Speech Debelle Quizzes Talib Kweli

Speech Debelle: What star sign are you?
Talib Kweli: Libra Libra y'all.

What is your favourite Michael Jackson song?
Baby Be Mine. He was in his just becoming a man, disco era greatness. The world was not yet his when he did this.
 
How do you feel Barack Obama has done since being in office?
The president is a symbol. And politicians make promises they can only try to keep. The American government is not set up for presidents to effect any real change. With that said, he is one of the best symbols we have ever had. He's doing exactly as I thought he would, which is great.
 
Are you aware of 'chemtrails', and if so what are your thoughts?*
I don't have enough info to know if chemtrails are real or not. I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I don't purport to know what I can't prove beyond a shadow of a doubt. But I'm no fool either, and if they are real that would not be a shock to me.
 
What are your thoughts on the current state of women in hip hop?
The state of women in hip hop mirrors the state of women in the world. Hip hop is male dominated. But women by their very nature make better MCs and musicians, in my humble opinion. And [New York-based MC] Jean Grae is in my top 5 of all time, even rotating to number one every once and awhile. So is Ms [Lauryn] Hill.
  
Who would be your 5 dinner party guests, dead or alive?
Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Björk, Paulo Coehlo
 
Will there be another Black Star album?**
Anything is possible.
 
Do you think artists should create other ventures outside of music to be able to sustain a career?
KRS once said that if you are pursuing art as a way to make money, stop, because you will forever taint your output. Do it for the love. If that's the case, then getting other revenue streams is necessary. However, nothing in life is more rewarding than doing what you love for a living.
 
Did Denzel have to play it crooked before he took it?***
The Oscar voting system is flawed, and Hollywood is racist by nature. But Denzel doesn't need an award for us to know that he is one of the best we've ever seen. I'm happy he has one, regardless of what it's for.
 
Is there such thing as a half way crook?****
Apparently not, according to Prodigy and Havoc.
 
Why do you think you are an artist?
Because I have faith in humanity.
 
I noticed on Twitter you're friends with Sinnamon Love, I am a big fan of her work. Have you ever tasted her cooking and if so, is it good, really?
Sinnamon Love has cooked for me and my friends many times, and I can report that she's a beast in the kitchen.

* The conspiracy theory which suggests that trails left by aircraft are actually chemical or biological agents deliberately sprayed at high altitudes for purposes undisclosed to the general public in clandestine programmes directed by government officials.
** Black Star is Talib's trailblazing hip hop tag-team with Mos Def.
*** In reference to Washington's best actor win for his turn as a bent cop in the 2001 LA crime drama Training Day.
**** See Mobb Deep's Shook Ones Pt II from their 1995 classic The Infamous.