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

Big Brother Beat
Mos Def Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ha ha ha ha
Ha, ha ha ha ha
Ha! ha ha ha ha
Ah-ha ha ha, ah-ha ha ha ha, ha!!

Now this goes out to all area clicks
Centralized and way out in the sticks
Remember to keep the de la/de la/native tongue

In the mix
Just like log cabin syrup my sound is game thick
Now this goes out to all area clicks
From manicured lawns to projects bricks/bricks/from 718 to the 51-6
Remember to keep the mos def/native tongue
In the mix
Straight butter hits, drop as a good as it gets/gets/straight butter hits

Now, come on y'all, get live get down
What we have is a brand new sound
So don't none of y'all just be misled
The de la's gonna do the body good like wheat bread

Shakin laces out of shoes, mos def bought the brews
Sittin indian squats to make that red tie knots
See I'm out to get the core like in them rainbow pops
Swingin life like a hammock, invested like stocks

Via sinus complex, I aims to clog it up
Snappin by the pain as a crew hear the gain
We remain on your mind like skulls, not a golem
I'ma show it in the house all perimeters are blown

Native tongue come through to make you say yes yes
This is the body mos def style fresh like baby breath

We are the killer combination with the size to administer
The beatdown to swell up all three of your eyes

Now check it out, and ya don't stop
We got the big brother beat, ya don't stop

Now check it out, and ya don't stop
We got the big brother beat, ya don't stop

I don't bug out I chill, don't be actin ill
No trick in ninety-six, native tongue gon build
But we be easy on the cut, no mistakes allowed
'Cause to me, mc mean, make it clean
When I speak on groups and I'm smooth like gabba d
Tryin to hang out with dove and catch love in aberdine (word up)
I bag dimes like my man born on august 17
Life be nuttin but a river son I'm swimmin upstream

Playin wait up, with the data servin your ears
With information due to confirmation of the nation's most
Wicked ways of livin, like them glassy eyed beans
Inhale to smoke the fiends, while bangin a table
Rated at the high point of the mass
Rippin mc's at the top of a class, occasionally
Rippin some sucker's face
Or some suckable ass from a girl
It's a big brother beat for the wide wide world

I'm makin memos off these demos back in eighty-nine
Took you all on encounters of an unknown kind (right)
Did the hustle with a couple of us, but soon noted
That my niggaz buttered benedict rolls, and then voted
I wrote in the dark so I could feel it like braille (uh-huh)
Heard the big brother beat, got locked with no bail
Came to set like equators invented, with the heat
Yo mos def how you radiate to make it complete

Right, so when I shine the light crabs wince
Manifestin for the future here in the present tense
No doubt, I love the sound biggin out off your jeeps
Son I want the little kids bangin big brother beats

Now check it out, and ya don't stop
We got the big brother beat, ya don't stop

Now check it out, and ya don't stop
We got the big brother beat, ya don't stop

We straight butter hits, we straight butter hits
Perfecta, perfecta
Perfecta, perfecta

Perfecta, perfecta
Word up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mos Def's "Big Brother Beat" are a celebration of the Native Tongues collective that included artists like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest during the golden era of hip hop. The rap emphasizes the importance of keeping the Native Tongues style by keeping it in the mix, no matter where you come from or where you are. The song emphasizes the unity of the rap movement and recognizes the power of collaboration. Mos Def delivers clever lyrics that reflect his unique style and talent as a rapper.

Line by Line Meaning

Ha ha ha ha Ha, ha ha ha ha Ha! ha ha ha ha Ah-ha ha ha, ah-ha ha ha ha, ha!!
Introductory laughter before starting the rap.

Now this goes out to all area clicks Centralized and way out in the sticks Remember to keep the de la/de la/native tongue In the mix Just like log cabin syrup my sound is game thick
The rapper sends his message to all areas, reminding them to keep the flavor of De La Soul, De La, Native Tongue. Their music is thick and rich like maple syrup.

From manicured lawns to projects bricks/bricks/from 718 to the 51-6 Remember to keep the mos def/native tongue In the mix Straight butter hits, drop as a good as it gets/gets/straight butter hits
Mos Def wants to bring all areas together and to remind them of the Native Tongue movement. His music is smooth and buttery.

Now, come on y'all, get live get down What we have is a brand new sound So don't none of y'all just be misled The de la's gonna do the body good like wheat bread
The rapper encourages the audience to move and enjoy the new sound. The De La's music is healthy, like wheat bread.

Shakin laces out of shoes, mos def bought the brews Sittin indian squats to make that red tie knots See I'm out to get the core like in them rainbow pops Swingin life like a hammock, invested like stocks
Mos Def is a cool guy who shakes laces off shoes and ties cool knots. He wants to capture the essence of life like getting to the core of a rainbow popsicle or investing in stocks.

Via sinus complex, I aims to clog it up Snappin by the pain as a crew hear the gain We remain on your mind like skulls, not a golem I'ma show it in the house all perimeters are blown
Mos Def is trying to clog up the sinuses of his listeners with his music. They bring pain to the ears, but remain on the listener's mind in a memorable way.

Native tongue come through to make you say yes yes This is the body mos def style fresh like baby breath
The Native Tongue movement is here to make listeners happy and say 'yes' to the music. Mos Def's style is fresh and new like the breath of a baby.

We are the killer combination with the size to administer The beatdown to swell up all three of your eyes
The Native Tongue is a deadly combination with enough power to make the listeners feel it in their eyes.

I don't bug out I chill, don't be actin ill No trick in ninety-six, native tongue gon build But we be easy on the cut, no mistakes allowed 'Cause to me, mc mean, make it clean
Mos Def doesn't act crazy; he's chill. He warns that the Native Tongue will build up in ninety-six smoothly without making mistakes.

When I speak on groups and I'm smooth like gabba d Tryin to hang out with dove and catch love in aberdine (word up) I bag dimes like my man born on august 17 Life be nuttin but a river son I'm swimmin upstream
Mos Def describes himself as smooth and trying to hang out with girls and catch love in Aberdine. He talks about making money like his friend born on August 17th. Life is challenging but he keeps swimming upstream.

Playin wait up, with the data servin your ears With information due to confirmation of the nation's most Wicked ways of livin, like them glassy eyed beans Inhale to smoke the fiends, while bangin a table Rated at the high point of the mass Rippin mc's at the top of a class, occasionally Rippin some sucker's face Or some suckable ass from a girl It's a big brother beat for the wide wide world
Mos Def is serving the audience information about the wicked ways of living while smoking weed and banging on a table. His performance is rated high and he sometimes rips off people's faces or has sex with girls. His music is for everyone all around the world.

I'm makin memos off these demos back in eighty-nine Took you all on encounters of an unknown kind (right) Did the hustle with a couple of us, but soon noted That my niggaz buttered benedict rolls, and then voted I wrote in the dark so I could feel it like braille (uh-huh) Heard the big brother beat, got locked with no bail Came to set like equators invented, with the heat Yo mos def how you radiate to make it complete
Mos Def made demos in 1989 and went on to have some unknown encounters. He learned how his friends make eggs benedict and voted for them. He wrote his lyrics in the dark to feel the braille. He locked onto the big brother beat and used heat and radiance to finish it.

Right, so when I shine the light crabs wince Manifestin for the future here in the present tense No doubt, I love the sound biggin out off your jeeps Son I want the little kids bangin big brother beats
When Mos Def shines his light, it makes people wince. He's creating music for the future in the present tense. He loves hearing his music on loudspeakers. He wants young kids to listen to the big brother beat.

We straight butter hits, we straight butter hits Perfecta, perfecta Perfecta, perfecta Perfecta, perfecta Word up
Mos Def emphasizes that his music is smooth as butter and perfect.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANTE BEZE, DAVID JOLICOEUR, KELVIN MERCER, SKEF ANSLEM, VINCENT MASON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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