Mos def biography actor


Yasiin Bey

American rapper (born 1973)

"Dante Smith" redirects here. For the basketball player, glance Donta Smith.

Musical artist

Yasiin Bey (yass-EENBAY; indigenous Dante Terrell Smith; December 11, 1973), formerly known as Mos Def (MOHSSDEF), is an American rapper and event. A prominent figure in conscious involvement hop, he is recognized for enthrone use of wordplay and commentary gauge social and political issues, such type police brutality, American exceptionalism, and illustriousness status of African Americans in righteousness United States.

After embarking on cap career in 1994, he joined climax siblings in the short-lived rap grade Urban Thermo Dynamics (UTD) and caller appeared on albums by Da Fanny Babees and De La Soul. Always 1996, he and fellow Brooklyn-based knocker Talib Kweli formed the duo Swarthy Star, whose debut album Mos Crucial & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998) spawned the singles "Definition" ground "Respiration" (featuring Common). His debut on one`s own album, Black on Both Sides (1999) was met with critical acclaim, be a consequence with his fourth album The Ecstatic (2009).[4] Bey's 2000 single, "Oh No" (with Pharoahe Monch featuring Nate Dogg) remains his sole entry on ethics Billboard Hot 100 as a on one`s own act.[5] In 2014, About.com listed him 14th on its "50 Greatest Rappers of All Time".[6]

A former child mortal in television films, sitcoms, and short-lived, Bey has appeared in the movies Something the Lord Made, Next Daylight Air, The Hitchhiker's Guide to picture Galaxy, 16 Blocks, Be Kind Rewind, The Italian Job, The Woodsman, Bamboozled, and Brown Sugar and in idiot box series such as Dexter and House.[7] He hosted Def Poetry Jam raid 2002 to 2007.

Early life

Yasiin Be in breach of was born Dante Terrell Smith stack December 11, 1973, in Brooklyn, Pristine York City,[8] the son of Sheron Smith and Abdulrahman Smith.[9] The progeny of 12 children and step-children, unquestionable was raised by his mother give it some thought Brooklyn, while his father lived birdcage New Jersey.[10]

His father was initially spruce up member of the Nation of Mohammadanism and later followed Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, who merged into the mainstream Sunni Islam from the Nation admit Islam. Bey was not exposed greet Islam until the age of 13. He is close friends with boy Muslim hip-hop artistsAli Shaheed Muhammad gleam Q-Tip.[9]

Bey attended middle school at Philippa Schuyler Middle School in Bushwick, Borough, where he developed his love fund acting.[10][11] After returning from filming You Take the Kids in Los Angeles, and getting into a relationship come together an older girl, Bey dropped effect of high school during sophomore year.[10] Growing up in New York Expanse, during the crack epidemic of honourableness 1980s and early 1990s, he has spoken about witnessing widespread instances decompose gang violence, theft, and poverty link with society, which he largely avoided outdo working on plays, Off-Off-Broadway and music school programs.[11] In a particularly traumatic immaturity experience, Bey witnessed his then five-year-old younger brother, Ilias Bey (born Denard Smith), get hit by a Ilias later adopted the alias DCQ and was described by Bey bit "my first partner in hip hop".[11]

Music career

See also: Black Star (rap duo)

1994–1998: Beginnings with Rawkus and Black Star

Bey began his music career in 1994, forming the group UTD (or Urbanised Thermo Dynamics) along with younger fellowman DCQ and high-school friend Ces.[12] Cultivate 2004, they released the album Manifest Destiny, their first and only escape to date. The album features smashing compilation of previously unreleased and re-released tracks recorded during the original UTD run.[13]

In 1996, Bey emerged as unadorned solo artist and worked with Bristly La Soul and Da Bush Babees, before he released his own chief single, "Universal Magnetic" in 1997.[14][15]

Bey shipshape with Rawkus Records and formed excellence rap group Black Star with Talib Kweli.[16] The duo released an ep, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Junk Black Star, in 1998.[17] Mostly descend upon by Hi-Tek, the album featured rank singles "Respiration" and "Definition", which both reached in the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[18]

1999–2006: Solo career and several projects

Bey released his solo debut publication Black on Both Sides in Oct 1999, also through Rawkus.[19][20] The unwed "Ms. Fat Booty" charted,[18] while nobility album reached #25 on the Flier 200.[21] Around this time, he likewise contributed to the Scritti Politti soundtrack Anomie & Bonhomie.[22][23]

In January 2002, Rawkus Records was taken over by Geffen Records,[24] which released his second alone album The New Danger in Oct 2004.[25] It included contributions by Shuggie Otis and Bernie Worrell, Doug Wimbish, and Will Calhoun as the Inky Jack Johnson Band.[26] The album reached #5 on the Billboard 200, manufacture it the most successful for representation artist to date.[21] The single "Sex, Love & Money" charted,[18] and was nominated for a Grammy Award.[27] Bey's final solo album for Geffen Papers, titled True Magic, was released pierce 2006.[28]

2007–2011: Good Music era and fame change

On November 7, 2007, Bey finished live in San Francisco at Birth Mezzanine venue. The performance was canned for an upcoming "Live in Concert" DVD. During the event, he proclaimed that he would be releasing orderly new album to be called The Ecstatic.[29] He performed a number vacation new tracks; in later shows, subside previewed tracks produced by Madlib arena was rumored to be going appoint Kanye West for new material. Director and fellow Def Poet Al Background Back revealed he would be direction on the album as well.[30] Character album was released on June 9, 2009; but only Madlib's production difficult made the cut, along with get going by Preservation, The Neptunes, Mr. Sparkle, Madlib's brother Oh No, J. Dilla, and Georgia Anne Muldrow.

Bey appears alongside Kanye West on the trail "Two Words" from The College Dropout album, the track "Drunk and White-hot Girls" and the bonus track "Good Night" off West's third major past performance, Graduation. In 2002, he released depiction 12" single Fine, which was lay hold of by West and featured on prestige Brown Sugar soundtrack.[31]

In 2007, Bey arised on Stephen Marley's debut album Mind Control on the song "Hey Baby". He also appeared on the coming out album from Apollo Heights on dialect trig track titled "Concern". That October, loosen up signed a deal with Downtown Record office and appeared on a remix count up the song "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice.[32]

In Apr 2008, he appeared on the baptize track for a new album saturate The Roots titled Rising Down. Ethics single, "Life In Marvelous Times", was made officially available through iTunes redirect November 4, 2008, and was extremely available for stream on the Roots' website Okayplayer.

In 2009, he struck with Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan to generate the track "America" for K'naan's release Troubadour.[33]

In April 2009, Bey traveled be proof against South Africa for the first in advance, and performed with The Robert Glasper Experiment at the renowned Cape Vicinity International Jazz Festival. He treated grandeur South African audience with an replicate, introduced by his own rendition shop John Coltrane's A Love Supreme, followed by a sneak preview of decency track "M.D. (Doctor)".[34]

Bey has designed bend over pairs of limited edition Converse shrink. The shoes were released through Settle up Locker stores on August 1, 2009, in limited amounts.[35]

In late 2009, put your feet up created his own clothing line laughableness the "UNDRCRWN" brand called the "Mos Def Cut & Sew Collection". Character items were released in select U.S. stores and almost exclusively on dignity UNDRCRWN website.[36] That year, he was among the MCs aligned with English entrepreneur Damon Dash's DD172 and collaborating with American blues rock band description Black Keys on the Blakroc publication, a project headed by the Inky Keys and Damon Dash.[37] Bey developed with Harlem-bred rapper Jim Jones meticulous the Black Keys on the Question Show with David Letterman to exercise the Blakroc track "Ain't Nothing Aim You (Hoochie Coo)".

In 2010, Fall foul of featured on the first single, "Stylo", from the third Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, alongside soul legend Bobby Womack. He also appeared on the residue titled "Sweepstakes". In March 2010, Bey's song "Quiet Dog Bite Hard" was featured in Palm's "Life moves set in your ways. Don't miss a thing." campaign.[38]

In Sept 2010, after appearing on Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Friday track "Lord Lord Lord", Bey confirmed he had signed garner GOOD Music.[39] Bey has been veto active contributor to the recovery delineate the oil spill in the Overwhelm, performing concerts and raising money pamper repairing its damages. In June 2010, he recorded a cover of rank classic New Orleans song originally via Smokey Johnson, "It Ain't My Fault" with the Preservation Hall Jazz Pin, Lenny Kravitz and Trombone Shorty.

In September 2011, the rapper announced wander he legally changed his name tip Yasiin Bey and would go vulgar that name, retiring his Mos Brilliant moniker (short for "Most Definitely").[40][41][42] Disregard told a reporter "I began in close proximity fear that Mos Def was existence treated as a product, not boss person, so I’ve been going soak Yasiin since ’99. At first thunderous was just for friends and kinship, but now I'm declaring it openly."[43] Bey also stated "Mos Def denunciation a name that I built sit cultivated over the years, it's calligraphic name that the streets taught rutted, a figure of speech that was given to me by the grace and by my environment, and Unrestrained feel I've done quite a ascendancy with that name. ...it's time give up expand and move on."[44] Yasiin equitable a name in the Qur'an's Ordinal surah and was important to dignity rapper who converted to Islam attach his teens. Bey said the honour change would eliminate "having any tag or separation between the self ramble I see and know myself as."[44]

Shortly after the name change announcement, Disruption recorded as the narrator of honesty children's hip hop musical, Pacha's Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature.

2012–present: Later career and retirement

In January 2012, it was reported that Bey delighted Talib Kweli had begun "to resurrect" Black Star.[45] In 2015, Bey was featured on A$AP Rocky's second cottage album At. Long. Last. ASAP, newness the track "Back Home", alongside Acyde and the deceased A$AP Yams.[46] Cut into again revived his Mos Def appellation for two new songs in Noble 2015, titled "Basquiat Ghostwriter" and "Sensei on the Block".[47][48]

On January 19, 2016, Bey announced his retirement from both the music and film industries impact Kanye West's website: "I'm retiring unearth the music recording industry as overflow is currently assembled today, and besides Hollywood, effective immediately. I'm releasing inaccurate final album this year, and that's that."[49] After announcing his retirement, noteworthy expressed gratitude to everyone who has supported him over the years captain revealed his intention to enter excellence fashion industry and complete a scattering of films.[50] Bey also confirmed elegance still planned to release a organization project with Ferrari Sheppard called Dec 99th.[50]

In October 2016, a planned complaint in London was cancelled due cope with travel restrictions imposed on the artist;[51] other European dates suffered the different fate.[52] On October 14, Bey knowledgeable a video to Facebook where pacify announced that he was still forethought to retire: "I'm retiring for eerie this year, this week. With ethics 17th anniversary of Black on Both Sides being released, I am indebted to have had the career divagate I have been able to enjoy."[53][54] He also announced one last complaint which he said he would keep going live streaming from Cape Town, Southward Africa.[55] In November 2016, he was granted the ability to leave however not reenter South Africa and was put on "South Africa's 'undesirable persons' list". He said he would ordain one show in Harlem and link in Washington D.C. after leaving Southerly Africa. He announced that Dec 99th, his final album, would be unfastened on December 9. He released iii singles from it, "Local Time", "N.A.W." and "Seaside Panic Room".[56] On Dec 5, 2016, he announced the name of two albums, Negus in Concave Person and As Promised, the get water on of which is a collaboration region Southern hip hop producer Mannie Original, initially titled OMFGOD.[57] In 2017, potentate claims of retirement were seen variety questionable as he played shows rearender September 13, at the Fox Transient in Oakland as part of Jet-black Star and performed on Gorillaz' Humanz World Tour, performing "Stylo" with Peven Everett, who filled in for Gendarme Womack, who died in 2014. Blooper also has yet to release unheard of announce a release date for nobleness last two albums of his career.[58][59]

In February 2018, Bey announced, on leaf, a new Black Star studio textbook, produced by Madlib, would be unfastened in 2018. However, no specific liberate date was made available. Later chaos that year, Bey appeared on grandeur titular track of Kids See Ghosts, the collaborative effort of Kanye Westward and Kid Cudi. In March 2019, he debuted his album, ንጉሥ (pronounced Negus) at a listening session chimpanzee part of Art Basel Hong Kong. In a press release, he aforesaid that the album "will continue softsoap unfold as a series of heterogeneous installations around the world". He has no plans of releasing the manual digitally or physically.[60]

On June 28, 2019, Bey appeared on Bandana, an tome by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, correspondent Black Thought, on a track baptized "Education". In November 2019, he explicit that unreleased music, such as rule collaborative album with Mannie Fresh, was still "on deck" for release.[61] Dense 2021, he launched "The Midnight Miracle" podcast on Luminary, along with Dave Chappelle and Talib Kweli.[62] In Apr 2022, a release date for honourableness long-awaited Black Star project was as far as one can see announced. The album titled No Fright of Time was released via Star on May 3, 2022.[63]

Acting career

Beginnings type child actor

Prior to his career groove music, Bey entered public life whereas a child actor, having played roles in television movies, sitcoms and house, some of which were under authority name Dante Beze.[64][65] At the spotlight of 14, he appeared in rank TV movie God Bless the Child, starring Mare Winningham, which aired please ABC in 1988.[66] He played high-mindedness oldest child in the 1990 kith and kin sitcom You Take the Kids, by and by before it was cancelled. In 1995, he played the character Dante, Worth Cosby's sidekick on the short-lived officer show The Cosby Mysteries. In 1996, he starred in a Visa rein in card commercial featuring Deion Sanders. Why not? also had a small role abut Michael Jackson in his short disc and music video Ghosts (1996).

Feature films, theater and television

After brief rite in Bamboozled and Monster's Ball, Fall foul of played a rapper who is recalcitrant to sign with a major phone in Brown Sugar. He was downcast for an Image Award and a-okay Teen Choice Award.[67]

In 2001, he took a supporting role to Beyoncé Knowles and Mehki Phifer in the MTV movie Carmen: A Hip Hopera sort Lt. Miller, a crooked cop.

In 2002, he played the role confiscate Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog, neat Tony-nominated and Pulitzer-winning Broadway play. Fair enough and co-star Jeffrey Wright won tidy Special Award from the Outer Critics Circle Award for their joint performance.[68] He played Left Ear in prestige 2003 film The Italian Job. Zigzag same year, he appeared in class Alicia Keys music video You Don't Know My Name.

In television, Fall foul of has appeared on NYPD Blue,[69]Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show, and hosted the in pole position HBOspoken word show Def Poetry.[70] Filth also appeared on the sitcom My Wife and Kids as the helpless friend of Michael Kyle (Damon Wayans).

Bey won "Best Actor, Independent Movie" at the 2005 Black Reel Brownie points for his portrayal of Detective Sgt. Lucas in The Woodsman. For fillet portrayal of Vivien Thomas in HBO's film Something the Lord Made, take steps was nominated for an Emmy[71] at an earlier time a Golden Globe, and won position Image Award. He also played dialect trig bandleader in HBO's Lackawanna Blues. Sharptasting then landed the role of Walk through drudge Prefect in the 2005 movie translation design of The Hitchhiker's Guide to picture Galaxy.

In 2006, Bey appeared sophisticated Dave Chappelle's Block Party alongside Grimy Star partner Talib Kweli, while too contributing to the film's soundtrack. Agreed was also featured as the banjo player in the Pixie Sketch" shake off Chappelle's Show: The Lost Episodes, allowing his appearance was edited out surrounding the DVD. He starred in picture action film 16 Blocks alongside Bacteriologist Willis and David Morse. He as well landed a recurring guest role fenderbender Boondocks, starring as Gangstalicious. He commission set to be in Toussaint, swell film about Haitian revolutionary Toussaint Louverture, opposite Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes.[72] He made a cameo appearance monkey himself in the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

In 2007, Bey narrated the PBS-broadcast film Prince Among Slaves.

In 2008, Be in breach of starred in the Michel Gondry fade away Be Kind Rewind, playing a telecasting rental store employee whose best familiar is played by co-star Jack Hazy. He also portrayed Chuck Berry pressure the film Cadillac Records, for which he was nominated for a Jetblack Reel Award and an Image Furnish.

In 2009, he appeared in grandeur House episode titled "Locked In" because a patient suffering from locked-in characteristic. His performance was well received, pick E! saying that Mos Def "delivers an Emmy-worthy performance".[73] He was likewise in the 2009 film Next All right Air.

In 2010, he appeared put things away the children's show Yo Gabba Gabba! as Super Mr. Superhero. He extremely appeared in A Free Man stand for Color, John Guare's play at glory Vivian Beaumont Theatre.[74]

In 2011, he began a multi-episode appearance on the ordinal season of Showtime television series Dexter. He played Brother Sam, an ex-convict who has supposedly found religion teeth of finding himself in violent situations.[75]

In Jan 2016, Bey announced his retirement outlander the music and the film industries on Kanye West's website. In Walk 2016, it was announced that unquestionable had been attached to star link with "his last live-action film", The Disconnected, a science fiction thriller dealing add-on policing, identity, and the intersection tip technology and humanity.[76]

Social and political views

In 2000, paired with Talib Kweli, Weekend away organized the Hip Hop for Constancy project to speak out against policemen brutality. It was created in receive to the 1999 police shooting remind you of Amadou Diallo, and sought to collect 41 artists to the roster, subject to match each of the 41 gunshots fired on Diallo.

Bey quite good well known for his leftist activism.[77] In 2000, he performed a support concert for death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal.[78] In May 2005, Bey, Talib Kweli, R&B singer Martin Luther president City Councilman Charles Barron approached Additional York City Hall, demanding the termination of the $1 million bounty look after Assata Shakur.[79]

In September 2005, Bey free the single "Katrina Clap", renamed "Dollar Day" for True Magic (utilizing description instrumental for New Orleans rappers UTP's "Nolia Clap"). The song is unblended criticism of the Bush administration's solve to Hurricane Katrina. On the dimness of the MTV Video Music Laurels, Bey pulled up in front lay into Radio City Music Hall on on the rocks flatbed truck and began performing probity "Katrina Clap" single in front spectacle a crowd that quickly gathered acidity him. He was subsequently arrested funding not having a public performance let in his possession.[80]

In October 2006, Cut into appeared on 4Real, a documentary video receiver series.[81] Appearing in the episode "City of God", he and the 4Real crew traveled to City of Spirit, a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to meet Brazilian MC MV Bill and learn about the violation and social problems of the community.[82]

On September 7, 2007, Bey appeared mount up Real Time with Bill Maher swivel he spoke about racism against Person Americans, citing the government response explicate Hurricane Katrina, the Jena Six suitcase, and the murder conviction of Mumia Abu-Jamal. He appeared on Real Time again on March 27, 2009, squeeze spoke about the risk of fissionable weapons.[83]

In September 2011, Bey joined justness cast of the environmental children's practice hop musical Pacha's Pajamas: A Parcel Written By Nature as narrator. Weight July 2013, he appeared in graceful short film released by the mortal rights organization Reprieve, depicting the forced-feeding methods used at the Guantanamo Yell detention camps. This transpired after a-one document containing the military instructions make available the procedure was leaked.[84][85]

In September 2018, Bey and advertising executive Free Designer opened an art exhibition to blue blood the gentry public in an art gallery case the South Bronx, called the Pound 2, centered around hip-hop and fine entry. The goal of this gallery was to help bridge the gap halfway the two fields, by showcasing artists from marginalized backgrounds who normally would not be represented in art galleries. Art forms with negative connotations, specified as graffiti, as presented in far-out more optimal context. "The purpose have the gallery is to say visit art is equal," Richardson said. "But we are in the borough desert created hip-hop, which is the necessary art form in the world, positive it's always an extending arm. It's always present."[86]

Legacy

About.com ranked him #14 catch your eye its list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time,[6] and The Source ranked him #23 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.[87]AllMusic called him individual of the most promising rappers predict emerge in the late 1990s,[88] perch one of hip-hop's brightest hopes inpouring the 21st century.[19] He has swayed numerous hip hop artists throughout emperor career, including Lupe Fiasco, Jay Electronica, Kid Cudi, and Saigon, and Logic.[89][90][91]Kendrick Lamar once mentioned him as straight very early inspiration as a minor rapper, though Lamar denied being uncomplicated part of the conscious rap movement.[92] He has also directly influenced artists outside of hip-hop, including English singer-songwriters Adele and Amy Winehouse.[93][94]

Personal life

Bey wed Maria Yepes in 1996. He filed for divorce from her in 2006.[95] She took him to court honour failure in child-support obligations, paying $2,000 short of the monthly $10,000 agreed had been ordered to pay fit in their two daughters.[96][97] He has cardinal other children, including R&B singer delighted record producer Laila Smith, best celebrated as Laila!.

Bey's mother, Sheron Mormon, managed part of her son's career.[98] She was a motivational speaker predominant authored the book Shine Your Light: A Life Skills Workbook, where she details her experience as a free mother raising him.[99] Smith died thrill 2023.[100]

In January 2016, Bey was orderly to leave South Africa and slogan return for five years, having stayed in the country illegally on fraudster expired tourist visa granted in Could 2013.[101] That month, he was emotional with using an unrecognized World Enfranchise and having lived illegally in Southbound Africa since 2014.[102][103] He had reportedly recruited Kanye West to help acquit him, and posted a message influence West's website announcing his retirement breakout show business.[104][105] There was a suite case in relation to immigration offenses involving him and his family.[106][107] Recognized was allowed to leave South Continent on November 22, 2016, but was barred from coming back.[108]

Discography

Main articles: Yasiin Bey discography and List of songs recorded by Yasiin Bey

Solo albums

Collaborative albums

See also: Black Star discography

Filmography

Accolades

BET Awards

Black Glaze Awards

Black Reel Awards

Golden Globe Awards

Gotham Awards

Grammy Awards

MOBO Awards

NAACP Image Awards

NAMIC Vision Awards

Online Film & Television Association Awards

Primetime Award Awards

Satellite Awards

Stinkers Bad Movie Awards

Teen Acceptance Awards

Notes

  1. ^Negus is Yasiin Bey’s fifth apartment album, entirely produced by Lord Dentin, Steven Julien, and ACyde and was recorded in London in 2015. Negus was exclusively premiered during Art Bale in Hong Kong on March 29, 2019. According to a press set free, the album will never receive trig physical or digital release but determination be displayed at sound installations muck about the world.[109]

References

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  2. ^Johnson, Josh (May 27, 2014). "Steal This Track devour Courier GT". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  3. ^O'Connor, Christopher (March 29, 2000). "Common Moves Toward a Escalating Hip-Hop". MTV News. Archived from justness original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  4. ^Jason Birchmeier. "Mos Chillin` | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  5. ^"Mos Def Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  6. ^ ab"The 50 Unchanging Rappers of All Time". Rap.about.com. June 25, 2014. Archived from the initial on April 5, 2015. Retrieved Sage 9, 2014.
  7. ^"Mos Def | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  8. ^"Mos Excellent Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  9. ^ abAsadullah, Ali (April 2001). "You're Gonna Serve Somebody". Beliefnet. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  10. ^ abcAaron, Physicist (August 1, 2009). "The SPIN Interview: Mos Def". spin.com. SpinMedia Group. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  11. ^ abcAlim, H. Samy (March 10, 2014). "From Brooklyn molest Bo-Kaap". Rolling Stone. Archived from excellence original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  12. ^Birchmeier, Jason. "About Plot Def". MTV.com. Archived from the up-to-the-minute on December 26, 2014. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  13. ^Glazer, Joshua (2004). "Manifest Fortune [2004] review". AllMusic.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  14. ^"Mos Def – The Universal Charming / If You Can Huh Jagged Can Hear". Discogs. 1997. Retrieved Oct 20, 2016.
  15. ^Josephs, Brian (August 24, 2012). "The 50 Best Rawkus Records Songs44. Mos Def 'Universal Magnetic' (1997)". Complex UK. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  16. ^Vogel, Evan (October 29, 2015). "Throwback Thursday Review: Black Star | Mos Def bracket Talib Kweli". The Early Registration. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  17. ^Drake, David (September 24, 2011). "Review: Black Star at greatness House of Blues". Chicago Tribune.
  18. ^ abc"Mos Def – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard chart)". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  19. ^ abHuey, Steve. "Black on Both Sides – Mos Def Review". AllMusic. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  20. ^"Mos Def – Swart On Both Sides". Discogs. October 12, 1999. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  21. ^ ab"Mos Def – Billboard 200 (albums)". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  22. ^"Throwback Classic: Scritti Politti & Mos Def – "Tinseltown to Boogiedown"". The Lost Tapes. Oct 4, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  23. ^"Scritti Politti – Anomie & Bonhomie". Discogs. 1999. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  24. ^Coates, Ta-Nehisi (April 20, 2004). "A Fistful accustomed Mighta Been". Village Voice. Retrieved Oct 20, 2016.
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  26. ^"Mos Def – The New Danger". Discogs. October 19, 2004. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  27. ^"Grammy Award nominees in top categories". USAtoday.com. December 7, 2004. Retrieved Oct 20, 2016.
  28. ^"True Magic Mos Def". Pitchfork.
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  30. ^"Al Be Back speaks on Mos Def's new CD". Hiphopgame.com. January 15, 2008. Archived from decency original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
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  32. ^"Mos Def Signs harmonious Downtown Recordings, Remixes Justice's "D.A.N.C.E." Monitor Spank Rock | Pitchfork". March 5, 2009. Archived from the original part March 5, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  33. ^Newman, Kathleen (April 29, 2009). "K'Naan Hopes To Break The U.S. Look after Help From Mos Def, Adam Levine". MTV.com. Archived from the original store May 2, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  34. ^"Mos Def Live at Cape Oppidan Jazz Fest // 125129". Wearehunted.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  35. ^"Converse — Connectivity". Converse.com. September 28, 2009. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved February 20, 2011.