Talib Kweli is a nice MC no matter what the genre! He can switch up his flow and still talk about making change.   With that said The Beautiful Struggle was just what the title suggested.   While not trash by any means, the album had so many sounds and attempted to do so much it left this writer wanting more consistency.   With an artist like Kweli we don't want or need the wheel to be invented we want him to simply speak with his wicked tongue!

The Beautiful Mix Volume 1 & 2 were nice to the ear and featured great collaborations and this mix is no different. The mix includes "Ms. Hill", cut about L-Boogie and the type of BS she has and has had to endure with her fame as an artist, the new classic Black Star cut "Supreme Supreme", "Right About Now" produced by 88 Keys and "Fly That Knot" featuring MF Doom.   Other artists that come through include Papoose, Jean Grae, Phil Da Agony, Planet Asia and a hidden guest or two!

Production for the mix was done by Needlz, Kareem Riggins, The Fyre Dept., Charlemagne, Dave West, Jay Dilla, Dirty Swift, Bruce Waynne or Midi Mafia, J. Cardim, DJ Khalil, Keezo Kane & Steven Kang along with the aforementioned 88-Keys.    

I like the sound on this mix and Kweli does good to bring something out for his listeners to hold on to until the next LP.   Kweli (currently on tour with Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae) is the workingman's MC and everyone should know that 70 percent of his effort is still like 100 percent from the next artist. His subject matter and tenacity usually makes an alright song a very good song.   He has respect for the past, present and future of life not just Hip Hop when he rhymes and that in today's Hip Hop is rare.

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