Talib Kweli Biography: Concerts, Age, Net Worth, Divorce, Songs, Ex-Wife, Kids, Height, Parents & Albums, Instagram

Talib Kweli is an actor and rapper who achieved global fame as a pillar of conscious hip hop through his intricate lyricism and commitment to social justice. He first gained widespread popularity in 1998 as one half of the duo Black Star alongside Mos Def, particularly with the release of their seminal album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star.

His popularity was further cemented by his solo breakout hit Get By, produced by Kanye West, which showcased his ability to blend soulful production with politically charged messaging.

Beyond his music, he is a prominent activist and entrepreneur who has used his platform to highlight systemic issues, making him a central figure in the underground and mainstream rap scenes for decades.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Talib Kweli Greene
• Nickname: Kweli
• Date of Birth: October 3, 1975
• Age: 50 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and activist
• Height: 5 feet 7 inches
• Eye Color: Brown
• Hair Color: Black
• Parents: Perry Greene and Brenda Greene
• Siblings: Jamal Greene
• Spouse: N/A
• Children: Amani Fela Greene, Diani Eshe Greene
• Relationship Status: Single
• Religion: Christian
• Ethnicity: African American
• Net Worth: $4 million

Early Life and Education

Talib Kweli is now at the age of 50 and was born on October 3, 1975. He grew up in an academic household in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, where his environment was shaped by the intellectual pursuits of his parents.

His father, Perry Greene, worked as an administrator at Adelphi University and a sociology professor, while his mother, Brenda Greene, served as an English professor at Medgar Evers College.

He was raised alongside his younger brother, Jamal Greene, who went on to become a professor of constitutional law at Columbia Law School.

For his schooling, he attended Brooklyn Technical High School before moving to Cheshire Academy, a boarding school in Connecticut, from which he graduated.

He later pursued higher education at New York University, where he majored in experimental theater.

Personal Life

Talib Kweli was previously in a relationship with Darcel Turner, with whom he shares his two children, Amani Fela Greene and Diani Eshe Greene.

In May 2009, he married DJ Eque in a private ceremony in Bel-Air. The couple remained together for over a decade, often appearing at industry events as a unified pair.

However, in February 2021, DJ Eque filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Reports at the time suggested the separation was relatively quiet, though the legal proceedings marked the end of their twelve-year marriage.

Career

Talib Kweli began his professional journey in the late 1990s as part of the Rawkus Records roster.

After the critical success of Black Star, he formed the group Reflection Eternal with producer Hi-Tek, releasing the acclaimed album Train of Thought in 2000.

His solo career launched in 2002 with the gold-certified album Quality, followed by several successful projects including The Beautiful Struggle and Eardrum.

In addition to his solo work, he is a member of the Soulquarians collective and the duo Idle Warship.

In 2011, he transitioned into independent ownership by founding Javotti Media, a label through which he has released numerous albums and hosted his popular podcast, People’s Party with Talib Kweli.

His recent work includes the 2022 Black Star reunion album No Fear of Time and the 2023 collaboration Liberation 2 with Madlib.

Awards

• Nominee, Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance (2004)
• Winner, PEN Oakland – Josephine Miles Literary Award for Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story (2022)
• Winner, Source Award for Best New Artist (Group) (1999)
• Nominee, BET Award for Best Hip Hop Artist (2003)
• Nominee, MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video (2003)

Net Worth

Talib Kweli has a net worth of $4 million. This wealth was primarily built through his decades-long career as a recording artist and touring performer.

Controversy

Talib Kweli has been involved in several public disputes, most notably on social media. In 2020, he was permanently suspended from Twitter (now X) following a prolonged and intense exchange with several users over issues of Colorism and harassment.

The controversy began when he responded to a user’s comment about rappers marrying light-skinned women, leading to a weeks-long series of interactions that the platform deemed a violation of its harassment policies.

He has also been vocal in public disagreements with other industry figures, including Gene Simmons and various political commentators, often defending his views on social justice and hip hop culture with a direct and uncompromising approach.

Social Media

• Instagram: @talibkweli
• TikTok: @talibkweli
• YouTube: @talibkwelibk

Filmography

• Bamboozled (2000)
• Brown Sugar (2002)
• Dave Chappelle’s Block Party (2005)
• The Hip Hop Project (2006)
• Our Latin Thing (2011)
• The Art of Rap (2012)
• The Gospel According to André (2017)

Discography

• Quality (2002)
• The Beautiful Struggle (2004)
• Eardrum (2007)
• Gutter Rainbows (2011)
• Prisoner of Conscious (2013)
• Gravitas (2013)
• Fuck the Money (2015)
• Radio Silence (2017)
• Gotham (2021)
• Liberation 2 (2023)
• The Confidence of Knowing (2024)

Books

• Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story (2021)