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
Napoleon Dynamite
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fuck you all
Napoleon's dynamite blew up in his face
Yo busy handing out plates, now get yourself a taste
Yum, gravy over lips seeking tongues
Price that you pay for thinking everybody dumb
Green and googly wide-eyed and surprised
Effort to little hit now holla cry pride
When the opposition forces came to take him back BACK
(Always gonna be hounded fella, by the police)
Oh-me-oh-me-oh-my, we don't assume
Secretly you probably relate
Loud lung tyrant, now YOU be quiet
Husheth, thou dost protesth too mucheth
Your deeds are on file, take your testament is bupkis
I feel like Lazarus, stepping out the grave
To give reporters of his death, the world's greatest nay
It ain't hear or say, you can see it for your own two
Sucker or get close and feel it if you want to
But I know you, you won't and can't do
Seamstress and lies are bustin up your handle
Palms and fingertips on ultra-blister
You crossed a good dude now he cued the ultra-disher
Shell position fill your old tradition self
Machine gun ran in the pad and clipped himself
Now your project sinks up leaking
Hand over head and the sticky red is seeping
Weeping willow going onry ape shit
Little homey onlooker shout,"He ain't gon' make it!"
The moment where bullies find God
Dumb-ass, he been on the scene all along
Tried to help you steer clear, you sped up to the climax
The brick wall on your cheeks worse than Imax
Heavy child I know you wish you never tried black
Dante air blow craft you can't hijack
Yes, but really I digress
Let me step aside and let the EMS clean up the drecks
Extra gore soak the medics to they own asshole
I pray peace on your soul now BEGONE~!
Moving on, to deeper brighter better and more
Free
The lyrics to Mos Def's song "Napoleon Dynamite" contain several themes, including power dynamics, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions. Mos Def raps about the emperor, his subjects, and his dogs, and says "fuck you all," indicating a feeling of resentment or rebellion against those in position of power. He goes on to describe the downfall of someone who once had power and influence, with lines like "Napoleon's dynamite blew up in his face" and "the moment where bullies find God."
The lyrics also contain elements of personal responsibility and the consequences of one's actions. Mos Def warns against underestimating others, saying "Price that you pay for thinking everybody dumb." He also points out that "Your deeds are on file," indicating that actions have consequences that can follow individuals throughout their lives.
Overall, the song is a commentary on power, betrayal, and the consequences of one's actions.
Line by Line Meaning
The emperor, subjects, and his dogs
Disdain for those in power and those who follow blindly
Fuck you all
Expressing anger and frustration towards society as a whole
Napoleon's dynamite blew up in his face
Own actions leading to personal destruction
Yo busy handing out plates, now get yourself a taste
Don't be too busy serving others and neglect your own needs
Yum, gravy over lips seeking tongues
Indulging in temporary pleasures without concern for consequences
Price that you pay for thinking everybody dumb
Arrogance leading to negative consequences
Green and googly wide-eyed and surprised
Naivety and gullibility
Brows and lashes, honey mustaches, fried bride
Superficial and materialistic desires leading to negative consequences
Effort to little hit now holla cry pride
Putting in minimal effort but still expecting praise and recognition
When the opposition forces came to take him back BACK
Consequences catching up to one's actions
(Always gonna be hounded fella, by the police)
Continued consequences and societal pressure
Oh-me-oh-me-oh-my, we don't assume
Acknowledging the complexity of situations and not jumping to assumptions
Secretly you probably relate
Recognizing that others may have similar struggles or experiences
Loud lung tyrant, now YOU be quiet
Confronting those who abuse their power
Husheth, thou dost protesth too mucheth
Denial or defensiveness indicating guilt or wrongdoing
Your deeds are on file, take your testament is bupkis
Acknowledging the consequences and evidence of one's actions
I feel like Lazarus, stepping out the grave
Overcoming adversity and returning stronger
To give reporters of his death, the world's greatest nay
Challenging assumptions and expectations of others
It ain't hear or say, you can see it for your own two
Direct evidence and proof of something
Sucker or get close and feel it if you want to
Challenging others to experience something firsthand
But I know you, you won't and can't do
Lack of motivation or willingness to take action
Seamstress and lies are bustin up your handle
Deceit and lies causing one's reputation to deteriorate
Palms and fingertips on ultra-blister
Physical and emotional pain resulting from negative consequences
You crossed a good dude now he cued the ultra-disher
Facing retribution or revenge from someone wronged
Shell position fill your old tradition self
Being stagnant and close-minded in one's beliefs and actions
Machine gun ran in the pad and clipped himself
One's own actions leading to negative consequences
Now your project sinks up leaking
Continued negative consequences and failure
Hand over head and the sticky red is seeping
Physical injury and pain resulting from negative consequences
Weeping willow going onry ape shit
Reacting emotionally and negatively to one's circumstances
Little homey onlooker shout,"He ain't gon' make it!"
Predicting failure or defeat for someone
The moment where bullies find God
Realizing the negative consequences and harm caused by one's actions
Dumb-ass, he been on the scene all along
Others being blind to a person's true nature or intentions
Tried to help you steer clear, you sped up to the climax
Attempting to help someone avoid negative consequences but being ignored
The brick wall on your cheeks worse than Imax
Facing harsh consequences and pain
Heavy child I know you wish you never tried black
Regretting one's actions that led to negative consequences
Dante air blow craft you can't hijack
Being unable to control or defy fate or consequences
Yes, but really I digress
Acknowledging a tangent or deviation from the main point
Let me step aside and let the EMS clean up the drecks
Allowing others to handle or clean up the negative consequences
Extra gore soak the medics to they own asshole
Acknowledging the difficulty and unpleasantness of dealing with negative consequences
I pray peace on your soul now BEGONE~!
Cleansing oneself of negative energy and moving on from negative consequences
Moving on, to deeper brighter better and more
Looking ahead to positive changes and growth in the future
Free
Expressing a desire for personal freedom and liberation from negative consequences
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALVIN WAVOY, DANTE SMITH, ELIJAH WALKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ajesam George
on Ms. Fat Booty
https://soundcloud.com/.../sudenly-by-da-george-prod-by...