Revivalist Exclusive: Talib Kweli Talks Gravitas & American Culture

50 years ago there was the same mistrust of the authority and the government that a lot of people are feeling today and it bred a lot of politically conscious music. Why don’t you think that’s happening on the same scale today?

I do think that’s happening on a large scale today. You’ve got Macklemore and Ryan Lewis—one of the biggest groups out there—talking about conscious issues. People are excited about Pussy Riot. There are lots of examples in the mainstream. But you’re correct that mainstream culture in general is not embracing socially conscious music. But let me challenge you by asking this: When has that ever happened?

When has the Top 10 ever been filled with culturally relevant songs aside from one or two—the Grateful Dead had a hit, Bob Marley had a couple hits, Dylan had a couple hits on the radio. But that’s not what it’s ever been.

Touring with an acts like Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and Big K.R.I.T. has to be exciting for you then.

It is a cool tour. I’m excited to be with Macklemore and Ryan Lewis because of what they’re doing in hip-hop and the standard they set for independent artists. I’m also excited to be on tour with someone as talented as Big K.R.I.T. I think it’s a great balance of acts.

What’s the lowdown on Gravitas and how Q-Tip became involved?

Q-Tip is one of my heroes, one of my direct inspirations. We were just working on some new music together and that material will be on my new album. I’m excited for it to all come out somehow someway.