The Beautiful Struggle [Explicit Lyrics]

Track Listings

1. Going Hard

2. Back Up Offa Me

3. Broken Glass

4. We Know - Faith Evans, Talib Kweli

5. Game

6. I Try - Mary J. Blige, Talib Kweli

7. Around My Way - Talib Kweli, John Legend

8. We Got the Beat - Talib Kweli, RES

9. Work It Out

10. Ghetto Show - Common, Anthony Hamilton, Talib Kweli

11. Black Girl Pain

12. Never Been in Love

13. Beautiful Struggle

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Talib Kweli's sophomore solo album arrives with considerable fear that his mainstream aspirations may turn off longtime fans (ah, the curse of the conscious rapper). However, the album isn't as crassly commercial as some might complain. To be sure, The Beautiful Struggle could stand more consistency, and the album's production is a primary liability: songs like "A Game" and "Going Hard" weakly ape current fads while "Around My Way" inadvisably interpolates the Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." That said, the balance of the album still holds up to scrutiny. Kweli might cut a party track ("We Got the Beat") and puff up his street cred ("Back Up Offa Me"), but much of The Beautiful Struggle articulates itself with emotion and intellect: "I Try," "Ghetto Snow," and "Black Girl Pain," for example. Like Kweli's debut Quality, this follow-up falls considerably short of classic status, but it still suggests some moves in a promising direction. --Oliver Wang

The Beautiful Struggle,Talib Kweli,Rawkus (Uni),Alternative Rap,East Coast Rap,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap & Hip-Hop,Underground Rap

Average customer rating:

Not the worst album in 2003!
The Beautiful Struggle
Kweli
This Is A Good Album (3.5 stars)
Kweli needs better production

The Beautiful Struggle
Talib Kweli
Manufacturer: Rawkus / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Quality
The New Danger
Black Star
Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought
Right About Now

ASIN: B0002XL22U
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Going Hard
Back Up Offa Me
Broken Glass
We Know
A Game
I Try
Around My Way
We Got The Beat
Work It Out
Ghetto Snow
Black Girl Pain
Never Been In Love
Beautiful Struggle

Amazon.com

Talib Kweli's sophomore solo album arrives with considerable fear that his mainstream aspirations may turn off longtime fans (ah, the curse of the conscious rapper). However, the album isn't as crassly commercial as some might complain. To be sure, The Beautiful Struggle could stand more consistency, and the album's production is a primary liability: songs like "A Game" and "Going Hard" weakly ape current fads while "Around My Way" inadvisably interpolates the Police's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." That said, the balance of the album still holds up to scrutiny. Kweli might cut a party track ("We Got the Beat") and puff up his street cred ("Back Up Offa Me"), but much of The Beautiful Struggle articulates itself with emotion and intellect: "I Try," "Ghetto Snow," and "Black Girl Pain," for example. Like Kweli's debut Quality, this follow-up falls considerably short of classic status, but it still suggests some moves in a promising direction. --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews:

Not the worst album in 2003!.......2006-09-19

Standout tracks: GOING HARD, BACK UP OFFA ME, BROKEN GLASS, WE KNOW, I TRY, AROUND MY WAY, WE GOT THE BEAT,GHETTO SHOW and THE BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE. Filler: A Game(what this song sounds like),Work it out(Talib rappin offbeat big nono!), Black girl pain(why didnt this collabo work?), Never been in love(too R&Bish for a Talib song). This album might not be better than QUALITY but it is not a bad follow up. As for you reviewers that nominated this album as the worst album in 2003 I hope your opinions arent heavily influenced by cheap ragazines like The Sauce, XXLAME, Jive and GQ(gayqueer). Because as far as they are concerned anything that comes out of slavery records/aftermath is hip hop in its truest form.

The Beautiful Struggle.......2006-08-01

Many people converse about who the greatest rapper of all time is, and it often times leads to a heated arguement, and although I wouldn't give Kweli that title, he is definitely one of the greatest emcees in the music industry. With "The Beautiful Struggle", Kweli never falls short lyrically. Every song must have taken Kweli some time to write, because he does not half do any of his versus. Though the production is rather weak on this LP, Kweli makes up for it with his lyrical talent.

"Going Hard" is a good track, and Kweli's lyrics are some of the best one this CD. The production is alright, but nothing to remember. On this song he said one of this best lines: "Terrosits with etiquette who vote and kill their president, their capacity for evil so evident and prevelant." "I Try" and "Never Been in Love" are the two songs that were released from this album. They were well received from listeners because they received a good amount of airplay. With "We Got the Beat", Kweli tries but fails to be different. This song is too far out of his element. They tried to create a rock feel with this track, and the result is not good. Even Kweli's creative lyrics couldn't save this bad track. John Legend adds his magic touch to "Around My Way" and does a great job with the chorus and the piano arrangement. This is easily one of the strongest songs on the album. Kweli talks about the events that transpire around his way. "Black Girl Pain" is another good track. Kweli talks about his love for his children, and he also speaks on the struggles black women are oppressed with. The lyrics are compelling.

I enjoyrf listening to this album, but I enjoyed the lyrics more than anything because they stole the show. After listening to his album in its entirety, it is evident that he has lots of talent. I recommend this album to rap fans.

Mikeisha's Top 5
1. A Game
2. Never Been In Love
3. Beautiful Struggle
4. Ghetto Show
5. Black Girl Pain

Kweli.......2006-06-15

Kweli is hot he raps about life with amazing flows and lyrics he speaks the truth unlike the mainly overated rappers in the game top album

This Is A Good Album (3.5 stars).......2006-06-04

Talib Kweli, a conscious MC with respect from both underground and mainstream Hip-Hop heads, released his third solo album, "The Beautiful Struggle", in 2004. Talib created two masterpieces early in his career. One was "Black Star", an album he made with fellow emcee Mos Def (they as a duo were also called Black Star). The other was called "Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought", an album he made with producer Hi-Tek. Both of these records are considered classics among many heads, and also raised expectations very high for Kweli. He dropped his second solo, entitled "Quality", in late 2002. This included the Kanye West produced "Get By". The album wasn't exactly up to par with Reflection Eternal, but solid nonetheless. Now let's enter The Beautiful Struggle. Due to the expectations that were set upon Talib after his first two offerings, this album fell flat to many fans. However, I believe if you stripped away both Black Star and Reflection Eternal from his catalogue, this album would seem a dope follow up to Quality, as it's not nearly as bad as some make it out to be (in some cases though, it's not as good as some make it seem either).

The album starts out strong with "Going Hard". It's got a nice beat and the lyrics are on point. The next track, "Back Up Offa Me", is a little bland and falls under skip material for me. "Broken Glass" tells a nice story about a girl who makes bad choices and her life begins to spiral downward. The song is produced by The Neptunes, but to be honest, I don't think the beat fits the track very well. The cut is still listenable though. "We Know" is a chilled out cut featuring Faith Evans. Faith drops a nice chorus and the track is above-average at best. "A Game" is a failed attempt at commercialism. The production by Antwan "Amadeus" Thompson is rather weak and sounds somewhat futuristic. "I Try", produced by no other than Kanye West, was the first single off the album. The beat sounds almost just like "Get By" (which kind of makes sense, since they both bare the same producer). Mary J. Blige holds it down and Kweli doesn't disappoint on this cut. "Around My Way" is a strong cut with great lyrics backed with a nice beat by Charlemagne. R&B star John Legend provides a nice hook as well. "We Got the Beat" comes off as a party track and it should've been left off the album. "Work It Out" is also skip material to me. Both of these tracks make it seem like Talib tried just a little too hard to gain commercial appeal.

However, after those two tracks, the album does not hit another low point. The last four tracks are very strong. They start with "Ghetto Show", a collaboration with Common and Anthony Hamilton. It's a very chilled out cut, and Common and Talib both come correct with their verses and Anthony Hamilton gives an excellent chorus. The next song, "Black Girl Pain", is a very strong ode to black woman across the nation. The hook alone is enough to make me listen.The beat by Dirty Swift and Bruce Waynne is great, and Jean Grae drops in to deliver a great verse also. This is probably my favorite song on the entire album. The next track is probably my second favorite. "Never Been in Love" is almost perfect in every sense of the word. I love the beat by Just Blaze. The chorus is very catchy and the lyrics are on point as well. You can't go wrong with this cut. "Beautiful Struggle", the last song on the album, ends it on a strong note. It's got a nice chorus, and the beat by Hi-Tek is nice, and just like many other songs, Kweli's lyrics are great.

So, I don't see how anyone can call this a bad effort by Talib. Yes, he made attempts at going commercial alot on the album (failed attempts). Yes, it's not as strong as Black Star or Reflection Eternal, but what it is is a solid follow-up to Quality. Comparing this to other albums that came out around this time, or even albums coming out lately would be pointless, as this still blows many albums right out of the water. It has many solid tracks; people just tend to overlook that because of the gems he dropped with Mos Def and Hi-Tek. This album is still good. It does have it's mishaps, but many records do. If you're a fan of Kweli, but hesitant to pick this up for some of the negative reviews it has received, go ahead and pick it up. It's not that bad, but it's not classic material either. I would also recommend Talib's latest, "Right About Now" as well. 3.5 stars.

Kweli needs better production.......2006-04-11

It's not bad production, it's just a little to plastic and bumpin for it's own good, he is such a phenomenal emcee he deserves nothing but the best...Yes there are some overtly catchy party anthems, somewhat watering down his ferociousness, but his overall content is still the only rap that cuts through emotionally over all others....If only more people would appreciate his message..

Average customer rating:

The Beautiful Struggle
Talib Kweli
Manufacturer: Rawkus / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Quality (Clean)
Be
Black Star
Street's Disciple
Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought

ASIN: B0002XL2NE
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Tracks:

Going Hard
Back Up Offa Me
Broken Glass
We Know
A Game
I Try
Around My Way
We Got The Beat
Work It Out
Ghetto Show
Black Girl Pain
Never Been In Love
Beautiful Struggle

Average customer rating:

More Larry Williams!!!
Absolutely Killin'!
Beautiful Struggle Is Beautiful

Beautiful Struggle
Larry Williams & Friends
Manufacturer: Sony/Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005R6JO
Release Date: 2001-12-05

Tracks:

Neferrtti In Blue & Green
Invitation
Soul Eyes
Beautiful Struggle
Grayheart
Inner Urge
Love Lost
Calling You
Round Midnight
Straight No Chaser

Customer Reviews:

More Larry Williams!!!.......2002-08-14

Just got my CD, Beautiful Struggle. I'm no music critic, just a jazz fan and someone who appreciates the real thing. Larry Williams' compositions, arrangements and performances are second to none. A musical tapestry of heart and soul and emotion. What an amazing artist. Would go anywhere to see him live in the US or even Europe...

Absolutely Killin'!.......2002-07-28

Once again, L.A.'s elite have proven that they can play jazz with the very best. For nearly 30 years, Larry has worked in modest anonymity, but now steps to the front and hits a home run! "Struggle" also features Dave Carpenter, Vinnie Colauita, Jerry Hey, Gary Grant, Chuck Findley, Bill Reichenbach, and the wonderful Pauline Wilson -- all of whom have a chance to shine... and ALL burn it to the ground!

One of many, many highlights of this CD is Larry's take on "Inner Urge" (one of a few standards on this side). It completely devastated me, because, although I've followed his career for 20 years now, I never knew that he could play jazz like THAT. He sounds exactly like his idol, the great Joe Henderson.

Can I please have more stars for this one?... I think that 10 would be more appropriate!

Beautiful Struggle Is Beautiful.......2002-02-19

This is a good jazz album for those who like contemporary jazz. Great LA studio musicians doing what they like to do, not just what they're paid to do.

Invitation is a knockout. Pauline Wilson sings great, as always.

All of the playing is outstanding. The arrangements are great.

Good mix of standards and originals.

Larry sounds great, but then I'm prejudiced since I'm his brother.

Tracks:

Mir Zaynen Do Tsu Zingen!
O Ir Kleyne Likhtelekh
Fayer, Fayer!
Ikh Bin a Kleyner Dreydl
Urim-Burim
Dona, Dona
Zog, Maran
Dolye
Unter Dayne Vayse Shtern
Vilne
In Kamf
Mayn Rue-Plats
O, Kum Shoyn Shtiler Ovnt
Tum Balalayke
Bay Mir Bistu Sheyn
Amerike Di Prekhtike
Akhtsik Er un Zibitsik Zi
Harbstlid
Di Zun Vet Aruntergeyn

Average customer rating:

The Beautiful Struggle
Talib Kweli
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002Z9WC0
Release Date: 2004-10-04

Tracks:

Going Hard
Back Up Offa Me
Broken Glass
We Know - Faith Evans, Talib Kweli
Game
I Try - Mary J. Blige, Talib Kweli
Around My Way - Talib Kweli, John Legend
We Got the Beat - Talib Kweli, RES
Work It Out
Ghetto Show - Common, Anthony Hamilton, Talib Kweli
Black Girl Pain
Never Been in Love
Beautiful Struggle

Album Details

This Version of "Beautiful Struggle" Includes One Exclusive Bonus Track that features Mos Def.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful

Beautiful
Headtrip Superstar
Manufacturer: RadioStar Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002ISU98
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Tortured Home
Lies
Walk Away
Heroes
Dead Wrong
Still Standing
Subliminal
Preludio a Bella
Beautiful
Down
Silent Movie

Album Description

Leading the way among new modern rock bands is Headtrip Superstar. With a sound reminiscent of Godsmack, Seether, and Nickleback "Beautiful" features unyielding songs with emotional and provocative lyrics about the everyday struggle of being human. Strong, expressive vocals and lush backing harmonies missing from today's run-of-the-mill rock bands makes this record a must buy!

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2004-07-23

This album kicks butt! Best hard rock I've heard in a few years. Good hooks to the songs. Don't be suprised if you see these guys making it big. The cover art is a little wild. They have a cool site too (...) check 'em out. - Rock On!

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Struggle
Talib Kweli
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000666UO8
Release Date: 2004-11-29

Album Description

Japanese pressing of 2004 release, scheduled to include one exclusive bonus track. Details TBA. Universal.

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Struggle

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000J234M0
Release Date: 2006-11-07

Talib Kweli The Beautiful Mix Tape Vol. 2 The Struggle Continues Mixtape CD

Average customer rating:

Talib Kweli The Beautiful Mix Tape Vol. 2 The Struggle Continues Mixtape CD

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
Similar Items:

Talib Kweli:Brooklyn Tennessee (Mixtape)
True Magic
Right About Now
Uncommonly Nasty
Kanye West, Lloyd Banks, Jay-Z & Jadakiss present THE REGIME CHANGE [Mixtape] [Limited Edition]

ASIN: B000CR2DII

Product Description

Talib Kweli follows his recent album The Beautiful Struggle with his 2nd official mixtape release distributed by Talib Kweli's own camp. This mix is built w/ 18 all-new tracks not found on his album or on the discontinued Part 1 This features cameoes for the backpackers and the street heads.