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The Beautiful Struggle
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The Beautiful Struggle Image
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

  • Summary: The literary rapper's second LP features production by the usual suspects (Kanye West, The Neptunes, Just Blaze). Mary J Blige guests.

Top Track

Never Been in Love
I know there's a first time for everything First time I let her in my bed she got wetter than the perfect storm That we weathering together and this... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. Mojo
    90
    It is Kweli's diligently intelligent worldview, dextrous wordplay and often breathtaking flow that enrapture. [Jan 2005, p.96]
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  2. Spin
    83
    While [Quality] cautiously courted the mainstream, he's made mass appeal Job No. 1 of late. [Oct 2004, p.112]
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  3. The A.V. Club
    80
    On The Beautiful Struggle, Kweli is savvy enough to play the rap industry's rigged game without sacrificing his soul or compromising his integrity.
  4. Vibe
    70
    Well-crafted... offers a continuation of Quality's attempt to expand rap's topical terrain. [Oct 2004, p.185]
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  5. Q Magazine
    60
    He remains, ultimately, doom-laden. [Nov 2004, p.125]
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  6. AllMusic
    60
    It misses a little more than it hits.
  7. Stylus Magazine
    30
    Unfortunately, while Kweli’s message is spot-on, his delivery of that message is highly flawed.

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User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 3 out of 12
  1. FunkyFresh
    Sep 30, 2004
    10
    sounds similar to "Quality" thanks to the talent-lacking beat maker kanye west, however this is a masterpiece nonetheless. my only suggestion sounds similar to "Quality" thanks to the talent-lacking beat maker kanye west, however this is a masterpiece nonetheless. my only suggestion for talib's next album: CUT KANYE LOSE!!… Expand
  2. MaxG
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    It's a sick CD, actually worth an 8.5 or a 9 but for those who have heard the pre-released mixtape it's obvious that its a 10. The It's a sick CD, actually worth an 8.5 or a 9 but for those who have heard the pre-released mixtape it's obvious that its a 10. The actual Beautiful Struggle project included several other cuts that were definitely album-worthy but for some reason didn't make the bill. Including those songs the beautiful struggle is one of the best albums of the decade in my opinion. Look for "Lonely People," "Supreme" & " "We Pullin Out Tonite"… Expand
  4. EmahunnC
    Dec 12, 2004
    10
    How can you say that this album is not great! I feel that people have lost the essence of hip hop. The artist that come out now are horrible. How can you say that this album is not great! I feel that people have lost the essence of hip hop. The artist that come out now are horrible. They have these beats save their careers. You should give all of the hip hop awards to the producers if everyone wants to talk about beats. Kweli is the best emcee out right now because he sees the reality of the world. It is not about "ice" or "whips", it is about the issues that the world is facing. Furthermore, he may have made songs that may sound like they belong in the club, however, Kweli did not compromise his lyrics one bit on this album. This is a 10 plus 20. … Expand
  5. Faigenistic
    Sep 28, 2004
    8
    Critics say he's trying to go mainstream and sell albums to a wider audience, but that's the point of the industry. The lyrical Critics say he's trying to go mainstream and sell albums to a wider audience, but that's the point of the industry. The lyrical content and delivery remain at the top of the game and little has changed from Quality. If anything, it offers a look into more of what Kweli has to offer as an MC.… Expand
  6. stoparaoan
    Oct 21, 2004
    7
    It ain't Quality but still still vintage Kweli. Beautiful Struggle has a lot of dope hits but it's hard to ignore the misses.
  7. VinceH
    Oct 22, 2004
    6
    I agree with the general consensus. Awesome lyrics as usual (with as wide a range of subjects as any album this year) and Kweli's flow I agree with the general consensus. Awesome lyrics as usual (with as wide a range of subjects as any album this year) and Kweli's flow is still one of the best in the biz. Now while this album is certainly better than Mos Def's scattershot new album, the production is just plain lame. You cannot deny that. Except for 3 or 4 songs, the beats here are way below the standard of even the worst on Quality and Hi-Tek shows that he has perhaps been hanging around Snoop Dogg too much because he has a beat here that sounds like Fred Wreck on his worst day. Overall some good songs and very good lyrics/rapping, but wack beats.… Expand
  8. AndyR
    Oct 12, 2004
    2
    boring. Talib Kweli, much like Mos Def, has lost his edge. I question how politically effective you can be in hiphop when backed by such lame boring. Talib Kweli, much like Mos Def, has lost his edge. I question how politically effective you can be in hiphop when backed by such lame lame beats.… Collapse

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