Mos def black on both sides album cover11/22/2023 ![]() Its ambition and execution rank it as one of the best albums of 1999, and it consolidates Mos Def's position as one of hip-hop's brightest hopes entering the 21st century. In short, Black On Both Sides is a tour de force by an artist out to prove he can do it all. Yasiin Bey (/ j æ s i n b e / born Dante Terrell Smith, December 11, 1973), more commonly known by his former stage name Mos Def (/ m o s d f /), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. In keeping with his goal of restoring hip-hop's sociopolitical consciousness, Def's lyrics are as intelligent and thoughtfully crafted as one would expect, but he doesn't stop there - he sings quite passably on several tracks, plays live instruments on others (including bass, drums, congas, vibraphone, and keyboards), and even collaborates on a string arrangement. It's an excellent way to round out the decade for hip-hop, which had rooted itself even further. Following up on the critically acclaimed release of Black Star 's self titled album, Mos Def flew solo and the end result was Black On Both Sides. 1999 Rawkus Entertainment Black On Both Sides Mos Def 01-01-1999 Total duration: 1 h 11 min. ![]() But they're supported by a rich depth that comes from forays into reggae (as well as its aura of spiritual conscience), pop, soul, funk, and even hardcore punk (that on the album's centerpiece, "Rock N Roll", a dissection of white America's history of appropriating black musical innovations). Review Summary: An ambitious, intelligent and expansive hip-hop album. Listen to Black On Both Sides by Mos Def on Deezer. The main reference points are pretty much the same - old-school rap, which allows for a sense of playfulness as well as history, and the native tongues posse's fascination with jazz, both for its sophistication and cultural heritage. He met them all with Black On Both Sides, a record every bit as dazzling and visionary as Black Star.īlack On Both Sides strives to not only refine but expand the scope of Mos Def's talents, turning the solo spotlight on his intricate wordplay and nimble rhythmic skills - but also his increasing eclecticism. Consciously designed as a return to rap's musical foundations and a manifesto for reclaiming the art form from gangsta / playa domination, it succeeded mightily on both counts, raising expectations sky-high for Mos Def's solo debut. "Brooklyn" and "Habitat" are no less geohistorical because they act locally.Mos Def's partnership with Talib Kweli produced one of the most important hip-hop albums of the late '90s, 1997's brilliant Black Star. "New World Water" isn't just the political song of the year, it's catchy like a motherfucker. But the wealth of good-hearted reflection and well-calibrated production overwhelms one's petty objections. Brooklyn, NYC-based rapper of Trinidadian descent, Dante 'Beze' Terrell Smith (better known simply as Mos Def) is also making a career as a Hollywood actor. Mos Def released a solo album, Black on Both Sides, which had a jazzy, R&B flavor. I hope someday he learns that what made Chuck Berry better than Elvis Presley wasn't soul, even if that rhymes with rock and roll the way Rolling Stones rhymes with (guess who he prefers) Nina Simone. Mos Defs Black on Both Sides Album Anniversary. "Building it now for the promise of the infinite," Black Star's star overreaches delete the right tracks, which is always the catch, and his solo CD would pack more power at 55 minutes than it does at 71. Featuring Francis Wolffs photography and Reid Miles typography, the best Blue Note album covers. Robert Christgau: Album: Mos Def: Black on Both Sides Best Blue Note Album Covers: 20 Groundbreaking Artworks.
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