"We Make The Music That Change Your Life"

After listening to Mos Def and Talib Kweli's Black Star, and about a year later, purchasing Mos Def's solo joint, Black On Both Sides, it came naturally to purchase Talib Kweli's debut album Reflection Eternal. Although the album features nothing that mainstream Hip-Hop fans would appreciate, the Underground rap scene, as well as Underground Hip-Hop fans will appreciate Talib Kweli's thoughtful, meaningful debut album. Although, nothing that both Talib Kweli and Mos Def could put together would even SOMEWHAT reflect on the pure genius (in my humble opinion) of Black Star. But, even though this is true, this is probably one of the greatest solo albums in Hip-Hop history (with this not being an exception to KRS-One's By Any Means Necessary.)


Below Is A Track Listing And Their Overall Rating:

1. Experience Dedication (*****)
2. Move Somthin' (*****)
3. Some Kind Of Wonderful (*****)
4. The Blast (*****)
5. This Means You (*****)
6. Too Late (*****)
7. Memories Live (*****)
8. Africa Dream (*****)
9. Down For The Count (*****)
10. Name Of The Game (*****)
11. Ghetto Afterlife (*****)
12. On My Way (*****)
13. Love Language (*****)
14. Love Speakeasy (*****)
15. Soul Rebels (*****)
16. Eternalists (*****)
17. Big Del From Da Natti (*****)
18. Touch You (*****)
19. Good Mourning (*****)
20. Expansion Outro (*****)
21. **Hidden Bonus Track- For The Woman** (*****)


After one listening, one couldn't help but miss the infectious rhythms put together by the DJ Premier equivalent DJ Hi-Tek. Although DJ Hi-Tek's beats aren't as jazzed up as the likes of Premier, his soulful, Common-like rhythms reflect on Talib Kweli's thoughtful lyrics quite well. Although, only two rhythms methods are used, there’s no denying that both of these beat stylings are surprisingly good.

The first, and most used beat stylings throughout the album is the consistently "funk-da-fied" ones. Even though these beats sound like something Jay Dee Of The Ummah would produce, they seem to be added up with tight bass lines and extremely funky synthesizer breaks in the background that reflect on this style quite well without over-using it to the point where it becomes unbearable. Even though this is true, you may think that the up-beat, light bass line filled tracks (that use this style) would be a bit too subtle. But, actually, they come off quite magnetic and not to under-used which, although, may not be to good seemingly for these type of beats, but, for this particular style, it blends in with the soulful backgrounds, as well as the light, funky synthesizer in the foreground, as well as the lyrics. With this combined, this style works incredibly well with the album and, while, it may seem a bit to subtle for some, these beats are incredibly well done.

The second beat method is used in the lower, less bass-filled type of beat. Although, Hi-Tek still seems to be able to add that soulful funk even to beats like this, we have more of a low-key, somewhat deeper bass line (even though there isn't much of one in these particular methods), it still seems to work incredibly/considerably well too the point where it seems like a lower-key funk for the aforementioned beats to work with. Although, throughout Reflection Eternal, we don't hear many of these stylings, for what we DO seem to hear, it, as well, works very well with the other beat method, as well as with Talib Kweli's lyrics. Even though this style is hardly used, it still works quite well and adds a bit more to the album than you may expect judging by the more used soulful beats than these.

Even though one beat method is used more than the other (they are both equally the same), it doesn't take anything away from this category, as a matter of fact, with this unique blending, we have some of the best beats found on almost any Rawkus album to date.

As for the lyrics, as with any Rawkus album, we have deep, meaningful, though-filled lyrics that reflect on the state of Hip-Hop, the ghetto's, the world in general, or just creating lines of solid verses, rhymes, along with an added mixture of deep, thoughtful lyrical examples.

As for the first method of lyrical examples, we have the deep, thought-filled, meaningful lyrics found in tracks like Good Mourning, Touch You and the hidden bonus track For The Woman. Although, mainstream fans (once again) will most likely find this to be "dull," the rest of us (which is many) will find these though provoking lyrics to contain tight rhymes, verses and messages throughout each lyric. Although, the subject matter varies quite often, with each changing subject, the lyrics remain fine-tuned as well as the last, and maybe even being mastered a bit more. Even with this said, each track brings this style more into its own, as well as being subtle in a fashion that gives us this method/style of lyrical quality, but, is out-in-the-open enough to fully grasp the concept which always seems to be there throughout each track that uses this style (which is mainly everyone of them).

As for the second lyrical example, this basically goes for the same idea, but goes towards the subject matter of life in general, as well as losses of family members, friends, etc... Although, with the aforementioned style, it may seem to feel out of place, it actually does on the first listen or two, but eventually seem to blend in nicely. Even with this said, this style is probably one of the best used on the album. Although, not used a lot throughout Reflection Eternal, it seems to have the most impact, meaning, and thought more than the aforementioned, even though they happen to be almost identical. Even though this is true, with this particular style and lyrical example, it blends in perfectly with the aforementioned lyrical method that, while, isn't widely used throughout the album, creates a very listenable experience that still manages to keep the messages deep, thoughtful, and above all, full of meaning.

With this said, the lyrics offer an incredibly good listen that reflects on just about every subject to vary up the lyrical stylings and create a very listenable experience.

As for the guest artists, they seem to be few and in-between. Many of the guest artists, including Rah Digga and Xzibit (who, unbelievably, are featured on Reflection Eternal, give some incredibly good verses that convert to the same lyrical style that Talib Kweli seems to be using.

Namely, Rick James, Xzibit, De La Soul, and even Hi-Tek himself offer some great verses (and choruses) throughout the tracks they're featured on. With this said, they're lyrical quality is improved quite a bit and give us some rather good lyrical stylings, as well as wordplay that complements the other guest artists, as well as Talib Kweli's lyrical style.

As for the other guest artists, they too, offer good lyrical examples, wordplay, and strong verses that seem to use the meaningful lyrical methods mentioned above that seem to complement the other lyrical stylings extremely well.

Reflection Eternal is shaping up to be one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums ever released, as well the best Hip-Hop albums of the year 2000. With tight beats, great lyrics, and solid guest artists, it creates one of the best Rawkus albums to date.