Black Star
Mos Def and Talib Kweli
Album : Black Star
Release Date : June 4, 2002
Label : Rawkus

Review :

When I first heard Mos Def, it was in ’97, and he had been hyped as one of the tightest independent emcees. Having been signed to Rawkus, I wasn’t surprised he was receiving a huge amount of love from the underground. After hearing one of his 12" singles, "Universal Magnetic," I thought he was being extremely overrated. "Aw damn," I thought. "Not that sorry-ass underground and overhype syndrome again." Then, I heard him again on Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1’s first single, "Body Rock," and DJ Honda’s "Travelling Man." He was actually starting to impress me. Simultaneously, when I heard Talib Kweli’s "Manifesto" (also from the Lyricist Lounge compilation), I took immediate notice. I’ll admit, I was anticipating the album, but not much. When September 29th finally came around, it was just a day after Hurricane Georges was threatening to destroy New Orleans. Most of the record stores were closed, and the few open had not received a shipment of Black Star yet. This is when I really began to fiend for the album. When I finally got it the following weekend, it was well worth the wait. To my surprise, Mos and Kweli had delivered the least disappointing album of 1998 and surpassed all of my expectations.

Not only do the two flow well together, but their subject matter is a breath of fresh air. DJ Hi-Tek (who you might remember from his unforgettable production on Mood’s "Karma" last year) adds to his impressive resume by providing the album with some irresistible head-bangers. "RE :DEFinition" and "Twice Inna Lifetime" both contain melodic, hardcore beat loops and innovative lyricism. This combination rarely fails to satisfy the hiphop consumer, but is still missing from the majority of today’s records. Regardless of industry trends, Black Star delivers an uncompromising album no hiphop fan should do without.
The true masterpiece cuts on this album are "Respiration" (a duo with hip-hop’s finest, Common) and "Thieves in the Night." The former finds three emcees rapping about the city life, using personification in the lyrics. The latter, possibly the album’s best cut, is an important document about the current and past state of black society in America. Both are classics, and sound better with each listen. I could go on into further detail about this album, because it’s jewels are unlimited. What is limited, however, is the length of this release. Why is it that all of the worst LPs are 20 tracks long, while artists like Mos and Talib are content with releasing a near-EP length album ? Regardless of time restraints, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star is undoubtedly the best album since "Still Standing", and quite possibly 1998’s best release.

Track Listings :

1. Intro
2. Astronomy (8th Light)
3. Definition
4. RE :Definition
5. Children’s Story
6. Brown Skin Lady
7. B Boys Will B Boys
8. K.O.S. (Determination)
9. Hater Players
10. Yo Yeah
11. Respiration
12. Thieves In The Night
13. Twice Inna Lifetime

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> Hip Hop Reviews, by Brenda [2006-03-23 20:26:19]

mos def is one the best hip hop freestyler that ive ever known more power to him

> Black Star, by Rekless [2005-08-17 21:11:15]

this is a tight albumn man if you aint got this in your collection you need this like air.for me talib and mos are two of the best mc’s on the planet bar none peace !!!!!!! Rekless