TALIBKWELIgutter rainbows

is from me to you. I try not to make music with fans in mind. I truly believe what a fan wants is for an artist to express themselves honestly… even if that artist is in a brand new place. The challenge for the artist is to be so good at their craft that they lead their fans on the journey with them. The sounds and subject matters on this album are influenced by Brooklyn NY, and my childhood. This is the first album I have recorded without being signed. This is my second album (after Liberation) that the music industry did not help me create. It has a special place in my heart. I hope it finds a place in yours as well.

First, I thank God for the gifts he has bestowed on me. For me to not share these gifts would be disrespectful.

To my family, I do it for you. I love you all. My parents, Perry and Brenda Greene, Jamal, Cynthia, Amani, Diani and Kyara, thank you for being there for me. To Babu, Mama, Lori, JoAnn, Lloyd, Taiwo, Kehinde, Abena and your families, one love. Linda and Portia, one love. To my manager and business partner Corey Smyth, we over ten years in and just getting started. Lets keep going. Love you fam. One love to Blacksmith Management and Music, Midori, Brandon, Jay, Katie. To my Talibra Inc and Javotti Media team, I love you all. You give me strength and let me know that I’m not crazy. You show me that my grind is not in vain. To Pinky, Kendra Ross and Tunji THANK YOU. For real. One love to Chevon! To the 3D Duck Down squad, Dru Ha, Noah and Buckshot. I am amazed by you guys. I could not do this without you. Thank you.

To my Blacksmith Music crew Res, Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady, I promise you this is the year that we put our FOOT down. Trust. I love you all.

I want to thank my true fans. The ones who have supported my career since Fortified Live. The ones who love Train Of Thought and Black Star, but also supported Quality, Beautiful Struggle and Eardrum. The ones who send me encouraging words and thoughts on social networks. The ones that joined yearoftheblacksmith.com. The ones who keep me in their ears and their prayers. The ones that recognize my dedication to the craft. The ones who keep me on their Top 5 Dead or Alive list regardless of the trends. The ones who come to the shows. The ones who download the music for free, but then buy it anyway. The ones who criticize with love rather than those who love to criticize. The ones that keep me grounded, and the ones that make me feel like I’m above the clouds. I love you all.

To everyone who participated in the recording of Gutter Rainbows, we made history. Thank yous to Mos Def, Hi Tek, JJ Jensen, Shuko, Res, Kendra Ross, Abby Dobson, Adam Deitch, Eric Krasno, Res, Maurice Brown, Nigel Hall, Albert Cohen, Mike Gibney, Steve Baughman, Nick Speed, Ty Neg, Chace Infinite, Iron Solomon, Jean Grae, Khrysis, 9th Wonder, E Jones, Free, John Forte, Sean Price, Yuki, Luis Cato, Daru Jones, Greg, John Cave, Brian Cockerham, Borham Lee, Ski Beatz, 6th Sense, Outasight, Federico Lopez, Krondon, Blaqtoven, Phil the Agony, Mitchy Slick, Planet Asia, MPhazes, Matthew Diamond, OhNo, Mad Lib, Ed Lover, 88 Keys, Symbolic One, Koop and Cid.

Look out for the album I’m working on now, Prisoner Of Conscious. Also be on the look out for Strong Arm Steady’s Arms and Hammers, Jean Grae’s Cake Or Death, Idle Warship’s untitled album and Liberation 2 with Mad Lib. 2011 will be busy for me. Keep up! One!

gutter rainbows

1. After The Rain Produced by: 88-Keys for Locksmith Music, LLC | Writers: C. Njapa, T. Greene, T. Ibrahim | Publishing: Keys Open Doors, BMI, Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI), Liu Sing Publishing (ASCAP) | Bass & Guitar by Mike L. LaValle Rhodes & Flute by Winston “Wentz” Nelson | Additional Vocals by Jean Grae & 88-Keys | Featuring Tony Williams on the hook | Mixed by Maurizio “Irko” Sera (The Audio Nutritionist) | StudioBeat in Venice, Italy

4. Palookas (ft. Sean Price) Produced by: Marco Polo | Writers: M. Bruno, T. Greene, S. Price Publishing: M. Bruno (Socan/Sesac), Pen Skills Music/Songs of WindsweptPacific(BMI), Disagreeable Musak (ASCAP) Mixed by Joe Nardone

7. Wait For You (ft. Kendra Ross) Produced & Mixed by: S1 for S.K.P. | Writers: L. Griffin, T. Greene, K. Ross Publishing: L.Griffin Jr./C.McCampbell - Vohndee’s Soul Music Publishing (ASCAP), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI) co-prod by Caleb for S.K.P. | Horn Arrangements: S1 and Jarriel Carter for S.K.P | All horns played by: Jarreil Carter

10. Friends & Family Produced by: E. Jones | Writers: E. Jones, T. Greene | Publishing: E. Jones (for the Soul Council) Soulpike Musiq (BMI), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI) | Bass by: Brian Cockerham Mixed by: Steve Baughman

13. Uh Oh (ft. Jean Grae) Produced by: Oh No | Writers: M. Jackson, T. Greene, T. Ibrahim Publishing: Oh No for disruptive productions (ASCAP), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI) | Liu Sing Publishing | Keys by: Borahm Lee

2. Gutter Rainbows Produced by: M-Phazes | Writers: M. Landon, T. Greene, R. Mandell Publishing: Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI), Rob Mandell for RM Moods & Colors (BMI) | Instrumentation by Rob Mandell

5. Mr. International (ft. Nigel Hall) Produced by: S1 for S.K.P. | Writers: L. Griffin, T. Greene, N. Hall Publishing: L.Griffin Jr./C.McCampbell - Vohndee’s Soul Music Publishing (ASCAP), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI) Additional keys/production by: Caleb for S.K.P. | Mixed by Steve Baughman

8. Ain’t Waiting (ft. Outasight) Produced by: 6th Sense | Writers: M. Kawesch, T. Greene, R. Andrew Publishing: Notherground Music (ASCAP), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI), Daily Grind (BMI) | Sample taken from Pleasure, “Ghettos of the Mind” (Concord Music Group)

11. Tater Tot Produced by: Nick Speed for Nix Productions | Writers: N. Speed, T. Greene Publishing: Nick Speed Music (ASCAP), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI) | All Programming By Nick Speed | Chad on Guitar Yuki on Keys | Luis Cato on Bass | Jon Dixon on Synths | Mike Wyatt Engineer Chris Koltay Engineer | Kevin Calloway Session Coordinator Mixed by Mike Gibney at Rough Magic Studios, Brooklyn, NY

14. Self Savior (ft. Chace Infinite) Produced by: Maurice Brown | Writers: M. Brown, T. Greene Publishing: Soul’d U Out (ASCAP), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI)

3. So Low Produced by: Shuko | Writers: C. Bauss, T. Greene, M. Wright (Free) Publishing: peripherique/freibank (gema), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI) | Piano play by: M. Geldreich Drums: Adam Deitch | Guitar: Eric Krasno Mixed by Mike Gibney at Rough Magic Studio, Brooklyn, NY

6. I’m On One Produced by: KHRYSIS! | Writers: C. Tyson, T. Greene Publishing: Gimmie My Damn Publishing (ASCAP), Pen Skills Music/ Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI)

9. Cold Rain Produced by: Ski Beatz | Additional Vocals from Abby Dobson & Kendra Ross | Writers: D. Willis, T. Greene | Publishing: Biggie Music (BMI), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI) Daru Jones on drums | John Cave on guitar | Brady Watt on bass Harrison Young & Nigel Hall on piano | Mixed by Cid

12. How You Love Me (ft. Blaq Toven) Produced by: Blaq Toven | Writers: A. Ranson, T. Greene | Publishing: Anthony Ransom (BMI), Pen Skills Music/Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI)

*BOUNUS TRACK. Go Now (ft. Iron Solomon & Jean Grae) Produced by: DrumDreamers, Patrick “Ty’neg” Mathore Writers: P. Mathore, T. Greene, T. Ibrahim | Publishing: Songs of Windswept Pacific(BMI), Liu Sing Publishing (ASCAP)

Project Coordinator: Noah Friedman for 3DArtwork: DeChazier Stokes-Johnson | Additional Art by: Reuben Levi Publicity: Matt Conaway for Mac Media & Biz3Digital Promotion: Franz De Los Reyes, Mazza, Matt Blakely, Eli Evnen, Kev Storey, Javotti Media & Talibra | Team: Kendra Ross, Pinky, Tunji BalogunLifestyle Marketing: Shucky Ducky | John Ingram & Hector Baldoado for Baldonado & Associates Law Firm | Kenneth Montgomery - 3D Attorney

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TALIB KWELI ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE-PRODUCERS: DRU HA & BUCKSHOT FOR 3D

1.After The Rain 2.Gutter Rainbows 3.So Low 4.Palookas (ft. Sean Price)

5.Mr. International (ft. Nigel Hall) 6.I’m On One 7.Wait For You (ft. Kendra Ross)

8.Ain’t Waiting (ft. Outasight) 9. Cold Rain 10.Friends & Family 11.Tater Tot 12.How You Love Me (ft. Blaq Toven) 13.Uh Oh (ft. Jean Grae) 14.Self Savior (ft. Chace Infinite)

BONUS TRACK.Go Now (ft. Iron Solomon & Jean Grae )

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