Pitchfork

Respected by hard-hitting MCs (including Jay-Z and 50 Cent) and scrawny, Liberal Arts degree-toting white kids alike, Black Star hip-hopper Talib Kweli returns this November with his latest longplayer, Ear Drum. Kweli's own label, Blacksmith Records (partnered with Warner Bros.) will release the disc, which follows up 2004's The Beautiful Struggle.

Ear Drum sees Kweli spitting more of that slick but thought-provoking street poetry you've come to love from the man, and includes guest spots from frequent Kweli recording partner and DJ/producer Hi-Tek, Southern rap legends UGK, embattled songstress Norah Jones, reggae star Sizzla, and MC-on-the-rise Jean Grae.

If reading about this is making you anxious, click below for a stream and video of the first single off Ear Drum, the Kwame-produced "Listen".

Kweli has a couple live gigs lined up. He'll join Kanye West touring DJ and turntablist extraordinaire A-Trak, as well as three ascendant Japanese acts-- beat-breakers Hifana, reggae crew Mighty Crown, and jazz combo Pe'z-- at the New York-Tokyo Music Festival. The free shindig goes down tomorrow, September 28, in New York City's Central Park.

Additionally, Kweli and Hi-Tek will be on hand to perform as the city of Cincinnati reopens its downtown Fountain Square on October 14. The event also features OK Go, Los Lobos, and, serving as master of ceremonies, Bootsy Collins.

Finally, Kweli plays the Alumni Center at Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Franklin and Marshall University on November 11.