Before TPAB was Black on Both Sides | Mos Def’s Black on Both Sides Deep Dive and Album Analysis

[@JusticeLong3317]

14:55 When it comes to the song Hip Hop. I think theres also a few references to Black literature here. For example, in Hip Hop he raps, “Brooklyn, number one, Native Son speaking in the native tongue” Native son is the name of a novel by author Richard Wright that was published on March 1, 1940. Which unsurprisingly is also that also dwells into themes of systemic racism. Then there is also, “Blues people got the blue chip stock option Invisible man, got the whole world watching” Blues people is a work by controversial Poet LeRoi Jones otherwise known as Amiri Baraka in which he argues that if you ever want to know the history of Black Americans study our music as our music is a reflection of our history. This goes along with the theme of Fear Not of Man that Hip Hop will be a reflection of what’s ever is going on in the black community. Then there’s an Invisible Man (1952) which is a novel written by Ralph Ellison about the Black experience and Black Americans being ignored by the dominant society. Which is why it’s quite poetic that he says “Invisible Man got the whole world watching”

[@saraarose]

Hey! Thanks SO much for this - pinned your comment so others can see this too :) Very valuable information that brings a lot more context to the album and lyrics. I am definitely going to look up and read all these works. 🙏

[@JusticeLong3317]

@@saraarose Oh you’re welcome. Glad I was able to help.

[@conduitofthegospeldarrellb9154]

“The Native Tongues” was also a 80’s-90’s conglomerate of artist including The Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Latifah, and more. Mos Def is from BKNY so they were likely a huge influence on his youth.

[@JusticeLong3317]

@@conduitofthegospeldarrellb9154 Oh most definitely, I just focused on the literature aspect of the song because I’m a book nerd😂

[@fernandoreyes680]

Liked the video off the title alone. Mos Def is one of the greatest to ever touch a mic

[@loaddedshots]

Yessir

[@Lambda-bq9uc]

Black on Both Sides has been my one my absolute favourites and even my father used to listen to it when I was a little child! You could say that I was primed to love that album! And you are right, Speed Law is so much fun to listen to and memorize :) I didn't realize you were a small creator until I took a look at your other videos. The analysis style reminded me of Digging the Greats, very nice! Thank you very much for the video, it is very much appreciated! 🎉

[@saraarose]

Thanks so much! I love Digging the Greats so this is a huge compliment :)

[@thevinyltruffle]

The indie scene is alive and well. Tons of indie labels. And that rap scene is INSANE.

[@Culturecrack]

🎉 good stuff nice to see mos def get 🌹

[@saraarose]

Thank you!

[@techniecs1]

GOAT album for sure! The creativity of songs like Speed Law, Love, Got, Mathematics...to the depths of Rock N Roll, Climb, Umi Says...this album propelled him as the next Nas at the time (the next NY messiah/emcee that the community was fiending for)...illmatic-ish...great analysis I love what ure doing ure super dope!

[@saraarose]

Thanks! 🙏

[@nahj060]

I’m curious, were you there when Black dropped? It was an entirely different scene from Illmatic, I don’t think the two debuts are really comparable, not sonically, lyrically, thematically. In fact I disagree with this entire video, respectfully it comes off like someone who listened to both recently

[@saraarose]

@@nahj060 Hey! thanks for your comment. The illmatic mention was from the original commentator so I can't respond to that point. I mentioned in the video I first listened to BOBS in highschool (2011), and I was there for when TPAB dropped. I don't think the debuts of the albums are similar, but rather that both albums share similar themes/topics. To me, before TPAB dropped, I considered BOBS to be the best socially conscious/poltical album that is more digestible for mainstream audiences (in contrast to albums from KRS-ONE or Public Enemy) due to the production and sound of the album. After TPAB dropped, i think most people coin it as the best socially consicous/poltical album, but before it did, BOBS would be one of the first albums people thought of for that title.

[@techniecs1]

@@nahj060 Peace @nahj060 about the illmatic comparison...ofc these are 2 different artists with 2 different styles but when it comes to NYC SOLOIST ''CONSCIOUS'' EMCEES WITH CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DEBUT ALBUMS, then it's fair to say we can include just a few artists...such as Mos Def - Black On Both Sides...also Jeru - The Sun Rises In The East...but yes indeed 1994 and 1999 were 2 different eras already (all within the 90s decade: another reason why the 90s remains unmatched)...but in terms of CONSCIOUSNESS and BLACK INTELLECT within the music, that Mos Def 1st album was a big win for the so-called-real-hiphop-community at the time (in the midst of much platinum street rap, backed by the machine the DMX's the Jay-Z's the Ja Rule's etc) I was just a kid at the time (10 years old, fall of 99) fully immersed into the music...my older neighbor he had the Mos Def album and I picked it up...Monumental album it definately shaped my direction (again in the midst of Dr.Dre - Chronic 2001, Eminem Snoop etc) but yeah Black On Both Sides one of those solo albums with the most SUBSTANCE...(à la illmatic-nas)...these are my 2 cents

[@nahj060]

@@techniecs1 I don’t disagree but a kid from QB in the early 90s with that producer list being backed by Large Pro and being called the son of Rakim and G Rap was way different than a guy who had underground backpacker buzz on Rawkus. Both albums are touchstones but Mos’ is one almost in spite of his come up. Respect

[@LifebyDe]

Wonderfully researched 🎉

[@sjw4life546]

Anyone who doesn't listen to this entire analysis is only doing themselves a disservice. This was phenomenal. I'm old, so I heard this when it first came out. I was seventeen and living in Brooklyn. I remember liking it at the time, but I love it now.

[@SoulTrybe]

It’s good to see someone who’s not black understand the struggle and music of the struggle ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[@Goatchild90]

Incredible album I own it on CD. Hip Hop is one of the best songs in...well Hip Hop

[@ovonivia]

Really good commentary on the album and the subject!

[@TaybieStreams]

IMPORTANT VIDEO!!! Props to you for working so hard on this. Love Yassin Bey's lyrics. It's important to teach youngins the history and background especially since now most of the recent released albums get videos like this so seeing a breakdown of this classic record made me happy. Please do a breakdown of The Roots classics too and Lupe's Food and Liquor

[@Mikel_aRock]

Amazing video Sara, one thing is Ms. Vinia Mojica is pronounced VINNY-UH MO-HEEK-UH. She also sang Minnie Ripperton's Baby, This Love I Hate on KOS (Determination) on Black Star's first album. The more you know.

[@saraarose]

Thanks! I thought something was off with my pronunciation ahaha 🙏

[@michaelbrome561]

Beautiful breakdown Very informative Thank you

[@ALGtheMC]

Best hip hop album of all time

[@justsehlim]

algor working overtime - this was great, thank you

[@hueknows]

Appreciate your appreciation for a piece of our culture. Hip Hop and art itself connects us if you choose to listen and pick the right content 🙏🏽

[@jamisonwoodson8548]

This album is so ahead of its time. As a Gen Z kid I love the sentiments it leaves on the culture that still ring true today

[@Culturecrack]

Tpab is basically a ROOTS (the band) album of kendrick rapping over terrace martin songs and knxledge beats

[@HearShotKidDrummer]

Respectfully I dont think so at all. Its far more influenced by g funk rap classics and parliament funkadelic p funk sound which is what g funk was heavily inspired by. I also think flying lotus and kamasi Washington contribute to its jazzy feel

[@LordOfVirgoEnergy77]

....................................WHAT?!

[@LordOfVirgoEnergy77]

​@@HearShotKidDrummerDude is clearly lost

[@dawb86]

I'm from Cali and love g-funk but it was just hardcore/gangsta rap over sampled funk/soul records with live instrumentation in the mix as well. TPAB is more in line with what Freestyle Fellowship, Mos, OutKast ('Aquemini' era), and the Roots were on than Dre/Snoop, at least from the lyrical/thematic perspective. Sonically it's equally influenced by g-funk as well. That's why I believe the Pac audio/interview was so important to the project: Kendrick was basically making the album the 'art school kid turned gangsta rapper' would've made if he wasn't constricted in/to the g-funk era. "Cause it's spirits. We not even rapping, we just letting our dead homies tell stories through us."

[@LordOfVirgoEnergy77]

@@dawb86 I can see that. Although I'm not from The Coast, I'm a BIG fan of the Music and when I was making beats much of it was West Coast G-Funk influenced. I think OP was straight trippin tho. BIG love

[@justinmckenzie]

Great video! Well researched and well spoken can’t wait to see you do more - shout out to the Black Star star LP in the back! Yasiin always been one of my favs special shoutout to his MFDOOM cover videos and his fourth album The Ecstatic! notrelated: be careful around that water heater, too stylish don’t trust it

[@saraarose]

Thanks so much! 🙏 Love The Ecstatic too haha

[@theotherdai1556]

Excellent work Saraa!!! Please keep going!

[@Buggy_808s]

I always wanted to watch content like this on old classic hiphop albums and this whole video was like a visual novel. it would be great if you did one for del the funky homosapien I think hes really underappreciated and seen as a gimmic artist while the artistical integrity of his work is unmatched still to this day just like mos def

[@BenCaesar]

Thanks for reminding the culture of this album. Its minted classic

[@RONNIEAST]

This is an incredible breakdown of Black On Both Sides and drawing parallels to TPAB. I want to see more video essays like this from you. Very dope!

[@XxGhost46xX]

This album has been one of the most influential in my life. I recently got back to listening to it everyday again and then I get this video recommended to me! This right here is a masterpiece, congrats on your research and thank you so much for putting all of this together, I know it takes a ton of time and effort to do it. And please ignore the dumbasses that commented below. God bless and PLEASE do not stop doing this work. You’ll go far for sure 👏

[@saraarose]

Thank you! 🙏

[@AntonioSmith-RCA]

I kind of stumbled across this video. I am 53y/o , I grew up with HipHop, not just on it. I appreciate seeing someone from your generation having so much appreciation for the art form, This is great thank you.

[@Krump.TheLabProject]

This is a phenomenal video with great information packed in. It also was edited really well. This made my night shift waaaaaaay less boring lol

[@saraarose]

Thanks so much!

[@squidprofoe9210]

DAMN shorty you got bars!! Bravo 👏 you're a real one 👑 🤲 Well done.

[@generaldiscernment]

This was so damn good. Your subs are going to explode. Looking forward to the next vid.

[@MCMeztli59]

I'm so glad you did this video. BOBS is my favorite album in Hip-Hop.

[@SUPREMEgoldchain_REAKTZ]

Wow! You did amazing with this. I clicked on this without knowing what to expect & you blew me away with your analysis. 👍🏽👍🏽

[@saraarose]

thanks so much!

[@SUPREMEgoldchain_REAKTZ]

@@saraarose you're welcome! You just made a new subscriber 🙂

[@thevinyltruffle]

This is very well written and informative. Top tier.

[@JustManic]

This was an amazing video essay on one of my favorite albums (and I love TPAB as well). Thank You.

[@DarkshadowXD63]

My Umi say shine my light on the world.

[@Kilamdapro]

Just found your page and subscribed instantly, hip hop, books and horror movies?🔥🙌🏼

[@tr38cho]

Climb is one of my favorite songs of all time!!!

[@jemeeladams1197]

Black on both sides is one of my favorite albums

[@StW_Beast_]

Wow this video deserves so much more love you can tell how much work went into it and TPAB gets dissected to Kendrick’s every breath by so many different people but BOBS feels so much more under appreciated in comparison Im very glad you made this video amazing work

[@saraarose]

thank you!

[@Ace_4k]

I was gonna write a big paragraph praising you for your responsible takes on black music and culture... but nevermind all that. Instead, I just wanna say I loved the video and how you put it together. Thanks for this!

[@saraarose]

thank you! 🙏

[@pastense]

Rawkus was the last major label pushing genuine hip hop. Their venture into commercialization was their eventual downfall.

[@nicolesherman8974]

An influential album 🖤.

[@danielwhitingjr2854]

The first Heart song in Kendrick's heart series he's rapping over Umi Says by Mos Def

[@danielwhitingjr2854]

Jid further explored with Yassin the effects of fame and what it does to a person from wanting it to having it and not wanting it. Yassin's verse is awesome Also he sampled the Aretha Song Mr's Fat Botty sampled for the single featuring 21 Savage

[@acmdavid11]

This video is amazing. Please keep it up!!

[@AP-o2]

Just saying this was a really good video. Always love it when you can see the genuine passion for the subject and the music. Keep it up

[@saraarose]

thank you!

[@DSB3121]

The algorithm led me to this video. A great breakdown of such a classic album. Very nuanced! I would also add that the passing of the Telecommunications Act in 1996 had a grave effect on hip hop in that hip hop radio became so consolidated that a huge divide was created that sent a large section of hip hop "underground" (hence the whole "underground rap vs mainstream rap" issue and the calls for there to be more balance in rap as it pertains to messaging). Once we get to 1997, it's the start of the 'Jiggy/Shiny Suit' era of hip hop where radio is only spinning more "mainstream" acts. No longer do you hear De La Soul and Mase on the same radio rotation, you just get one variety (mostly radio/label approved artists). What Mos/Yasin tapped into on this album was definitely a hot issue amongst hip hop heads in the late 90's/early 2000s. That divide (which shouldn't be a divide at all!)in hip hop still exists today. I hope you continue to make more album breakdowns in the future, Lord knows we need more people in the hip hop music YT landscape that bring depth and substance. You have a subscriber in me 🙂

[@saraarose]

wow! Thanks for the insights - ill look up more on it :) Really appreciated! 🙏

[@anomalyv3718]

So interested in this take

[@izanamiischeese1348]

Just read the title : THANK YOU ! Someone finally gives his props to Mos Definite; B to the K aka Yassin Bey. Gonna watch the video now, don't make me regre that comment ;-)

[@marcoechavarria7274]

Mos def is an insane lyricists. B on Bs lyrics are untouchable till this day.

[@forestvvoods577]

Mos Def mentioned 🙏🏾

[@Pallokala26]

The 2 Best Albums that are like Tpab: Low end theory ( Similar Jazzy/Funky production ) And Mos n Kweli are Blackstarr ( Socially concious bars )

[@DanielJabbar-p3j]

Good job Saraa!

[@2samarie2]

Great vid frfr

[@BigF562]

The album that always came to mind for me was untitled by nas for it being tpab before tpab

[@bluffgawd]

Love both albums, good video

[@taylormadetv4243]

I was there…whoa!🤯

[@_ARIZONA_MAN]

Love this channel 🔥

[@mohamedouagga4879]

Thanks for the video. I am always conflicted about the direction of hiphop. Should it stick to its roots ? Should it also be commercial ? Why not both sides ? Credit should be given where credit is due. Commercializing marginalizes the originators of the culture. Kinda like what happened with RnR, Soul, RnB...etc Kendrick is becoming more and more aware of this (he's always been). I'm interested to see where he'll take it especially with his last pop-outs. Change doesn't come from one man, woman or anyone. Gotta address the people. Cheers!

[@daytonaaflexx]

subscribed.

[@ArtRebelsBloc]

yasiin bey is the OG

[@the77th]

I feel like TPAB is Common’s Like Water For Chocolate written by Black Thought and Orchestrated by Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing SoundTrack ! The FELA style saxophone samples on TPAB are straight out of Like Water For Chocolate! The lyricism is 100% Black thoughts Roots style and the MOOD of the album is Do The Right Thing Movie Soundtrack! If you haven’t heard that Do the right thing soundtrack, do yourself a favor… GO LISTEN!!!!!!! ❤ Good Kidd Maad City feels like a movie directed by John Singleton!

[@nolnolnolnolnol]

what else hiphop artists do you like? i recommend you denzel curry and his recent album melt my eyez see your future, little simz - sometimes i might be introvert and lupe fiasco - samurai :)

[@concept8407]

Youre right!!!!!!!!! 24:09

[@krono5el]

Mos Def is legendary and now i gotta listen to tpab if its anywhere near as good as Black on Both Sides.

[@caitlyn1two33]

i think most would argue it's better tbh

[@dawb86]

@@caitlyn1two33 I don't understand the one-above-all obsession in our culture. 'Illmatic' made me actually want to try and write rhymes but I can understand some people liking 'Liquid Swords' or 'Reasonable Doubt' more. You ask me, a real head that's grown out of my old so-called elitist/purist attitudes if OutKast 'Aquemini,' Black on Both Sides, Goodie Mob 'Soul Food,' or To Pimp a Butterfly is the "best" and my response is probably "it depends on which one is playing right now...."

[@bOmBAsTiK]

@@caitlyn1two33 Ha! Not with that annoying whiny voice of his, it ain't possible but do yo' fanboy I ain't mad...

[@TrueitsGnu]

Great topic

[@simpleetfunky7062]

good joooooooooooooooob !!! 💯 💯 💯

[@Terrance-d3i]

i was thinking Common Like Water For Chocolate? But Mos def aint a bad comparison

[@jordonbriggs1]

Black on Both Sides isn’t a social political album in the way To Pimp A Butterfly was meant to be. BOBS isn’t a concept album the way that TPAB is. BOBS wasn’t a mainstream album it had one mainstream single. Kendrick was trying to consciously “uplift the black artist” and black American music forms like funk and jazz BOBS was concerned with Yasiins perspective on the world and his life as person. These are two completely different albums existing for completely different reasons. BOBS did not lay the groundwork for TPAB they’re not even the same musically in regards to hip hop. TPAB was supposed to be a distinct LA album and pay homage to LA music culture and history and the LA jazz movement at that time. The groundwork for TPAB was the west coasts take on funk and the avant garde jazz of Kamasi and Terrace and Thundercat as well as the avant garde jazz of black musicians that came before them. BOBS has a distinct east coast sound even the jazz song Umi Says which is more of an east coast jazz sound. TPAB doesn’t have a mainstream sound and in fact a lot of people don’t like it because it’s not easily digestible like BOBS which itself is not entirely a mainstream sounding album especially in 1999 year in hip hop.

[@saraarose]

Hey! Thanks for your comment. I agree with a lot of your points and mentioned some in the video (not sure if you watched it all, I know its long :P) You're right, BOBS wasn’t a concept album like TPAB-I actually touch on that point toward the end. That said, Yasiin Bey was definitely uplifting Black artists and Black American music forms through his use of samples, featuring jazz musicians, and incorporating live instrumentation. I talk about the sound of both albums around 16-17 minute mark. Yasiin Bey also uplifted and brought awareness back to the roots of Rock back to black artists on Rock and Roll. While both albums exist for different reasons, they do share some similarities. I mentioned how BOBS laid the groundwork for creating a socially conscious album that's accessible to more mainstream audiences, but not in terms of its sonic foundation. I also highlight how Kendrick emphasized the LA/Cali sound in TPAB as opposed to Yasiin’s use of New York influences in BOBS. I still remember the backlash TPAB faced when it first dropped-it didn’t have immediate mainstream appeal and came under a lot of scrutiny. But, as a political album, it had more mainstream appeal than others in its category. I also mentioned that BOBS only hit the mainstream - getting onto billboard - but not that it was mainstream or else we would still be hearing more about it today. Really appreciate your insights! :)

[@MesGuided]

I would have preferred Mos Def at the Superbowl! 🤯🤯

[@jasonhendricks8587]

When this.came out it was one of my most anticipated albums, esepcially after the blackstar album with talib kweli. I found it a bit disappointing though...I know im in the minority here, even I feel I should like it more than I do.

[@AI-Hallucination]

Dead prez lets get free

[@julianrobinson310]

BOBS > TPAB

[@oophorror2251]

The New Danger is better than both.

[@milicevicgospodin]

I'm sorry, but these two albums and MCs have so little in common - except for both being labeled "conscious" - that I refuse to give you any watch time 😂 I mean, like, Jesus lady.

[@Cheese-rc9mi]

you're not even gonna listen to arguments before deciding shes wrong??

[@dragaocarmesim6564]

Me when I've never heard of analysis

[@milicevicgospodin]

@@Cheese-rc9mi nope. she's gonna make some vauge connections that are going to be stretching it, best case scenario. and I'm actively trying not to waste so much time with watching stuff. good luck to her with the whole KZbin thing tho.

[@milicevicgospodin]

@@dragaocarmesim6564 she's analyzing how the teachings of the 5% Nation impacted Mos and the Christian themes in Kendrick's writing I'm guessing?

[@saraarose]

@@milicevicgospodin No. I didn't mention 5% at all. The title of the video says it's a breakdown and analysis of BOBS. I used TPAB to show how stylistic elements, themes and topics within BOBS are still relevant in todays political/socially conscious albums. If you had even watched just the first few minutes of the video you would have got that. Instead, you decided to be immediately judgemental (for whatever reason?) and leave an ignorant comment. It's all good though, do you! ahaha

[@craaaack]

you have no idea what you’re talking about. stick to taylor swift.

[@saevarito]

12:50 "Malcolm wrote about how having faith in one god transcended racial differences, uniting him with white muslims" ... "having faith in god or shared pillar like hip hop unites people, overcoming differences" Listen, reflect and be a better person tomorrow.

[@NicholasLPerry]

Kendrick would make fun of you

[@craaaack]

@@NicholasLPerry She’ll never get it, never truly comprehend the weight of our skin. White folks perpetually grasp for our culture, profiting off our art, our music, our souls. They hijack our narratives, water down our struggles, and peddle them as their own. The irony? They're lauded for our creations while we're still fighting for validation. Our voices are silenced, our stories stolen, our identities reduced to commodities. They feign solidarity, yet their privilege remains intact. Our struggles are their inspiration, our pain their profit. The cycle continues, and we're left with the crumbs of our own heritage. Plus Kendrick is a Hotep.