Talib Kweli Sets August Release Date For 'eardrum'

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper Talib Kweli signed a imprint deal with the Warner Music Group for his own label, Blacksmith Music, in 2005. The rapper was scheduled to release his first project under the deal, Eardrum, last year but the set has been delayed several times. The album is now set to hit stores on August 21st.

The latest single from the project is "Hot Thing" which was produced by the Black Eyed Peas'Will.I.Am. The album features guest appearances by Norah Jones, UGK, KRS-One, Strong Arm Steady, Jean Grae, Musiq Soulchild, and Justin Timberlake.

The album features production by Pete Rock, Madlib, Kanye West and Hi-Tek. Kweli and Hi-Tek released a gold-certified album in 2000 as Reflection Eternal. The duo later quietly fell out and did not record together for several years.

Hi-Tek explained his side of the dispute which began as a beef between Hi-Tek and the duo's label, Rawkus Records. He said: "Kweli had to make a choice whether he wanted to, you know, keep dealing with Rawkus or ride with me, and he chose to roll with Rawkus. That's how I looked at it then, but I spoke to Kweli recently and he said that wasn't the case or whatever."

Hi-Tek added: "I think we've both grown, but I don't think neither one of us has reached the success that we should have if we would have just stayed together, worked together, as far as business and personal."

Kweli's last release, 2004's Beautiful Struggle, was released on Geffen Records.