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
Undeniable )
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Live your life right
Make the beat the bump
It′s like one for the treble
Two for the bass
Three for the pretty babies up in the place
The undeniable
I rock on the mic
And the world wanna dance
Fly like a dove
That come from up above
I'm rockin on the mic
And you can call me Mos love
Little homie you can call it what you want
But you can′t call it weak
And you can't call it chump
And looking like that
Babe you need to call me up
Seven eighteen D-a-n-t-e, one what?
These jokers don't want none
And all the pretty mommies want some
Tell ′em come
BK do it how Biggie say
Spread love
R. Harrison, throw it on get ′em up
Dispirit and raw till they can't get enough
Haters get it twisted
Real niggaz get it done
Buck down like a live round
Not a dum dum, bop bop
And you know, you know (make ′em say)
(No matter how hard you try
You can't stop us now)
Yea, the undeniable
(There ain′t no future in fronting
So just love me now)
Yea, the undeniable
So I start a flow
Just want y'all to know
Just who your listening to
Black Dante
So listen let me tell ya
Who I am, and how I do
The undeniable
Respect a foundation that they can′t hold
And it's bullet, shatter, and earthquake proof
See how I drop the jewel
It's the golden rule
A-B-C Always be cool
They need to teach it at every school It′s the
A-B-Y Always be you
Def, and I always been true
Real, true
Skill, true Ill
Ghetto world I know exactly how it feels
(Some go work, and some go steal)
Children grow, women produce
And we rock on no matter what what you do
(No matter how hard you try
You can′t stop us now)
Yea, the undeniable
(There ain't no future in fronting
So just love me now)
Yea, the undeniable
Yea, the undeniable, spread love y′all
6x spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
13x spread love, [alternating]
Every day, Brooklyn way, can′t deny, no
Matter how hard you try
[Singing] can't deny, can′t deny, can't deny
Spread love you can give us a one
Uh, What it is, what you want
Get your mind right
It's the beat to bump
It′s like one for the treble, two for the bass
Make no mistake, you are rockin with
Black Dante
The undeniable
Ha, Yea, The undeniable
Fantastic
Raw, dynamic, and real
You got the feel
Yea, the undeniable
Spread love
Undeniable
Spread love
Yeah, the undeniable
Brooklyn way
So good to you
So hood to you.
The song “Undeniable” by Mos Def is a tribute to the Brooklyn hip-hop scene and its roots. The lyrics are a mix of celebration, self-confidence, and social commentary. The opening lines “What it is, what you want? Live your life right, make the beat the bump” encourage the listener to embrace their individuality and to be unapologetic about it in the pursuit of a better life.
The verse “Come to the party in a B-boy stance, I rock on the mic, and the world wanna dance” is an ode to the old-school hip-hop culture that has inspired Mos Def and many other rap artists. His flow and rhymes are a demonstration of his skills as a rapper and his pride in representing Brooklyn, which is also referenced in the line “BK do it how Biggie say spread love.” The song’s chorus “The undeniable, spread love” emphasizes the power of music to unite people and inspire positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
What it is, what you want?
I'm asking you what you need or want in life.
Live your life right
Make sure to always live your life in the right way.
Make the beat the bump
Let the rhythm of the music move your body.
It's like one for the treble
This song has a beat that's perfect for dancing and enjoying yourself.
Two for the bass
The bass in this song is particularly strong and helps to create a great vibe.
Three for the pretty babies up in the place
Let's give a shout-out to all the beautiful women who are here with us tonight.
The undeniable
This music is so good that it's impossible to deny its greatness.
Come to the party in a B-boy stance
Come to this party with confidence and swagger, like a true B-boy.
I rock on the mic
I'm a great rapper who knows how to perform on the microphone.
And the world wanna dance
My music is so good that it makes everyone want to get up and dance.
Fly like a dove
I have a free spirit and my music lifts people up like a dove flying through the air.
That come from up above
My inspiration comes from a higher power that gives me the strength and creativity to make great music.
I'm rockin on the mic
I am performing my music and rapping with skill and passion.
And you can call me Mos love
You can refer to me as Mos love, because my music spreads love and positivity.
Little homie you can call it what you want
People can have different opinions about my music, but they can refer to it whatever way they want.
But you can't call it weak
No one can say that my music is bad or weak, because it's full of talent and power.
And you can't call it chump
No one can insult my music or say that it's weak, because it has too much skill and artistry.
And looking like that
You look so good and attractive.
Babe you need to call me up
You should definitely call me, because I'm so talented and interesting.
Seven eighteen D-a-n-t-e, one what?
My name is Dante and I want everyone to know it loud and clear.
These jokers don't want none
These people don't have any talent or skill and can't compete with me or my music.
And all the pretty mommies want some
All the beautiful women want to be around me because of my talent and charisma.
Tell 'em come
Invite everyone to come and enjoy my music and the party atmosphere.
BK do it how Biggie say
I'm from Brooklyn, and I like to make music the way that Biggie did - with skill and style.
R. Harrison, throw it on get 'em up
Let's get this party started and throw on some great music to get everyone dancing.
Dispirit and raw till they can't get enough
My music is so powerful and intense that people will keep dancing and enjoying it all night long.
Haters get it twisted
Some people misunderstand and insult my music, but they are just haters who don't appreciate true artistry.
Real niggaz get it done
Real men with true talent know how to create great music and get things done creatively.
Buck down like a live round
I'm here to bring my talent and energy to the party like a round of ammunition that never misses.
Not a dum dum, bop bop
I'm not foolish or unskilled - i'm here to bring true talent and style to the party.
And you know, you know (make 'em say)
Everyone knows that my music is the best, and they can't deny it when they hear it.
(No matter how hard you try
You can't stop us now)
My music is so good and powerful that no one can resist it or deny its talent, no matter how hard they try.
Yea, the undeniable
Everyone knows that my music is so great that it's impossible to deny its talent and power.
(There ain't no future in fronting
So just love me now)
There's no point in pretending to like someone's music, so just enjoy my talent and love me for it right now.
So I start a flow
Just want y'all to know
Just who your listening to
Black Dante
I'm starting to rap and I want everyone to know that they're listening to Black Dante.
So listen let me tell ya
Who I am, and how I do
The undeniable
Let me explain who I am and how I create such amazing music that it's undeniable in its power and talent.
Respect a foundation that they can't hold
And it's bullet, shatter, and earthquake proof
My music and talent is built on a strong foundation of skill, creativity, and hard work that's unbreakable, even in the face of adversity.
See how I drop the jewel
It's the golden rule
I'm giving you great advice and sharing with you the golden rule of treating others with respect and kindness.
A-B-C Always be cool
Remember to stay cool and remain calm and collected.
They need to teach it at every school
It's the
A-B-Y Always be you
These important life lessons about being cool and true to yourself should be taught in every school.
Def, and I always been true
I have always been true to myself and true to my talent and skill as a musician.
Real, true
Skill, true Ill
My music is real and true to life, and it demonstrates my skill and artistry that's truly amazing.
Ghetto world I know exactly how it feels
(Some go work, and some go steal)
Children grow, women produce
I have lived in the ghetto and I know the struggles and challenges that people face there, some of whom have to work hard, while others must resort to less honest means to survive. Despite this, children grow and women bring new life into the world.
And we rock on no matter what what you do
Despite the challenges of life, we continue to make great music and have fun, no matter what happens to us.
(No matter how hard you try
You can't stop us now)
My music and talent are so good that no one can deny them or stop them from succeeding, no matter how hard they try.
Yea, the undeniable
My music is so powerful and amazing that it's impossible to deny its talent and artistry.
Spread love y'all
6x spread love, it's the Brooklyn way
13x spread love, [alternating]
Every day, Brooklyn way, can't deny, no
Matter how hard you try
Let's all spread love and positivity, as we do in Brooklyn, every day, no matter how hard anyone tries to stop us or deny our talent and creativity.
(Singing) can't deny, can't deny, can't deny
Spread love you can give us a one
No one can deny the power and talent of my music, and we can all spread more love and happiness in the world by enjoying it together.
Uh, What it is, what you want
Get your mind right
Let's get our minds focused on good things, and forget about the negativity in the world by enjoying some great music.
It's the beat to bump
Let's enjoy the rhythm of this music and let it move us.
Make no mistake, you are rockin with
Black Dante
Remember the power and talent of my music, and enjoy it with me as we rock out.
Ha, Yea, The undeniable
Fantastic
Raw, dynamic, and real
You got the feel
Yea, the undeniable
Spread love
Undeniable
Spread love
Yeah, the undeniable
My music is so amazing and powerful that it's undeniable in its talent, energy, and creativity. Let's all enjoy it together with love and positivity, as we dance and have fun all night long.
Brooklyn way
So good to you
So hood to you.
The Brooklyn way is to spread love, positivity and enjoyment all around, and we want everyone to feel the power and talent of our music in their hearts and souls.
Writer(s): Rich Harrison, Dante Smith, Barrett Strong, Norman J. Whitfield
Contributed by Andrew L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ajesam George
on Ms. Fat Booty
https://soundcloud.com/.../sudenly-by-da-george-prod-by...