Brooklyn-born Talib Kweli got his start as a hip-hop recording artist when he collaborated with DJ Hi-Tek. After numerous guest appearances and compilation tracks, the intelligent and thoughtful lyricist teamed up with his longtime friend Mos Def in 1998 and formed Black Star, the vehicle that brought success and acclaim to both rappers. Kweli went on to release REFLECTION ETERNAL with Hi-Tek in 2000 and his solo follow-up in 2002. In addition to his musical endeavors, Kweli, along with Mos Def, owns Brooklyn's Nkiru Center for Education & Culture.