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Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek spoke with MTV on their The RE:Union mixtape and how “Just Begun” came to fruition.

“The record started, Hi-Tek had a sample idea,” Talib explained. “A song he was working on in the studio. He flipped it. I was like, ‘That’s dope right there.’ I had the verse, I was in the studio kicking it with Jay Electronica. I was like, ‘You might need to get on this Reflection Eternal album.’ I was talking on text to J. Cole, trying to get some ideas. Then I was like, it might be crazy if I got Jay Electronica and J. Cole on the same record. Two new dudes on the record with me, they killing it, doing they thing. So I was like, ‘Nah.’ I had to go get some support. So I called my man Mos.

“We had to go find Mos. I need some backup,” he added with a laugh. “My verse is bragging and boasting, but it’s also a lot of literary references, which people might know me for. Jay Electronica is talking about his journey from New Orleans to New York. J. Cole is trying to shine, talking about his connection to Roc Nation. He’s got the girls. He’s trying to shine, establish his place with these other lyricists. Mos’ verse is super, super scientific and intelligent. Mos got flow for days. But if you don’t know nothing about the world, you ain’t ready for Mos Def’s verse.”