Lemme Ask You This

Talib Kweli ^ Tef Poe
  • 5.0 (4)
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From the minds of Talib Kweli and Tef Poe comes Lemme Ask You This, a podcast that lives at the intersection of art and activism.

  1. 5D AGO

    Episode 14 Poetry Is Everywhere Featuring jessica Care moore

    Episode 14 of Lemme Ask You This with Talib Kweli and Tef Poe begins with an introduction to Detroit's poet laureate, Jessica Care Moore. Jessica talks about writing children's books and praises her son's music. Talib and Jessica talk about the importance of supporting artist merch, which leads into a conversation about Jay Z's relationship to capitalism. Jessica talks about how artists should turn down deals that are not good for their spirit and how new rules around DEI are affecting Black people. Jessica is asked to share a poem, so she reads one called I'm Not Ready To Die. Talib brings up Seth Byrd's driving skills. Tef talks about how we need to vote to fight prison gerrymandering. This leads into a conversation about the purpose of the electoral college and how right wingers do not support democracy.  Talib talks about why politicians are scared to be critical of Charlie Kirk and how he thinks assassination attempts helped Donald Trump win. This turns into a conversation about the challenges Kamala Harris faced during her campaign. Talib talks about how Joe Rogan helped Donald Trump and why he does not support political violence. Tef says the war on drugs is political violence and Jessica says the education system is a form of political violence. Talib brings up Cole Thomas Allen's manifesto and asks Jessica and Tef what they think about the conspiracy theories surrounding an old tweet about the name Cole Allen. Talib breaks down the history of groypers. Tef compares the MAGA movement to a TV production. Talib talks about how MAGA is turning on Trump and Tef follows up by calling Trump a distraction for bigger issues. Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@lemmeaskyouthispod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lemmeaskyouthispod/ Substack https://lemmeaskyouthis.substack.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast

    1h 7m

  2. APR 30

    Episode 13 - Aspirational Marketing Featuring Coltrane Curtis

    On episode 13 of Lemme Ask You This with Talib Kweli and Tef Poe, the guest is Coltrane Curtis from Team Epiphany. The conversation starts with Talib asking Coltrane about his recent international trip and how America is viewed overseas in the MAGA era. Coltrane talks about the challenges of explaining fascism to his children. Coltrane talks about how partying in NYC led to the formation of his marketing company, Team Epiphany. Talib asks Coltrane about lessons he learned from his father. Coltrane talks about how celebrity is engineered and explains how his team came up with the term "influencer." Tef asks Coltrane about niche marketing and the conversation turns to the cultural currency of Future's Dirty Sprite Ballet. Talib asks about focus groups and Coltrane talks about how his team created a way to use data to measure cultural currency. Talib shares his experience with working on the Getting Up video game and thanks Coltrane for the work they did together with Marc Eckō. Tef brings up how popular G Unit gear was and Coltrane breaks down how when people stole those clothes it made the brand cool. The conversation turns towards Coltrane's time at Ralph Lauren and the legacy of the Lo Lifes. Talib asks why rappers didn't wear their own brands. Coltrane tells stories about his dad and explains the need for having hard skills. Coltrane explains why Team Ephipany hires writers and the importance of the book Positioning. Coltrane thanks his family for putting him in the right positions. Tef breaks down the Pooh Shiesty/Gucci Mane situation. Talib asks Coltrane about his college years in Atlanta and about the importance of HBCUs. Coltrane talks about how COVID impacted his business. Tef asks Coltrane about the challenges of being a marketing person with morals. Talib asks Coltrane about his time as a host on MTV, which leads to a conversation about the challenges of being seen at a Kanye West show. Talib brings up the Jay Z GQ interview, which leads to a discussion about the tactical nature of magazines and the importance of reading.  Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@lemmeaskyouthispod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lemmeaskyouthispod/ Substack https://lemmeaskyouthis.substack.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast

    1h 32m

  3. APR 23

    Episode 12 - Blu And Exile

    Episode 12 of Lemme Ask You This with Talib Kweli and Tef Poe features Blu and Exile. We start by introducing Blu and Exile and getting into a conversation about their new album, Time Heals Everything. Talib asks about Blu and Exile's relationship with Fashawn and shares Fashawn stories. Blu and Exile explain how the online leak of Below The Heavens helped make that album successful and then talk about how it was inspired by Reflection Eternal. The conversation then begins to center on west coast hiphop luminaries like King Tee and Self Scientific. Blu and Exile break down the making of their song Dancin' In The Rain. Exile talks about selling mixtapes while being in a group with Aloe Blacc, which leads to Talib sharing a story about a bus trip to California in 1995. Blu talks about how he stays so prolific and then gets into a story about how he almost signed to Death Row. Tef Poe asks Blu and Exile about how they keep their musical reputation so in tact, which leads to a discussion about their love for jazz music. Talib asks Blu if having the name Blu has ever created an issue for him with LA gangs. Blu breaks down his friendship with Miguel. Exile talks about his Exile Radio albums which leads to a discussion about his spirituality. Tef asks Blu and Exile to give an advice for people who want to follow in their path. Talib asks Blu about his album with Nottz, Africa. Blu talks about working with Med and Madlib and Exile goes deeper into his relationship with Aloe Blacc. Talib asks Blu and Exile how they are able to stay so connected with Los Angeles' underground hiphop scene.  Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@lemmeaskyouthispod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lemmeaskyouthispod/ Substack https://lemmeaskyouthis.substack.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast

    1 hr

  4. APR 16

    Episode 11 - One Rap Battle After Another Featuring Nicole Duncan-Smith

    Episode 11 - One Rap Battle After Another ft Nicole Duncan-Smith For episode 11 of Lemme Ask You This with Talib Kweli and Tef Poe, friend of the show Nicole Duncan-Smith returns. The show starts with Nicole talking about the need for more conscious content. Talib ask Nicole about how she became involved in battle rap culture. Nicole recounts witnessing the battle between Keith Murray and Fredro Starr and then describes being at all female rap battle events. Talib asks Nicole if battle rap culture is more misogynistic than mainstream hiphop culture and Tef talks about how female battle rappers get to respond. Tef and Talib talk about how challenging battle rap culture actually is. Nicole talks about watching rappers battle to get on in the industry. Talib asks if today's battle rappers understand the history of battle rap and then a discussion is had about the history of the Bridge Wars. Nicole shows love to Roxanne Shante. Tef Poe explains how the Bridge Wars seem to set a precedent for rap beefs outside of NYC. Nicole talks about her work with the Hip Hop Museum. Tef asks Nicole about her favorite female battle rappers which leads to a discussion about how fans of music should explore outside of the mainstream more often. Nicole and Tef explain Jae Millz recent run to Talib. Nicole and Talib talk about how they met. Talib talks about the first time he met Russell Simmons and the conversation turns to Affion Crockett's A Hip Hop Story movie. Tef talks about how Jae Millz using Ron Browz beats is adding to his recent resurgence. Talib asks about the importance of Black Media and Nicole breaks down the history of Black journalism. Tef asks what the current version of Unsigned Hype is. Talib talks about the challenges of being a legacy artist in an online ecosystem. Nicole explains how the algorithm is the new Unsigned Hype and how she focused on shining light on up and coming artists. Tef and Nicole discuss how using inventive ways and not relying on standard practices to get your music out there is necessary. Talib asks Nicole about her work with Health, Hope and HipHop.  Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@lemmeaskyouthispod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lemmeaskyouthispod/ Substack https://lemmeaskyouthis.substack.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast

    1h 10m

  5. APR 9

    Episode 10 - Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge Featuring IDK

    Episode 10 - Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge featuring IDK Episode 10 of Lemme Ask You This with Tef Poe and Talib Kweli begins with IDK talking about being born in London and how Talib and IDK met. Talib asks IDK about how he gets so many great features. IDK talks about the OGs in his life that he gets advice from. Tef asks IDK about his musical curation process. IDK breaks down how being an only child drove him to be more creative. IDK talks about how he never lets outside circumstances get in the way of his goals. Tef and IDK talk about working at Harvard University. Talib asks IDK about how being incarcerated as a young man impacted his drive and the discussion turns towards how artists operated during COVID lockdown. IDK talks about navigating jealousy from people in the industry and how sobriety helps him stay focused. IDK talks about his belief in the intangible and why he thinks believing in a higher power is intelligent. The conversation turns towards the similarities between science and religion and how fear of the unknown causes violence between human beings. IDK breaks down how growing up in diverse communities helps him to be more musically diverse and then talks about how he created the song Red with Mike Jones, MF DOOM, Westside Gunn and Jay Electronica. Talib asks IDK about working with Young Thug and Tef asks IDK about what he sees next for hiphop and IDK talks about rebuilding himself as an artist. Talib talks about the challenges of experimenting as a conscious artist. IDK explains how science is an art. Talib asks about who has the best jollof rice before talking about how Ghana is pushing for reparations. Tef asks IDK if being a deep thinker has hindered his success in a vapid industry and IDK explains why he is a good bet. The conversation turns towards the impact of Lofi and how different generations discovered the music of J Dilla, Madlib and MF DOOM thru Adult Swim. Talib talks about doing a TV show in Tanzania with Cameron Diaz. IDK talks about performing on the Tonight Show with Black Thought and Kaytranada. Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@lemmeaskyouthispod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lemmeaskyouthispod/ Substack https://lemmeaskyouthis.substack.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast

    1h 4m

  6. APR 2

    Episode 9 - Chace Infinite Featuring Chace Infinite

    On Episode 9 of Lemme Ask You This with Talib Kweli and Tef Poe, we welcome Los Angeles raised artist and executive Chace Infinite. Talib asks Chace about being a conscious record executive. Chace breaks down how the music industry is not designed to help artists. Tef asks Chace about his selfless nature. Talib asks Chace about the legacy of his group with DJ Khalil, Self Scientific. Chace talks about how he misses Talib being on social media and then breaks down his working relationship with Wyatt Waddell. Chace and Talib discuss whether or not hiphop will remain relevant and how it's always been for young people. Chace talks about how record companies are relying on TikTok to find new artists. Tef asks Chace to define talent, and then Talib asks Chace about how much of a factor talent is when it comes to being a successful artist. Chace talks about his working relationships with A$AP Rocky and Westside Gunn. Talib Kweli asks Chace how he feels about Jack Harlow's recent controversy and then tells a story about how he learned about Jack Harlow. The conversation starts to be about white privilege in hiphop spaces. Tef asks Chace about artists creating controversy for clickbait. Talib points out the similarities in what Jack Harlow and LaRussell have been criticized for saying. Tef, Talib and Chace discuss the Afroman situation and call him a hero before debating which Jay-Z album is the best. Chace talks about his Harun Coffee shop and how it adds to the legacy of Leimert Park before breaking down the unique history of Leimert Park.  Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@lemmeaskyouthispod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lemmeaskyouthispod/ Substack https://lemmeaskyouthis.substack.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast

    1h 23m

  7. MAR 26

    Episode 8 - The Corner of Shoot & Run

    Talib and Tef introduce themselves and talk about the intention behind the podcast. Talib talks about how people perceive him on social media and how there is a white supremacist problem in America. Tef asks Talib about how he navigated the trappings of fame and Talib reflects on his time in Hollywood. Talib breaks down the history of conscious hiphop and talks about how Black Star was influenced by the conscious artists who came before them. Tef asks Talib about how he met Yasiin Bey. Talib talks about having the confidence of knowing he would succeed. Tef asks Talib about the battle rap scene in NYC and the conversation turns towards the Lyricist Lounge. Tef talks about the St. Louis version of the Lyricist Lounge. Talib talks about the unsung heroes behind the scenes in hiphop. Talib and Tef talk about the need to leave smaller markets in order to make it in the music industry. Tef talks about the tough love he faced from his OGs and cheating his way thru 106 and Park Freestyle Fridays. Tef and Talib give El-P his flowers.  Talib talks about what's expected of conscious MCs and tells a story about going to strip clubs. Talib and Tef then talk about people they recently lost. Talib recounts his history with John Forte and then talks about the health challenges that Black people face.  Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@lemmeaskyouthispod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lemmeaskyouthispod/ Substack https://lemmeaskyouthis.substack.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast

    1h 4m

  8. MAR 20

    Episode 7 - The Ballad Of Tef Poe

    For the last show from this Minneapolis run, Talib decides to interview Tef Poe. Talib and Tef start out by showing love to Minneapolis and then they discuss Dave Chappelle's Minneapolis show. Tef tells a story about a conservative Chappelle fan he met.  Dave Chappelle's politics are discussed which becomes a conversation about the similarities between comedy and battle rap. Talib begins to interview Tef. Tef talks about growing up in St. Louis and being inspired by his brother, Black Spade. Talib and Tef show love to MC Hammer while talking about how elitist NYC hiphop can be. Tef talks about rapping in chat rooms and on message boards and then talks about how hard he used to go to promote his own music. Talib asks about Tef's Cheers For The Villian album. Tef breaks down his journey to NY for 106 and Park Freestyle Fridays and talks about his connection to battle rap. Tef and Talib recount how they met. Tef and Talib discuss respectability politics and the pros and cons of organization building. Tef talks about how his trip to Palestine changed him and why he pulled back from music in favor of activism work. The conversation then turns to Tef's Black Julian albums and his time being a Nas fellow at Harvard University. Talib asks Tef about his diss songs aimed at St. Louis politicians and about going from an independent artist to signing with Tommy Boy.  Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Shot and Edited By Chino Chase. Additional Filming By Aaron Ross Media Co. Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast Threads https://www.threads.com/@lemmeaskyouthispod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lemmeaskyouthispod/ Substack https://lemmeaskyouthis.substack.com/ Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lemmeaskyouthispodcast

    1h 23m
See All (14)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

From the minds of Talib Kweli and Tef Poe comes Lemme Ask You This, a podcast that lives at the intersection of art and activism.

Information

  • Creator
    Talib Kweli ^ Tef Poe
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lemme Ask You This
  • Show Website
    Lemme Ask You This

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