Black Star arose from the underground movement of the late 1990s, which was in large part due to Rawkus Records, an independent record label stationed in New York City, NY, USA. They released their self titled debut album in 1998. Though the record achieved little commercial success, they (and other members of the Native Tongues Posse) helped shape underground alternative rap and helped bring it further into the mainstream eye. Both have gone on to greater commercial and critical success in separate solo careers.
A sample on the album from the film Chameleon Street has generated the often repeated and often misattributed quote, "I'm a victim brother. I'm a victim of 400 years of conditioning. The man has programmed my conditioning. Even my conditioning has been conditioned!"
Most recently Mos and Kweli appeared together in the movie Dave Chappelle's Block Party, alongside Jill Scott, Dead Prez and The Fugees, among others. They even contributed a new song, "Born & Raised", to the movie's soundtrack.
In November 2009, members and collaborators of Black Star released a collaboration album with the alt-blues/rock band, The Black Keys, under the title "The Blakroc Project." Project members included RZA, Jim Jones, Mos Def, Q-Tip, and others.
According to hip hop website TheSituation.co.uk, Kweli has said that a new Black Star album is "in the pipeline". On Talib Kweli's Myspace he posted up a video saying that "We're going to find Mos Def and put it on camera that there will be a second Black Star album. Black Star released their second album titled entitled No Fear of Time in 2022.
Discography
===========
Albums
Black Star (1998)
No Fear of Time (2022)
The Blakroc Project (2009) Collaborative album with The Black Keys
Singles
"Definition"(1998)
"Respiration" (1999)
Other collaborations
"Know That" from Mos Def's 1999 album, Black on Both Sides
"Joy" from Talib Kweli's 2002 album, Quality
"Supreme Supreme" from Talib Kweli's 2005 album, Right About Now
"Bright as the Stars" from Mos Def's 2005 single, "Ah Ha"
"What It Is" from Talib Kweli's 2005 mixtape, The Beautiful Mixtape Vol. 2
"Born & Raised" from the 2006 soundtrack, Dave Chappelle's Block Party
"This Means You", produced by DJ Hi-Tek on the album Train Of Thought
"What's Beef", live from Chappelle's Show
"Get By [remix]", from Kanye West's mixtape Freshman Adjustment 3
"Gitcha, Gitcha, Gitcha", from Talib Kweli's 2004 album The Beautiful Struggle
"Little Brother", The Hurricane
"History" from Mos Def's 2009 album The Ecstatic.
There is another band with the same name:
2) A dark rock band, formed in Jakarta, Indonesia (2000), based on the common taste of its members, Emir (vocal), Aloel (guitar), Yudi (guitar), Q-nos (bass), Ine (keyboard) and Roby (drum). They had always adored british bands such as Radiohead and Muse, and started playing to cover their music. The name "Black Star" itself was taken from a track in Radihead's album, The Bends.
In 2005, they started recording their own material. Swiftly they gained attention of indie music community and acquired got good reviews by the media, especially for their single "Schizofrenia". Their long-anticipated debut album has been released in March 2009. The first single from the album, Abnormal Aku, in collaboration with Cholil Mahmud from Efek Rumah Kaca, was a huge success in local indie scene. The album has a theme of diseases, from biological, social to psychological diseases. This shows the empathy from the band towards their surrounding envronment.
Their second album, titled "Luar Angkasa", was released on 14th February 2016 with Demajors Independent Music Industry (DIMI).
Free tracks can be downloaded at their offical website, http://www.blackstarid.com.
Buy their album at http://cdbaby.com/cd/blackstarpop
K. O. S.
Black Star Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination
It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations
Come on let's smooth it out like Soul Sensation
We in the house like Japanese in Japan, or Koreans in Korea
Head to Philly and free Mumia with the Kujichagulia TRUE
Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what
No question, bein a black man is demandin
The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
Yes yes come on, yes yes
Knowledge Of Self is like life after death
With that you never worry about your last breath
Death comes, that's how I'm livin, it's the next days
The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page
Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age
I feel the rage of a million niggas locked inside a cage
At exactly which point do you start to realize
That life without knowledge is, death in disguise?
That's why, Knowledge Of Self is like life after death
Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest
Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this
Hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light
Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident
Voices and drums original instruments
In the flesh presently presentin my representation
With that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
The most important time in history is, NOW, the present
So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence
But you stressin over time and you follow the Roman calendar
These people into cloning like Gattaca, you can bet
They tryin to lock you down like Attica, the African diaspora
Represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever
I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever
Aiyyo I heard you twice the first time money, get it together
You must be History, you repeatin yourself out of the pages
You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth
That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention
Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention
Or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left
The young, gifted and Black are sprung addicted to crack
All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here
And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear
With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration
You get out of jail with that Knowledge of Self determination
Stand in ovation, cause you put the Hue in Human
Cause and effect, effect everything you do
And that's why I got love in the face of hate
Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight
The thought you had don't even contemplate
Infinite like figure eight there's no escape..
From that what? (Knowledge Of Self) Determination
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
This the funky singing by Miss Vinia Mojica
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
What I'm feelin, what I'm feelin, ooooh, what I'm feelin
The lyrics of Black Star's song K.O.S. focus on the concept of knowledge of self and determination in order to combat the attempted extermination of black people. The opening lines criticize other emcees who focus solely on this extermination, whereas Black Star emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and determination in achieving balance. The song goes on to discuss various issues affecting the black community, such as Mumia Abu-Jamal's imprisonment and the effects of drug addiction, all while stressing the importance of applying knowledge of self to one's life.
The chorus emphasizes the idea that knowledge of self is like life after death, and with it, one need not worry about their last breath. The lyrics also criticize people who stress too much about time and follow the Roman calendar, while ignoring the present moment. The song ends with a powerful message about the importance of standing up against oppression with determination and self-knowledge, as well as the importance of taking action to create positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
So many emcees focusin on black people extermination
Many rappers are fixated on the idea of eliminating black people.
We keep it balanced with that knowledge of self, determination
We stay centered by having a strong sense of self and determination.
It's hot, we be blowin the spots, with conversations
We incite fiery discussions and debates wherever we go.
Come on let's smooth it out like Soul Sensation
Let's relax and cool down like soulful music.
We in the house like Japanese in Japan, or Koreans in Korea
We are as comfortable in our own space as Japanese people in Japan, or Korean people in Korea.
Head to Philly and free Mumia with the Kujichagulia TRUE
Let's go to Philadelphia to demand the release of Mumia and apply Kujichagulia (self-determination) to the situation.
Singin is swingin and writin is fightin, but what
Singing is a fun activity, but writing can be a battle.
They writin got us clashin like titans it's not excitin
Their writing is causing arguments and fighting, which is not enjoyable.
No question, bein a black man is demandin
It's tough to be a black man.
The fire's in my eyes and the flames need fannin
I am passionate and need support to keep going.
Things I say and do, may not come quite through
Sometimes my actions and words don't convey what I truly mean.
My words may not convey just what I'm feelin
My words might not communicate my emotions clearly.
Yes yes come on, yes yes
Agreeing with someone and urging them to continue.
Knowledge Of Self is like life after death
Knowing oneself is like having eternal life.
With that you never worry about your last breath
If you have knowledge of self, you won't fear death.
Death comes, that's how I'm livin, it's the next days
Death is a natural part of life, and I am living with that in mind.
The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page
The physical body dies, but your legacy lives on.
Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age
People ask about my age, but we are all living in the present moment.
I feel the rage of a million niggas locked inside a cage
I empathize with the anger of millions of black people who are imprisoned or trapped.
At exactly which point do you start to realize
When do you begin to understand?
That life without knowledge is, death in disguise?
Without self-knowledge, life is just a disguised form of death.
Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest
Start living with self-awareness, and watch life unfold as it should.
Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this
Every day, there's chaos and confusion, but we are determined to push through.
Hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light
We'll use hip hop to keep moving forward and spreading positivity.
Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident
You are blossoming with the power of your true potential.
Voices and drums original instruments
Our voices and drums are unique and powerful tools for expression.
In the flesh presently presentin my representation
I am physically here, presenting my authentic self.
The most important time in history is, NOW, the present
There's no time more crucial than this current moment.
So count your blessings cause time can't define the essence
Be grateful for what you have, because your true essence is timeless.
But you stressin over time and you follow the Roman calendar
You are worrying too much about time and following a calendar that's not your own.
These people into cloning like Gattaca, you can bet
People are obsessed with cloning and genetic engineering, just like in the movie Gattaca.
They tryin to lock you down like Attica, the African diaspora
They are attempting to control and oppress you, just like the prison rebellion in Attica. This applies to the entire African diaspora.
Represents strength in numbers, a giant can't slumber forever
The African diaspora is powerful when united, and oppression won't last forever.
I know you gotta get that cheddar whatever
I understand that you want to make money no matter what.
Aiyyo I heard you twice the first time money, get it together
You don't need to repeat yourself, just focus on improving your financial situation.
You must be History, you repeatin yourself out of the pages
You are like history, continually repeating the same mistakes.
You keepin yourself depleatin your spiritual wealth
You are draining your spiritual and emotional resources by repeating the same patterns.
That quick cash'll get your ass quick fast in houses of detention
Making quick money will quickly land you in prison.
Inner-city concentration camps where no one pays attention
People are being incarcerated in inner cities, but no one is noticing or caring.
Or mentions the ascension of death, til nothing's left
Death is rarely mentioned or acknowledged until everything has been destroyed.
The young, gifted and Black are sprung addicted to crack
Many young, talented, and black people have become hooked on crack cocaine.
All my people where y'all at cause, y'all ain't here
I'm calling out to my fellow black people, because I feel like they are not present.
And your hero's using your mind as a canvas to paint fear
Your leaders are instilling fear in your minds.
With, broad brush strokes and tales of incarceration
They're using broad and exaggerated language to describe how black people are being imprisoned.
You get out of jail with that Knowledge of Self determination
Self-awareness and determination to succeed can help you escape the cycle of incarceration.
Stand in ovation, cause you put the Hue in Human
Everyone should applaud you, because you bring color and life to humanity.
Cause and effect, effect everything you do
Every action has a consequence.
And that's why I got love in the face of hate
This is why I choose to respond to hate with love.
Hands steady so the lines in the mental illustration is straight
My hands are steady, so my mental picture is clear and focused.
The thought you had don't even contemplate
Don't even consider that negative thought you had.
Infinite like figure eight there's no escape..
My potential and possibilities are endless, and there's no escaping them.
What I'm feelin, what I'm feelin, ooooh, what I'm feelin
This is how I'm truly feeling.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: VINIA ANASTASIA MOJICA, TONY COTTRELL, DANTE SMITH, TALIB KWELI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind