Album Reviews
Blackstar | Mos Def & Talib Kweli
As the most notable names in conscious hip hop, Mos Def and Talib Kweli brought the tone, flow, and lyrics to the genre of quality hip hop. Their first and only album entitled Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Blackstar (1999) was by far the best hip hop albums by a group or duo and will absoluely go down in our music history books. Though their individual albums afterwards like Talib Kweli’s Train of Thought (2000) and Mos Def’s Black on Both Sides (1999) were both incredible and well composed albums, Blackstar brought together the best of both men’s sound and lyrics. Blackstar did more than create one album, they reinvigorated and reinstated the genre and presence of hip hop.
I believe they are the most influential artists to the world of conscious (aka real) hip hop. They’ve managed to inspire and make popular the sound of hip hop artists like Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco, Jazz musician like Ronny Jordan, production artists like Hi-Tek and Minnesota, and soul singers like Floetry, Goapele, and Faith Evans. That is to only name a few. Their music and art form, as a group and as individuals, has also changed the way we listen to hip hop music today. We regained our love for lyrics again(like back in the NWA + BDP days) and allowed the beat/production to take a back seat. We realized the importance and impact of group dynamics which had been lost in the solo emcee world for several years. And last, we learned to honor and praise artists with a mind and K.O.S. (Knowledge of Self, Determination).
It is hard to pick out tracks that single out Blackstar’s greatness. Every track on the album has a purpose and each track fits into the theme of self worth and intelligence. From the conscious hip hop anthem, Definition and RE: DEFinition to the NYC-based anthem Respiration, this album is filled with metaphors and similes about life, wisdom, and hip hop. My personal favorite is Brown Skin Lady which walks through the ideals of a perfect woman:
Fresher than tony rebels vestibules at african street festivals
My incredible women is, plentiful
Over the years I met a few, none of them compare to you
Preparin you to make food bearable, somethin terrible, lets see:
You fruitful, beautiful, smart, lovable, huggable
Doable like art, suitable to be part
Of my life, coppertone, oh you copyright infringement
What I find really unique about Blackstar is that you don’t have to be a hip hop fan or even like rap music to appreciate their music. The first time I heard this album, I was in high school listening to Metallica and Nine Inch Nails. I had zero interest in hip hop music. Then I saw a friend by the name of Zach that was jamming out to it. I was a big fan of his taste in music, so I asked him what he was listening to. He told me Blackstar and passed his headphones over to me. I went out and bought the album the same day (on a driver’s permit, don’t tell on me!).
Blackstar, as a group and their music album, were a huge contribution to the genre of hip hop which I can’t have stressed more. But more importantly, its what the indviduals of Blackstar have and are doing to really make a change in the world. That’s what I feel is and will be their true legacy. Whether its Mos Def playing critically acclaimed black roles which no other black actors have been able to audition or get a role for, or Talib Kweli starting a label like Blacksmith Records that is totally dedicated to producing and promoting conscious music and art - these guys are living their message. How many other artists can you name that live what they preach and speak?
Tags: hip hop 
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