Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, BUCKSHOT, Jean Grae, Smif N Wessun, Kidz in the Hall with DJ Statik Selektah 'Population Control' with surprise performances from artists on the ...

Ever since emerging as a member of Black Star in the late 1990s, Talib Kweli is one of the few artists making commercially viable music that matters. The Brooklyn bred rapper's hard-hitting music has been able to educate and entertain simultaneously. So it is no wonder that at the peak of their fame, both Jay-Z and 50 Cent named Talib Kweli as one of their favorite rappers.

With Ear Drum, his first album released on his own Blacksmith Music and his sixth album overall, Kweli has delivered his career-defining work, a polished collection showcasing his advanced lyricism and his penchant for picking music that resonates long after the song ends. "The image of the ear and of the drum are powerful enough by themselves, but when you put them together, it's an instrument that's in your body that helps you hear," he explains. "They're also two very simple, yet powerful words. I wanted to focus on finding a sound that makes you move, and that's where the word 'Ear Drum' popped in my head."

Throughout Ear Drum, Kweli delivers powerful music that sparks your intellect and makes your body move. He teams with Reflection Eternal partner Hi-Tek on "More Or Less." Over pounding drums and a minimalistic groove, Kweli makes brash declarations on how to improve music specifically and American society in general. "A statement like, we need 'more rap songs that stress purpose/With less misogyny and less curses/Let's put more depth in our verses,' I haven't made bold, blatant statements since that like 'Manifesto.' There are fans of mine that really appreciate those statements because there are times when those statements need to be made."

An equally bold Ear Drum moment comes on "Country Cousins," which features Kweli trading verses with UGK and Raheem DeVaughn. Over a soulful beat accented by brassy horns, Kweli, Bun B and Pimp C talk about the reality of their experiences growing up in New York and Texas, respectively. "People have the perception of what an East Coast artist sounds like, who he's supposed to be listening to and what he likes, and what a Down South artist sounds like," Kweli explains. "There's preconceived notions and that's really what the song with Bun and Pimp C is about, the preconceived notions between East Coast artists and Down South artists."

Throughout Ear Drum, Kweli makes a point to explore new topics, collaborate with a variety of artists and rap over distinctively innovative production. It is part of Kweli's growth as an artist and as a person. "We need to challenge our audience but we also need to challenge ourselves to know that whatever our new experiences are, we can write about them, be creative and bring that to an audience without them feeling alienated," he says.

Long-time Talib Kweli followers will say the same thing about him. Since his stellar debut with Mos Def as Black Star, Kweli has been one of rap's most exceptional and consistent artists. Released in 2000, Reflection Eternal, the RIAA-certified gold album with Hi-Tek, was one of the most acclaimed albums of the year. In 2002, smash single "Get By," the biting political commentary "The Proud" and the insightful examination of America's gun culture on "Gun Music" made Quality a landmark recording and Kweli's second gold album. Subsequent recordings in 2004 (The Beautiful Struggle) and 2005 (Right About Now) solidified his status as one of rap's most talented and important voices.

Now, after establishing himself as a rap visionary, Kweli along with long-time manager Corey Smyth launched Blacksmith Music. The pair signed an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. to market, promote, and distribute the music of Blacksmith artists. Following Kweli's release on Blacksmith/WBR there will be a new solo album from Jean Grae, the critically acclaimed South African-born female rapper who is among the most respected female rappers in the history of the genre. Rolling Stone called her "the best kept secret on New York&..39;s indie hip-hop scene," while XXL, Spin, Village Voice, URB and others have labeled her an artist to watch. Strong Arm Steady, a forthcoming Blacksmith/WBR release, is a super group whose members are platinum rapper and Pimp My Ride host Xzibit, Los Angeles underground star Phil The Agony, lyrical assassin Krondon and San Diego rap pioneer Mitchy Slick. Strong Arm Steady has been one of the few West Coast acts to build a rabid fanbase through mixtapes.

Kweli hopes Blacksmith will create a movement with Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady, much as his own music has. "With Blacksmith, I want it to be a flag that everyone can wave," he says. "I want to be packing shows and I want people to feel like they were up on Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady before anybody else was."

In the mean time, the lyrically and sonically potent Ear Drum demonstrates that strong, powerful messages can serve as the backbone for music at its best. "The vast majority of my subject matter focuses on black self-love, black self esteem, black self worth," Kweli says. "That translates to other communities because if you're a human being, it doesn't matter what color you're talking about. You've been through some sort of struggle and you can apply it to your own life."

Queens NYC native Pharoahe Monch first bursted into the scene part of the legendary group Organized Konfusion with Prince Poetry in 1991. Shortly after the duo disbanded, Monch stunned critics and fans with his debut solo album, 'Internal Affairs,' in 1999 spawning the breakout hit "Simon Says." Decades before Drake, Monch sang his choruses with soul driven melody on songs like “Queens” which chronicled the tragic life of an aspiring athlete taken under by the mean streets. “Simon Says”, the crowd moving hit powered by a Godzilla movie sample, itself became a monster single, propelling Monch to commercial success. The song appeared in the block-buster movie Charlie's Angels, and well as Boiler Room, which also featured “Right Here.” Monch took a break from album crafting following the dissolution of Rawkus, but he wasn't totally gone. In 2001 he appeared on the soundtrack to the Denzel Washington Oscar winning vehicle Training Day with the unapologetic “F**k You”. He also played the role of ghostwriter for Sean “Diddy” Combs on his 2006 well-received album, 'Press Play.' Monch's hand is evident on tracks, “The Future” and Havoc of Mobb Deep-featured track “The Holdup.” After a label bidding war, he resurfaced 8 years later with another universally lauded album, 'Desire,' (2007) garnering attention from mainstream media and song placement on the highly popular Madden NFL 08 video game. This time, Monch spread the production out and focused on his delivery, again crafting verses of variable speeds, deliveries, rhythms and concepts like very few have ever done. Now in 2011, Pharoahe Monch stands with his recently released 'W.A.R. (We Are Renegades),' taking a stand for higher thought and for the love of the art in Hip-Hop culture; standing firm against the commoditization of the music and so many lowbrow approaches to the art form. “This is a science and it filters into our being. This is what W.A.R. is about. This record is my truth as it was written when I made it,” says Monch. “I would like this album to be on a frequency to let you open the doors to your God-self. I want this harmony to give you goose bumps and raise the hairs on your arms. W.A.R. is a coat of arms against the destruction of art” Armed with an enormous array of skill, talent, and most important, love and soul, Pharoahe Monch sets out to wage war under the flag of his newly created company W.A.R. Media in a partnership with Duck Down Music.

Buckshot is one third of the legendary hip hop group Black Moon, with 5FT and DJ Evil Dee; co-founder of Duck Down Music Inc; and dubbed the Five-Star General of the Boot Camp Clik, also comprised of Smif N Wessun, Sean Price & Rock of Heltah Skeltah. In 2005 Buckshot collaborated with grammy-award winning producer, 9th Wonder for their debut album, 'Chemistry.' Three years later the MC/Producer duo released 'The Formula' (2008). 9th Wonder & Buckshot are currently finishing their third LP, The Solution, scheduled for an early 2012 release. In 2009, Buckshot also joined forces with iconic rap legend KRS-ONE, and released an album entitled 'Survival Skills.' Buckshot has taken his 15-year experience and crafted a hard-cover book' entitled 'The Common Knowledgy of The Entertainment Industry.' Accompanying the book is a 16-track CD album. The album features original Buckshot music based on the concepts from within the chapters. You can also find Buckshot's music on video games (Tony Hawk, NBA 2K11, Call of Duty 2: Modern Warfare), TV shows (HBO Hard Knocks, ESPN Sportscenter, The History Channel, FX Movies), and advertising campaigns (Belvedere, Smirnoff, Pizza Hut, ESPN).

Although born in South Africa, Tsidi Ibrahim will always be a New Yorker by heart. The daughter of two jazz musicians, Ibrahim learned an appreciation for all genres of music at an early age giving her a good foundation on becoming a writer and producer. Then known as What? What?, she was recruited by a rapper named Ocean, who formed Natural Resource in the mid-90s. In 1997, they founded their own record label, Makin' Records, and released the single, "Negro League Baseball", which became an underground hip-hop classic. The group broke up due to creative differences, but the exposure worked towards her benefit. She changed her name to Jean Grae and appeared on a number of songs with artists such as Herbaliser, High & Mighty, the Mumia 911 Project, the Hip-Hop For Respect project, Mr. Len, Da Beatminerz and Masta Ace.

BUCKTOWN! The group that forever changed the name of Brooklyn, New York to Bucktown, Smif N Wessun is one of Hip Hop’s most storied rap duos. Taking the game by storm in 1995, with their first full-length release, 'Da Shinin,' Tek N Steele have gone on to release four more full-length albums in their career: 'Rude Awakening,' (1998), 'Reloaded,' (2005) and 'THE ALBUM' (2007). Smif N Wessun are also part of the mighty Boot Camp Clik, currently prepping an early 2012 release. Smif N Wessun recently released their fifth studio album, 'Monumental,' (2011) with legendary producer Pete Rock. The collaborative album features from Bun B, Raekwon, Styles P, Sean Price, Freeway, Buckshot, Memphis Bleek, Rock of Heltah Skeltah, Black Rob, Hurricane G, and Jahdan Blakkamore. Smif N Wessun have worked with some of Hip Hop’s greats: Tupac, Talib Kweli, Tony Touch, Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige, M.O.P., Mobb Deep, Bun B, Raekwon, Pete Rock, Joell Ortiz, and more.

MC Naledge & Producer/DJ Double-0 are the group Kidz In The Hall. Hailing from Chicago, IL, first met his DJ/producer partner, Double-0, in 2000 on a recruiting visit to the University of Pennsylvania, and the two became good friends and music collaborators that eventually spawned, Kidz In The Hall. The MC/Producer duo bursted into the scene with their breakout debut album 'School Was My Hustle' in 2006, then releasing their follow-up 'The In Crowd,' (2007) & their third album 'Land of Make Believe,' (2011). Kidz In The Hall went on to tour with several music heavyweights (Gym Class Heroes & Murs), participated in brand campaigns (Adidas, Red Bull, Reebok), contributed music towards TV shows (MTV's Jersey Shore, ESPN Sportscenter, VH1's programming), video games (Madden, NBA 2K11, Midnight Club) & movies (Limitless). In 2011, the duo starred in a reality series airing on MTV2 Sucker Free, chronicling the making of their fourth studio album out late November on Duck Down Music.