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
Mos Def
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome to Soundview projects
Bronx, New York, 10473
Intersection action ribs touching
New gutter smacks replacing the whole Dutchman
Loose Mamis fucking, they definite land mines
Dudes with no right hustle throwing gang signs
Fighting federal cases with legal aids
The unlit stage tonight performing lime desires to eat
Can get you in a 8 by 5, the Corner's younger
I smell, feel, touch and taste they hunger
Next in line to rep these street signs to they blunder
Under, wiping tears from his eyes facing the felony
These niggaz wanna be pistol Pete without the penalty
His last words, promise me this much in death
Don't let my boy live to retrace my steps
Minne, stay safe, move quiet and get it
If you encounter opposition get a inch from they face with it
Later amigo, digest the day to end discreetly
Sex money and boss
My ties to hear me see me
True villain
Face covered, driving gloves
Commit by my lonely when push comes to shove
They say that grown men lay on they prey
Took shorts in the street
Came back and made up for that with that white sheet
Revenge is best served cold
Get it the same way you give it
This ain't fear I just need to get away with it
Son, stop over here, you looking at me like I'm lame
But I'm looking at y'all like y'all call this the drug game
Grand child hosing sims
Put the heroin in Queens
Put pops freeman on in the early seventies
I sat in rooms with money machines
Drugs sitting 3 feet off of the floor
Cover the smell of the raw
Chest moves like bars scale my connects untimely
King Henry from 12th street flooded the Bronx in the 90's
03 scene MVP and one accord
Boss makes decision, paper wins awards
See me, hear me
Welcome to Brooklyn, New York City 11206
Roosevelt projects, wild rose water the plant
Son, you know what it is
From the moment that you come over the bridge
And if you don't ride with me
I'm gonna show you some shit
I'ma show you where my niggaz stay sure on the mix
I'ma show you where the pain and the poetry is
Ghetto young's spend a lot of time alone in the crib
BET on the screen, walls and posters of big
Hustlers getting dough sitting low on the 6
Blazing up the ambro glow over they wrist
Hop in the game knowing the risk
Still down to load up they clip
Gamblers with hopes of rolling the trip
But when you hear head crack there ain't no rolling again
Snatch the dice and everything you want is going it in
This how it happens, good people, bad habits
Diabetics, crack addicts, asthmatics
Searching for the truth leaping through the holy tablet
The bible, the Quran, or the Ten crack Commandments
Speak on it God, what's today's mathematics
The five day forecast, the Dow Jones average
The price of beer, cigarettes, bread, milk and pampers
Life is a test and we all got the answer
The streets keep calling its hard not answer
And on my Government, my attribute, my all
So it's only natural I holla black and respond
Brooklyn stand up and make 'em all sit down
I call but no [Incomprehensible] we do not fuck around
That's what it is
All day
That's what is niggaz
Official, official
That's how it is niggaz
BX, Bk live all day
Get with it
Grown man business
The song Mos Def is a gritty and powerful portrayal of the struggles and realities of life in the projects in the Bronx and Brooklyn. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song as Mos Def welcomes listeners to the Soundview projects, describing the intersection as action-packed with ribs touching and new gutter smacks replacing old ones. These lines hint at the violence and poverty that permeate the environment.
Throughout the song, Mos Def weaves together vivid imagery and stark truths about life in the projects, including empty webbings, fighting federal cases with legal aids, and the dangers of the drug game. He talks about the desperation that drives people to engage in illegal activities, the lure of sex, money, and power, and the heartbreaking consequences that follow.
The final lines of the song speak to the need for unity and strength in the face of adversity. Mos Def implores listeners to stand up and make their voices heard, to holla black and respond to the challenges of life in the projects. The song is an insightful and powerful commentary on the realities of life in America's inner cities and the struggles that so many people face.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear me, see me
Listen to me and pay attention to me
Welcome to Soundview projects
Bronx, New York, 10473
This is Soundview projects, located in the Bronx with zip code 10473
Intersection action ribs touching
The streets are busy and crowded
New gutter smacks replacing the whole Dutchman
New construction is happening and updating the area
Loose Mamis fucking, they definite land mines
Women in the area who are promiscuous and can cause trouble
Dudes with no right hustle throwing gang signs
Men who don't have the right to be in a gang are trying to show off by throwing gang signs
Empty in the webbings broke and underpaid
People who are poor and struggling to make ends meet
Fighting federal cases with legal aids
People fighting legal battles with the help of legal aid (a type of attorney)
The unlit stage tonight performing lime desires to eat
Can get you in a 8 by 5, the Corner's younger
Performing illegal activities or being associated with them can get you in trouble and land you in a small prison cell (8 feet by 5 feet) when you're young
I smell, feel, touch and taste they hunger
Next in line to rep these street signs to they blunder
I can sense and fully understand their desperation and willingness to make mistakes by representing street signs
Under, wiping tears from his eyes facing the felony
These niggaz wanna be pistol Pete without the penalty
Someone is crying and facing serious legal consequences for trying to be like a notorious criminal without realizing the harsh punishment that comes with it
His last words, promise me this much in death
Don't let my boy live to retrace my steps
Minne, stay safe, move quiet and get it
If you encounter opposition get a inch from they face with it
Before dying, someone makes a plea for their son to not follow their same path, and instead to keep a low profile and defend themselves if necessary
Later amigo, digest the day to end discreetly
Sex money and boss
My ties to hear me see me
True villain
Face covered, driving gloves
Commit by my lonely when push comes to shove
Saying goodbye to someone, and admitting to being involved with illegal activities and being willing to do whatever it takes to succeed
They say that grown men lay on they prey
Took shorts in the street
Came back and made up for that with that white sheet
People say that successful criminals achieve their success by taking advantage of others, but sometimes they also face setbacks that they compensate for later
Revenge is best served cold
Get it the same way you give it
This ain't fear I just need to get away with it
Taking revenge is most effective when done in a calculated and planned manner, and this isn't about fear but rather a desire to succeed
Son, stop over here, you looking at me like I'm lame
But I'm looking at y'all like y'all call this the drug game
Someone stops another person to tell them that they understand the drug game well, but that the other person sees them as less knowledgeable
Grand child hosing sims
Put the heroin in Queens
Put pops freeman on in the early seventies
I sat in rooms with money machines
Drugs sitting 3 feet off of the floor
Cover the smell of the raw
Chest moves like bars scale my connects untimely
King Henry from 12th street flooded the Bronx in the 90's
03 scene MVP and one accord
Boss makes decision, paper wins awards
Various memories and stories from the artist's past, including drug deals, illegal activity, and financial success
See me, hear me
Welcome to Brooklyn, New York City 11206
Roosevelt projects, wild rose water the plant
Welcome to Roosevelt projects in Brooklyn with zip code 11206
Son, you know what it is
From the moment that you come over the bridge
And if you don't ride with me
I'm gonna show you some shit
I'ma show you where my niggaz stay sure on the mix
I'ma show you where the pain and the poetry is
Ghetto young's spend a lot of time alone in the crib
BET on the screen, walls and posters of big
Hustlers getting dough sitting low on the 6
Blazing up the ambro glow over they wrist
Hop in the game knowing the risk
Still down to load up they clip
Gamblers with hopes of rolling the trip
But when you hear head crack there ain't no rolling again
Snatch the dice and everything you want is going it in
This how it happens, good people, bad habits
Diabetics, crack addicts, asthmatics
Searching for the truth leaping through the holy tablet
The bible, the Quran, or the Ten crack Commandments
Speak on it God, what's today's mathematics
The five day forecast, the Dow Jones average
The price of beer, cigarettes, bread, milk and pampers
Life is a test and we all got the answer
The streets keep calling its hard not answer
And on my Government, my attribute, my all
So it's only natural I holla black and respond
Brooklyn stand up and make 'em all sit down
I call but no [Incomprehensible] we do not fuck around
That's what it is
All day
That's what is niggaz
Official, official
That's how it is niggaz
BX, Bk live all day
Get with it
Grown man business
The singer gives a comprehensive tour of Brooklyn, discussing the different aspects of life there, including poverty, crime, religion, and financial success. They assert their pride in being from Brooklyn and encourage others to stand up as well. They state that this is serious business that only grown men can handle.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: MARK RICHARDSON, DANTE SMITH, BARRY EUGENE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ceo_felcone
Who’s watching / listening to this in 2024? ✋🏽
@badbatch78
Timeless classic! Shame he switched to dance music.
@Fadwd_Trickster
Meee
@christophermontague8326
me
@ceo_felcone
@@christophermontague8326 👍🏽
@ceo_felcone
@@Fadwd_Trickster 👍🏽
@justsaying5311
This is rap. This is a lyricist. One of the best songs ever made.
@GQwalker1
Check out my remix I did to this track
https://youtu.be/KX1S3KRYwCE
@keyboardgangsta6890
Mos def was underated
@keepingitreal.544
@@keyboardgangsta6890 definitely...class artist