its on luminarium or whateverthefuck they put the blackstar album out on. i hate holding music hostage just to promote a platform - seems dumb. I'm not interested. excited to listen when it makes its way "out there" tho
4. "Luminary Route" In response to Reply # 0 Thu Mar-09-23 10:26 AM by doitall76
I would love to listen to the album, the video that was released sounded dope as hell. I don't listen to podcasts, so the idea of having to pay a subscription of $4 or $5 per month to listen to this album (as well as the Blackstar album) that I have heard yet is not a good value proposition when I wouldn't own a copy of the album. If I love the album and want the ability to listen to the album a year from now, I am paying $48 for the year for this and the Black Star album. That is a hard one to wrap my head around. I know there is other music on the platform that I could explore, but I have Tidal & Apple Music and I have everything that I am looking for there.
As many others have said, if a physical copy was sold, or an MP3 album was available to purchase, there are many of us that would buy it. Talib in an earlier interview (https://uproxx.com/peoplesparty/people-s-party-yasiin-bey-black-star-talib-kweli/) "So for the People’s Party season two finale, Talib Kweli asked Yasiin how he feels about the minority of naysayers and trolls who complain online from time to time." I think that Talib is minimizing the number of people who are having a harder time with the route that they are going. I am not a troll, and there are a large number of their fanbase that aren't following them on this direction that they are going.
I don't argue that they shouldn't have a say in where they want their art to be displayed and consumed. As well, I understand that they are trying to get a bigger piece of the pie, which they deserve. I just think that they are overly committed to this route that they choose and they should consider an adjustment. Not necessarily back to the corporate structure and construct that would rape them, but some other route that works for them and the fans.
this shit is for the birds its asinine to assume that someone who likes your music also wants to be a podcast network subscriber bandcamp is incredibly easy to pirate, so i get not going there for big artists but shit, set up an online store and email ppl a zip of mp3s as the product. Easy, automated, 100% of the money to you. There are other ways is all im saying.
Like, I have it now, and its a terrific record, and id honestly like to pay kweli for it. Maybe i can find his venmo....
100%. I have paid artists at their concerts, without buying merch, but literally handing them $100 and said thank you for enriching my life with the music that you have put out. I appreciate them getting paid their worth.
I think that what strikes a nerve with me is being dismissively labeled as one of the "minority of naysayers". I know way too many people who know that Blackstar dropped an album, but none of the people have subscribed to Luminary or have ever heard the album.
Not saying that they shouldn't have control, but don't gas the situation like we are just trying to be difficult and a bunch of di$ks.
I wonder if the BlackStar numbers/new subscriptions were better than any of us would have thought, because I would have never guessed that Kweli and Lib would do it this way without Yasiin.
I really wish they would adopt a model of- first wave of album release on Luminary, couple months later physicals available with exclusive bonus tracks, etc.
I don't know their books obviously, but you'd still get the super fans subscribing and they would double dip too by copping the phyiscal.
Then non-super fans would still cop the digital or maybe even the physical.
Hell, have Luminary only versions too to reward those folks.
I'm in the minority where I thought No Fear of Time was very good....I wish it was more widely available/ talked about.
29. "yeah I subscribed for 2 months and was done" In response to Reply # 7
I just wanted to hear the album, but to pay 50-60 bucks a year to listen to it is ridiculous. For that amount I could buy a CD and vinyl to keep forever. Not a good business deal for the consumer.
16. "Talib is talented and smart, but I don't trust his judgement at times" In response to Reply # 4
It seems like a poor business strategy, although moreso for Talib and Mos.
I get that they probably have a stake with Luminary or at least signed an exclusivity deal. But they're cutting out what I am guessing is a good chunk of fans who would spend a premium rate for the album.
They could cut a deal with Luminary to get a fair split of the revenue from sales and keep a higher percentage of the sales money than they would on a traditional rollout. That way, everyone wins. Luminary gets attention because they could have a 3 or 6-month exclusive period, Mos and Talib can eat off of the album sales, and their fans (who made them) can get a chance to listen to their music. If more people knew their new music, then that would be a bigger market to potentially draw from to get concertgoers.
The current setup seems pennywise, pound-foolish. While I like Mos and Talib, they sometimes think their way into corners and do smart-dumb shit - like this current arrangement with their new music and Luminary.
15. "i mean alternatively, streaming services could be less oppressive" In response to Reply # 0
>anyone check this? sorry if i missed a post > >its on luminarium or whateverthefuck they put the blackstar >album out on. >i hate holding music hostage just to promote a platform - >seems dumb. I'm not interested. >excited to listen when it makes its way "out there" tho
luminary is a clunky ass platform. it doesn't flow as seamlessly as other services for sure, but for $35 a year, i support some of my favorite artists and people's party and midnight miracle are some good shit.
First off I'm not paying a streaming service for this, but Talib said on Insta that they'll be vinyl for this and the Black Star album at some point, therefore I'll be buying it then.
Sonically it sounds good which helps (the Black Star record still sounds unfinished in my ears, so I don't spin it as often) and unlike the first Liberation this one has a theme musically and topically.
Both of Talib's kids do a good job....good enough to the point that they'll definitely be some who will listen to this and won't know that they're Talib's kids. Personally I like Diani better than Amani but they're both solid.
Only real complaint is Q-Tip's feature not really being a feature (being a Tip fan is tough sometimes lol)
20. "Album is really good; agree with others on Luminary" In response to Reply # 0
Off 2 listens I think I agree it's Kweli's best since Eardrum. I like it way more than the last Black Star album.
As far as having to pay for another subscription for access to 2 albums and then a bunch of podcasts I don't care about, naw. If this arrangement is working for Kweli and them then no amount of me complaining will change anything, kudos to them. They don't owe me anything.
I'll gladly pay for an album I can own if/when they allow it.
__ I don't like the beat anymore because its just a loop. ALC didn't FLIP IT ENOUGH!
Flip it enough? Flip these. Flip off. Go flip some f*cking burgers.(c)Kno
Allied State of the National Electric Beat Treaty Organization (NEBTO)
23. "People complain about Luminary when Liberation 1 was free" In response to Reply # 0
However they decide to release art, if it's attainable and good, I'll gladly pay until I can get it on vinyl. People's party is great. This season of midnight miracle is great. Black Star album is good. Liberation 2 is good to great. If it's not for you, is not for you. I'm just thankful the first one was free.
28. "RE: I like Talibs performance on this a lot better than on ..." In response to Reply # 27
That’s interesting, as I thought he was really good (as in sounding his best since his prime) on No Fear Of Time, despite thinking the overall album was mid.. I look forward to hearing this Liberation 2.
Printer-friendly copy 
Email this topic to a friend
The Lesson
