Black Star (Mos Def & Talib Kweli) - Definition

People's Party with Talib Kweli arriving soon!
A weekly interview show with big-name guests exploring hip-hop, culture, and politics.
1st episode on Sunday, June 9th at / upproxxvideo
From 1998 Album: "Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star"...[Artist info below].....
Get Black Star's Music:
www.amazon.com/Black-Star/e/B0...
&
itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bla...
Black Star arose from the underground movement of the late 1990s, which was in large part due to Rawkus Records, an independent record label stationed in New York City. They released one self titled album. Though the record achieved little commercial success, they (and other members of the Native Tongues Posse) helped shape underground alternative rap and helped bring it further into the mainstream eye. Both have gone on to greater commercial and critical success in separate solo careers.
Black Star's emergence into the hip-hop scene came at a crucial point in music history. Following the deaths of both Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur, hip-hop was consumed in a world of chaos. Black Star attempted to bring reconciliation in the wake of these violent deaths. The self titled album contains various references to Biggie and Tupac, and attempts to create reconciliation in the hip-hop world: "I said one, two, three. It's kinda dangerous to be an M.C. They shot Tupac and Biggie. Too much violence in hip-hop."
In 2001, Black Star performed "Money Jungle" with Ron Carter and John Patton for the Red Hot Organization's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo, a tribute to Duke Ellington, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS awareness and fighting the disease. In 2005, hip hop website TheSituation.co.uk reported Kweli has said that a new Black Star album was "in the pipeline".[1] On Talib Kweli's Myspace he posted up a video saying that "We're going to find Mos Def and put it on camera that there will be a second Black Star album." In 2006, Mos and Kweli appeared together in the movie Dave Chappelle's Block Party, alongside Erykah Badu, Common, Jill Scott, Dead Prez and The Fugees, among others. They even contributed a new song, "Born & Raised", to the movie's soundtrack.
The first new Black Star song was leaked via DJ J Rocc from Stones Throw Records. The song is produced by Madlib and is titled "Fix Up". On October 5th 2011 they appeared on the Colbert Report and performed it for the first time.
Extended & Updated Info:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_St...

[@Sureshot199-7]

WHO is listening in 2024? Made before I born but happy that I found it ❤

[@MaJoSch22]

Who is over 40 and still listen to it?

[@earlaluga244]

Alhamdu

[@meskgiggs8616]

44

[@jjaammeess84]

oooh so close.....39! got it on vinyl though if that counts for anything lol

[@mikeybee456]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@michaelboyd7100]

Everyday

[@djfedezaza]

Fucking jaw dropping song. Even after all these years it sounds so fresh and dope

[@jarvasedundy1]

Facts

[@andreamorgan6578]

💯

[@Slamdog500]

hey uhm, I made a Top 10 Mos Def Verses video and just uploaded it. I bet ya you gonna enjoy this! Definition is in it. But which place? check it out :D (it turned out more like a Mos Def Tribute video than a hard fact Top 10 Verses) ❤ and of course with special guest *Talib Kweli* cause Def and Kweli close like Bethlehem and Nazareth ❤❤

[@mountcomfort740]

Absolutly

[@MYNEWMOKE]

indeed

[@alexeikuznetsov1450]

Mos Def is one of those once in a lifetime artists.

[@simonking5381]

actually hes twice inna lifetime :D

[@LoganThomasSnyder]

I'll give that the hundredth like, hell yeah.

[@makavelithelegend5738]

"my name is in the middle of equality" ekwelity dang he is right

[@chosen666sert]

also kwelity

[@serialhealer5113]

Shieeeeeet.....

[@therhymeinspector1804]

@@colebrown8293 what dude

[@bitta8433]

ukweli means truth in swahili

[@stellamagloire5270]

I get it lol

[@suavobaby90]

3:06: The best water break ever

[@themollymachine]

This was low-key the best shot of the video. I always thought it was really cool shot when I was a teen

[@stefjoseph-kruyswijk6892]

First time I saw that as a little kid, I was like: how did he do that? Is he something like a ventriloquist?

[@ewartzikhali4248]

Bro tell me about it 🔥🔥🔥

[@brandonwood6459]

Yo this shit is legendary. Kweli and Mos riding around Brooklyn in the $1 van, just ryhming

[@earlesgonzalez7255]

Yeah son that shit is so LIT BRO

[@mountcomfort740]

That would one dope road trip

[@randydaytona5615]

Love those vans

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

Dollar van serving the working class ✊🏾

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

Some people said Mos rapped circles around Talib on this joint but I think both styles complimented each other perfectly. The way Def was attacking the beat perfectly, almost percussively, then Talib sliding around the drums without going off beat... dope as fuck

[@_JellyDonut_]

I wouldn't say circles around him but Mos is definitely the bread winner on this one, in my opinion. I agree the two styles work well together though

[@silversurfer8935]

They are the epitome of complimentary together

[@jlovedj]

Nailed it bruv. They both deliver. It's a masterpiece.

[@MrAugustBlack]

I've NEVER heard anyone compare rhymes. But this is the song that I discovered them and it was Kweli's line that was the most memorable.... "consider me the entity within the industry.....etc.." I was HOOKED.

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

@@MrAugustBlack i have, MANY times. I’ve heard and read this argument in threads and reviews about blackstar for damn near 2 decades 😂

[@victoralcantara5551]

This is one of their greatest works..Real HIP HOP to the fullest

[@onealmcmilliansr1304]

They used the flow from BDPs Stop the violence along with the beat From the P is free.

[@michellesavarese2470]

@@onealmcmilliansr1304 very, very good….thank u for naming it (I couldn’t place it), just absolutely carried away at the skill

[@lisacaudill5602]

7y666nnnnnnnnnnnnn

[@mountcomfort740]

Fo sure

[@shadephyre]

I can't agree more! Some of the most intelligent and coldest hip hop has come from NYC, these two are no exception if anything they set new standards. This act is right next to Cannibal Ox for my level of awe and respect.

[@jacobkelley6491]

I grew up really vocally shy as a kid and never even remotely attempted to sing, learning all the lyrics to this song and rapping along with it helped me get over that and now i've been singing for years and love it.

[@cris_here]

😊

[@EmoDKTsuchiya]

Well done 👏

[@itsshu-shan.1348]

I just came today to do just this it used to give me a sense of accomplishment to rap along with Yasiin's last verse... the breath work

[@MonarC27818]

That’s sick. ❤

[@Kempo234]

You was the quiet type…. Whod a thought you were frontin

[@barriereid9244]

I carried this on a Sony MP3 player in the Sahara Desert for ten years...did not meet a nomad or traveller who did not like the album. This has brought back many happy memories....and now I get to see those who made this magic happen. Stay safe and my regards from Scotland.

[@dantegreen4094]

DOPE

[@mikeday2393]

this is the dopest comment ive ever seen on KZbin enjoy urself and stay safe, my friend!

[@fucktanmay]

hhcj

[@jinjiyanazadi475]

Best is I know exactly what Sony MP3 player it is too. Legend

[@MaknCheEse1]

brotha thats wild!!!!! Salute to you

[@ddrt8824]

Just told my 10 year old while playing this, "Hear this? This is real hip hop."

[@CrashJC123]

Gatekeeper. And lame.

[@Junglistical]

You gotta esssplain the awestruck reaction broooo

[@williamabilamalinga3131]

Black star made a huge impact in Hip-Hop, it’s 2020 and real Hip-Hop Fans still here

[@kharistewart7093]

never forget these mcs

[@salvatorescarcella7361]

And always we’ll be ❤️ This is what real hip hop heads live for

[@hugoalmeidalima6363]

Look at Dead Prez all hyped in the van. And Pharoahe Monch all mellow.

[@freemanhughley5204]

Literally thought I only saw that lol.

[@ayishasalvador2415]

now this is real Hip-hop. REAL MUSIC

[@kharistewart7093]

technically totally true

[@jafredboatwright4246]

FACTS!!!!!!!!!!!

[@abrahampalmer8761]

Agreed better than modern hip hop for sure

[@3-meo-2-oxo-pce]

that's musical elitism. dont be a gatekeeper. there are a lot of different subgenres of hip hop. just because there are ones you don't like, doesn't make it "fake."

[@tupacjarule186]

The first time I listened to this the Mos Def verses I was like WTF is this ? The way he delivered is just fatal .Talib killed it too but Mos Def was unbelievable on this beat .

[@giths19]

police : what are you deaf? Hitek: (points to Mos Def) he's Def it gets me everytime. 🤣

[@michellesavarese2470]

Smart clever covering mad ground in a matter of seconds……

[@michellesavarese2470]

Smart clever covering mad ground in a matter of seconds……

[@trunksv2458]

or how pharoahe monch is confused hahahahahah

[@b.kenealy]

Got this on a CD in my car at home, song been stuck in my head whole time on vacation

[@BlackenedLiam]

Same here, been on a Mos Def/Black Star phase currently. I love this joint so much.

[@swanyay3304]

Pre gentrified Brooklyn 🙌🏿

[@coreyhendricks9490]

One of the greatest hip hop songs and their album. Classic 👍

[@kharistewart7093]

for sure

[@tosha0508]

I remember being a teen and having the hugest crush on Most Def.... nothing's changed

[@davidolajide3707]

Are you not married

[@nunyaburts1246]

I'm a straight dude and I got a crush on Mos.

[@jojosaylor8996]

❤❤❤❤❤ Definitely been loving Mos Def since 1997

[@RavenAtmOsphereOyate]

Cop: "What are you, deaf?" Mos def: "No, no. He's Hi-Tek." Talib Kweli: *Points at Mos Def* "He's Def" 😂

[@Nino_J]

Hi-Tek*

[@user-wi9xx5qy2h]

what song plays in the background there is the real question...

[@Nino_J]

Josh Manik No its not..Its called Twice Inna Lifetime

[@user-wi9xx5qy2h]

Josh Manik oops, not sure if you were being sarcastic :D

[@WildfireWiffler44]

Hahahahahahahahhahaha I'm fucking crying! Hahahahahaha that was so funny!

[@derricktyler9635]

Love the way they showed respect to biggie and Pac!!! This song was fire!!!

[@huntercole6499]

Your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper ✊🏼 there is no bigger referendum of our failure as a society than the fact that Mighty Mos ain’t viewed as one of, if not THE, greatest ever

[@layers3458]

mos def is in my top 5 rappers and talib kweli might have the best voice i've ever heard

[@cedarwho7]

My son just moved to Brooklyn from San Diego and he grew up listening to Blackstar, the first day he got there he came up to a red light on his Harley and the car next to him was playing this and he started singing along and it was like a moment. This song just unites everyone. It is so good.

[@Trudon]

That's dope

[@EonKerewaro]

This is very well possibly, my favourite Hiphop Song Ever

[@kharistewart7093]

one of them

[@GMSCHAARAWTAZA]

mos def/black star = legendary

[@duderoo1975]

So underrated hip hop sound, true B Boy sound and way ahead of their time.

[@bejitah]

Hip Hop at it's finest!

[@ryanleclaire3948]

Kids today need to learn this song. Goated status.

[@unchainyourbrain3312]

Real talk

[@rjfsir]

I feel like the last 20 or so seconds of this video is by far the best.. Acknowledging and paying respect to the older generation, with something as simple as walking a little ways with them and sharing a few words.. I feel like that's something that's really missing in our culture, and we need to get that back.

[@keshiemansouri9391]

And they're all dressed alike 💓 And I love to see it! It's all about respecting your elders.

[@Kcesar365]

It black history month listening In 2024!!!✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽

[@SomeOne-ex7hk]

HIp hop needs to come back around to this.

[@creterzVijinn]

Some One i agree!!! Probably WONT Happen tho!! Money has become MORE Important than GOOD Music & respect to MOST MCs ( "Rappers") Nowadays!! 👌✔

[@WickedV3ng3nc3]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6atkoaqiLFjrq8

[@ifeanyiarua9856]

Hip hop is dead it’s not coming back.

[@kharistewart7093]

seriously. straight up

[@geraldjohnson3216]

Man I wish my guy but the record industry got it mad fruity right about now.

[@n4l734]

I remember first seeing this on Rap City...omg!!! the lyricism, the flow, the chemistry

[@wjonesmoney44]

These young people don't know what real hip-hop is

[@jorgejeronimo7421]

William Jones I agree, I do tho I’m 23 years old started listening to 90’$ and 80’$ hip hop at 13 years old I was blesses

[@mannyjchtaylor9069]

BIG FACTS

[@leoking8325]

I 4 sho miss BET after school 😂😏 wit my koolaid and something to snack on

[@mannyjchtaylor9069]

@@leoking8325 REAL BIG FACTS

[@juano.9280]

i came across tribe called quest a couple years ago and fell in love with 90's hip hop, started listening to pharcyde recently too

[@DMColeman1978]

Classic track, Black Star is one the best real hip-hop groups

[@kharistewart7093]

absolutely agree

[@mazrashidi8933]

-What are you deaf? -He’s def. :)))))

[@Indelible6]

This track is a whole ass VIBE. I miss this time in Hip Hop.

[@nates9211]

Originally BDP track. Fire track

[@danielduncan6370]

Classic

[@elvecinodeltio5960]

"Here we go again quality of life, hitting us again" wise words by Talib

[@alienredwolf]

I've loved this song for a thousand years but honestly didn’t know it was a remix. Just today heard 'Remix for P Is Free' by KRS-One for the first time. You boys did magic with that beat.

[@WuTangMan]

“What are you, deaf?” No, no he’s Hi-Tek. That’s Def. LOL I love that part!!

[@Galgo590]

I LOVE THE WAY THEY FLOW WITH THIS BEAT...CLASSIC !!!

[@joecolon3381]

Real hip hop like this is timeless. No expiration date. And it hits the same whether it's in constant rotation or even if you blow the dust off of the record and put it on to the turntable

[@ManofGold24]

Kweli's last verse is FIRE

[@Hiya0-gs2ss]

YES

[@dirtyrice81]

2022 and it's still FIRE!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@siesonekmk]

2 of the best in the business.

[@MonarC27818]

MOS DEF AND KWALI!! This was one of the best summers of my life. 😢. Wow.

[@ryanjack111]

Best alliance in hip-hop! Y-O!

[@kharistewart7093]

i love the way they sing that line

[@casminray1791]

I love the sample from bdp! such a good song

[@CarterPlummer]

One of greatest collabs ever, Moss dropping that Big L flow he can spit & Talib being woke as in top.of lyrical gold. Defiantly a hip hop great if not one of the best!!

[@TheEryqo]

bumping this in 2015

[@Sameer-Mustafah-Raza1-2-1]

2017 😉

[@anthonysoto229]

My name is in the middle of equality - Talib Kweli

[@MMAGUY00]

Shit i read this exactly at the time Talib said it! LOL:P

[@vtymes1982]

Genius

[@tishalove3367]

This track will forever rock ❤️❤️❤️

[@kharistewart7093]

yes you are right

[@mikejohnson8086]

Man...this is one of my favorite songs when I'm having a bad day...the positive feeling always makes a day better...

[@magicjohnson4464]

Instant head nod

[@camerongarsea2377]

I remember watching this on rap city back 1998 when I was in 8th grade

[@kharistewart7093]

everyone has different hip hop memories to each song over the years from now into the past years

[@CosmicFoundry]

still bumping in last week of 2023...

[@PipsClips]

a truly great moment in hiphop culture.

[@ceecee328]

I’m from NY & this is one of my default running/jogging songs.. it has literally carried me through to the next minute every time when I felt like stopping 💪🏼 so good

[@Hydrolysis_Moment]

That first verse is so fire

[@jbarral6509]

Man these guy are underrated and yet their songs are Amazing(Just an 18 year old listening to good stuff)

[@UPROXXVideo]

⚡️⚡️⚡️ facts

[@jsi5684]

They’re over rated. They haven’t done anything relevant in over twenty years. This was their peak by far.

[@gregpuryear8163]

@@jsi5684 they are underrated in my opinion

[@dynamis8381]

@@gregpuryear8163 they aren’t underrated people that know these guys right them highly, they are underlistened.

[@Gwonda655]

@@dynamis8381 exactly

[@Mongezi44]

The amount of talent that gets in that van gives me goosebumps. Those people made music that made you feel!

[@marlonsales21]

BLACKSTAR LEGENDS 🇧🇷 ♥️ 🎧

[@joepecora1601]

long live Blackstar!

[@kharistewart7093]

absolutely! long live Blackstar!

[@qstaratma9096]

Damn! I can’t believe this was hip hop...Amazing.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@gilinnc]

there's only a few missing in this song,and that's KRS ONE,Q-Tip, Gangstar,NAS, & of course THE WU. The illest mugs in in da industry.Way ahead of their time

[@danielliest1242]

Still love it. Twentyfour years. Beat is still banging.

[@evrettej]

Mos def is one of those artists that you can just hit play on any of his albums and not have to skip any of the songs

[@jacobseamster738]

May 2021 and still a masterpiece

[@forreal713]

THIS IS HIP HOP!

[@TrueRhythm]

Missing these days when music was written for a reason more significant than money, sex, and drugs. - ! - Pure love

[@danielnnangnkoghe7569]

Why Ooooh

[@ewijaya9278]

Name a time kweli and/or the mighty mos havent killed a track

[@da0484]

Thumbs up if listening in 2016!

[@nasstan1206]

Doug Almonte damn fucking straight my bro !

[@erickford1624]

2017

[@avaw8645]

Doug Almonte Now

[@macc47nagggaindaghetto80]

its 2018 now buddy

[@mountcomfort740]

Still listening in 2019

[@SCWhacker]

Listening to this again gives me goosebumps! Dope!

[@bradbacon6255]

Barzz!!!!

[@rhedheaddred3825]

If you could put a stethoscope to hip hop's chest, this is the thump you would hear ❤️

[@MonarC27818]

Oh sht. I love this!!!

[@eastendwideboy]

Me and kweli close like Bethlehem and Nazarath. What a bar!

[@TheBrotherdarkness9]

I member a holiday in Italy with my family, 02 or 03, dunno. Was rocking my Walkman while laying on the beach suntanning and listening to this song. Awesome!

[@toyotacorolla2395]

Rest in peace Notorious B.I.G.

[@sameermustafahraza2093]

REAL HIP-HOP AT ITS FINEST!

[@kennethcarey8548]

2023 and still a banger

[@NeishaNineStarz]

This whole album is 🔥🔥

[@sandhanitizer15]

2022 and this is still some of the best hip hop there is.

[@B1ackReign]

“You think your soul is bullet proof like Sade/ Stop acting like b***** already be a visionary and maybe you can see your name on the column of obituary.” 🔥🔥🔥 (still fire: dying for a cause) ✊🏾🙏🏽

[@sillamulandi8094]

Real Hip-Hop... Miss this type of flow!

[@Kingkyroent]

This song just feel's amazing. Real Hip Hop!

[@RiskRaines]

"See that, 'bout to take it all kid believe that!" is my favorite line in this jam.

[@rudybarraza6339]

22 yrs later this track is still 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@voidmoon.]

True quality of the Music! Thank you!

[@awildcyclistappears]

I've been listning to hip hop here and there and then I had the opportunity to visit NYC (I'm from EU) and now hip hop has a new meaning.

[@deewynn]

Talk about making Brooklyn proud!!!!!!

[@avahouse270]

2023 & STILL LISTENING!

[@lesettedesantiago144]

2024 ?

[@tatestar6143]

I can't believe these 2 brothas put together one of the greatest hip hop masterpieces and never did it together again!

[@kharistewart7093]

they will release a new album someday. with madlib

[@vegashainning8071]

Chappelle's Block Party Version "Definition) with Quest love bangs on all musical cylinders with raw , sharp vocals....and those cymbals sound though....chi chi chi chi🥁

[@marctouss1862]

they took brooklyn...my family had to move to queens..

[@JayJayRealhiphop]

That rolling in the van idea had to come from Black Sheeps Flavor of the month video.

[@djpd2006]

still hits so hard after all these years

[@zozilla]

Love and hip hop … real skillz…

[@tinygod81]

I play this song every day during my walk. Mos Def, Slick Rick, The Pharcyde, etc... I miss Story Tellers in rap.