The Met - Sat Oct 13

When you have high expectations, it’s easy to get disappointed. Like if you are an Essendon Bombers supporter or the year when you stop receiving presents from Santa or when your mail-order Russian bride arrives and things just don’t work out.  But thankfully, after being an avid follower of hip hop’s masterful wordsmith Talib Kweli for years, seeing him in the flesh is anything but disappointing.

What is a disappointing however is the last-minute change in venues from the grimy Arena to the slick Met, the surprisingly small crowd and the fact that Triple J favourites Zeph & Azeem kicked off proceedings at 7:30pm. Perhaps they had to get back to their hotel to watch the Michael J Fox classic, Back To The Future II.

Unfortunately it seems other people had the same idea and consequently they end up playing to only a handful of early-birds eager to hear their standout, Play the Drum.

Next up is Scribe, who I think is an odd choice as a national support act as his superficial hip pop pales into insignificance against the depth and wordplay of Kweli. If his latest single Fresh is the best offering from his latest long-player, New Zealanders should not only be hanging their heads in shame at their Rugby League team’s performance against the Kangaroos. There is almost a collective sigh of relief when he and his well-built posse leave the stage for the main event.

It is so refreshing to see a hip hop artist with something substantial to say, a tight live show and an obvious humility that shone throughout Talib Kweli’s set. The consummate professional master of ceremonies, Kweli owns the stage, handling the crowd like a marionette. It is hard to pull out the best tracks from a set laden with bangers, but I Try, Hot Thing and Listen!!! all go down a treat. It is a shame the Met is not full of punters as more people need to not just hear Talib Kweli, but also listen. 

THE EDUCATOR

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