Talib Kweli Talks More On Rick Ross With Hot 97

Talib Kweli chopped it up with DJ Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg during a recent call to The Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg Show on Hot 97. The hosts were curious to know Kweli's feelings about Rick Ross' controversial lyrics condoning rape and the social media backlash that has found some bloggers throwing darts toward the Brooklyn MC for making a public statement about the issue. The discussion follows Kweli's participation in a roundtable debate about the issue several days ago on HuffPost Live and the more recent protests against Ross outside of the Reebok flagship store - a public outcry that has forced the brand to consider dropping him from their endorsements. Kweli clarifies his feelings on the issue and his feelings toward Rick Ross in general. He elaborates his love and support for Ross and other MCs who have made incendiary statements over the years - slight or otherwise - despite the negative effects of lyrics born from a need to support their sometimes over-blown personas. He is very clear, however, in taking offense to the practice of making inexcusable statements just because there is a platform from which to deliver them. He stresses a need for accountability across the board. He also believes there is a certain amount of vitriol already directed toward more commercial rappers from arm-chair critics and media personalities who feel they lack authenticity just because they aren't underground or overtly socially concerned - another issue that deserves to be addressed. Check the discussion below.