Talib Kweli: “I’ve never seen anyone like Barack Obama”

Written by Rizoh. Posted in Gumbo

Published on January 18, 2008 with 14 Comments">14 Comments

talib-kweli.jpg

Kweli didn’t reference Obama on “Say Something” for nothing. In a recent chat with the Detroit Free Press, Talib explained that though his stance on voting hasn’t changed, he likes what he sees in Obama (and Hillary) so far.

Peep game:

DFP: A lot of your lyrics have a political consciousness. However, you’ve been pretty forward about not voting in elections because the system is broke and you typically don’t believe in any candidates. Has Barack Obama changed your mind or is it politics as usual?

Kweli: Obama is very inspiring. Certainly I am considering whether or not I am going to vote for him, which is a big step for me. When I was younger, I might have voted for Bill Clinton in his first election, but haven’t since. There is still a long time to go before Obama even gets nominated; we just have to see what is going to happen. But I’d be lying if I said he wasn’t impressive. I still feel the same way I do about voting, but I have never seen anyone like Barack Obama before. I’m equally impressed with Hillary Clinton as a person, but she to me is definitely part of the system. She doesn’t inspire me the same way he does, you know?

Game recognize game.

Rizoh

Rizoh is the most powerful man in all the lands. He lives in Houston where he earned a BS in Nerf Herding. He's the founder of The Rap Up, the editor of Roc4Life.com, and is in the Grammy-awaiting band Pervertable Disciples.

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  • Kas

    Co-sign everything Talib said!

    Obama in 08′

    One

    Kas

  • Kas

    Co-sign everything Talib said!

    Obama in 08′

    One

    Kas

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  • Mr.White

    VOTE OR DIE !

  • Mr.White

    VOTE OR DIE !

  • khal

    i like that kweli is having a change of heart. hopefully more people will vote this year.

  • khal

    i like that kweli is having a change of heart. hopefully more people will vote this year.

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  • Slav Kandyba

    Not to make this sound the wrong way, but could it be that Kweli’s talking about Obama being African and, well, Black, as the reason he likes him? That’s kinda shallow for a man of his intelligence if ya ask me. It’s great to see that he’s changing his position about not voting, although I can understand why he – like me and others – decided to just say fuck it when Bush was elected twice.

  • Slav Kandyba

    Not to make this sound the wrong way, but could it be that Kweli’s talking about Obama being African and, well, Black, as the reason he likes him? That’s kinda shallow for a man of his intelligence if ya ask me. It’s great to see that he’s changing his position about not voting, although I can understand why he – like me and others – decided to just say fuck it when Bush was elected twice.

  • Notion

    Say word Stav,
    Kweli from my perspective is one of the most intelligent emcees ever.. thats my word. He seems to be jumpin on the wagon with this one, if his views are that stong about the system, voting, goverment etc.. if he’s leaning to Obama due to their background… then he needs to check himself. He’s sending out the right msg to peeps, which is what he has always done, but is he somewhat eating his own words wit this one? methinks there will be a few other artists speaking out about this for good PR…. hmmmm

    Notion Baby!
    Melbourne, Australia.
    (i may be miles away.. but i know wassup!!)

  • Notion

    Say word Stav,
    Kweli from my perspective is one of the most intelligent emcees ever.. thats my word. He seems to be jumpin on the wagon with this one, if his views are that stong about the system, voting, goverment etc.. if he’s leaning to Obama due to their background… then he needs to check himself. He’s sending out the right msg to peeps, which is what he has always done, but is he somewhat eating his own words wit this one? methinks there will be a few other artists speaking out about this for good PR…. hmmmm

    Notion Baby!
    Melbourne, Australia.
    (i may be miles away.. but i know wassup!!)

  • http://my.rawkus.com/xn/detail/u_l3gz981hq29g Meel

    I don’t mean to attack anyone, but I don’t remember reading Kweli say he likes Obama because he’s black. It could just be me.

    I’ve heard of reading between the lines, but for anyone to say that it sounds like Kweli is leaning towards Obama because he’s of immediate African descent – in this brief statement – is just searching for ways to vilify a man who’s coming to grips with his former way of thinking.

    As does Kweli, I admit to feeling to the same animosity, as a Black man, about the political arena in this country.

    And because my feeling are somewhat identical wherein I’m deeply moved by Obama’s sincerity, but I am also impressed with the way i which Hilary Clinton is standing for her positiion as the next president.

    Where’s the line where Kweli says “I’m inspired by Obama because he’s Black?”

  • http://my.rawkus.com/xn/detail/u_l3gz981hq29g Meel

    I don’t mean to attack anyone, but I don’t remember reading Kweli say he likes Obama because he’s black. It could just be me.

    I’ve heard of reading between the lines, but for anyone to say that it sounds like Kweli is leaning towards Obama because he’s of immediate African descent – in this brief statement – is just searching for ways to vilify a man who’s coming to grips with his former way of thinking.

    As does Kweli, I admit to feeling to the same animosity, as a Black man, about the political arena in this country.

    And because my feeling are somewhat identical wherein I’m deeply moved by Obama’s sincerity, but I am also impressed with the way i which Hilary Clinton is standing for her positiion as the next president.

    Where’s the line where Kweli says “I’m inspired by Obama because he’s Black?”

  • ignite mindz

    Alright, Im white, and I kind of understand why some black people believe why theyre vote doesnt matter that much in this country. But it’s NOT the black vote. Stop thinkin of it racially. thousands of people of all races will be voting the same way as Talib will. And I understand that all candidates are pretty much fake and promise bullshit. but you still should pick the lesser of two evils so people like BUSH DONT WIN AGAIN. dammit.

  • ignite mindz

    Alright, Im white, and I kind of understand why some black people believe why theyre vote doesnt matter that much in this country. But it’s NOT the black vote. Stop thinkin of it racially. thousands of people of all races will be voting the same way as Talib will. And I understand that all candidates are pretty much fake and promise bullshit. but you still should pick the lesser of two evils so people like BUSH DONT WIN AGAIN. dammit.