up for <b>“Demonology”.</b> All of this leads up to
</span><span class="il"><i><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Gravitas</span></i></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">' final track, “<b>Colors of You”</b>, featuring
<b>Mike Posner</b> and produced by the late, great <b>J Dilla</b> of Slum Village fame. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="il"><b><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Gravitas</span></i></b></span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""> Tracklisting and Producers:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">1. <i>Inner Monologue</i> – produced by Khrysis<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">2. <i>Demonology</i> – featuring Big K.R.I.T & Gary Clark Jr., produced by Lord Quest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">3. <i>State of Grace</i> – featuring Abby Dobson, produced by Lord Quest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">4. <i>Violations</i> – featuring Raekwon, produced by Thaddeus Dixon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">5. <i>Rare Portraits</i> – produced by OhNo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">6. <i>New Leaders</i> – featuring UnderAchievers, produced by Statik Selektah<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">7. <i>The Wormhole</i> – produced by OhNo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">8. <i>What’s Real</i> – featuring RES, produced by Rich Kidd<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">9. <i>Art Imitates Life</i> – featuring Black Thought, Rah Digga & ALBe. Back, produced by OhNo<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">10. <i>Lover’s Peak</i> – produced by 6<sup>th</sup> Sense<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">11. <i>Colors of You</i> – featuring Mike Posner, produced by J Dilla<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="http://www.kweliclub.com"><b>www.kweliclub.com</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><a href="http://www.talibkweli.com"><b>www.talibkweli.com</b></a><b> /
</b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/talibkweli"><b>www.facebook.com/talibkweli</b></a><b> / @TalibKweli<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">For more information on <b>Talib Kweli</b>, please contact:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Press Here<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Carla Senft<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">212-246-2640<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="mailto:carla@pressherepublicity.com">carla@pressherepublicity.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">Carla Senft</span><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#C00000">PRESS HERE </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">(New York)</span><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">138 W. 25<sup>th</sup> St., 9<sup>th</sup> Floor, New York, NY 10001</span><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">P: (212) 246-2640</span><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:carla@pressherepublicity.com"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif"">carla@pressherepublicity.com</span></a><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black"> </span></b><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#C00000">PRESS HERE </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">(Los Angeles)</span><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">8105 West Third St.,</span><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#C00000"> </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">Los
Angeles, CA 90048</span><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#C00000"> </span></b><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">P: (323) 556-9752 </span><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:black">Click to view website:</span></i><span style="color:blue"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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