Talib Kweli Has a Theory About Rapper Sneaker Deals

What does Talib Kweli think of rapper's getting sneaker deals?

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Complex Original

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Talib Kweli has been known to have strong opinions about hip-hop's relationship with corporate America. Times have changed in the past couple years with rappers from Meek Mill to Kanye West getting paychecks from sneaker brands, and Kweli has an idea why it's becoming more common. "The music industry, for lack of a better word, is dead," the rapper said, while doing an appearance for Ugg Australia. "As an artist, you have to find ways to partner with people who understand what you bring to the table, and partner with people who are excited about having their products represented for whatever type of reason." 

Kweli, who's worked with Pharrell Williams and Kanye West in the past, also added he always knew that the two were destined for a second career in the fashion industry before they officially inked their respective adidas deals.  "Pharrell was already kind of really big into style when I first started working with him," he said. "I definitely knew Kanye would."