Dante Terrell Smith (born December 11, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York, United S… Read Full Bio ↴Dante Terrell Smith (born December 11, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York, United States), now known by the stage name Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), is a Grammy Award-nominated rapper and actor. He now works under the nom de plum Yasiin Bey, and has performed under the aliases Mighty Mos Def, The Freaky Night Watchman, Boogie Man, Black Dante and Pretty Flaco. He began rapping in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics in 1994, and then formed the duo Black Star with Talib Kweli in 1998. As a solo artist he has released the albums Black on Both Sides in 1999, The New Danger in 2004, True Magic in 2006 and The Ecstatic in 2009. Initially recognized for his musical output, Mos Def's screen work since the early 2000s has established him as one of only a handful of rappers who have garnered critical approval for their acting work.

Rap career:
Mos Def began his performing career on the television show The Cosby Mysteries in 1994. In 1994, Mos also began his music career, forming the short-lived group Urban Thermo Dynamics (UTD) with his younger brother DCQ and his younger sister Ces. Despite being signed to Payday Records, the group only released two singles and the group's debut album, Manifest Destiny, did not see the light of day until 2004 when released through Illson Media. In 1996 he emerged as a solo artist, working with De La Soul and Da Bush Babees before releasing his own first single, "Universal Magnetic" which was a huge underground hit. After signing with Rawkus Records, he and Talib Kweli released a full length album under the band name Black Star, entitled Black Star. It was released in 1998, with Hi-Tek producing most of the tracks. Mos Def released his solo debut, Black on Both Sides, in 1999. Filled with tracks raving about his hometown, Brooklyn and his love for Hip-Hop, Black on Both Sides also deals with racial profiling of Black men in America, with the track Mr Nigga. Mos Def was also featured on Rawkus' influential The Lyricist Lounge and Soundbombing series compilations. After the collapse of Rawkus, Def along with Kweli signed on to Interscope/Geffen Records, who released his second album The New Danger in 2004. In early 2005 Mos Def was rumored to join Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella record label, but this was later denied by the artist himself claiming "Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella would never allow me to release songs I plan on putting out there. I ain't down with that commercial non-sense. I'm about to deal with the fake with my next album, from George Bush to 50 Cent." But, after making that comment, Mos Def was featured rapping on a SUV commercial, endorsing the GMC Denali. Mos Def is projected to release his last solo album on Geffen Records, The Undeniable Free Flaco in early 2006. His 4th studio album The Ecstatic was released June 9, 2009 on Downtown Records. It serves as Mos Def's second highest charting album to date. Upon its release, The Ecstatic received general acclaim from most music critics, and it earned Mos Def a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album. Rolling Stone magazine named it the seventeenth best album of 2009.

Impact on hip-hop
The artistic boundaries of hip-hop and rap music had been redefined by artists such as Brand Nubian, De La Soul, and Public Enemy, whose music was more thematically sophisticated and socially conscious than that of their predecessors. By the early 1990s however, this brand of rap had been eclipsed in popularity by gangsta rap. Socially aware rap music (alternative hip hop) has experienced something of a renaissance in the late 1990s and now the 2000s, in part due to artists such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, The Roots and others. "Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are … Blackstar" Mos Def's collaboration with Talib Kweli was released during the aftermath of the deaths of 2pac and The Notorious B.I.G. sparking a rebirth of "aware" and "intelligent" hip-hop. Def's music often references his Islamic faith and his contention that black artists receive little credit for their role in the birth of rock and roll music.

On Mos Def's 2004 album The New Danger, the rapper took his penchant for experimentation to a new level. Most of the songs were more hip-hop flavored stylings of Blues and Rock, with few actual raps thrown in. This threw off fans who were expecting another full-blown rap album. The New Danger also featured the controversial song "The Rape Over", a parody of Jay-Z's The Blueprint hit "The Takeover":

old white men is runnin this rap shit
corporate forces runnin this rap shit
some tall israeli is runnin this rap shit
we poke out our asses for a chance to cash in
cocaine, is runnin this rap shit
'dro, 'yac and e-pills is runnin this rap shit...
mtv is runnin this rap shit
viacom is runnin this rap shit
aol and time warner runnin this rap shit...
quasi-homosexuals is runnin this rap shit

The lyrics would seem to have chafed with higher-placed executives, who made Mos take the song off of later releases of the album, supposedly for "sample clearance issues".

In September 2005, Mos Def released the single "Katrina Clap" (utilizing the instrumental for Juvenile's "Nolia Clap"), a critical reaction to the lack of response by the Bush administration to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. He probably chose the "Nolia Clap" instrumental because the rapper Juvenile hails from New Orleans, and the song was a hit in the New Orleans area before the hurricane.

Mos Def also collaborated with Kanye West on West's track named "two words" and appeared in the music video.

Acting career
The first years of the 2000s have established Mos Def as a notable actor. His performances in Brown Sugar, Monster's Ball, and the HBO made-for-TV film Something The Lord Made have been particularly acclaimed by critics. Having been nominated for several awards, Mos finally broke through, winning Best Actor, Independent Movie at the 2005 Black Reel Awards for his portrayal of Sgt. Lucas in The Woodsman. He also landed the role of Ford Prefect in the long-awaited 2005 movie adaption of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Notably, in 2002 he played the role of Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog, a Tony-nominated and Pulitzer-winning Broadway play. He has also been a musical guest and participated in many skits on Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show.

In 2004, he hosted the MOBO awards in London, after the original presenter, Pharrell Williams pulled out at the last minute.

He has been the host of the award-winning spoken word show Def Poetry Jam since its inception. The show's sixth season aired in February 2007.

Discography
* 1998 Black Star (released with Talib Kweli under the name Black Star) Priority Records
* 1999 Black on Both Sides Rawkus Records
* 2004 The New Danger Geffen
o nominated for Best Urban/Alternative
Performance, 47th Annual Grammy Awards
* 2006 True Magic
* 2009 THE Ecstatic Downtown Records
* 2010 Mos Dub

Selected Filmography
* Cadillac Records (2009)
* Be Kind Rewind (2008)
* Talladega Nights (2006) (a quick cameo)
* Dreamgirls (2006)
* Bobby (2006)
* The Brazilian Job (2006) (pre-production)
* 16 Blocks (2006)
* The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005).
* Lackawanna Blues (2005)
* Something the Lord Made (2004)
o nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie, 56th Annual Emmy Awards
o nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television, 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
* Chapelle Show (? year) - Black Delegation Rep for Racial Draft
* The Woodsman (2004)
* The Italian Job (2003)
* Brown Sugar (2002)
* Civil Brand (2002)
* Showtime (2002)
* Monster's Ball (2001)
* Carmen: A Hip Hopera (2001)
* Bamboozled (2000)
* Where's Marlowe? (1998)

In September 2011, Mos Def announced that he planned to use the name Yasiin Bey instead of Mos Def beginning in 2012.

http://www.myspace.com/mosdef

Auditorium
Mos Def Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The way I feel sometimes its too hard to sit still
Things are so passionate times are so real
Sometimes I try an chill mellow down blowin smoke
Smile on my face but its really no joke
You feel it in the streets people breathe without hope
They goin' through the motion, they dimmin' down they focus
The focus gettin' clear and the light turn sharp
And the eyes go teary, the mind grow weary

I speak it so clearly sometimes ya don't hear me
I push it past the bass no nations gotta feel me
I feel it in my bones, black, I'm so wide awake
That I hardly ever sleep, my flows forever deep
And its volumes or scriptures when I breath on a beat
My presence speak volumes before I say a word
I'm every where penthouse pavement and curb
Cradle to the grave tall lead you onna shell
Universal ghetto life holla black you know it well

Quiet storm vital form pen pushed it right across
Mind is a vital force, high level right across
Shoulders the lions raw voice is the siren
I swing round ring out and bring down the tyrant
Shocked a small act could knock a giant lopsided
The world is so dangerous there's no need for fightin'
Suttins tryna hide like the struggle won't find 'em
And the sun bust through the clouds to clearly remind him
Everywhere penthouse pavement and curb
Cradle to the grave talk'll lead you on a shell
Universal ghetto life holla black you know it well

What it is
You know they know
What it is
We know y'all know
What is is
Ecstatic there it is
Huh

What it is
You know we know
What it is
They know y'all know
What it is
You don't know? Here it is

What it is
You know we know
What it is
They know y'all know
What it is
You don't know? Here it is

(And always on time and rockin' ya mind)
Sit and come relax riddle off the mac, its the patch
Imma soldier in the middle of Iraq
Well say about noonish commin' out the whip
And lookin at me curious, a young Iraqi kid (awww)
Carrying laundry, what's wrong G? Hungry?
No, gimme oil or get fuck out my country
And in Arabian barkin' other stuff
Till his moms come grab him and they walk off in a rush

I'm like surely hope that we can fix our differences soon (bye!)
White apples I'm breakin' on
You take everything why not just take the damn food like
I don't understand it, on another planet?
Fifty one of this stuff how I'm gunna manage?
And increasing the sentiment gentlemen
Gettin' down on that middle eastern instruments
Realized trappin' is crap
Walk over kicked one of my fabulous raps (la dee da dee)

Arab pure drop it well wished they Glad Wrap
Now the kid considered like an Elvis of Baghdad

Overall Meaning

In Auditorium, Mos Def expresses his feelings of restlessness and passion in a world that often feels hopeless. He tries to calm himself down by smoking and putting on a façade of happiness, but he sees that many people on the street are going through the motions devoid of hope. As he raps, his intensity increases and he speaks louder and clearer. He wants people to hear his message, and he wants his lyrics to make a difference.

Mos Def sees himself as awake and aware of what is happening in the world around him, and he wants to use his talents to make a change. He refers to his flows as "volumes of scriptures," and his "presence" speaks loudly even before he begins rapping. He believes that he is everywhere from the penthouse to the pavement, and his understanding of universal ghetto life makes him relatable to a wide range of people.

The song takes a political turn in the final verse, where Mos Def raps about a encounter with a young Iraqi boy. The boy demands oil or for Mos Def to leave the country, and Mos Def reflects on how these types of conversations with locals inspired him to create new music. He raps about realizing that "trappin," or selling drugs, is crap and that turning to music can lead to greater purpose. The last line is especially poignant, as he refers to the young boy as the "Elvis of Baghdad," suggesting that even in a war-torn country, music can still bring people together.

Line by Line Meaning

The way I feel sometimes its too hard to sit still
I often feel restless and uneasy

Things are so passionate times are so real
The world is intense and meaningful

Sometimes I try an chill mellow down blowin smoke
I attempt to relax by smoking and calming down

Smile on my face but its really no joke
I may look happy, but the situation is serious

You feel it in the streets people breathe without hope
There is a lack of hope in the air, especially in impoverished areas

They goin' through the motion, they dimmin' down they focus
People are just going through the motions and losing their drive

The focus gettin' clear and the light turn sharp
Despite the lack of focus, things are starting to become clear

And the eyes go teary, the mind grow weary
This realization can be tiring and emotional

I speak it so clearly sometimes ya don't hear me
I try to communicate effectively but sometimes it doesn't get across

I push it past the bass no nations gotta feel me
I strive to make an impact beyond music and influence the world

I feel it in my bones, black, I'm so wide awake
I am fully aware and conscious of what's going on

That I hardly ever sleep, my flows forever deep
I am constantly working and creating profound music

And its volumes or scriptures when I breath on a beat
My music carries significant meaning and worth

My presence speak volumes before I say a word
People can sense my strong, impactful presence

I'm every where penthouse pavement and curb
My influence is felt across all socioeconomic statuses

Cradle to the grave tall lead you onna shell
My lyrics can guide and inspire people throughout their entire lives

Universal ghetto life holla black you know it well
I represent and understand the struggles of those in impoverished areas

Quiet storm vital form pen pushed it right across
My lyrics come from a strong, internal force

Mind is a vital force, high level right across
My mind and my lyrics carry a lot of impact

Shoulders the lions raw voice is the siren
I carry an intense, raw energy like that of a lion

I swing round ring out and bring down the tyrant
I have the power to overthrow oppressive forces

Shocked a small act could knock a giant lopsided
Small actions can create huge impacts and imbalances

The world is so dangerous there's no need for fightin'
The world is full of dangers and we should focus on overcoming them together

Suttins tryna hide like the struggle won't find 'em
People try to avoid struggles, but they will inevitably face them

And the sun bust through the clouds to clearly remind him
Despite hardships, there is still hope and positivity that shines through

What it is
This is what's happening

You know they know
Everyone is well aware

We know y'all know
We also acknowledge that others are aware

Ecstatic there it is
Here is what's happening and we are excited about it

You know we know
We know what's going on too

They know y'all know
Everyone is well-versed on the situation

You don't know? Here it is
If you are unaware, allow me to fill you in

(And always on time and rockin' ya mind)
My music is always timely and impactful

Sit and come relax riddle off the mac, its the patch
Take a seat and listen to my rhymes, it will be relaxing

Imma soldier in the middle of Iraq
I am in the middle of conflict and chaos

Well say about noonish commin' out the whip
Around noon, I was leaving a vehicle

And lookin at me curious, a young Iraqi kid (awww)
A curious young child in Iraq saw me

Carrying laundry, what's wrong G? Hungry?
He appeared to be carrying laundry and I wondered if he was hungry

No, gimme oil or get fuck out my country
To my shock, he demanded oil or for me to leave the country

And in Arabian barkin' other stuff
He spoke in Arabic, saying other things

Till his moms come grab him and they walk off in a rush
His mother came to take him away and they hurried off

I'm like surely hope that we can fix our differences soon (bye!)
This interaction shows the divide between cultures and I hope it can be fixed

White apples I'm breakin' on
I am reflecting on my own privilege and access to resources

You take everything why not just take the damn food like
Why take things that are unnecessary when people are starving?

I don't understand it, on another planet?
This situation seems so foreign and incomprehensible

Fifty one of this stuff how I'm gunna manage?
I have so much wealth and abundance, how can I handle it all?

And increasing the sentiment gentlemen
I aim to increase positive feelings and sentiments

Gettin' down on that middle eastern instruments
I appreciate and enjoy the music of the middle east

Realized trappin' is crap
I've come to the realization that trapping, or drug dealing, is not fulfilling

Walk over kicked one of my fabulous raps (la dee da dee)
I confidently create and share my amazing music

Arab pure drop it well wished they Glad Wrap
Arab people appreciate and support my work

Now the kid considered like an Elvis of Baghdad
I am highly regarded and successful in the middle east

Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., EMPIRE PUBLISHING
Written by: OTIS JACKSON, DANTE SMITH, RICKY WALTERS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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