When two formidable forty-year-old veterans of hip-hop release a joint album, such an event never goes unnoticed.

In the case of Styles and Talib, it’s an epochal meeting — the former has long since surpassed his colleague and friend Jadakiss in terms of lyrics and has become a kind of “ghost dog,” wise and knowledgeable about life from all its sides. Kweli needs no search for truth — his journey as a “disciple of destiny” began with the release of the album Black Star. And now two friends, two talented New York rappers, have gathered to present seven tracks filled with truths from urban wanderings, criminal movements, and street philosophy.

Styles and Talib form a surprisingly organic duo — they have met before on Statik Selektah’s beats or on Jean Grae’s album. But it is on “The Seven” that they show how powerful such a tandem can be. P is a gangster and a gentleman, a man used to cutting the truth with his aggressive delivery, who doesn’t even need to strain his voice to persuade. Kweli, on the other hand, appears as a teacher angry at the modern world, aiming to educate rebellious children. Together they sound like fire and lightning — where intellectual depth is lacking, Talib intensifies, where more force is needed, Styles growls.

And who are they railing against? Here, it’s all classic — politics, the rights of Black people, grumbling about the young generation. Especially furious in this regard is brother Talib — in almost every track, he carefully but insistently explains that “the elders strive to dye their beards pink, while the young do not respect traditions.” But most often, the rappers address the most pressing issue — violence against the Black population of America. This is the subject of an entire song “In The Field”: an intro featuring Malcolm X’s voice precedes a story about the unsolved murder of a Black man. Styles, an incredible storytelling master, unfolds the drama before the listener, asking — “Why are people so indifferent to what is happening?”.

Concern about world issues is the central theme of “The Seven.” The number of tracks is also seven, which is surely not a coincidence. In seven days, God created the Earth, and Talib and Styles also need seven to figure out the cause of humanity’s fall, and who is to blame for it. Government, pyramids, reptilians, police, Donald Trump, the fashion industry — everything mixes into a cocktail of paranoia, additionally framed by dark, slightly erratic musical styling. Rattling pianos, disharmonious synths, bustling percussion parts — for fans of old-school hip-hop who cannot stand modern sounds, “The Seven” will be a true refuge.

When big figures make a joint release, it’s rarely dull. Gathering perfectly fitting guests — from Common to The LOX in full force — Talib Kweli and Styles P have created a short but powerful record imbued with the spirit of classics. They are the ones to look up to — two tireless workers who, even today, are not at peace with what once stirred their minds and those of their listeners, continue their work. As long as there is such music, hip-hop will not die.