{"title":"Mos Def","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Mos Def\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDante Terrell Smith, performing as Mos Def (and as Yasiin Bey since 2011), was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 11, 1973. He converted to Islam in 1991 and adopted the name Yasiin Bey upon his 2011 announcement of retiring the Mos Def stage name. His collaborative work with Talib Kweli as Black Star - particularly the 1998 self-titled debut Mos Def \u0026amp; Talib Kweli Are Black Star - is widely cited as one of the most important hip hop albums of the late 1990s. His solo debut Black on Both Sides (1999) on Rawkus Records was a critical breakthrough. He has continued releasing material across multiple decades with parallel acting career. His foundational influence on contemporary alternative and conscious hip hop is widely documented. He has been involved in social justice causes, particularly around Black American experience, Islamic identity, and broader contemporary politics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMos Def's sound combines hip hop, conscious hip hop, alternative hip hop, jazz rap, neo-soul, and East Coast hip hop with his distinctive flow (combining rapping and singing approaches with Islamic and Afrocentric lyrical content), and collaborative output across multiple decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMos Def \u0026amp; Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998, Rawkus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack on Both Sides (1999, Rawkus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe New Danger (2004, Geffen)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTru3 Magic (2006, Geffen)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Ecstatic (2009, Downtown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo Fear of Time (2022, Luminary) - as Black Star with Talib Kweli, Madlib production\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRawkus Records, Geffen, and Downtown pressings of the Mos Def catalog have been issued in multiple color variant editions and limited deluxe pressings, with collector demand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Mos Def typically start with Mos Def \u0026amp; Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998) or Black on Both Sides (1999). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hip-hop-vinyl-records\"\u003eHip-Hop\/Rap\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"black-star-mos-def-talib-kweli-are-cd","title":"Mos Def \u0026 Talib Kweli are... CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eEven in hip-hop--a genre famous for auspicious debuts--Black Star, the first album from the team of Mos Def and Talib Kweli, stands out.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540731375799,"sku":"210000095570","price":13.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/eyjidwnrzxqioijtzxjjagjhci1pbwfnzxmilcjrzxkioijwcm_0ac4b8b4-8f36-4e00-bfdc-cca21280b51a.webp?v=1781154034"},{"product_id":"black-star-mos-def-talib-kweli-are-black-star-vinyl","title":"Mos Def \u0026 Talib Kweli Are Black Star LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe title is a reference to the Black Star Line, a shipping company founded by Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey. The album deals with modern-day issues, philosophies and life in Brooklyn.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540897640631,"sku":"210000031871","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/61ovtklqe4l.jpg?v=1781154643"},{"product_id":"mos-def-black-on-both-sides-vinyl","title":"Black on Both Sides LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlack on Both Sides was the debut album of Mos Def,. The album features an emphasis on live instrumentation and socially conscious lyrics and has features from Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes and Talib Kweli.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541006790839,"sku":"210000032676","price":37.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/arwk-40289-102798-01142015033833-3873.jpg?v=1781155054"},{"product_id":"mos-def-black-on-both-sides-cd","title":"Black on Both Sides CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Black on Both Sides CD from Mos Def is a critical landmark in 2000s hip-hop. With tracks like \"Ms. Fat Booty\" and \"Mathematics,\" it offers lyrical depth that resonates powerfully. The CD's packaging reflects the urban aesthetic of the time, contributing to its significance beyond the music itself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785685151927,"sku":"210000037809","price":13.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/422214.jpg?v=1783045648"},{"product_id":"black-star-no-fear-of-time-vinyl","title":"No Fear of Time LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the long-awaited reunion of hip-hop legends Black Star with their latest LP, \"No Fear of Time.\" This thrilling album features rich production by Madlib and showcases the duo's lyrical prowess in a collection of nine tracks, including standout collaborations. Recorded in various global locations, this release marks a significant moment in their storied legacy, providing fans with a fresh yet nostalgic vibe.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785764745399,"sku":"210000093794","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4342277-3184854.jpg?v=1783045848"},{"product_id":"mos-def-the-ecstatic-clear-red-vinyl","title":"The Ecstatic 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe gods have finally answered our prayers. Mos Def gifts us back the Ecstatic after it disappeared from the face of this earth almost 10 years ago. Are we finally deserving of this masterpiece? Probably not but either way we can now afford to listen to the Auditorium at our leisure without sketchy mp3 rips or YouTube links. Thank you Yasiin and Rhymesayers! - Jonny\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48863722995895,"sku":"210000107180","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4521376-3628069.jpg?v=1783776115"},{"product_id":"mos-def-the-ecstatic-cassette","title":"The Ecstatic CASSETTE","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Ecstatic first came out in 2009, Mos Def's fourth album, met with some of the strongest reviews of his career and built on production from Madlib, J Dilla, Georgia Anne Muldrow and Oh No. It opens with the Slick Rick feature 'Auditorium' and closes on 'Casa Bey,' Mos Def rapping in English and Spanish throughout. Rhymesayers presses this cassette edition. No filler, no wasted breath.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48980787134647,"sku":"210000107924","price":19.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4521375-3628071.jpg?v=1786392048"},{"product_id":"mos-def-the-ecstatic-cd","title":"The Ecstatic CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Ecstatic came out June 9, 2009 on Downtown Records and gave Mos Def his second top-10 album, debuting at number nine on the Billboard 200. Madlib, Oh No, Mr. Flash, and Preservation handled production, with Madlib and Oh No reworking old Stones Throw instrumentals. It earned two Grammy nominations, Best Rap Album and Best Rap Solo Performance for Casa Bey, and features Slick Rick and Talib Kweli.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48994730246327,"sku":"210000108012","price":14.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4521374-3628070.jpg?v=1786728527"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/mos-def.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}