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
What's That
Mos Def Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spit my shit right here
Oigame, malo muchacho
Mos Def con Tony Flaco, el idioma que yo hablo
Pretty young champ like Camacho, spittin the hot flow
B-Boy shout, Zulu gestapo, bro
You know my stilo, cigarrillo con tamarindo
Yo soy suave viejito, campeon nacional como Tito
Bringin the heat bro, unique when I speak yo
Doin my Way like Carlito, beats by M-A-S-E-O
From Panama to Puerto Rico, play my jam on Caliente noventa y siete
On the expressway, and press play, see what ya neck say
Duro siempre, para mi gente, ganamos
Se acabo venga vamos, corillo, alcen las manos
Blowin ya spot like I got toast
A lotta MC's is Def, but they not Mos, and not close
Understand it when I shine, all your light is through
Ya niggas wack in one language, I'm nice in two, fuck is you
[Chorus]
Que eso? Tu no sabe mi sonido
Siempre ganamos, nunca perdimos
Para quien? Blanco, Negro, Latino
Del mundo, cuando junto, que profundo
Que eso? Tu no sabe mi sonido
Siempre ganamos, nunca perdimos
Para quien? Blanco, Negro, Latino
Corillo, so my street folk come unidos
I got chips, to Ziploc grips to burst
Non-conventional, original B-Boy, my peeps call me Merc'
I'm from N.Y.C., so see why in me
There's a lot of hustlin', found around my cheek
Sippin' strawberry daq, that ain't never been fucked
Try to catch me off balance, man, you shit outta luck
Cause we got more rams, and I drivin' y'all
Got the people like the jams, more live than y'all
I'm wit Tone Touch, while ya all touched in the head
Such a lethal combination, got you facin' the red
And um, yo, you don't want no parts in that
You style so pussy, last name should be Cat
We takin it back, like flea stacks and pylons
Wit the ladies in a frenzy, runnin' they nylon
Reveal flesh to test, cause I love bruisin' 'em
Treat my battles like my children nigga, I'm never losin' 'em
Aiyo, what's that? You don't know, that's my sound yo
No one can rock it like this, we put it down yo
For who? Black, white, purple or brown yo
It's Mos, De La, and Touch, we hold the crown yo
Pero what's that? You don't know, that's my sound yo
No one can rock it like this, we put it down yo
For who? Black, white, purple or brown yo
So all my street folk come on gather round yo
Pardon me son, but the only Spanish I knew, was dame un beso
Cut bitches wit niggas, who nettin' the peso
Ya breathin' on beats like this, if you say so
I stay sippin' on God theories, so where the case yo?
Wait flow on four floors like film edits
Fuck sayin' the name, you read it in the credits
Sit that ass down on my lyrics
We servin' niggas up some beans and rice, everything is everything
Heavy metal thing, rock, wit Mos and Pos and us
Written flows get broke down by the comas
From L.I. lawn, I green shit up in my wallets
To fly the wrong places, and get red like scarlet
How I dollar it, I just earn the say
So when the itchy itchy come, I satisfy the crave
And let it fall a little too much
I let Tone touch my ears to let the bullshit disappear
Pa' 'fuera, tu no sabe, mi manera
Native tongue, puttin' it down, donde quiera
De La, Mos Def wit a candela
Borinquen, que bonita bandera
Respect the architect or be next to catch a pela
I send ya all runnin' home to your abuela
Cash rap over a beat or acapella
Kick a wicked rhyme like a fortune teller
This fella, se pone feo quando llego
I still be shoutin' out cats in San Diego
I'm still in effect, and I'm still doin the huevo
I still be putting it down, till I'm a viejo
Man, you can't tell me nothin' about the juego
I told ya suckas before, leggo my eggo
Yet you insist upon playin' wit fuego
But I catch you on the rebound, hasta luego, pendejo
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Mos Def's song What's That are predominantly in Spanish and English, with the artist touching on his fluency in Spanish, his hometown of NYC, his pride in his African heritage, and his passion for music. The opening lines reveal that he took Spanish classes for four years, which highlights his appreciation for language and diverse cultures. The lyrics also mention a wide array of Latin American foods, such as habichuelas negras and arroz amarillo, which further display Mos Def's cultural awareness and appreciation. The chorus underscores the artist's belief that his music transcends racial barriers and can be enjoyed by people of all backgrounds.
Mos Def also showcases his skills as an MC, with clever wordplay and rhyme schemes throughout the song. He references famous boxers like Hector "Macho" Camacho and Tito Trinidad, and uses terms like "Zulu gestapo" and "B-Boy shout," which are nod to the hip-hop culture that he is a part of. The lyrics display a sense of pride and confidence in his abilities as an artist, with lines like "Ya niggas wack in one language, I'm nice in two, fuck is you" and "No one can rock it like this, we put it down yo."
Overall, the lyrics to Mos Def's What's That are a tribute to his multicultural background, his love for music, and his abilities as an MC. The song blends together different languages and styles to showcase his unique sound, while also promoting unity and inclusivity.
Line by Line Meaning
Took spanish one for four years, just so you know
I dedicated four years of my life to studying Spanish, and I want you to be aware of that
Spit my shit right here
I'm about to rap my verses with confidence and skill
Oigame, malo muchacho
Listen up, bad boy
Mos Def con Tony Flaco, el idioma que yo hablo
Mos Def with Tony Flaco, the language I speak
Pretty young champ like Camacho, spittin the hot flow
I'm a talented and attractive artist like Camacho, rapping with a great flow
B-Boy shout, Zulu gestapo, bro
I'm giving a shout-out to B-Boys and Zulu gestapo, showing support and unity
You know my stilo, cigarrillo con tamarindo
You're familiar with my style, smoking a cigarette with tamarind flavor
Habichuelas negras, arroz amarillo
Black beans, yellow rice
Yo soy suave viejito, campeon nacional como Tito
I'm smooth, older gentleman, a national champion like Tito
Bringin the heat bro, unique when I speak yo
I'm bringing intense energy and my own distinctive style when I speak
Doin my Way like Carlito, beats by M-A-S-E-O
I'm doing things my own way, like Carlito, with beats produced by M-A-S-E-O
From Panama to Puerto Rico, play my jam on Caliente noventa y siete
My music is played from Panama to Puerto Rico, including on Caliente 97 radio station
On the expressway, and press play, see what ya neck say
While driving on the expressway, press play and see how your body reacts to my music
Duro siempre, para mi gente, ganamos
Always strong for my people, we win
Se acabo venga vamos, corillo, alcen las manos
It's over, let's go, crew, raise your hands
Blowin ya spot like I got toast
I'm taking over your spot and leaving you speechless
A lotta MC's is Def, but they not Mos, and not close
Many MCs claim to be Def, but they are not as talented as Mos Def
Understand it when I shine, all your light is through
When I shine, your own brightness becomes insignificant
Ya niggas wack in one language, I'm nice in two, fuck is you
You guys are mediocre in one language, while I excel in two, who do you think you are?
Que eso? Tu no sabe mi sonido
What's that? You don't know my sound
Siempre ganamos, nunca perdimos
We always win, never lose
Para quien? Blanco, Negro, Latino
For whom? White, Black, Latino
Del mundo, cuando junto, que profundo
From the world, when we come together, how profound
I got chips, to Ziploc grips to burst
I have money and a tight grip on it, ready to spend
Non-conventional, original B-Boy, my peeps call me Merc'
I'm an unconventional and unique B-Boy, and my friends call me Merc'
I'm from N.Y.C., so see why in me
I'm from New York City, so you can understand why I have certain characteristics
There's a lot of hustlin', found around my cheek
There's a lot of hustle and determination in my demeanor
Sippin' strawberry daq, that ain't never been fucked
I'm enjoying a strawberry daiquiri that has never been messed with
Try to catch me off balance, man, you shit outta luck
If you try to catch me off guard, you won't succeed
Cause we got more rams, and I drivin' y'all
We have more strength and power, and we're taking control
Got the people like the jams, more live than y'all
People love our music, it's more lively than anything you produce
I'm wit Tone Touch, while ya all touched in the head
I'm with Tone Touch, while the rest of you are mentally unstable
Such a lethal combination, got you facin' the red
We're a dangerous combination that will make you face defeat
And um, yo, you don't want no parts in that
And, yo, you don't want to get involved in that
You style so pussy, last name should be Cat
Your style is weak and cowardly, like a cat
We takin it back, like flea stacks and pylons
We're bringing it back to the old days, like flea stacks and pylons
Wit the ladies in a frenzy, runnin' they nylon
We're driving the ladies wild, making them run and lose control
Reveal flesh to test, cause I love bruisin' 'em
They expose their vulnerability to test me, and I enjoy dominating them
Treat my battles like my children nigga, I'm never losin' 'em
I treat my battles like my own children, I never let them go to waste
Aiyo, what's that? You don't know, that's my sound yo
Hey, what's that? You don't know? That's my unique sound
No one can rock it like this, we put it down yo
No one can deliver it like we do, we establish it
For who? Black, white, purple or brown yo
For whom? Black, white, purple, or brown, all are welcome
It's Mos, De La, and Touch, we hold the crown yo
It's Mos, De La, and Touch, and we're the ones in charge
Pardon me son, but the only Spanish I knew, was dame un beso
Sorry, but the only Spanish I knew was 'give me a kiss'
Cut bitches wit niggas, who nettin' the peso
I associate with people who make a lot of money and attract women
Ya breathin' on beats like this, if you say so
You're claiming to be great on these beats, if that's what you believe
I stay sippin' on God theories, so where the case yo?
I keep pondering deep philosophical ideas, so where's the evidence?
Wait flow on four floors like film edits
My flow is smooth and carefully crafted, like film editing
Fuck sayin' the name, you read it in the credits
Forget about saying the name, it's already written in the credits
Sit that ass down on my lyrics
Listen attentively to my lyrics
We servin' niggas up some beans and rice, everything is everything
We're serving up a satisfying meal, representing all aspects of life
Heavy metal thing, rock, wit Mos and Pos and us
We bring a powerful energy, rocking with Mos, Pos, and the rest of us
Written flows get broke down by the comas
My written flows are analyzed and dissected by experts
From L.I. lawn, I green shit up in my wallets
From Long Island, I'm making money and filling up my wallets
To fly the wrong places, and get red like scarlet
To go to dangerous places and face trouble or danger
How I dollar it, I just earn the say
I earn money and establish my influence
So when the itchy itchy come, I satisfy the crave
So when the desire and demand arises, I'm here to fulfill it
And let it fall a little too much
And let the money and success overwhelm me a little too much
I let Tone touch my ears to let the bullshit disappear
I let Tone Touch provide me with guidance to clear my mind of nonsense
Pa' 'fuera, tu no sabe, mi manera
Get outta here, you don't know, my way
Native tongue, puttin' it down, donde quiera
Representing the Native Tongue movement, spreading our message everywhere
De La, Mos Def wit a candela
De La Soul and Mos Def bringing the fire
Borinquen, que bonita bandera
Borinquen, what a beautiful flag
Respect the architect or be next to catch a pela
Show respect to the originator or you'll face the consequences
I send ya all runnin' home to your abuela
I make all of you run back home to your grandmother
Cash rap over a beat or acapella
I can rap with a beat or just acapella and still make money
Kick a wicked rhyme like a fortune teller
I deliver impressive lyrics like a fortune teller predicts the future
This fella, se pone feo quando llego
This guy gets aggressive when I arrive
I still be shoutin' out cats in San Diego
I still give a shout-out to people in San Diego
I'm still in effect, and I'm still doin the huevo
I'm still relevant and successful, still doing my thing
I still be putting it down, till I'm a viejo
I will continue to make an impact until I'm old
Man, you can't tell me nothin' about the juego
You can't tell me anything about the game
I told ya suckas before, leggo my eggo
I've warned you fools before, leave me alone
Yet you insist upon playin' wit fuego
But you keep playing with fire
But I catch you on the rebound, hasta luego, pendejo
But I'll catch you later, idiot
[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus once again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSEPH A. HERNANDEZ, DAVID J JOLICOEUR, VINCENT LAMONT MASON, KELVIN MERCER, DANTE SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MadMonkey at Gaming Performance
for me one of the best hip hop Album EVER !! Those featuers are untouchable!!
Bay area Babe
Another song that when it’s over, then next song automatically starts playing in my head. I probably listened to this album 1000 times back in 01 lol
Javier Pavon
This album was super dope and had dope tracks. That Wu track is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Bay area Babe
@Javier Pavon everything Wu is 🔥 lol
joegar317
Hell yeah. This is that shit right here. Mos snaps in any language. Please put the rest on youtube, especially the Wu-Tang song. The whole album is dope though. 5 stars.
Javier Pavon
Damn I had this CD , I forgot about this gem 🔥🔥🔥
raul cee
mos def = skills out this world
jfj619
This was my s**t when it hit back in the day! Epico! Never got enough love if you ask me. TONY TOCA!!!!!!!!!
Dylan Nicolodi
Fucking wild. Mad skills to rap like two languages back and forth like that
joegar317
Rappers nowadays are wack in one language. Mos is nice in 2.