Quality is the debut studio album by American rapper Talib Kweli. The album was released on November 19, 2002, by Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By", produced by Kanye West. Kludge magazine included it on their list of best albums of 2002.[1]
Quality was released on November 19, 2002[19] (November 25 in the UK),[20] by Rawkus Records. Despite Kweli still being considered an underground artist,[3] the album was commercially successful.[21] It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200[22] and number 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[23] Three singles were released from the album; "Good to You"/"Put It in the Air", "Waitin' For The DJ"/"Guerilla Monsoon Rap" and "Get By". Despite positive reception, the first two singles failed to make any impact on mainstream charts, so the label decided to not release the third single, considering the song and its content not commercially viable. In response to this, Kweli and his manager made several copies of the single and sent it to a number of popular radio DJs across New York. With help from DJ Enuff, the team at Power 106, and many other local DJs, the single gained popularity through local airplay,[24] and was eventually released by Rawkus. "Get By" received radio airplay in early 2003[21] and charted on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 77, becoming Kweli's biggest solo hit.[25][26] A music video for the song was later released[4] and an official remix was recorded. The remix, featuring Kanye West, Mos Def, Jay Z, and Busta Rhymes, was aired for a short time on New York hip-hop radio, but did not receive an official release.[24]
After the release of Quality, Kweli embarked on a tour in support of the album, where he was accompanied by friend and producer Kanye West as an opening act.[27][28] At the time, West was considered a talented producer, but executives at West's label, Roc-A-Fella, did not feel he had potential as a solo rapper.[29] Kweli allowed West to perform on stage with him during his concerts, giving West his first stage exposure to large crowds. West later expressed his gratitude to Kweli, saying that he owed a part of his early success to these performances.[27]
"Won't You Stay" contains replayed elements from "Devil's Triangle", written by Wilbur Bascomb and Max Romer, performed by Wilbur Bascomb. It also contains re-sung elements from "Strobelite Honey", written by William McLean, Andres Titus, Harold Clayton, Sigidi Abdullah, Waung Hankerson, William Young, Michael Young; performed by Black Sheep.
^"The Breakdown". Spin. Vol. 19, no. 2. February 2003. p. 99. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
^Jones, Steve (November 26, 2002). "Talib Kweli, Quality". USA Today.
^Berry, Elizabeth Mendez (December 2002). "Talib Kweli: Quality". Vibe. Vol. 10, no. 12. p. 204. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
