Watch Talib Kweli’s Frenetic, Political ‘F–k the Money’ Video
Talib Kweli gets political with his explosive video for “Fuck the Money,” setting the chaotic cut against images of riots, dollar bills scribbled with graffiti and confrontations between police and protestors. “Money,” the title track from the rapper’s recently surprise-released LP, finds Kweli outlining the destructive consequences of chasing paper: “When pursuit of the money is your only goal, then you lose control, then you lose your soul,” he raps.
South African rapper Cassper Nyovest opens the track with a frenetic guest verse, but Kweli pushes the pace with his nimble flow and clever lines like “capitalism is a cataclysm.”
Kweli surprise-released Fuck the Money for free at his official website earlier this month. The 11-track LP – which features guest spots from Miguel, Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump and Ab-Soul – follows the July release of the rapper’s B-sides and rarities compilation, Train of Thought: Lost Lyrics, Rare Releases & Beautiful B-Sides Vol. 1. That 10-track set includes appearances from Kanye West, Killer Mike, Common, Consequence and Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), among others.
Kweli discussed the album’s release strategy on Real Time With Bill Maher on the day of its release. “People don’t buy music, they’d rather stream and pay money to streaming companies” Kweli said, calling the LP a “thank you” to fans. “It’s convenient. As horrible as it is, it’s my responsibility to do something about it, it’s not on the consumer to do something about the new business model… I don’t think it’s fair, but that’s how it is.”