A few bumpy years following the release of Face Off , his collaborative album with Omarion, raised speculation that Bow wouldn't be able to merge from the lane of teen rap star into adult MC. The ill-received project marked a change in the career of the Ohio native; he distanced himself from longtime mentor, and friend, Jermaine Dupri, and eventually cut ties with his label, Columbia Records. Then the bad press started to roll in. Bow was feared to be suicidal after tweeting about dying, publicly blasted his absentee birth father, ran into legal issues, and didn't put his name on his daughter Shai's birth certificate.

In the middle of what appeared to be his personal turmoil the young rapper stepped into new territory musically, announcing that he was signing to Cash Money records.  The move seemed obvious judging by his long-standing affiliation with the YMCMB crew, but joining the roster that features Nicki Minaj and Drake, was suspected to be an effort to capitalize on the label's success.

Underrated, his first release under Cash Money, features production from Dupri, and Cool & Dre. The album's guest list includes appearances from Snoop Dogg, Meek Mill, Talib Kweli, Musiq Soulchild, to name a few, and  promises to be an honest account of how life has changed in the three years since he dropped New Jack City Part II.  Bow will also head on his first solo tour, kicking off June 1st in Dallas, with “A Milli” rapper Corey Gunz as one of his opening acts.

Hip-Hop Wired caught up with the rapper for his first in-depth interview  since announcing his tour, where he spoke on the new album, the suicide rumors, and how having a daughter changed his life.

Kweli recently dropped the video for the album's lead single “Distractions.” The Oh No-produced track runs along the lines of much of what we have grown to expect from the Black Star member, and serves as a precursor to the multifaceted tone of the project. His sixth solo effort also features appearances from some of the game's most respected performers including Busta Rhymes RZA, Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, and Melania Fiona.

No doubt, the 36-year-old has been heavy in the lab these days, releasing his We Run This, Vol 7 mixtape earlier this week, which includes the Ace Hood-assisted banger, “Let Em In.”

Be on the lookout for the Prisoner of Conscious tour beginning May 18, and the album, which is slated for a summer release.

Prisoner of Conscious Tour Date

Friday, May 18th - Providence, RI - Fete Music Ballroom
Monday, May 28th - New York, NY -  Le Poisson Rouge
Wednesday, May 30 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
Thursday, May 31 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
Friday, June 1 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
Saturday, June 2 - Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig
Sunday, June 3 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue

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Photo: Billboard

"Pop a bottle and celebrate, you made it to a new day," goes the chorus. That's as good a reason as any. Listen to and download Mack Maine's "Celebrate" below. 

Mack Maine ft. Talib Kweli & Lil Wayne – "Celebrate" [LISTEN/DOWNLOAD]

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Photo: Derick G

The track has some knocking drums and Ace Hood doesn't slouch. Listen to "We Run This" below. Props to Hip Hop-N-More.

Talib Kweli ft. Ace Hood – "Let Em In" [LISTEN/DOWNLOAD]

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Photo: Talib Kweli

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Talib Kweli & Yasiin Bey (better known as Mos Def) hit the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon to perform their new, Oh No produced single "You Already Knew," off of their mixtape Aretha, due out sooner than later. The music didn't stop with the performance of new music, as the Brooklyn duo paid homage to the late Jay Dilla with a rendition of "Little Brother." The Roots with the musical accompaniment, of course.

Props to Yardie.

 Featuring - King Mez, Emilio Rojas, Phil Ade, & Kendrick Lamar

XXL put together a showcase headlined by Kendrick, featuring several 2012 Freshman Candidates.  The show was hosted by Shade 45's Sway & Devi Dev of the Sway in the Morning Show.

All of the MC's rocked to a jam-packed crowd, who came out to show their support for these young artists.  Kendrick even drew praise from a couple veteran MC's who came out to show their support.

"I think Kendrick is dope, so I had to come out and support.  It's good to come out and show love, and let's them know that we support and are saluting these young cats.  It don't matter where you're from, what type of music you make...if it's dope, then I'm rockin' wit it" - Lil Cease 

"I had to show love to Kendrick, I think he's dope.  Shout to all the young artists out there creating their own lane like Kendrick and A$AP Rocky." - Talib Kweli

Photos Courtesy of Steven Baffo for Hip Hop Wired

Talib unveils a new track from his forthcoming album, Prisoner Of Conscious,  dropping in 2012.

The Brooklyn rappers stays dropping  gems and it's no different as he wrecks this Oh No produced track.

That Black Star album hopefully will come soon as well.  Let's go Mos Def Yasiin Bey.  We've waited long enough.

Talib Kweli - "Distractions"

Download Here

Mistah F.A.B. ft. Royce Da 5'9 & Talib Kweli - "In My City"

Download Here