Chrisette Michele: "Let Freedom Reign" f. Talib Kweli & Black Thought

Upon seeing the two guests on this track -- two of hip-hop's finest MCs, Black Thought and Talib Kweli -- I instantly assumed they would be the focal point here while Chrisette Michele sang the hook and/or bridge. My assumption was, of course, incorrect as she opens "Let Freedom Reign," off her forthcoming album of the same name, with a half-rapped, half-sung verse*.

She has some confidence doing that here and not because she doesn't typically rap, either. But it's become well documented that Black Thought doesn't appear as a guest on many albums, likely a testament to the fact he would "murder [them] on [their] own shit." Here, however, he complements previous collaborators Michele and Kweli, with all of them getting overtly political on the militaristic "Let Freedom Reign."

Stream "Let Freedom Reign" below.

[Hypetrak]

*She, of course, handles the chorus and bridge, too.