Disco de Mos Def: “New Danger [Bonus Track]”

You know everytime I read a review that says something about this album's 'eclectism', it makes me uneasy. Uneasy because people make efforts to pigeonhole music in convenient packages for their listeners. Even since the Medina Green days, Mos Def had a thought process firmly entrenched in listening to the tune of his own drummer. This release, just as Black On Both Sides was, is true to the artist's vision at the time of its creation.

Does it sound like Black on Both Sides? No, it doesn't. But did Voodoo sound like Brown Sugar? Did Embrya sound like Urban Hang Suite? Did the Blueprint sound like the Black Album? If I haven't gotten my pt across with these redundant questions, then I guess its that music appreciators must be willing to be flexible with their artist as they experience growing pains and expansion.

The New Danger is an album that strikes a balance between unabashed experimentation and artistic maturity. Mos Def is not an emcee's emcee anymore. In direct contrast to the scathing social commentary found on Black On Both Sides, Mos Def's lyrics on tracks like "Sex, Love and Money" and "Close Edge" meander without stiking any lasting impressions. But that doesn't mean that he isn't exhibiting growth, it merely signals another direction.

One of the album's standout tracks, "Blue Black Jack", features a blues-riffing mos def punctuated by the brilliance of Shuggie Otis' guitar. The boogeyman song, produced by a suprising Raphael Saadiq, is a trip hoppy gem that has Mos attempting to woo the fairer sex with his desire to be the man of her dreams. Similarly, the interestingly-titled, "The Panties", once again finds the mighty Mos getting his lover-man on, cooing about the pleasures to be found in intimate experiences. "Modern Marvel", Mos Def's ode to Marvin Gaye, finds Mos experiencing and questioning the same travails that Marvin so eloquently articulated on the landmark What's Going On album.

I disagree with Amazon's primary reviewer. Do listen to this album with expectations. Expect an artist that has yet to reach his creative zenith, looking for ways to make his impression through his many prodigious talents, whether singin, riffin, rappin' or prognosticating. If The New Danger is the corporate bastardization of hip hop, then Mos Def's ambitious album is a gallant attempt to break away from what is fastly becoming the norm.

I have been waiting for this album for such a long time it is ridiculous, as everyone else I am sure. Was I dissapointed? Hell no, this album is an amalgamation (might need a dictionary) of Hip hop, jazz, soul, blues and street bopp. He is an artist first and formost. Remember how deep 2pac's education was well Mos might be more versed. The difference is Mos Def is not a thug by any means. He is a revolutionarist, and he is an old soul. Mos was supposed to release two albums one was going to be a complete Black Jack Johnson album and the second was going to be a Mos Def hip hop album. After Rawkus went broke, MCA scrapped the Black Jack album and instead must have combined the two albums Mos was going to do and turned it into this one. People are now hating on Mos's use of rock and guitar in his music. But this nothing new on BOBS I believe the song was called Brooklyn and he raps over two beats and then the third transition of the song turns into a rock and roll almost punk sound. I believe Mos is trying to reach all audiences without sacrificing his hip hop faithfulls. The only song I have a problem with is WAR, where it sounds like he is biting Zach Dela Rocha (Rage Against the Machine) at the end. But the way this album sounds is beautiful. It is a classic, but people are going to have to give it a couple spins to really see what Mos is saying. The songs he sing also are getting people mad, but it is straight up soul. I will bet you anything he sat in the booth when he was recording and flat out freestyled these songs. They are straight soul and that comes from the heart not from a piece of paper. Other artist should take note and try to make more music from the heart. This is why Mos Def is so real. He is an icon like 2pac was he represents realness. Modern Marvel is an example of being true. This is probably Mos Def's greatest album and this is saying a lot. Straight up real dope lyrics and soulfull music. Mos's lyrical counterpart Talib Kweli's The Beautiful Struggle was a weak album. The beats were lame and Kweli's lyrics seems somehow recycled and not only that he has no passion when he speaks on the state of the world. This is why they need each other Kweli is the illest lyrist ever(next to Biggie) and Mos is the realist emcee in the game right now. Now I will sit back and listen to this album for a couple weeks and them sit patient for the Talib and Mos reunion.

PEACE UNTIL NEXT TIME

First of all everyone is entitled to their own opinions so I won't hate on you for being yourselves. But any true fan of music,hip-hop, and hip-hop music will DEFinitely feel this album. I already did research on the album prior to copping it and knew what to expect. It's an album of black music period and that is commendable. Mos Def is an artist and as an artist you have to be original to be considered one of the greats of your era. A lot of reviews I've read over the past week have been downing Mos saying things like "Mos is selfish for making an album like this." and I ask myself how can he be anymore un-selfish? If Mos was selfish wouldn't he be making the flossy iced out radio so called hip-pop like Nelly, and the rest of his clones? Back to my main point, Mos def made this album for his beautiful black people not for the masses. You already knew he was ready for the critics when he made this album. Look at rapeover, he went ahead and called thoses critics out. He knows his music wont get spins on the box and make him rich through video airplay. Instead of Mos being selfish, I think you people saying that are the selfish one's saying you are disappointed the album didn't come out the exact way you wanted to. You doubters might need to open your ears and hearts and understand that Mos Def's messages are some of the most important things a black man has expressed since the days of Dr. King. Get out of the cookie cutter lifestyle of the matrix and think outside the box people. It's time for minorities to to be more than pimps thugs and hustlers. One love....

Well, I've got well over 1,000 albums from all different types of genres, and I can honestly say that I don't have ANYTHING even remotely close to this in my collection. As another reviewer put it, regardless of who you are - this ISN'T what you're expecting. Trust me, that's a good thing.

This is without a doubt one of the most talented entertainers around right now, and this is one of the most entertaining and enjoyable albums that I've ever bought. It is truely NOT for everyone.

While Mos DID break the mold on his solo debut, it still doesn't prepare you for what happens here. I NEVER expected to hear songs reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine on a Mos Def album. Mos runs the gambit on this album from rap to blues to rock to metal to soul - and does it all masterfully.

Like I said, this isn't for anyone. This should really only be bought if you are someone with a fairly open mind, and aren't too stuck on a specific genre. If you're someone who wants to hear something that sounds instantly familiar to you - avoid this album at all costs!

If you're someone who likes to hear an artist really stretch themselves creatively, regardless of expectations of their fans - enjoy!

If you know MOS, you understand where he is coming from. It sounds like The New Danger is inspired by a song from Black on Both Sides, called Rock N Roll. In that song, he raps about the different schools of music and how the white artists, instead of the black artists, received credit for the creations of these different schools. If you didn't agree with his point on that song, Mos makes sure you agree now. Mos Def pops you in the face from beginning to end. He hits you with one side of the spectrum, and then hooks around from the other side of the spectrum of SOULFUL HIP-HOP FUNK.

If you dig this album, you will love Black on Both Sides. If you own this album and you don't feel it, you should keep on listening, because your ears will be trained to love this classic.