Watch Talib Kweli & J. Rawls Honor Hip-Hop Icons Native Tongues On ‘Fallon’

Rapper Talib Kweli and producer/professor J. Rawls appeared on last night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in support of their collaborative new album, The Confidence of Knowing, which was released today. The pair of hip hop veterans performed the album’s single, “Native Sons,” while backed by members of the show’s house band The Roots.

Kweli and Rawls previously worked together when Rawls, who is currently a professor at Ohio State University, produced the track “Brown Skin Lady” on Kweli’s acclaimed Black Star album with Mos Def. The duo came together to create the 13-track The Confidence of Knowing, which features guest appearances by Blu, Jimetta Rose, TriState, Coast Contra, Buckshot, Skyzoo, Ras Kass, IDK, Planet Asia, Phil the Agony, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Diani, NIKO IS, Solene and Middle Child.

Press materials described the meaning behind the song “Native Sons”:

“Like many of their peers, Kweli and Rawls have been heavily influenced by the Native Tongues crew that featured Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, Black Sheep, Chi Ali and more. Fostered by Kool DJ Red Alert, the Native Tongues represented a brand of Hip Hop that encouraged Black pride, cultural awareness, and social justice themes. In a poignant salute, Kweli and Rawls declare themselves the ‘Native Sons’ to the Native Tongues.”

Watch Talib Kweli and J.Rawls bring “Native Sons” to life with the help of The Roots below: