Although this native son of Brooklyn has in the recent years turned from the music scene to the big screen, the undeniable genius and originality of his rhymes will ring familiar in the ears of any true hip/hop disciple. Starting out as a relatively unknown underground MC, Mos Def quickly rose to fame with the release of “Blackstar”, his collaboration CD with another highly respected Brooklyn MC, Talib Kweli. Today, Mos Def has three major albums out in circulation, “Black Star”, “Black on Both Sides” and “The New Danger”. Below is a list of what I believe to be the cream of the crop, pieces that best exemplify the wit and lyrical prowess that is Mos Def.
1. Astronomy
The first song off of the “Black Star” album, Mos and Talib devotes this entire song to the word “black”, using it in ever more original and clever ways. The song deals with much of the socio-political issues surrounding blacks and the ways that these two MCs perceive them in their world of Brooklyn, New York.
2. Definition
One of the first few songs off of the “Black Star” album, Definition is supported by a pounding bass line that is complimented by the raw energy of the two MCs. The lyrics discuss the ruinous state of hip/hop and their attempt to practice the art without dealing in the “Cash Money” that has been so pervasive with artists in this field.
3. Respiration
A classic song by Mos Def and Talib Kweli – featuring one of the greatest rap artists of all time, Common – Respiration paints a beautifully vivid picture of Mos’s hometown. The mesmerizing beat and hypnotic voicing of the piece conveys a deceptively serene feel despite the reality and harshness of the lyrical content.
4. Thieves in The Night
One of my personal favorites, this piece represents the thorough introspection of the entire African American culture led by Mos and Talib. The lyrical content runs from age-old scars of slavery transcending generations to harsh criticisms of the country’s prison system. An instant classic, this piece is straight old-school hip/hop coupled with a haunting backbeat.
5. Love
This is Mos Def’s tribute to his parents on his album “Black on Both Sides”. He speaks of the love of his father that fueled his passion for writing and rap. The title of the song is fitting, as he goes on to talk about the importance of love and the infinitude of its power.
6. Umi Said
One of the first songs in which Mos Def sings rather than raps. His singing voice is surprisingly strong, as one would not expect rap artists to be able to handle melodies very well. Mos shows us here that he is clearly one of the most versatile MCs out there. The music is a combination of bass and some jazz guitar.
7. New World Water
In this most clever piece, Mos Def utilizes the theme of water and reveals its various uses by different people around the world. He raps about the irony of celebrities bathing in Evian while some villages around the world go for weeks without it, the use of it to transport slave ships, and the spread of disease through it. This is overall, an eye-opening piece to the issue of clean water in our global society.
8. Mathematics
Much like New World Water, Mathematics uses the theme of statistical numbers to shed some light on truth and justice in the socio-political context. Continually citing statistics that clearly contradict each other, Mos Def not only takes away the authority of statistical analysis, but reveals in minute fact and detail the condition of our nation, especially for classes of minorities stricken with poverty.
9. Sunshine
Produced by Kanye West, the sample of this song – true to the Kanye style – is very easy on the ears and is only enhanced by the word power of a great MC like Mos Def. His words stay true to the title of the song and shines through like beams of hope through the smog of the Brooklyn streets.
10. Closer to the Edge
Mos Def’s tribute to classic old-school hip/hop, this is lyrical deftness in its purest form. Mos Def turns on the rapid-fire mode in this piece as he returns to his roots, delivering the type of free-style rap so characteristic of street MCs and so true to the nature of Mos Def, himself.
Reference:
- “Mos Def” found on wikipedia: www.wikipedia.com
