Such is the state of modern hip-hop that Brooklyn-bred Talib Kweli—a thinking man’s rapper whose collaborations with Mos Def (himself a gifted emcee) have produced some of the headiest rhymes this side of Public Enemy—has never even snipped platinum sales. Lucky for us, he’s resisted selling out to thuggishness (50 Cent) or singing (50 Cent) and stuck to the needed cultural commentary that’s become his calling card. As he says on his website: “The vast majority of my subject matter focuses on black self love, black self-esteem, black self worth. That translates into other communities, because if you’re a human being ... you’ve been through some sort of struggle.” Preach, brother, preach.
With Sugarcult, William Tell. April 7, 7 p.m., $27-$35. House of Blues, 632-7600.