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
Next Universe
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Whoo woo woo woo woo woo woo WHOO!)
Light up the sky like the 4th of July
Everything in this life son they've got two sides
It's part one (part one) part two (part two)
Get together with my crew and we gon' do
Whatever we've got to do uh huh UH!
It's unstoppable check it out..
I'm fantastic FURIOUS like the Five from be 'lawn
Brooklyn phenom'
Diss all peons, flow for eons
Mos Def is beyond, in fact most cats can agree on
'Cause we on the same frequency, if not
Change your dial and get on it, I flip on this here beat
Then the re-bonics keep heat like, Hamid's weed speech
Hit the deep street sonnets, who want it?
Hoppin dancin so sonic, you need tonics
Don't get yours from your schoolboy comets, all blazin
On your man chronic, I twist the hard caps back
To blue bonnets, I repeat -- WHO WANT IT?
Daytime on the list of time on the tradition, of combustion
Ignition, propulsion, put MC's on expulsion
The principle, YOUR academics inadmissiable
You're indefensible, my style is so comprehensible
Cats take it to heart like a ventricle
You temporary like a weather pattern
Forgot I'm like you never happened
Don't never say whatever happened to Mos?
My light shine boast from the East to the Left Coast..
North and South both, cause it sound DOPE
Boy your boy sound CHOKED with the next man's style
Between your teeth tongue and throat like *SOUND EFFECT*
Got to wash your mouth out with soap
My penstroke, is leavin other men broke
What I invoke is never asleep, ever woke
It controls the soul of your foes and kinfolk
Maintainin my scope from beginnin to end quote
Like ba-biti-dabi-dida-da-dah-dah
Pretty High Noon riders get clipped and shot down
Reach behind, Teknological, neurological
Unstoppable, title wave in this shit, we powerful
Now raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop
It go ON to the rhythm you don't, bust it!
So raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
You see I'm comin to the party in the b-boy stance
I rock on the mic.. on the mic, yo
Son it's in my chromosomes to rock this, I got this
Watch this! Assemble mo' raps, tap your pockets
Knock this, stimulate nerve ends and shock wrists
Smart art breakin apart hearts in darkness
Down for the longest, son peep the songlist
Radiate enormous, pure peak performance
Vocal chords the strongest, acapella or cordless
Hit town, draw crowds like space shuttle launches
WHOO! How Def flow -- we gone and
Brooklyn New York make the world moonwalk like John Glenn
Son I'm sendin it out, for the short to long haul
Earth sky, left right inbetween it and all why'all
Now raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop
It go ON to the rhythm you don't, bust it!
So raise your hands in the air everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
Be -Boy Scientific, you don't stop
You see I'm comin to the party in the be -boy stance
I rock on the mic make your girl want to dance
Fly like a dove, that come from above
From rockin on the mic and you can call me Mos Love
The lyrics of Mos Def's song Next Universe start with a call for celebration, where everything is exciting and vibrant like the 4th of July fireworks. Mos Def also notes that everything has its two sides, part one and part two, just like in his lyrics that encourage his crew to do whatever they need to do to move forward. He further notes on how he's fantastic and furious like the Five from be'lawn, representing Brooklyn as a phenom, with a flow that can last for eons. Mos Def acknowledges that there's no other rapper that can match his unique frequency. The lyrics also emphasize that Mos Def's music is powerful, capable of igniting deep and meaningful emotions that leave everyone fulfilled.
Mos Def notes his uniqueness in the lyrics, saying he's beyond most cats' classification. He acknowledges that his music appeals to a select few, as not everyone can match up to his frequency. He urges them to accept it and switch the dial if they're not yet catching up. He is confident in his ability to maintain his lyrics' consistency from beginning to end, exposing the souls of both his friends and foes. He says he can break hearts with his smart art in the dark and maintain his consistency on vocal chords, whether in the presence of support or without any assistance. Next Universe is a call for appreciation, unity, and more empowerment among the different tribes in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes yes yes yes
Affirmative response to an upcoming plan or idea.
(Whoo woo woo woo woo woo woo WHOO!)
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm through sounds and exclamations.
Light up the sky like the 4th of July
Make a big impression and stand out.
Everything in this life son they've got two sides
Acknowledging the duality and complexity of life.
It's part one (part one) part two (part two)
It's a two-part process or experience.
Get together with my crew and we gon' do
Joining forces with a group to accomplish something.
Whatever we've got to do uh huh UH!
Determined to do whatever it takes to succeed.
Feast for Hi Teknological neurological
Using advanced technology to create something impressive.
It's unstoppable check it out..
Impossible to be stopped or surpassed.
I'm fantastic FURIOUS like the Five from be'lawn
Feeling great and powerful, referencing martial arts movie Five Venoms.
Brooklyn phenom'
A talented, unique person from Brooklyn.
Diss all peons, flow for eons
Dismissing those of lesser skill and continuing to flow for a very long time.
Mos Def is beyond, in fact most cats can agree on
Mos Def is exceptional and most people can agree on this.
'Cause we on the same frequency, if not
We are connected and understand each other, but if not
Change your dial and get on it, I flip on this here beat
To connect with each other, adjust or change yourself and Mos Def will provide the beat.
Then the re-bonics keep heat like, Hamid's weed speech
Re-bonics, or using complex and creative language and wordplay, generates a powerful impact like a passionate speech from Hamid.
Hit the deep street sonnets, who want it?
Challenging anyone to compete with Mos Def's style in poetic freestyle rap battles on the streets.
Hoppin dancin so sonic, you need tonics
The energetic and powerful style of Mos Def's rap requires a refreshing tonic to keep up with it.
Don't get yours from your schoolboy comets, all blazin
Don't copy someone whose style is too common or basic.
On your man chronic, I twist the hard caps back
Mos Def is able to manipulate and control everything, whether it is people or situations.
To blue bonnets, I repeat -- WHO WANT IT?
Mos Def is calling out anyone who wants to challenge him.
Daytime on the list of time on the tradition, of combustion
Referencing the list of greatest rappers of all time, Mos Def's style is combustible and stands out during the day.
Ignition, propulsion, put MC's on expulsion
Mos Def's rap style ignites, propels, and expels other MCs from the competition.
The principle, YOUR academics inadmissiable
Mos Def's principles are incompatible with academic standards.
You're indefensible, my style is so comprehensible
Your argument is weak and easily defeated, while Mos Def's style is easy to understand and solid.
Cats take it to heart like a ventricle
People really take Mos Def's words and music to heart, like the ventricles that pump blood throughout our body.
You temporary like a weather pattern
You are temporary and fleeting, like a weather pattern.
Forgot I'm like you never happened
Mos Def is so memorable and powerful that it's like others never existed in comparison.
Don't never say whatever happened to Mos?
Nobody should ever forget Mos Def or underestimate him.
My light shine boast from the East to the Left Coast..
Mos Def's talent and light shines from coast to coast in America.
North and South both, cause it sound DOPE
Mos Def's music is enjoyed by people from both the Northern and Southern parts of the country, because it's awesome.
Boy your boy sound CHOKED with the next man's style
Imitation and copying of other people's style will only make you choke and fail, unlike Mos Def's original style.
Between your teeth tongue and throat like *SOUND EFFECT*
Silent but intense craving, desire, or frustration over Mos Def's unique rap style.
Got to wash your mouth out with soap
Need to cleanse your thoughts and forget your mistakes.
My penstroke, is leavin other men broke
Mos Def's pen stroke or writing skill is making other rappers bankrupt and irrelevant.
What I invoke is never asleep, ever woke
Mos Def's unique style is always awake, active, and energized.
It controls the soul of your foes and kinfolk
Mos Def's rap style is so powerful that it can influence and control even his enemies and friends alike.
Maintainin my scope from beginnin to end quote
Mos Def's vision or scope for his music is consistent from start to finish.
Like ba-biti-dabi-dida-da-dah-dah
Onomatopoeic sounds used as a filler, and to keep the rhythm going.
Pretty High Noon riders get clipped and shot down
Referencing Western cowboy movies, competing rappers who try to take down Mos Def's style will fail and get shot down.
Reach behind, Teknological, neurological
Using futuristic technology to enhance and improve Cymatic music and the brain.
Unstoppable, title wave in this shit, we powerful
Mos Def and his team are forces to be reckoned with, unstoppable and creating powerful waves in their music.
Now raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it
Encouraging people to participate and get on board with the music and movement.
The Universal, Magnetically
Mos Def's music and lyrics are attractive and appealing to everyone.
B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop
Mos Def's rap style is a scientific study in breakdancing (B-Boy), and it never ends.
It go ON to the rhythm you don't, bust it!
Continue to follow the rhythm and enjoy the music, don't mess up.
You see I'm comin to the party in the b-boy stance
Mos Def is arriving at the party with a cool, breakdancing pose.
I rock on the mic.. on the mic, yo
Mos Def is an expert at rapping, and he's about to show off his skills.
Son it's in my chromosomes to rock this, I got this
Mos Def's talent and ability to rock the mic is part of his genetic makeup.
Watch this! Assemble mo' raps, tap your pockets
Behold Mos Def's performance! He creates more raps and rhymes, and encourages the audience to get excited and hold onto their belongings.
Knock this, stimulate nerve ends and shock wrists
Mos Def's style is so engaging and stimulating that it has a physical effect on the listeners.
Smart art breakin apart hearts in darkness
Mos Def has a smart and artistic approach to his raps, and can break down even the darkest hearts with his lyrics.
Down for the longest, son peep the songlist
Mos Def's music career has been long-lasting and consistent, check out his list of songs.
Radiate enormous, pure peak performance
Mos Def's energy and performance are huge, pure and top-notch.
Vocal chords the strongest, acapella or cordless
Mos Def's voice is powerful and strong, whether he is rapping acapella or without any backing track.
Hit town, draw crowds like space shuttle launches
Mos Def's performances draw huge crowds and are as impressive as the launch of a space shuttle.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DANTE SMITH, TONY COTTRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dennialiester
Lyrics:
Yes yes yes yes
(Whoo woo woo woo woo woo woo WHOO!)
Light up the sky like the 4th of July
Everything in this life son they've got two sides
It's part one (part one) part two (part two)
Get together with my crew and we gon' do
Whatever we've got to do uh huh UH!
Feast for Hi Teknological neurological
It's unstoppable check it out..
I'm fantastic FURIOUS like the Five from be 'lawn
Brooklyn phenom'
Diss all peons, flow for eons
Mos Def is beyond, in fact most cats can agree on
'Cause we on the same frequency, if not
Change your dial and get on it, I flip on this here beat
Then the re-bonics keep heat like, Hamid's weed speech
Hit the deep street sonnets, who want it?
Hoppin dancin so sonic, you need tonics
Don't get yours from your schoolboy comets, all blazin
On your man chronic, I twist the hard caps back
To blue bonnets, I repeat -- WHO WANT IT?
Daytime on the list of time on the tradition, of combustion
Ignition, propulsion, put MC's on expulsion
The principle, YOUR academics inadmissiable
You're indefensible, my style is so comprehensible
Cats take it to heart like a ventricle
You temporary like a weather pattern
Forgot I'm like you never happened
Don't never say whatever happened to Mos?
My light shine boast from the East to the Left Coast..
North and South both, cause it sound DOPE
Boy your boy sound CHOKED with the next man's style
Between your teeth tongue and throat like SOUND EFFECT
Got to wash your mouth out with soap
My penstroke, is leavin other men broke
What I invoke is never asleep, ever woke
It controls the soul of your foes and kinfolk
Maintainin my scope from beginnin to end quote
Like ba-biti-dabi-dida-da-dah-dah
Pretty High Noon riders get clipped and shot down
Reach behind, Teknological, neurological
Unstoppable, title wave in this shit, we powerful
Now raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop
It go ON to the rhythm you don't, bust it!
So raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
You see I'm comin to the party in the b-boy stance
I rock on the mic.. on the mic, yo
Son it's in my chromosomes to rock this, I got this
Watch this! Assemble mo' raps, tap your pockets
Knock this, stimulate nerve ends and shock wrists
Smart art breakin apart hearts in darkness
Down for the longest, son peep the songlist
Radiate enormous, pure peak performance
Vocal chords the strongest, acapella or cordless
Hit town, draw crowds like space shuttle launches
WHOO! How Def flow -- we gone and
Brooklyn New York make the world moonwalk like John Glenn
Son I'm sendin it out, for the short to long haul
Earth sky, left right inbetween it and all why'all
Now raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop
It go ON to the rhythm you don't, bust it!
So raise your hands in the air everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
Be -Boy Scientific, you don't stop
You see I'm comin to the party in the be -boy stance
I rock on the mic make your girl want to dance
Fly like a dove, that come from above
From rockin on the mic and you can call me Mos Love
@jeromel23
Next Universe Lyrics
[Intro]
Yes yes yes yes
(Whoo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-woo-WHOO!)
Light up the sky like the 4th of July
Everything in this life son, they've got two sides
It's part one (part one) part two (part two)
Get together with my crew, and we gon' do
Whatever we've got to do, uh-huh-UH!
Feast for Hi-Teknological, neurological
It's unstoppable, check it out..
[Verse 1]
I'm fantastic, FURIOUS like the Five from B'lawn
Brooklyn phenom'
Diss all peons, flow for eons
Mos Def is beyond, in fact, most cats can agree on
'Cause we on the same frequency
If not, change your dial and get on it
I flip on this here beat, then the re-bonics
Keep heat like Hamid's weed speech
Hit the deep street sonnets, who want it?
Hoppin' dancin' so sonic, you need tonics
Don't get yours from your schoolboy comets
All blazin' on your man, chronic
I twist the hard caps back to blue bonnets
I repeat -- WHO WANT IT?
Daytime on the list of time on the tradition, of combustion
Ignition, propulsion, put MC's on expulsion
The principle, YOUR academics inadmissible
You're indefensible, my style is so comprehensible
Cats take it to heart like a ventricle
You temporary like a weather pattern
Forgot I'm like you never happened
Don't ever say "Whatever happened to Mos?"
My light shine boast from the East to the Left Coast
North and South both, 'cause it sound DOPE
Boy, your voice sound CHOKED
With the next man's style between your teeth, tongue and throat
Like SOUND EFFECT
Got to wash your mouth out with soap
My penstroke, is leavin' other men broke
What I invoke is never asleep, ever woke
It controls the soul of your foes and kinfolk
Maintainin' my scope from beginning to end quote
Like ba-biti-dabi-dida-da-dah-dah
Pretty High Noon riders get clipped and shot down
Reach behind, Teknological, neurological
Unstoppable, title wave in this shit, we powerful
@jeromel23
[Verse 2]
Son, it's in my chromosomes to rock this, I got this
Watch this! Assemble mo' raps, tap your pockets
Knock this, stimulate nerve ends and shock wrists
Smart art breakin' apart hearts in darkness
Down for the longest, son, peep the songlist
Radiate enormous, pure peak performance
Vocal chords the strongest, acapella or cordless
Hit town, draw crowds like space shuttle launches
WHOO! How Def flow -- we gone and
Brooklyn New York make the world moonwalk like John Glenn
Son, I'm sendin' it out, for the short to long haul
Earth sky, left right in between it and all y'all
[Hook]
Now raise your hands in the air now everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop
It go ON to the rhythm you don't, bust it!
So raise your hands in the air everybody get with it
The Universal, Magnetically
B-Boy Scientific, you don't stop
You see I'm comin' to the party in the b-boy stance
I rock on the mic make your girl wanna dance
Fly like a dove, that come from above
From rockin' on the mic and you can call me Mos Love
@anthonytruman
I'm listening to this gem forever. Stimulate nerve ends and chakras, Radiate enormous pure peak performance. Vocal chords the strongest, acapelle or cordless. Hit town, draw crowds like space shuttle launches 🚀
@BeatJunkie-mq1tc
Preach it dawg! Been listening to this since 99 and still love it! ☯️🔄☮
@MrGJSigala
Iou 7uy
@herinfinitepossibilities9426
I used to bump this at work, got me through the raggedy day.
@jasonbekis7663
Bumping it right now
@herinfinitepossibilities9426
@@jasonbekis7663 Yes!
@bsommer1717
This was one of my favorite songs in high school when I first really discovering underground hip hop. CLASSIC!
@2yLiteThaTitan
Same here brother
@robinjoy2789
Same
@keysersoze2715
You must be about 44. So am I!