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
If You Can Huh You Can Hear
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
...what?
New York life... type trife...
That's why I'm tryin to shine the light, yo
Here it come, here it come, here it come, y'all
Mos Def, blessed with the breath of life so arise and give praises
My book of rhyme pages, filled with phrases that amaze
I could go on for days
First name Dante, last name Beze
Build the house of tomorrow with bricks of today
My foundation rests on Allah corner stone
Shine the light throught the mic to radiate your zone
See, the world that we know is about to get finished
I'm watching last days wind down to final minutes
Got dreams of paradise and my whole fam in it
So I ain't got time to play no crime lieutenant
Do you got time to play the crime lieutenant?
See time is the asset, how you gonna spend it
The way you handle yours will be well documented
It's the raw authentic, sandalwood scented
To make you bump the joint and in beyond city limits
Twenty-first, no time to, approach a thing timid
My name is Mos Def and this is how I get in it
[Chorus:]
Hey yo, my man (huh?)....
Somethin tight comin through the pipe (what?)
You heard the first time, the rhyme is designed
to incline throughout space and time (yeah)
You don't believe, lend a ear, yo my man (huh?)
Somethin tight comin on your right (what?)
You heard the first time, the rhyme is designed
To incline, I hold the fold to shine (yeah)
If you can huh, you can hear it...
If you can huh, you can hear it, we in your atmos'
Shine like black gold, burn like black coal
Make a old timer roll up her sleeves, now that's cold
Behold, the one and only has blessed my testimony
Approach the ceremony authentic, never phony
For delf, but never lonely, keep the kinfolk close
Watch me rip it on Pacific and Atlantic coasts
with the antidote, for the poisonous snake lies wit
Only wimps put the hiss on tape
You can't get on straight, this is dead on tape
Accompanied by Shawn J. with the bid on bait
Put the grid on plate, on the ear or tray
Hot damn it captain Kirk and the Klingons say
You can't sit on stage, you got to get on the M-O-
T-I-V-A-T-E real life, ain't no freebie
My seed can't be needy, no time for freaky-deaky
I'm movin on up like George and Wheezy
Who said that this was easy, they must have been treetop high
Standin yieldin to our boldfaced lie, we all got to die
So all got to try, to live life right
in the sight of most high, to live life right
in the sight of most high, to live life right
in the sight of most high, to live life right in the sight
[Chorus:]
Hey yo, my man (huh?)....
Somethin tight comin through the pipe (what?)
You heard the first time, the rhyme is designed
to incline throughout space and time (yeah)
You don't believe, lend a ear, yo my man (huh?)
Somethin tight movin on your right (what?)
You heard the first time, the rhyme is designed
To incline, I hold the fold to shine (yeah)
If you can huh, you can hear it yo, my man (huh?)....
Somethin tight comin through the pipe (what?)
You heard the first time, the rhyme is designed
to incline the pure genuine (yeah)
You don't believe, lend a ear, yo my man (huh?)
Somethin tight movin on your right (what?)
You heard the first time, my rhyme is designed
To incline, I hold the fold to shine (yeah)
If you can huh, you can hear it...
If you can huh, you can hear it, we in your atmos'...
In Mos Def's song "You Can Run," the artist acknowledges the harsh realities of New York City and the need to shine a light on the truth of what is happening in the world. He also reflects on his personal beliefs as a Muslim and his desire to live a righteous life in the sight of Allah. Mos Def begins the song by discussing the type of life that exists in New York City and how he wants to bring attention to it. He then introduces himself as Dante Beze, sharing how his name and foundation line up with his faith in Allah.
He further discusses the value of time and the importance of using it wisely. Mos Def emphasizes the need to be authentic and real, not fake or phony, and to stay true to oneself even in the face of adversity. He also touches on the fleeting nature of life, reminding listeners that it's important to make the most of their time and live righteously. As the song progresses, Mos Def chants "Hey yo my man, somethin' tight comin' through the pipe," imploring listeners to pay attention, believe in his message, and let his words resonate with them, and mentioning the idea of shining brightly and holding the fold to shine.
One interpretation of the song suggests that Mos Def is calling out the systemic issues and injustices that exist in his city, and perhaps even the world. He may be urging his listeners to be vocal and active in the pursuit of change, rather than complacent or apathetic. Ultimately, Mos Def's message in "You Can Run" is to stay true to oneself, live righteously, and strive for a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, yo man, I think that dude's tryin to break into your car
A warning about a possible car thief
New York life... type trife...
The rough nature of life in New York City
That's why I'm tryin to shine the light, yo
His goal is to enlighten others about the realities of living in the city
Mos Def, blessed with the breath of life so arise and give praises
Praising himself as an artist
Turn my face to where the mighty sun raises
Looking towards the promises of a new day
My book of rhyme pages, filled with phrases that amaze
Praises the quality of his writings
I could go on for days
He is confident in his ability to keep rapping for an extended period of time
First name Dante, last name Beze
Introducing himself by his real name
Build the house of tomorrow with bricks of today
Encourages people to invest in the present for a better future
My foundation rests on Allah corner stone
Religious faith underpins his values and work
Shine the light throught the mic to radiate your zone
Using his talent to expose the reality of living in New York
See, the world that we know is about to get finished
A warning that the world might come to an end
I'm watching last days wind down to final minutes
Highlighting the urgency of addressing societal issues
Got dreams of paradise and my whole fam in it
Expressing desire for a better life for himself and his family
So I ain't got time to play no crime lieutenant
He is too focused on creating a better future to engage in petty crime
Do you got time to play the crime lieutenant?
Urges listeners to prioritize their time effectively
See time is the asset, how you gonna spend it
Encourages people to value their time
The way you handle yours will be well documented
Your choices and behavior will have lasting consequences
It's the raw authentic, sandalwood scented
He's real and genuine in his music
To make you bump the joint and in beyond city limits
The music has the power to impact listeners beyond the city limits
Twenty-first, no time to, approach a thing timid
Urges listeners to be bold in facing challenges
My name is Mos Def and this is how I get in it
Closing statement to introduce himself as an artist
[Chorus:]
Refrain of the song
Hey yo, my man (huh?)....
Addressing his listener
Somethin tight comin through the pipe (what?)
A preview of what's to come
You heard the first time, the rhyme is designed
The lyrics are crafted carefully for maximum impact
to incline throughout space and time (yeah)
The lyrics are meant to inspire and influence others profoundly
You don't believe, lend a ear, yo my man (huh?)
Challenging non-believers to give his music a chance
Somethin tight movin on your right (what?)
More music coming towards the listener
To incline, I hold the fold to shine (yeah)
He's confident in the power of his music to inspire and motivate
If you can huh, you can hear it...
If you're open, you will perceive the message in the music
If you can huh, you can hear it, we in your atmos'
His music has a pervasive influence
Shine like black gold, burn like black coal
Compared to valuable yet compromising substance
Make a old timer roll up her sleeves, now that's cold
Even elderly people can get excited by his work
Behold, the one and only has blessed my testimony
He's confident he's unique and blessed by his talent
Approach the ceremony authentic, never phony
He is always true to himself in his work
For delf, but never lonely, keep the kinfolk close
He keeps his family close in his pursuit of success
Watch me rip it on Pacific and Atlantic coasts
Presents himself as an artist with a broad reach
with the antidote, for the poisonous snake lies wit
His lyrics act as an antidote to misinformation
Only wimps put the hiss on tape
He's critical of artists who aren't authentic in their work
You can't get on straight, this is dead on tape
His music is genuine and authentic
Accompanied by Shawn J. with the bid on bait
Namedrops another artist he's working with
Put the grid on plate, on the ear or tray
His music is available for listeners to consume
Hot damn it captain Kirk and the Klingons say
Makes a reference to popular TV show Star Trek
You can't sit on stage, you got to get on the M-O-
Artists must keep working towards success
T-I-V-A-T-E real life, ain't no freebie
Success requires hard work and dedication
My seed can't be needy, no time for freaky-deaky
He must be focused on supporting his family
I'm movin on up like George and Wheezy
He is climbing up the ladder of success
Who said that this was easy, they must have been treetop high
Acknowledge that success takes effort and hard work
Standin yieldin to our boldfaced lie, we all got to die
Acknowledging that everyone has their own challenges and mortality
So all got to try, to live life right in the sight of most high
Encouraging people to do their best to live righteously
[Chorus:]
Refrain of the song
Hey yo, my man (huh?)....
Addressing his listener
Somethin tight comin through the pipe (what?)
A preview of what's to come
You heard the first time, the rhyme is designed
The lyrics are crafted carefully for maximum impact
to incline throughout space and time (yeah)
The lyrics are meant to inspire and influence others profoundly
You don't believe, lend a ear, yo my man (huh?)
Challenging non-believers to give his music a chance
Somethin tight movin on your right (what?)
More music coming towards the listener
To incline, I hold the fold to shine (yeah)
He's confident in the power of his music to inspire and motivate
If you can huh, you can hear it yo, my man (huh?)....
Encouraging listeners to pay attention
Somethin tight comin through the pipe (what?)
A preview of what's to come
You heard the first time, the rhyme is designed
The lyrics are crafted carefully for maximum impact
to incline the pure genuine (yeah)
Meant to inspire authenticity in listeners
You don't believe, lend a ear, yo my man (huh?)
Challenging non-believers to give his music a chance
Somethin tight movin on your right (what?)
More music coming towards the listener
You heard the first time, my rhyme is designed
The lyrics have a specific goal
To incline, I hold the fold to shine (yeah)
He's confident in the transformative power of his music
If you can huh, you can hear it...
If you're open, you can perceive the message in the music
If you can huh, you can hear it, we in your atmos'...
His music has a significant influence on listeners
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@anthonytruman
Blessed with the breath of life
So I rise and give praises
Turn my face to where the mighty Sun raises
My book of rhyme pages is filled with phrases that amaze
I could go on for days
Shine my light through the mic to radiate your zone
Time is the asset, so how are you going to spend it?
Its the raw, authentic
Sandalwood scented
To make you bump the joint in, and beyond city limits
No time to approach things timid
The rhyme is designed to incline throughout space and time
The rhyme is designed to incline the pure genuine
We all got to die
So we all got to try
To live life right in the sight of most-high
Just my favorite lyrics not all of them. This song is amazing!
@UndergroundRap4eva
15 years later and I still get goosebumps when this track drops.
@Etcher
25 years later for me ;)
@HanzSygnal
This beat is unforgettable
@SkySplitterInk
Those Kicks and the saturation. Just beautiful.
@axsent801
Period
@zatiticherry3421
Shawn J Period, I was hoping he was the next Kat up because his sound was so Fire!
@alunus7069
You that's so true!
@austinholtke6439
this song is tho
@TommyClemenza273
always a sweet moment when you find a mos def track you didnt know about
@Curling_Rack
its a b-side track to "Universal Magnetic". can be found on the record and cassette single