Mos Def Album: “Blackstar (Explicit)”

In today's glamorous and ultimately skin-deep hip hop scene, it is decidedly rare to find rappers with the lyrical dexterity, seamless flow, and poetic charm of Mos Def and Talib Kweli. And while these underground powerhouses garner more than enough acclaim on their own, it is when they record in tandem, under the moniker of "Black Star," that fans of the genre take notice and understand that the attention is well-deserved.

Upon first listen, anyone who is familiar with the style of Mos Def and Talib Kweli will not be surprised by the sound of their collaborative efforts. DJ Hi-Tek provides the rhythmic backbone for most of their tracks, and while it is an acquired taste to someone who is used to mainstream rap, the beats he mixes are so thoroughly unique and high quality that one can only wonder why he is still relegated to a relative no-name position as a back-up DJ for underground artists. His skills, combined with the lyricism of two of the best emcees on the planet, makes for a singularly unique mélange of socially-conscious and truly poetic raps with smooth, perfectly-rendered beats.

Though fans of Mos Def and Talib Kweli will surely love all or nearly all of the album, there are a few tracks that stand out as being so utterly perfect that one may ask themselves why these artists are still under the radar for the majority of hip-hop fans. "Brown Skin Lady," a pseudo-ballad with an eccentric 70's-style funk beat, is a song that anyone with a respect for quality production values can appreciate, regardless of how the subject matter applies to them. Similarly, the new-age ska/reggae beats and lyrics in "RE: Definition" are a testament to the abilities of Mos Def, who changes his sound several times throughout the album, ranging from a light-hearted tone in his solo remake of Slick Rick's "Children's Story," to the gritty and industrial raps of "Thieves in the Night." And though these all sound absolutely incredible, there is no doubt in this fan's mind as to what the best track on the album is.

"Respiration," a dark yet surprisingly flowing track featuring Common, embodies the heart and soul of true East Coast rap (both Kweli and Def were born and raised in Brooklyn, while Common is a Chicago native). A spanish-themed guitar riff denotes the beginning of the song, and Mos Def is the first to spit, laying out a haunting and wholly original round of raps that can only be described as genius in musical form. Talib Kweli steps up next, and though one can tell that he is less sure of his ability as an emcee than his partner, he is still fully capable of destroying the mic. One listen to his silky smooth flow will dispel any notions that he lacks skill as a rapper. The final stanza of the song comes courtesy of Common, who delivers a low-key but stinging rap that focuses on the death of his friend, and subtly admonishes listeners to avoid the trap of the "gangsta" lifestyle.

Though there are several more tracks on the album that deserve applause, it would be quite a bit easier to simply wrap up the review here with a simple conclusion. For any and all fans of true hip-hop, the lyrical underground rap that literally gives the listener chills, "Black Star" is a must-have album. Yes, it's nearly seven years old, and the newer albums from it's front men are lacking, but the simple truth of the matter is that truly great music never goes out of style.

FINAL SCORE: [9.5 / 10]

Top 3 Tracks: "Respiration" - "Brown Skin Lady" - "Thieves in the Night"

Mos Def and Talib Kweli, two of the most incredible MC's collaborate on one of the most amazing hip-hop albums i have ever heard. It is an absoulte must have for any hip-hop fans, and a sweet release from the superficial and misogynist rap that is endowed with endless exposure today. There aren't enough words that can be utilized to describe the expansive talent of these two artists, and it is a shame that their music is bumped from airspace for the pop-rap that is existental throughout generic pop-culture. The first track i ever heard was "respiration," and i knew i had to get this LP. Although i feel that Eternal Reflection's "Train of Thought" is more sound overall, this album is absolutely timeless and must be a part of every hip-hop collection. I was not disapointed and neither will you!

I would argue that "Black Star" is much better than any of Mos Def's or Talib Kweli's solo albums (not to say that they aren;t bad - they both have classic albums), mostly because of how accessible and fun it is. The beats here are much much better, and both MCs are easier to hear and like on this album. I usually don't like Mos Def, but I actually like him a lot on "Black Star". The lyrics, as usual, are well-worth your time to listen to as they're well-written and discuss the real problems with the world today (mostly dealing with black culture, though). Basically every song here is instantly catchy and likable, which I couldn't say for most of either of their solo albums. I have no idea who did the production, but it's VERY good and relatively unique (I'm not sure how to describe it, but it's different and a welcomed change from most rap albums today). Basically, if you like rap, Mos Def or Talib Kweli, it's virtually impossible not to love "Black Star". Highly recommended!

Highlights include:

the entire album!

I don't care what Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Outkast, Eminem, Naz, Kanye West or anyone coast to coast says, Black Star's album is the best hip-hop album of the new millenium. There is not one whack lyric on the entire album. These brothers laid it down like no others in the past. They combine intelligent lyrics with a battle rap style that few MC's can match. Their versatility is boundless. It's a shame that this will be their only album together. I would love to have heard their underground hits. I rank this album as one of the baddest hip-hop albums ever.

While today's charts are filled with stupid, pointless rap songs such as "Like a Pimp" by David Banner and "Never Scared" By BoneCrusher, with stupid beats and half baked, see-through lyrics, this album really stands out as a classic hip hop album. While Talib Kweli is on the way to be a breakout star and basically save hip hop, Mos Def had just released his classic album "Black on Both Sides". Two of the best voices in rap today come together for an album and do Black Star. While the beats arent as complex as Quality on this disc, and the lyrics arent as intricate as on black on both sides, this album is still better than anything out there today. If anyone wants to know what real hip hop should be, here it is. Every song has a great beat, and has something fresh and original to bring to the table. Most people have forgotten about this album, and its a shame, because just about anything with Kweli and Mos Def on it has got to be good. Its just 2 great artists that cant fail.