This is a track that certainly reaches for unity while bluntly stating “every problem cannot be solved at the ballot box.” This track is beautiful for its double meaning that will be interpreted differently but at the same time still be universal. The album continues its voice as narratives are chopped throughout, building up certain tracks such as “ All of Us“, featuring Jay Electronica and Yummy Bingham.
The track’s visual aspect and lyrical content diverges into multiple meanings plucking notes from the political climate to Kweli’s conscious through precise, freshness: “We the wave of the future / Never confusing protesters for looters / Silencing Radioheads and OK Computers.” “I’m a voice of a generation that is very silent”, remarks Kweli as he sets up. Keeping his soulful production while creating a climatic start, the energy then eases into the album’s more prominent singles “ Traveling Light.” The Kaytranda produced beat is a creation of magic that harnesses a studded track of flows and chemistry, featuring the powerful croon of Anderson. In and out of the music realm, Kweli hardly needs an introduction yet creates one with the opening track “ Magic Hour.” Kweli comes out of the gate like a spitting preacher, bringing us all into the sunshine. Not so much focusing on today, but the positives of tomorrow. Well crafted, genuine, and grows with time, Kweli’s musings are that of a wise man receiving answers from up above. Not one new to the work of Kweli, and any other collection the Brooklyn artist has blessed, the issues are not strewn across black and white like times heard before, but Kweli presents the issue while feeding into the problem as a form of satire relief. With other artists who used this year as a platform to become “woke” and truly dive into the issues of the world, some critics may look down upon Radio Silence for all the issues that Kweli did not touch on. In the realm of the 2017 atmosphere that has polluted every thought, Radio Silence immediately comes off as the hymn to sing into the next year, rather than the soundtrack for today. On his eighth solo album, the Black Star philosopher, Talib Kweli continues his solitude and social awareness with his latest release Radio Silence. Kweli has never held back on thoughts, beliefs, and injustices of the world.