Talib Kweli & Hi Tek (Reflection Eternal) - The Blast

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A weekly interview show with big-name guests exploring hip-hop, culture, and politics.
1st episode on Sunday, June 9th at / upproxxvideo
From 2000 Album: "Train of Thought"...[Artist info below].....
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The duo of Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek met in Tek's native Cincinnati, Ohio, following the release of the Hi-Tek/Mood collaboration "Hustle on the Side". Kweli and Hi-Tek made their first official collaboration in 1997 on Mood's debut album, Doom, on the track "Industry Lies". That same year, the two formed as Reflection Eternal, and signed to upstart underground hip hop label Rawkus Records. The tracks from their debut single, "Fortified Live" b/w "2000 Seasons", were included on the Rawkus Records compilation Soundbombing in October 1997. In 1998, Kweli and his high school friend, fellow Rawkus Records artist Mos Def, formed the duo Black Star, and released their first, and only album, Black Star, to rave reviews. Hi-Tek provided production for a number of songs on the album, including the singles "Definition" and "Respiration". The album put the three at the forefront of an underground hip hop scene that appeared at the time to be flagging against the influence of the "Jiggy" era of hip-hop, and was followed by a number of acclaimed collaborations and albums. Kweli and Hi-Tek reconnected in 2000 for the release of their debut album, Train of Thought. Though highly acclaimed, the release did not receive a significant amount of commercial attention, despite the success of the rap hits "Move Somethin'" and "The Blast".
Following the Train of Thought album, the duo split for solo projects, beginning with Hi-Tek's Hi-Teknology, released in 2001, on which Kweli appeared. The album didn't receive as much attention or as many sales as Train of Thought, though the single "Round & Round" became a crossover hit in 2002. Kweli released his first solo album, Quality, in late 2002. In a 2002 interview he also stated that another Reflection Eternal and Black Star album would be released.[1] Hi-Tek was not involved with the project's production, instead featuring beats from artists like Kanye West, DJ Scratch, DJ Quik, Ayatollah and J Dilla. The Kanye West-produced single "Get By" became Kweli's biggest success, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2003. Kweli's second solo album, 2004's The Beautiful Struggle, saw the duo working together once again, with three tracks produced by Hi-Tek. Kweli released his next album, Ear Drum, in 2007, featuring production from Tek; Hi-Tek released the follow-up to his debut, Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip, in 2006 and his third album, Hi-Teknology 3: The Underground, in 2007, both on Babygrande Records and both featuring appearances by Kweli.

[@rocboyhd8349]

who here 2024

[@llcooll7561]

Here bro 🌟👌🏾

[@barbonzacatecano7858]

Song still slaps

[@robertbranner1726]

👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@eniisuncool]

Me!!!

[@adidjahclarke9278]

Only legends here

[@j13741374]

I remember watching this from my prison cell on BET. I thank God that I'm rehabilitated alive and free now. Didn't think I'd be alive 20 years later. Praise God... 🙏

[@taylordowning2533]

AMEN!!

[@robertmcdowell5175]

Jesus is Lord

[@ShaneCawthon]

Stay blessed brother

[@Clifffields]

Praise God!!!

[@runitback5066]

Congrats bruh! May the blessings keep coming.

[@kesegolemmenyane7782]

Who's here 2024

[@jacobjordan7833]

Now I see what y'all old heads be talking about 😭😭😭

[@OpurumD]

💯

[@RuruFIN]

The older u get, the better older rap sounds. :)

[@chasenchikn321]

THIS REAL SOULFUL RAP THAT GIVES YOU THAT FEELN BRO❕️

[@tmgause95]

Thank you😅

[@jimmcdonagh1385]

welcome to hip hop

[@alexandertapia9498]

Bro anyone still listening to this masterpiece in 2020

[@hoodrichhaul7545]

Classic!! I'll be back in 2030 as well

[@antoniowilliams4391]

In deed still a great classical hit dammit boy

[@leslieperez8032]

🙋🏽‍♀️

[@ixideathxi1657]

I can’t find this track ANYWHERE

[@ThatGrimeKid]

@@ixideathxi1657 it has a link in the description for the album

[@johnmason3843]

I still listening to this masterpiece in 2024

[@christianwalker2554]

Sweet Memories , soon the new day as well

[@RuruFIN]

Same here homie!

[@suzyomarkmwandila]

Am here too

[@eyesofsonder]

June 2024

[@Jay-lt2jd]

Used to rush home from high school to listen to this when I was about 14. Now I play in this in my class while my students are working. Such a peaceful song.

[@mikehill1201]

Man I was just thinking that frfr

[@FalconsFanForever]

It was the same thing it used to come on BET HipHop channel played all the hip hop classics

[@jcv_7690]

what channel :? bet ?

[@cocobutter1975]

This will always be one my favorite songs always … my childhood

[@christinestrachan5419]

Reminiscing on the year 2000...I was 14...

[@MichaelHanleyRFSN]

I was very lucky to have grown up during this era of hip hop.

[@freebasereese6478]

AGREED💎

[@MichaelHanleyRFSN]

@@freebasereese6478 No doubt man. Truly is timeless music.

[@PokrPro21]

I was 13 when this dropped. Now I'm 36.

[@MichaelHanleyRFSN]

@@PokrPro21 That is amazing.

[@oneday5572]

@@PokrPro21I was 10. I’m 33. Remember this like yesterday

[@antoniomazie5155]

THIS SONG SHOULD PLAY EVERY TIME IT RAINS

[@dulcecandy]

My friend who passed away loved this song as much as I still do. Memories.

[@FeelingsAintFacts]

RIP

[@chriseddiechannel4729]

Condolences

[@shaunspillane2105]

God bless x

[@tphallana27]

My condolences to you and family.

[@scholageemusic9373]

this is one the best hip hop songs of all time. and you extremely beautiful by the way.condolences to your love one.

[@FmTrini]

Still a lyrical banger in 2022 almost 2023 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 let’s go talib! 😤👌🏾

[@thematrix6830]

Facts, king!

[@kristinbecerra4694]

I heard that my G

[@jynxcotton4641]

Word bro

[@severbard]

Bro im not an English speaker but it still sounds like banger

[@tommybrown1902]

P😅😊

[@hotdamm007]

How Hi-Tek made this from Boogie Nights is nothing short of a masterpiece and a miracle. That’s why Vinia says “keep on dancing.”

[@belleami7675]

Woow, never knew that

[@darinsaunders6220]

One of the dopest hip hop classics

[@UPROXXVideo]

💯 accurate

[@TheLeshe86]

I completely agree! 💯

[@tmoneybabyy]

💯% agreed

[@Brooksbey]

word is bond

[@toddjohnson5176]

Yup!👍🏽

[@GhostOnHiatus]

Who's listening to this glorious piece of work 2022? Ive actually been trying to find this song for 20 years. Been humming it to myself since i was a child. My life is complete.

[@RebelNatty5150]

I had the same experience with this song 🤣😭

[@3037795]

I'm glad you guys finally found this ABSOLUTE JAM

[@dustintaylor112]

@@3037795 first heard this song blazing hella herb back in high school in the early 2000s however we usually marked everything that was dope so this has been on the channel for almost 20 years

[@gregcreek5715]

Just watched it again today on 8/14/21 at 1:37 am east coast time. Makes me want to go out in the rain & dance 🕺🏾

[@vernonrsc1]

✊🏿

[@iwillmusic6090]

When it comes to production, Hi Tek is highly underrated!

[@abrahampalmer8761]

Big Time he is a beast

[@adamgordon2572]

CRIMINALLY 🔥🔥

[@skinnymobbinonig789]

& he from OHIO ‼️💯💯

[@jeremiahthompson99]

2024, anybody Rockin dis Classic 💪🏾, well I Am, Real HIP HOP🔥🔥🔥💯

[@shanevanhook3334]

Still hot A.F. real hip hop never gets old

[@kirby7979]

truly timeless beat. Hi-tek is a gifted one

[@williamsjustin7]

Facts

[@norakat]

Hi-Tek underated

[@RuruFIN]

Totally agree. Hi-Tek is a god.

[@trentyates418]

Hi tek is the illest!

[@karonbarwick541]

HI TEK , TRUE CINCINNATI NATIVE

[@ke2ge04]

Real music. Congratulations Hi-Tek being inducted into Cincinnati Black music walk of fame.🎉

[@KBdoubleE]

I'm from the 513 , Represent

[@lloyd4180]

I'm from jersey but Cincinnati my second home. The T is where I used to stay

[@KBdoubleE]

​@@lloyd4180 that's what's up

[@Ava-dd6nf]

“A young chameleon adapt to any circumstance”. HiTek I can relate!!

[@rawkause7604]

You already know people who have a special relationship with music is blasting out to this for life

[@m2cx551]

For real if you know you know 👌🏽

[@fugitivesoffire]

“Even with the losses, I count the victory” 🦾

[@benjaminmukasa2003]

Point of correction, it is " don't listen b.Even when we suffer losses, l count the victory."

[@tmoneybabyy]

Going in to 2023 🕺with this still on classic forever

[@babyaztrill]

THIS SHIT AINT OVA!! KEEP GOIN FOR THA GUSTO KEEP GETTIN THAT PROVO!!

[@ronaldedwards1022]

Facts

[@onemanarmy1873]

🫡

[@adamgordon2572]

Yessir 🔥🔥

[@terrancewoods3463]

🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@DOUG-E-BEATZ]

Man, it was a different type of feeling coming home from school, smoking a little herb, and looking at legendary videos like this on Rap City 😌

[@ISmokeBlackieChan]

You literally just described my junior high days. That was the every day protocol.

[@schooldude76]

Facts my brother, nothin but facts!!!!

[@islandgirl9479]

Facts 😂

[@thaboy1009]

Lyricist lounge!!!🤘🏾

[@dwaynepugh9874]

Still goes super hard in 2023!!! Real rap at it's finest 💪🏾😤

[@vsarahj1]

Anyone here in 2022??? This is easily one of my favourites 💯

[@Georgi3Porgi3]

For sure.

[@dajuanmickens5105]

It's hard to believe this track is over 20 years old, it's aged so gracefully & will always be a part of me🤗

[@priscillajean-noel3803]

My daughter just asked me to remind her of this banger - warms my heart to know that the next generation still appreciates good music! #hiphopisdead

[@liquidladdy]

The third verse gives me chills every time.

[@younghovah22]

Me too !!!!!

[@kalicass4244]

I’m a 90s baby, reminds me of my daddy playing his hip hop beats growing up! Emotional, nostalgia ❤️

[@tmoneybabyy]

90S baby 🤞🏾

[@Elke]

Omg 23 years ago… still love

[@chemistryrussell]

Kweli is so slept on. His flow and cadences are par excellence.

[@OtherPeoplesMoneyy]

“Yea you pronounce my name KWELI” such a classic. Beat too hard

[@Raad187KO]

Damn near makes me cry, this track

[@pmiskovic]

I absolutely love this song and Hi Tek is an underrated af producer

[@UPROXXVideo]

Way underrated!

[@farcue3325]

One of the greatest beats and best samples in hip hop history... imagine hearing it for the first time as kweli 😬

[@DWolfLycanis]

This was the kind of music that make you think, while at the same time, make you have a good time, it was real, from the heart, filled with truth and soul, one part of the 90's and early 2000's I'll always remember back in my days of youth, when the real outweighed the bullshit

[@brianjones6721]

I agree with you 100%

[@ryandavis6562]

💯💯💯💯💯FACTS ✊

[@tertiaoptio4938]

Thats to pimp a butterfly in a nutshell

[@jakobjama4612]

💯

[@donnishacrosland1697]

🎯

[@Kpanther47]

Classic man. almost brought a tear. Haven’t heard this song in decades.

[@rissaceehart4076]

IKR💯‼️‼️‼️LOVVVE THIS SONG Used to listen to this on a HottTRAX CD For a Former local Record store in my Neighborhood back in the Day.

[@BKJ86]

Living in Mt Vernon, NY (where this video was filmed) and being like 13 watching this video and hearing this song for the first time… 🔥 I’ll never forget it that feeling.

[@MrBeautiful2908]

A time when hip hop was simply marvelous

[@hiphopluvva1]

this not having millions of views is craaaazy

[@MrJoeygrades]

Ey, there's a reason, same way theres a reason we don't see ppl like this on our TVs anymore....if our culture, our true nature was predominant in our hip hop, we'd be a scary ppl for white power folk, same as this degeneration of rap has influenced so much pain and suffering our kids dish out to each other.....we all know the power of music....shit, will we ever wake the fuck up?

[@boycotthell71]

Word! I was thinking the same thing...smh...

[@VinDieselXXX]

that's just this channel there's another upload from 2007 that has 5 million+ views. which sounds about right for this duo. im more impressed that decade+ old upload is still on youtube.

[@phomolotsehlana474]

imagine if we were all smart...

[@biggiefan4life426]

"Even when we saw for losses I counted the victory."

[@gmarcustv208]

IF YOUR READING THIS, YOU KNOW GREAT MUSIC!

[@stephaniehamlet2474]

Been looking for this song finally found it

[@kingtim_ade]

THIS SONG RAISES MY VIBRATION EVERYTIME 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 HIP HOP FOREVER 🙏🏾💪🏾

[@ihatepillz]

THIS JUST RAISED MY VIBRATIONS

[@pitt8274]

Hip hop at its best

[@beanika]

Worddd, so much

[@tyhairston5397]

This song is really legendary for real

[@FckPeace2]

Peace BiG Facts Dunn

[@mydear_jess2240]

A CLASSIC!!!! This was in heavy rotation!!! These youngsters don’t know about real music and real hip hop like this!!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@tmoneybabyy]

Man fr

[@jaywad8876]

Right girl

[@Lukecage83]

That's why it's up to us to show them!

[@thegroove2000]

2023 STILL DOPE. BIG UP FROM THE UK.

[@toddjohnson5176]

Right on brotha. Much love from San Diego. 😎👍🏽

[@deshawnmorris9891]

This record was nothing but a hit....

[@NikkiSoSpecial]

Omg I have tears I cpuldnt remember the name of this song... So happy

[@jayskicksnfits9372]

*couldn't*

[@samanthonytsogo5364]

@@jayskicksnfits9372 ton bec

[@talkdattrashimmapullyacard4396]

😘

[@summerrose1662]

One of the hottest beats eva still, even in 2022! Who still playing this banger???

[@jelanibellamy7770]

💯💯💯💯💯

[@vakavakaboomshakalakalaka]

We here in 2023 😎

[@adamgordon2572]

Bumpin this straight into 2024 and beyond 🔥🔥✊🏾

[@Heartaugustmusic]

I was eight years old and my older brother was watching BET after school. This song hit me like a fucking train. I was obsessed with this beat and the way they rocked it. 🙏

[@staygangley7815]

Same I was watching videos after school.. this song hit me in my soul😮‍💨😤🔥🔥

[@brandicoleman6854]

I’m 20 years old and I love this song. I remember my dad playing this in the car when I was little

[@Thespeedrap]

That's a cool dad😎

[@thankful316]

I feel old now🤦🏿‍♂️

[@hieroglyph321]

Your Dad was a G

[@handsomepsychopath.9012]

Remember this on BET in 2000 at 10 years old. Was a classic and still is.

[@tr377723]

All three minutes and forty five seconds of this was and still is pure hip hop perfection. By far the best record he ever did.

[@cl0udnn3tv32]

I think "get by" is his best work this second

[@v.m.m.7729]

@@cl0udnn3tv32 You have a point. However, I think The Blast sounds so natural or organic, if you will… like the lyrics just wrote themselves on the paper. Get By was thought out and very well put together, produced, orchestrated and it turned into a classic, but it seems like that was the mission. Doesn’t sound as organic to me as The Blast

[@mikefritz8114]

Mos & Kweli were 2 of the most underrated rappers of my youth. Saw kweli on a side stage at a festival in 98 wit like 100 people. Best show ever..

[@RMS1983]

I was today years old when I found out Hi Tek flipped the Boogie Nights by Heatwave track for this. Amazing!

[@mariolinton]

This song & the video concept is genius! Standing in the rain is so metaphorical! I love this classic record from great minds on the mic!!!!

[@juulversleijen1986]

1 additional verse comparing 2 album version of the track. Makes sense with a video like this...

[@_meangreenjersey973]

Simple yet complex , no cars , no hoes , just dope rhymes

[@mariolinton]

_Mean GreenJersey Facts!!

[@darinsaunders6220]

Thats a fact

[@norakat]

Maybe they got rained out and just made the most of it.

[@leor6959]

Just found this gem 💎😭

[@stoneyvill]

I was 17 when this song was released, I had it on repeat on my Sony mini disc player 🎧 I was going to Tottenham community college and got lost on my way home. I still listen to this song to date my daughter who is 17 years old loves this song.

[@coryyikes247]

This beat is mesmerizing. 2022 and still listening!

[@traydamus]

Saw this video on Rap City: The Bassment literally 20 years ago. I loved the beat, loved the verses, loved everything about it. This put me on to Talib Kweli and then Mos Def. I was fifteen years old in the tenth grade. I’ve been a fan ever since. Damn time flies

[@sameenergy9414]

💯

[@Thespeedrap]

I miss that show as well as all the music shows WHY did they get rid of it?Just to show fake religious people cruddy Tyler Perry trash🗑SERIOUSLY👎What a fucking joke 😝

[@seankiesling2054]

Man, I remember exactly where I was when I first heard this song. I was also in the 10th grade...I was laying on my couch just woke up from a nap after school turned the TV on and this shit came on...I laid there for 3 mins probably without blinking. It's hard for a song to be so great you remember EXACTLY where you were at you were doing when you first heard it

[@Thespeedrap]

@@seankiesling2054 That just shows how good music especially real Hip-hop should feel like.All this new generation just don't know what good music is no more that's very sad 😢

[@jvon4214]

Me too I was in elementary school at my aunt's house when I saw this on rap city back in the day

[@supreme252627]

This song is from 2000.....and it still makes my head bounce every single time i listen to it....not many songs nowadays that can do the same

[@Boldnblnt]

2024 THIS KIND OF RAP WILL ALWAYS BE MY GO TO WHEN THE WORLD GET HEAVY.....EVERYDAY STRUGGLE ..LOVE TO ALL

[@ayemoneey1470]

this is just one of those legendary songs my dad listened to that i never understood before. just liked the beat. almost 23 an it just hits different now..

[@mgf909]

Yeah same

[@tekestenegash120]

Arguably one of the best rap songs.

[@cl0udnn3tv32]

Mobb deep feel frfr if they woulda collabed on this it woulda been epic

[@Outliers4Life]

was having a panic attack and this was the only song I could think to play to bring me back down to earth. That bassline just feels so good.

[@JazzyJeffRealTalk]

This video is pure art. One of the best hip hop songs ever. Still a classic 🙏🏽

[@sachee_santana]

This is straight classic. That rain part hits different. I loved the video version because of that.

[@NaturalElicia]

This song gave me so much life when I was a teen. Its still very powerful...

[@UnspokenHeard26]

Keep on dancing, keep on dancing :) :) :)

[@alexlang3734]

Keep on dancing, 2021 :) "If you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance."

[@thesmithfamily7916]

Im still here for this on October 24. 2023 #keepondancing

[@sjp75]

Still sounds so fresh, what the hell has happened to hip-hop! The sample, the combination of smooth styles, classic!🔥

[@madisonclavon378]

This song got me through some rough times when I was younger. 🙏🏽

[@getyamindright210]

2024 and still one of my all time favorite hip hop tracks...😮

[@stephanieblackley9037]

Throwback Thursday I Was 7 Years Old When That Song Came Out.

[@djames3402]

This song can't never die 🔥🔥🔥💪💪💪💯💯..

[@jamesbalsdon927]

A real classic from the 2000s! When mc's had the real sound of hip hop

[@christopherkenlock7145]

Love the poetry

[@chronicarica2812]

Sentimental feeling man. Use to be fresh now its emotional, crazy how life is.

[@biggator254]

Shit still fire in 2022

[@jonjones1p4pgoat8]

The rain made it even better. Fya!!!

[@toddjohnson5176]

One the dopest song of all time. When my brother passed away i listened to this on repeat. He loved these brothas. Epic.👍🏽

[@MrBruceWayne44]

My Era of hip hop is by far the greatest eras of all time. Period. 80's 90's early 2000's

[@trentyates418]

2021 and ima still be banging this joint!

[@andresethridge8995]

THIS SONG WILL STILL ROCK A PARTY

[@pamj3649]

The best moment in time 🙋🏻‍♀️♥️✨🫡

[@melvinirving7685]

Still jammin in 2022. With all this mumble rap in hip-hop these days, you have to go back in time to manifest great vibes and lyrics. HipHop is eternal.

[@ctownrecords3348]

2022 and still bangin this classic 💯

[@shadowhawk6812]

This song isn’t even dated!

[@RuruFIN]

It's fucking fresh to hear beats like this these days

[@DJKeytronikzTV]

One of the most satisfying beats that been made Props to Hi Tek

[@abrahampalmer8761]

Idc what anyone says even the early 00s had many undeniable classics songs and albums that still sounds so timeless to this day.

[@DoctorOfLawOrSomething]

This was my “on my way to college algebra” music back in undergrad. What a time to be young!

[@kiwi_is_great4394]

beats like this, reason why i started listen to hip hop in the first place. vibin

[@ob1kenobjunior208]

Im 35. I never appreciated this song until Freestyle Fridays on 106 start happening. It opened my eyes to cadences, delivery and etc. God i miss these days.

[@RasheedJones]

Still thankful that he let me dance with the umbrella ☂️ in this video. Stills blessed.

[@NaijaBeats12]

I always wondered if this version of hip hop music was considered to be blended with "Neo Soul." Either wa, its a classic. Brings back memories of watching music videos on "Rap City" with Big Tigger. Good times indeed.

[@j.a.ward13]

They don't want that "TRUTH FIRE!". Just commercial. My nephew is 5 and he knows this song. Somewhat

[@J_Chips]

Reminds of “VH1 Soul”

[@JonnyRootsDem]

Always been one of the dopest beats.

[@JohnnyHDBR]

That baseline..🔥🔥🔥🔥 always love this song

[@ajtowin]

Brooklyn banga!!! 1999 reflection eternal 2023 n beyond!!!

[@chicagomade3198]

2021 and this never gets old!! This still bangs for me! We need to raise this year! Not for a month but for a lifetime!🙏🏾

[@EHN2024]

20 years ago this video. Still sounds good

[@PutoYanu]

🎯