Talib Kweli

Talib Kweli, David Banner and Little Brother are joining forces at the Fox Theatre tonight when the Hip Hop Live! 2008 Tour hits Boulder.

As a special perk, all three acts will use the studio-savvy players of the Rhythm Roots Allstars as their back-up group.

The members of the Rhythm Roots Allstars have performed with everyone from the Black Eyed Peas to OutKast, and the outfit should give Kweli's and Banner's hit tunes a new twist.

Kweli started his career in Brooklyn, New York. The rapper got involved with the hip-hop community when he was young, and initially gained recognition with the rap act Black Star -- which also featured Mos Def.

"Growing up in Brooklyn in the '80s, you couldn't escape hip-hop," Kweli said. "I had a talent for rhyme and I kept developing my skill through practice. I liked the fact that hip-hop was real honest and you could talk about things in the community.

"It paints an accurate picture of the culture."

To keep his hip-hop empire in check, Kweli created commercial tunes that featured insightful messages.

"The vast majority of my subject matter focuses on black self-love, self-esteem and self-worth," Kweli said. "That translates to other communities, because if you're a human being, it doesn't matter what color you're talking about."

Kweli's life philosophies encouraged the artist to set up his own record company, Blacksmith Music.

"Having my own label gives me freedom," Kweli said. "This way, I can put things that matter into motion. My latest CD, Ear Drum, is on Blacksmith, and last August it debuted at No. 2 on the charts.

"I did it my own way and I learned a lot of things."

Kweli and his manager Corey Smyth are also building the careers of up-and-coming artists via Blacksmith Music. The duo's working with South African rapper Jean Grae and all-star rap act Strong Arm Steady.

Kweli may be busy setting up his musical empire, but he still loves a good, live hip-hop show.

"The show in Boulder's going to feature me and David Banner -- he's had some big radio hits," Kweli said. "We're all going to perform with the live band. You'll be able to see all the raw power of this show."

Locals will also get some more perks at the Fox's tonight.

The rap tour's being presented by Sony, so the company says that everyone in attendance will get a free pair of Sony EX earbuds.

Even more music

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VH1 star Justin Nozuka plays Denver's Bluebird Theater tonight.

Get your hard-core rock fix at the hi-dive in Denver tonight, when Akimbo rocks the house.

Local lounge lizards head over to Nissi's to hear Barron Steffen and his set of vintage tunes.