After 10-years since their classic contribution Train of Thought sealed their fates in hip-hop lore, Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek are releasing their follow-up venture Revolutions Per Minute May 18th on Blacksmith/Warner Bros. Records. With their first collaboration praised for its uplifting messages and nostalgic soundscape, Kweli's command of the mic and Hi-Tek's versatile production skills have made this album one of the most anticipated hip-hop albums to drop in 2010.
Exclusively produced by Hi-Tek, features on the album include appearances by Estelle, Bilal, Bun B, Mos Def, Jay Electronica, J. Cole, Res and Chester French. The album covers an array of topics that discuss the shortcomings of America ("Strangers"), society's obsession with fame ("Got Work"), an honest discussion of drug use ("Lift'in Off"), the pining for a lover returning home ("Midnight Hour"), a music history lesson ("In the Red"), and even a track about Nigeria's corruption-riddled oil business ("Black Gold").
This kind of entertainment with real world application manifests itself on the album's first single "In This World." Accompanied by Hi-Tek's pulsating bass and a gripping soul sample, Kweli contemplates success and the infinite obstacles that prove burdensome to its maturation with a resounding co-sign from Jay-Z.
In their time off since, Hi-Tek and Kweli kept busy with a number of projects, collaborations and releases making them some of the most sought after talents in hip-hop. Fans got a chance to catch the duo back in action during 2009's Rock the Bells tour where they toured along heavyweights such as Nas, Damian Marley, Ice Cube, KRS-One, and The Roots amongst others. Shortly after the New Year, Reflection Eternal released The RE:Union Mixtape, an album of new and old material that would serve as a prelude to what listeners can expect from the full LP.
Revolutions Per Minute (tracklisting)
1. RPM's
2. Back Again feat. Res
3. City Playgrounds
4. Strangers feat. Bun B
5. In This World
6. Got Work (Fame)
7. Midnight Hour feat. Estelle
8. In the Red
9. Lift'in Off
10. Black Gold Intro (The Black Gold Countdown)
11. Ballad of the Black Gold
12. Just Begun feat. Jay Electronica, J. Cole and Mos Def
13. Long Hot Summer
14. Get Loose feat. Chester French
15. So Good
16. Ends feat. Bilal
17. Outro