Artist: Mos Def

Even 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. It's not just because these guys know their history (an update of Slick Rick's classic "Children's Story", a fine jack of BDP's "The P Is Free" on "Definition", and shout-outs to 2Pac, Biggie, and the Rock Steady Crew) and have paid their dues. Mos Def had been bouncing around the Native Tongues family for years, and both he and Kweli are featured on the Soundbombing and Lyricist Lounge albums. No, Black Star stands out simply because it's a great album, an intelligent, progressive, and funky piece of work that showcases two great MCs, both of whom have internalised the best parts of Guru, Rakim, and Q-Tip. The album also features strong production from Shawn J. Period and DJ Hi-Tek (Kweli's partner in Reflection Eternal). --Randy Silver
shining star, 2006-02-20
This has got to be one of the most played cd's in my collection.
If you like either mos or talib then you NEED this cd, because quite simply you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
I think it's quite difficult to get hold of at the moment but well worth the effort, funky, raw and cutting edge even now this is a seminal album by two unsung masters of true hip-hop.
I'm not gonna bang on or give a track by track synopsis of this album, i could never do it justice, you just need to listen.

Artist: Mos Def

Artist: Mos Def

Black on Both Sides is a manifestation of compelling, honest hip-hop. The genre's underground torchbearer, the mighty Mos Def (half of Black Star), injects intellect, humour, and knowledge into all of his rhymes. Overall, the album has an understated quality, but pure enjoyment comes with discovering the clever lyrical gems Mos drops. The expansiveness of his mindstate is showcased best on "New World Water", in which he fully represents our uses of, needs for, and exploitation of water. On "Ms. Fat Booty", a love tale with unexpected twists is woven intricately around Aretha Franklin's wailing vocals. Whether rapping, singing, or lecturing, Mos Def is firmly rooted in African American consciousness and examines social issues with great ease. Black on Both Sides will endure for many years; it's an album worthy of numerous listens. --Celine Wong
The Greatest Hip Hop Album......EVER!!!!!!!, 2007-09-21
Even though this is just my opinion, i think many can agree that this is the best hip hop album ever released. This is one of those albums that you will have on repeat for the whole day without getting bored of it. For some listeners, it will take a couple of listens to get used to, but as soon as you have you will be recommending this to all of your friends. Now if you're into hip hop from artists like 50 Cent and G Unit this might not be the album for you, but give it a try anyway. Standout tracks include Ms. Fat Booty (a track explaining the relationship between Mos and a girl he meets in a club), Umi Says (a mellow jazz inspired track, with Mos playing many of the instruments included), Do It Now (a high energy track with Busta Rhymes) and Know That (an early taste of the amazing 'Black Star' partnership with Talib Kweli). If you haven't got this album already, GET IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Artist: Mos Def

I'm Ecstatic about this Album, 2010-06-29
Mos Def is a poet of his time, this album covers everything from sex. love to the social economic and political viewpoints. The beats are on point and his voice and his lyrics are sublime. I sooo recommend this to you all.

Artist: Mos Def

Mos Def turns soul singer for this classic tune taken from his debut solo album Black On Both Sides, a loose limbed funk affair with splashings of rhodes keys. This cd single also includes his debut single, the sought after Universal Magnetic, originally released on Rawkus back in '97 and now a hip hop collector's item.
Mos Def shines again, 2002-01-26
Mos Def really has to be the perfect hip hop artist. Again and again he excels with supreme lyrical flow and mature rhymes, its about time he got the recognition he genuinely deserves. Perhaps this song can do that because it's certainly good enough. As Mos Def fans will know he is very innovative. This is a prime example of that, here on Umi Says he predominantly is singing as opposed to his usual relaxed style of rapping and freestyling. It is very clever and works really well. In the background there is a constant beat that sustains itself throughout. Over this Mos sings slowly and ponderously. Its a real chillout track as he deliberates slowly and skillfully. He continues in this vein creating a kind of moody atmosphere. The track is very down tempo, perhaps so the listener can appreciate Mos Def's talent of singing as well. However he manages to spice it up toward the end with a switch back to his rhymes and unique slang style.
This leaves the song on an upbeat. It is a very effective, well produced, and simple tune. Mos carries it off very well, and it's a another fantastic hip hop anthem from the award winning, widely acclaimed album Black on Both Sides.
This tune has the potential to boost Mos Def's Uk popularity, which would be good for not just him, but also his record company Rawkus which keeps churning out quality relases of the conveyor belt, Mos is the leader of a group of talented hip hoppers, signed to this up and coming record label. I would really recommend this record to anybody interested in laid back, easy listening hip hop music. As well as Mos'album and this single and would recommend all Rawkus releases as they are a break from the hip hop norm of this day. If you've got any taste you will buy this supreme piece of hip hop music.

Artist: DJ Shadow, Mos Def

You never thought we'd go to war..., 2002-10-26
The latest single to be taken from The Private Press, the original version of 'Six Days' features a haunting sample from a track called 'Six Day War', whose refrain 'Tomorrow never comes until it's too late' digs its way into your head and won't let go. The remix, featuring Mos Def, is a much harder affair, with more beats and scratching, which give the track a darker feel. This version has a much stronger message, taking its lead from the line 'You never thought we'd go to war after all the things we saw'. The third track is a throw away, but that doesn't stop being an essential purchase for anyone with a love of music, or a conscience.

Artist: Mos Def

Excuse me?, 2009-06-30
This, along with DOOM's Born Like This, is one of the best hip-hop albums of the year so far, it could even be better than the aforementioned - I recently watched a video interview with Mos Def, where he discusses DOOM and his deep respect for him ("I'd bet a million dollars on DOOM against Lil Wayne"). These two rappers, in my opinion, are two of the most important and impressive working today, and tend to work with the right producers and collaborators with no doubt.

Mos spans a range of styles, thanks to production from his buddies including Madlib, Mr Flash (Ed Banger), and the late J Dilla (legend), and excellent appearances from Slick Rick and Talib Kweli. This album flows as well as Black on Both Sides, but overall is a beastier, more soulful effort, which really is exhilarating to listen to.

A lot of people might not agree, but this proves how cool Mos Def can keep, he really is keeping a consistently solid image which can't really be matched by anyone out there, flying solo like himself. I love the samples used throughout, especially the jazz tendencies and occasional Eastern skits. Even the most overproduced (by Mr Flash) track 'Life in Marvelous Times' manages to keep it together...but at least it's better than Kanye West or any R'n'B slaughter - in other words, its appeal doesn't deteriorate after the first listen. This album is sweet, and will stay so for quite a while, in my eyes. This is decent hip-hop and should not be ignored.

Artist: Mos Def

More than a mere rap album, Mos Def's long-awaited The New Danger combines hip-hop, blues, soul, and rock in an 18-track package that seeks to transcend convention. In that sense, it shares a similar spirit with Andre 3000's The Love Below or Common's Electric Circus, with mixed results. Mos's reputation has been built on the strength of his lyrical charisma, and songs like "Close Edge," "Grown Man Business," and "Sunshine" show that his skills haven't faded just because he's Emmy-nominated. He's already proven that he can cut more than just street heat--best evinced on the soulful, poetic "Umi Says," a surprise hit from his previous release, 1999's Black on Both Sides. Yet, the rock- and blues-inspired songs here, while by no means poor, are acquired tastes, given their tendency to noodle--they simply can't compare with Mos's cutting verbal displays. The album's length and sometimes clunky sequencing can make for challenging listening, especially when so many of his more experimental cuts come early on. New fans might find the album's eclecticism intriguing, although older fans will likely be a bit perplexed. --Oliver Wang
Mos Def is Def!, 2007-06-01
Awesome album. cant believe so many suckers didnt like it. Very experimental but something different. hes a new person on this album. Dont just compare it to his id (BOBS) cuz its completely different. Infact dont compare it to any thing but itself cuz its completly individual.

Artist: Mos Def

Artist: Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Black Star

Even 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. It's not just because these guys know their history (an update of Slick Rick's classic "Children's Story", a fine jack of BDP's "The P Is Free" on "Definition", and shout-outs to 2Pac, Biggie, and the Rock Steady Crew) and have paid their dues. Mos Def had been bouncing around the Native Tongues family for years, and both he and Kweli are featured on the Soundbombing and Lyricist Lounge albums. No, Black Star stands out simply because it's a great album, an intelligent, progressive, and funky piece of work that showcases two great MCs, both of whom have internalised the best parts of Guru, Rakim, and Q-Tip. The album also features strong production from Shawn J. Period and DJ Hi-Tek (Kweli's partner in Reflection Eternal). --Randy Silver
shining star, 2006-02-20
This has got to be one of the most played cd's in my collection.
If you like either mos or talib then you NEED this cd, because quite simply you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
I think it's quite difficult to get hold of at the moment but well worth the effort, funky, raw and cutting edge even now this is a seminal album by two unsung masters of true hip-hop.
I'm not gonna bang on or give a track by track synopsis of this album, i could never do it justice, you just need to listen.