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
U R The One )
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're the one!
Other brothers just don't know
You got to feel me on this one man
So real
I'm so sin-serious about it, you know?
I know, I know more than a few is gonna relate
So much more (on the really real!)
When it started I knew it was trouble
But you know me
Them "hard an' everything's" can't hold me (you love, hard head)
I need some shit straight out the movies
Drama
Warm to the touch, hot mama
You put me all in like launch jeans and scama
You was Mrs. Mine
So fine
Went from "we gonna conquer it all"
To "nigga I'ma see you in court"
I would of never thought (damn)
I guess I better think again (you know?)
OK, now the shit is really sinking in
We ain't just divorced
We ain't even fucking friends
Cause in the end it was all about the ends
But fuck that I know it gotta be more to it
Held up with bitter hate with crosses all through it
And when I looked, what did I see?
You on the other end crying like me
Expression on your face like, "how could this be?"
That's what I'm asking, "what the fuck happened?"
How could all the magic and passion just vanish (come on)
Went from outstanding, to makin' me shout, "Dammit!"
Can't explain the changes, behavior's is outlandish
Now I'm just stuck in the road feeling stranded
I'm in the dark wishing for the answers
On some ol' "Biggie gimme one more chance" shit
When we met your face so brown
Ya ass so round, of course I'm so down
Wish I knew then what the fuck I know now
Couldn't read the signs in the road: "SLOW DOWN!"
I'm too deep in the road now
Got me pulling over getting smoked out
Fighting tears that I can't hold down
Can't believe it, this fucker's got me weeping
I keep it a secret so my friends won't peep it (live man?)
But late in the evening I'm up, my chest heaving
I'm reaching in the dark and I'm looking for the reason
Why!
Did our love have to die?
You and I were so fucking fly
Can't get it off my mind
The things that made me smile now make me cry
You are the one
You're the one!
Fuck you!
I wish we never met, I wish we never kissed
I wish we never touched (I swear to God)
I wish I didn't love you so much
I wish I could forget how feel, how you f
(Damn) That's a lie
The shit that made me smile, now make me cry
You are the one
You're the one!
Fuck you!
Sometime I wish we'd come back
Man, I wish we'd come back
(Memories!) No lie
For real?
Fuck that
No, for real
It's a dangerous necessity, it's a world famous mystery
Love
That's it
Peace!
The lyrics of Mos Def's song "You" are about a failed relationship and the singer's frustration over the end of it despite the strong connection they had once shared. He tells the story of how the relationship initially started out great but eventually fell apart. The singer expresses a mix of hurt, anger, confusion, and regret in the lyrics. The chorus repeats "You are the one" and "You're the one", which the singer sarcastically follows with "Fuck you!" The song is filled with conflicting feelings of longing and bitterness, sadness and anger, and a sense of loss.
The lyrics of the song reveal how much the singer is struggling to come to terms with the end of the relationship. He narrates how they had gone from planning to conquer everything together to ending up in court because of a divorce. He wonders why their love had to die and why all the magic and passion they shared disappeared. The singer acknowledges that he still loves his ex-partner, but he wishes he could forget how he feels about them. The lyrics highlight the emotional turmoil that comes with the end of a relationship, especially for a love once so strong.
Line by Line Meaning
You are the one
Addressing the significant other as the one who has impacted the person's life.
You're the one!
Reiterating the point that the person is the one who has left a deep impact on their life.
Other brothers just don't know
Comparing the uniqueness of the significant other's place in the person's life to how others might not understand that uniqueness.
You got to feel me on this one man
Requesting the listener to empathize with the story being shared.
So real
Acknowledging the realness of the situation being discussed.
I'm so sin-serious about it, you know?
Reaffirming the serious tone of the conversation.
I know, I know more than a few is gonna relate
Anticipating that people will relate to the story being shared.
So much more than a few (fa-really real)
Emphasizing that a significant number of people will relate to the story.
So much more (on the really real!)
Once again emphasizing that a significant number of people will relate to the story.
When it started I knew it was trouble
Looking back on the situation and realizing that it was problematic from the start.
But you know me
The significant other knows the person well, and knows that they can handle difficult situations.
Them "hard an' everything's" can't hold me (you love, hard head)
The person can handle difficult situations, despite being stubborn.
I need some shit straight out the movies
The person wants a dramatic and emotionally intense relationship.
Drama
Expressing a desire for a dramatic relationship.
Warm to the touch, hot mama
Complimenting the physical appearance of the significant other.
You put me all in like launch jeans and scama
The significant other had a strong influence on the person and their life.
You was Mrs. Mine
Referring to the significant other as someone who belonged to the person.
So fine
Complimenting the physical appearance of the significant other.
Went from "we gonna conquer it all"
Describing the initial ambitious and positive plans the person had with the significant other.
To "nigga I'ma see you in court"
Describing the serious and negative turn the relationship took, leading to a legal battle.
I would of never thought (damn)
Expressing surprise and disbelief at the turn of events in the relationship.
I guess I better think again (you know?)
Acknowledging that the person's perspective has changed due to the situation.
OK, now the shit is really sinking in
The person is starting to come to terms with the situation.
We ain't just divorced
There was more to the relationship than just a divorce.
We ain't even fucking friends
The relationship has become hostile, with the couple not even being friends anymore.
Cause in the end it was all about the ends
The relationship ended due to financial and materialistic reasons.
But fuck that I know it gotta be more to it
Refusing to accept that the relationship ended only because of materialistic reasons.
Held up with bitter hate with crosses all through it
The bitterness and hate are palpable in the situation.
And when I looked, what did I see?
Reflecting on the situation.
You on the other end crying like me
The significant other is also crying and upset over the situation.
Expression on your face like, "how could this be?"
Expressing shock and disbelief about the situation.
That's what I'm asking, "what the fuck happened?"
Trying to make sense of the situation and understand what went wrong.
How could all the magic and passion just vanish (come on)
Expressing disbelief and sadness that the once passionate relationship is now gone.
Went from outstanding, to makin' me shout, "Dammit!"
The relationship went from being amazing and outstanding to creating frustration and negative emotions.
Can't explain the changes, behavior's is outlandish
The significant other's behavior is inexplicable and strange.
Now I'm just stuck in the road feeling stranded
Feeling lost and stranded in life due to the end of the relationship.
I'm in the dark wishing for the answers
Desperately searching for answers and understanding about the end of the relationship.
On some ol' "Biggie gimme one more chance" shit
Referencing the song "One More Chance" by Notorious B.I.G., where he pleads for another chance with a significant other.
When we met your face so brown
Describing the physical appearance of the significant other when they first met.
Ya ass so round, of course I'm so down
Complimenting the physical appearance of the significant other.
Wish I knew then what the fuck I know now
Regretting not having more knowledge and experience earlier in life.
Couldn't read the signs in the road: "SLOW DOWN!"
Regretting not being more cautious and careful in the relationship.
I'm too deep in the road now
Realizing that the person is too far into the relationship, making it hard to turn back.
Got me pulling over getting smoked out
Feeling overwhelmed and taking a break by smoking drugs.
Fighting tears that I can't hold down
Trying to hold back tears and emotions, but unable to do so.
Can't believe it, this fucker's got me weeping
Expressing disbelief that the situation has led to the person crying and feeling emotional.
I keep it a secret so my friends won't peep it (live man?)
Keeping the relationship troubles secret from friends, so that they don't know what's going on in the relationship.
But late in the evening I'm up, my chest heaving
Late at night, the person is awake and breathing heavily, feeling weighed down by the relationship troubles.
I'm reaching in the dark and I'm looking for the reason
Desperately trying to understand the reason behind the end of the relationship.
Why!
A desperate cry for understanding and clarity about the situation.
Did our love have to die?
Questioning why the love in the relationship had to come to an end.
You and I were so fucking fly
The relationship between the two individuals was once amazing and incredible.
Can't get it off my mind
The negative thoughts and emotions about the relationship are constantly on the person's mind.
The things that made me smile now make me cry
Previously happy thoughts and memories of the relationship are now sources of sadness and tears.
Fuck you!
Expressing anger and frustration towards the significant other.
I wish we never met, I wish we never kissed
Expressing regret about ever having met the significant other and being intimate with them.
I wish we never touched (I swear to God)
Regretting ever having any physical touch or intimacy with the significant other.
I wish I didn't love you so much
Regretting the strong feelings of love for the significant other, that have now brought pain and sadness.
I wish I could forget how feel, how you f
Expressing a desire to forget the emotions and feelings associated with the significant other and the relationship.
(Damn) That's a lie
Contradicting the previous statement of wanting to forget the significant other, as it's not possible.
The shit that made me smile, now make me cry
The previously happy memories of the relationship now bring sadness and tears.
Sometime I wish we'd come back
Sometimes wishing that the relationship would somehow be restored.
Man, I wish we'd come back
Expressing a deep and strong desire for the relationship to be restored.
(Memories!) No lie
Acknowledging that the memories of the relationship are real and impactful.
For real?
Asking in disbelief if it could be possible for the relationship to be restored.
Fuck that
Although wanting the relationship to return, realizing that it's unlikely and giving up on that thought.
No, for real
Emphasizing that the person has given up on the thought of the relationship being restored.
It's a dangerous necessity, it's a world famous mystery
Describing the nature of love and how it's both dangerous and a mystery.
Love
Summarizing the song and bringing attention to its main theme and subject matter.
That's it
Ending the song with a final statement, bringing attention to the power and complexity of love.
Peace!
Ending the song with a farewell and well wishes.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network
Written by: Dante Smith, Mark Richardson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
knittedpainting
You are the one
You're the one!
Other brothers just don't know
You got to feel me on this one man
So real
I'm so sin-serious about it, you know?
I know, I know more than a few is gonna relate
So much more than a few (fa-really real)
So much more (on the really real!)
When it started I knew it was trouble
But you know me
Them "hard an' everything's" can't hold me (you love, hard head)
I need some shit straight out the movies
Drama
Warm to the touch, hot mama
You put me all in like launch jeans and scama
You was Mrs. Mine
So fine
Went from "we gonna conquer it all"
To "nigga I'ma see you in court"
I would of never thought (damn)
I guess I better think again (you know?)
OK, now the shit is really sinking in
We ain't just divorced
We ain't even fucking friends
Cause in the end it was all about the ends
But fuck that I know it gotta be more to it
Held up with bitter hate with crosses all through it
And when I looked, what did I see?
You on the other end crying like me
Expression on your face like, "how could this be?"
That's what I'm asking, "what the fuck happened?"
How could all the magic and passion just vanish (come on)
Went from outstanding, to makin' me shout, "Dammit!"
Can't explain the changes, behavior's is outlandish
Now I'm just stuck in the road feeling stranded
I'm in the dark wishing for the answers
On some ol' "Biggie gimme one more chance" shit
When we met your face so brown
Ya ass so round, of course I'm so down
Wish I knew then what the fuck I know now
Couldn't read the signs in the road: "SLOW DOWN!"
I'm too deep in the road now
Got me pulling over getting smoked out
Fighting tears that I can't hold down
Can't believe it, this fucker's got me weeping
I keep it a secret so my friends won't peep it (live man?)
But late in the evening I'm up, my chest heaving
I'm reaching in the dark and I'm looking for the reason
Why!
Did our love have to die?
You and I were so fucking fly
Can't get it off my mind
The things that made me smile now make me cry
You are the one
You're the one!
Fuck you!
I wish we never met, I wish we never kissed
I wish we never touched (I swear to God)
I wish I didn't love you so much
I wish I could forget how feel, how you f
(Damn) That's a lie
The shit that made me smile, now make me cry
You are the one
You're the one!
Fuck you!
Sometime I wish we'd come back
Man, I wish we'd come back
(Memories!) No lie
For real?
Fuck that
No, for real
It's a dangerous necessity, it's a world famous mystery
Love
That's it
Peace!
Treniece White
You are the one
You're the one!
Other brothers just don't know
You got to feel me on this one man
So real
I'm so sin-serious about it, you know?
I know, I know more than a few is gonna relate
So much more than a few (fa-really real)
So much more (on the really real!)
When it started I knew it was trouble
But you know me
Them "hard an' everything's" can't hold me (you love, hard head)
I need some shit straight out the movies
Drama
Warm to the touch, hot mama
You put me all in like launch jeans and scama
You was Mrs. Mine
So fine
Went from "we gonna conquer it all"
To "nigga I'ma see you in court"
I would of never thought (damn)
I guess I better think again (you know?)
OK, now the shit is really sinking in
We ain't just divorced
We ain't even fucking friends
Cause in the end it was all about the ends
But fuck that I know it gotta be more to it
Held up with bitter hate with crosses all through it
And when I looked, what did I see?
You on the other end crying like me
Expression on your face like, "how could this be?"
That's what I'm asking, "what the fuck happened?"
How could all the magic and passion just vanish (come on)
Went from outstanding, to makin' me shout, "Dammit!"
Can't explain the changes, behavior's is outlandish
Now I'm just stuck in the road feeling stranded
I'm in the dark wishing for the answers
On some ol' "Biggie gimme one more chance" shit
When we met your face so brown
Ya ass so round, of course I'm so down
Wish I knew then what the fuck I know now
Couldn't read the signs in the road: "SLOW DOWN!"
I'm too deep in the road now
Got me pulling over getting smoked out
Fighting tears that I can't hold down
Can't believe it, this fucker's got me weeping
I keep it a secret so my friends won't peep it (live man?)
But late in the evening I'm up, my chest heaving
I'm reaching in the dark and I'm looking for the reason
Why!
Did our love have to die?
You and I were so fucking fly
Can't get it off my mind
The things that made me smile now make me cry
You are the one
You're the one!
Fuck you!
I wish we never met, I wish we never kissed
I wish we never touched (I swear to God)
I wish I didn't love you so much
I wish I could forget how feel, how you f
(Damn) That's a lie
The shit that made me smile, now make me cry
You are the one
You're the one!
Fuck you!
Sometime I wish we'd come back
Man, I wish we'd come back
(Memories!) No lie
For real?
Fuck that
No, for real
It's a dangerous necessity, it's a world famous mystery
Love
That's it
Peace!
Mohammed jutaily
"You was Mrs. Mine, so fine
Went from "we gon' conquer it all"
To "nigga I'mma see you in court"
I woulda never thought, I guess I better think again
Ok, now the shit is really sinkin' in
We ain't just divorced, we ain't even fucking friends
Cause in the end it was all about the ends
But fuck that I know it gotta be more to it
Held up with bitter hate with crosses all through it
And when I looked, what did I see?
You on the other end crying like me
Expression on your face like, "How could this be?"
That's what I'm asking, "What the fuck happened?"
How could all the magic and passion just vanish"
Yasiin Bey is a legend
Curtis Bond
Can we all agree that True Magic is a criminally under appreciated album? I made the huge mistake of reading critic's reviews before I actually listened to the album myself, and the vast majority of them were lukewarm. Because it didn't get a ton of play (on the internet or otherwise), I didn't find very much listener reaction, so I decided to pass on it for years. When I finally got around to listening to it, I was absolutely blown away by how creative, thoughtful, and poignant it was. I'm not calling it a classic or anything, but it is very, very good, and it's sad to see it go mostly unnoticed because of a few lame critic reactions.
equalitee
+Curtis Bond True Magic is a very dope album and under appreciated.
Afro Shinobi
i love it. its my third fav release by mos
SuperNintendo Chalmers
On my way out of an 8 year marraige, this song makes me feel that I'm not alone with my feelings. Word for word this song explains how I feel...
RandomBlueJays
SuperNintendo chalmers
I can relate me too 7yrs filing tomorrow its crazy how you think you alone when somebody going threw the same
DeAnn Young
Chalmers and Marcus,
I am sorry to hear about your pending divorces. Please take time to heal and do not rush into another relationship. Work on improving what you think went wrong in your marriages. I hope things only get better for both of you.
Jerimeh Be
Same here bro. Right down to a T
Keith Stone
This is a modern day blues ballad. Make you want to break out the dark liquor, and think about loves lost.
kmax1223
This has to be one of Mos' most powerful songs. You can feel the emotion in your bones.
evka
this was my favourite track ever when I had a broken heart