In 1997, two Brooklyn, New York artists were signed to Rawkus Records: Mos Def [now known as Yasiin Bey], a rapper/actor who had his career jumpstarted when he collaborated with De La Soul ["Big Brother Beat", one of my favourite songs off Stakes Is High] and Da Bush Babees [3 tracks off Gravity], along with DJ Honda on "Travellin' Man"; and Talib Kweli, an underground New Yorker who previously worked with Cincinnati group Mood. The two rappers connected with each other and were supposed to release their solo albums around the same time, but their chemistry was so heavy that they postponed their albums and decided to collaborate on an full-length album.
The two artists formed the duo, Black Star, which was named after the Black Star Line, and released their debut single, "Definition". This was then followed by their only album [together], Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. Frequently produced by Hi-Tek, the album was released in the Summer of 1998 and deals with modern-day issues [society/politics, religion etc], and life in Brooklyn. With songs like "Definition" & "Respiration" being very popular songs from the two, the album had a bigger jumpstart for them than previously. Mos Def would go on to release Black on Both Sides and have major acting roles (especially in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and 16 Blocks), while Talib Kweli would go on and work with Hi-Tek on Train of Thought, and would also create "Get By", one of his most popular songs produced by Kanye West. Other than that, the two artists would be also known to become important figures in the hip-hop industry.
With that being said, let's go!
1. Intro
Just your normal rap album opening... but it got some sick beat though.
2. Astronomy (8th Light)
The album finally begins with a Beatminerz instrumental, and Mos & Talib do their thing. The two play around with their name, mostly with the phrase "black". The song is funky. Mos brought his all, but to be honest, Talib managed to murk it. But I like the parts where Mos brings up "third-eye vision" and having "black people united"...wait, no, that was Talib who said that "black people unite" line. Nevertheless, the concept was appealing and this was a great song to get everyone down to the album.
3. Definition
When the two (then-)unknown rappers came out with this track, this was an excellent way to introduce themselves to the rap industry especially after a few underground appearances. Hi-Tek's groovy beat with the sunny Jamaican vibe. It was great how in the chorus, they said it "kinda dangerous to be an MC" and how they killed 2Pac & Biggie, mainly because of how clear they made a point. I always liked Mos Def's starter verse and he does his thing. Talib manage to come off well. He sounded a little awkward though. Still, great song.
4. Re:DEFinition
Isn't it a bit too early for a Part 2/Remix? Anyway, the duo does a second part and it is darker than the original and gets more serious. I always thought this time Talib had a better verse than Mos, and that this version went harder than the original. It's good how they talked about everything from black liberation and hip-hop culture to the Bible, Menudo and more. The beat is nice and the rhymes come out better than the original. One of the best songs on the album!
5. Children's Story
So, Mos gets a solo shot on the album and uses the opportunity to cover Slick Rick's "Children's Story". The thing is, it's not exactly like the original. Mos uses the original rhymes and themes to the context of the music industry. This is darker than usual with a different and modernized beat, but isn't better than the original. Mos bring up subjects from pop-rap hits & radio to the East/West Coast Rivalry. However, the song just comes out decent though, and makes me rather hear the original than this one. I still like it.
6. Brown Skin Lady
The duo is back together on this one and is dedicated to brown-skin women, like Latinas, African-Americans and Black Caribbeans [and more]. This is a really chill song. Talib sounds really awkward, especially for him being my favourite out of the duo. Mos does his thing with his Jamaican voice and his respectful lady lines. Talib manages to make up for his weird flow with a 3rd verse, and he doesn't sound awkward anymore. The duo concludes with shout-outs to countries and cities like Jamaica, LA, Nigeria and Ghana. My favourite on this album.
7. B Boys Will B Boys
Mos & Talib takes the time to make a (sort of an) old-school tribute to the b-boys that were around before the MCs came. It's a good song, one of the real-live vibing tracks. Although it's probably supposed to be a proper track on the album, it ends up just sounding more like an interlude/intermission than it is supposed to be. Not that it's a bad thing, but it's not taken like it sounds like. And then there's a long instrumental break at the end...
8. KOS (Determination) [feat. Vinia Mojica]
Talib also gets a solo shot and uses it for a collab with frequent Native Tongues collaborator Vinia Mojica. And this song is nice, and shows Talib at his best (on this album), consciously speaking about knowledge, life and death. Vinia's ad-libs are nice and soulful. Hi-Tek's beat is laidback and sombre. The concept interests me, and Talib's lyrics are great, coming out really strong. With the two solo shots being on this album, this is better than Mos' song. One of my favourites and the dopest track on the album.
9. Hater Players
One of the darkest tracks on the album. This song is something raw, and really lyrical. Talib starts off really nice, and it's good. But Mos comes out with a really hard verse. Talib does a 3rd verse, which is nice, but makes this song sounds more like a Talib Kweli featuring Mos Def song, than a Black Star track. Still a good song.
10. Yo Yeah
Ain't nothing but a skit... but it's really interesting though.
11. Respiration (feat. Common)
One of my favourite songs of all-time, probably top-10, and also one of the best songs in hip-hop history. This song rocks. The city/organic life concept, Hi-Tek's lovely beat, Mos Def's starter verse (which is one of the best verses I've heard), along with a feature from Common. I love everything about it. Mos' verse is so nice, Talib continues off a lot nice, while Common manages to be with his conscious self, which is one of the highlights on this track. The best song on this album. Point Blank.
12. Thieves In The Night
Mos & Talib at their finest. Talib starts off really nicely, rapping to 88-Keys' sombre beat. Mos continues with a verse, which can be one of the best verses I've heard from Mos. That verse was so nice, and makes a lot of points, especially being a long verse. Mos' singing of "stop hiding your face" really appeals to me, and probably the listener, because it does bring out a message and more of a audible painting. Really nice, and brilliant.
13. Twice Inna Lifetime (feat. Jane Doe, Wordsworth & Punchline)
The album concludes with Mos & Talib collaborating with underground New Yorkers on a posse-cut. Jane Doe started off really nice with her lyrical content. Wordsworth was alright. Talib came out with a solid verse, which is really monstrous. Punchline was actually the closest to best on this, to be honest. And finally, you know who, Mos ends the track with a really lyrical verse, which is the highlight on this track. This sounds like how the final track of The Love Movement was (Rock Rock Y'all), but this one has Talib on it, not Q-Tip. A really great track from the crew, and it comes off really well. Now it's over.
From two (then-)unknown rappers who were trying to bring a message across, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star was a successful mission for those two. Mos & Talib manages to talk about life, social issues, and a lot of things happening around the world. I find a lot of joy and happiness when listening to this album. The two get on the tracks together and the chemistry is heavily shown a lot. No wonder why they postponed the albums. Individually, they are 2 different people with really different flows, each that can come off awkward for many people. Talib sounded weird in a few songs, while Mos managed to come out flawless. As you saw from the track-by-track review, Talib happened to be my favourite due to his conscious self, but as I listened to the album more, Mos then began to be my favourite, with flawless rhymes and came out way better than Kweli. The messages were really interesting, the beats were very hot, the feature(s) were alright, especially Common with his verse on "Respiration". With nice beats, lyrical content and Brooklyn life as the two know it being shown in the album frequently; Black Star is worth the listen. Really worth the listen, especially with their two solo projects proving to be better and improved. I recommend a purchase/stream. buy Buy BUY! listen Listen LISTEN! This album is so good, so great, so... well, you get the point. Mos & Talib manages to succeed with their messages and it comes off really really great. A highly recommend album and an instant classic.
The Furious 5ive
Respiration
Brown Skin Lady
KOS (Determination)
Thieves In The Night
RE:DEFinition
Honourable Mentions
Twice Inna Lifetime
Definition
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