When it comes to hip-hop, old heads are never shy to express their opinions about the current state of affairs. This time, Talib Kweli stepped to the mic.

On a recent episode of Soulful Sunday, the hip-hop legend chatted about Twitter racists, the significance of instrumentals and lyricism. He even touched on the concept of mumble rap, something on which every hip-hop head wants to hear an OG's opinion. 

While his partner in crime Mos Def is no fan of the newest wave of rappers, as Blavity reported recently, surprisingly enough, Kweli didn't haven't any disparaging words for the current rap craze. 

“As a lyricist, me as someone who had to learn how to rhyme to the beat, I appreciate just hearing trap rappers and mumble rappers,” Kweli said.

“I appreciate people like Travis Scott and Future and Migos who are not as lyrical but are able to create a vibe,” the rapper continued. “The reason why I can appreciate it is because they can’t do what I do. They’ll never be as good as me as doing what I do because I got that on lock. So, since it’s like I got that on lock, well how can I be a better musician? Being a better musician is creating a vibe and the way that people respond, and the way that people respond to these artists is because they’re creating a good vibe. It doesn’t have to be all about lyrics. But if we’re going to have a lyrical discussion, then I’m going to be at the top of that food chain.”

This line of thinking led to a discussion of Kweli's critics, who often deride him for not choosing catchier beats.

While the"Get By" rapper said he appreciates a good beat just like anyone else, he reiterated he prefers to focus on the lyrics. His critics, he thinks, are merely intimidated.

“People are intimidated by lyrics. So, that’s a way to say you’re intimidated by the lyrics without admitting that you’re intimidated by the lyrics,” he said.

And that's all he's got to say about that. 

Check out the full interview below.

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