The Reason Why Mos Def Is Wack…
… is because ever since he dropped the classic “Black On Both Sides” album way back when, dude has refused to deliver a full album containing the spittage he’s capable of easily hock tooing like how he does on this clip aired last week on BET’s Hip Hop Awards show. A cypher featuring rap masters Mos, Black Thought and Eminem, backed on the wheels by legend and long time good homie of mines, DJ Premier, this clip demonstrates what constitutes the almost lost art of emceeing. All three come off with unparalleled perfection, and I can see where cats might wanna give it to the white boy, or mebbe the Black one from Philly. But I’m really a fan of Mos, and I will always remain partial to Brooklyn, so being that its Election Day, you already know who I’m voting for.
It’s not that I’m against an artist exploring growth, evolution, forward motion. Rakim said it himself, “constant elevation causes expansion”, yes I’m with that. 2000%. But with all this rap basura flooding everything today, it’s effin frustrating when one of my biggest rap heroes continues to consistently let me down with experimental albums. I see how alot of ya’ll is claiming this year’s “The Ecstatic” as one of ’09’s top 10 albums. Meh. Too much sanging, not enough fires from the cat I’ve been patiently waiting to gracefully rape the microphone. I’m perverted like that, I can get into mic rapage all effin day. So ya’ll can respectfully keep that Ecstatic thingie to your god damn selves.
Mos Def remains one of my favorite ever. But I’m still waiting for that scruntch face worthy album drenched with yellow phlegm. I’m taking it real personal, especially since I feel he owes a nigga me at least one more classic album. Not too much to ask for from someone who has more than enough talent to share.
It’s my fault. I can’t help that I’m old school like that. Regardless. I’m. still.waiting. It’s the principalities Smokey!
No shots just in case.
I FULLY support mos def’s artistry. on every album. The Ecstatic is no different. DOPE. BUT i def feel your opinion. I, however, will continue listen to every one of his albums nonstop.
When Mos is actually rapping there aren’t many that can f with him. But let’s keep in mind that he’s never been trapped in a strictly beats and rhymes bubble (think “Umi Says,” certified classic). Casa Bey was a bit of return to form but it’s the same hang u—mentioned in this post—a gang of experimentation, when cats are fiending to hear most SPIT. Was about to be mad, but obviously you don’t really think Black Dante is wack.
Ok I got it.
Not a wack rapper, but wack for being a bit lazy when it comes to creative output.
Fair enough.
I feel the same way about a number of artists in the game. But I think most artist prefer to adhere to the truisms of Jay-Z.
———-
And the music I be making
I dumb down for my audience
And double my dollars
They criticize me for it
Yet they all yell “Holla”
If skills sold, Truth be told
I’d probably be,
Lyrically, Talib Kweli
Truthfully,
I wanna rhyme like Common Sense
(But I did five Mil)
I ain’t been rhyming like Common since
. . . I’m still bumping the Black Album.
@Boothe (All Things)
“but wack for being a bit lazy”
Do you know how difficult it is for most artist to remain true to themselves and actually do what they want to do?
I don’t think homey was being lazy at all, he was being himself which is something the game needs more and more of. Many artist wish they had the strength of character to record and release what they truly feel.
Casa Bey!
And I love that video.
Mos Def is dope because he doesn’t care what people like Combat Jack thinks. He doesn’t care about selling records, winning awards, marketing etc. Homie just does what makes him happy. If fans don’t like it move on to something else. Estatic was dope and Mos was spitting his ass off. Don’t try to box the man in.
yup. put phonte, lauryn andre 3k, and kanye on the list of cats who should stop singing and start getting back on the mic.
I heard that was a re used rhyme by Mos Def.
i forgot the song but he spit all that b4
co-sign, but with all of that said, Ecstatic is a dope LP.
Yes. Mos stole the cypher, crack verse IMO.
Yes. Every album since Black on Both Sides has been less than satisfying.
Why must it be this way?
Never been a big Mos Def fan. He has songs I dig, but overall I’m not copping duke. Now Mos and Kweli together…….Heat Rocks!
stop that shit CJ. that man is far from wack. you should reserved that sentiment for when gucci mane is back to where he started w/your preferences.
Mos will never drop a Black on Both Sides redux
he’s not in that space anymore
he’s a global super star
plus he got shitted on when that track dropped
and call Lyor Cohen a Tall Israeli (word to Bol for jacking that shit)
rap is a fun sport
but acting pays the bills for this cat
The nigga idolizes DOOM….in order to idolize ol’ metal face you gotta have top shelf spit. Problem with Dante is that the nigga has been an “artist” since day one. His first love is acting. I always thought, like Cam, he just rapped cause he was nice. As soon as you saw him dressed up like Dominican Lou in Blackstar’s first video you shoulda known he wasn’t gonna be rappity rappin forever. He’s still nice though……wack might be a stretch unless you mean wack as in allowing yourself to get played to the left by a perculating snow bunny….in that regard he is very wack.
But at the end of the day The Ecstatic was the best thing since Black On Both and I would say that it’s his modern answer to an older class. Even with that said, on the cyphers, the mighty Mos was supremely disappointing to me because he was the only one who recycled a verse! Even Nicki Minaj, certified non-rapper, came with a verse we’ve never heard before (as if we’re checking for her shit). Mos is all talent and no drive in my opinion and I know I’m gonna get nailed to a cross by people who think they love Hip-Hop but think about it, how much did you hate when MJ played baseball for a while and then decided to come around and flop about on the court as an old shell of his former self?
I say to Mos, either go in hard everytime or do movies exclusively because it hurts your own legacy (that I clearly care about more than he does) when you come with that bullshit!
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I agree 100%. My thing is, when these guys start singing and shit, wtf happens to the production? Black on both sides had great production on it as well as dope rapping (as did the Black Star album) but when these guys veer off, they take the production down with them. I don’t get that.
And btw Jack, I love Mos but his verse was the least dope. Dope, but not as dope as Em or BT
“yup. put phonte, lauryn, andre 3k, and kanye on the list of cats who should stop singing and start getting back on the mic.”
Honestly, at this point, I’d be happy to hear Lauryn or Andre just come out with a full got-damn project- singing or otherwise. I’m not even picky with those two- I’d be glad if they could ever commit themselves to making another album.
-D!
i loved mos on “oh no”, and im ashamed to say i never really listened to much of his stuff (though i figured he was talented as hell just from that one verse)…can anyone put me on to some spittage from the dude? (no homo)
I’m must be one of the 5 people on earth that enjoyed Tru3 Magic…
I still got faith in dude, I never brought my self to check out his last joint for fear of being disapointed. I think I’ll go ahead and give it a shot today based on the posts here.
*Goes off to find a rapidshare link*
wack is harsh b
i’ve been loving ecstatic
I feel ya man, I’m the same fuckin way with KRS-One. Why he tries to preach on the Mic I don’t kno. Enough man jus kill that Mic like Boom Bap!!! He still has it in him ya see it here & there, jus bring ya skillz back Rape the Mic…….1 Philly – Blackthought BEST emcee in the Game PERIOD!!!
This makes no sense at all.
The headline leads the reader to believe you are going to explain why you feel mos Def is wack, only for the reader to see your admission that Mos is one of your “favorite ever.” Huh?
People mock what they don;t understand, and you apparently don’t understand that true artistry and creativity shouldn’t be boxed into just one single category. I have yet to hear a weak or wack Mos def album simply because he pushes the envelope every chance he gets. He keeps his fans guessing which direction he will go in next.
I don;t understand the allure of a rapper who gives you the same shit over and over without straying from his script once. You can never accuse Mos of this at all. He stays growing and could never be confused with another rapper. To me, that’s a something most if not all rappers should aspire toward. It’s something to be celebrated, not chastised.
Wishing Mos to go backwards is like when Miles went electric ob “Bitches Brew” and jazz heads kept begging for him to go back to “Kind of Blue.” Unlike many of his peers, he’s a brotha who can act, do poetry, and mix it up with the Bad Brains with ease.
Like Hl said, Mos could give a fuck what we think…
AGREED…Ive been waiting for Mos to kill it and it seems he only sparingly does. I go get what he puts out and get dissapointed w the final outcome. I agree with the commenter about KRS also….stop preaching and hit us with that BoomBap(or maybe he just cant anymore)
Your missing the whole point. The classic you are waiting for is The Ecstatic. His flow was immpecable. It seems you like that ” punch you in the face rap” this isn’t that. What people love about Mos is his creative expression. We like it cause it’s different. It’s dope without being the same old same old ” blah blah blah like ( insert over used metaphor here.) The Ecstatic is Mos!
Also, Mos Def is Hiphop personified. To the fullest. Mos formally challenged Jay-Z, Kanye, Lil Wayne and any other 2 rappers they want to a battle vs. Mos, Black Thought, DOOM, Jay Electronica and NaS. Mos released a YouTube video and went to media outlets talking about that challenge and guess who never responded to or acknowledged it? Yep – Jay and them. If Jay is the bets rapper alive, if Wayne is the best rapper alive, like they both say they are, then why not accept the challenge and have it on PPV and raise money for charity? You know how many people would tune in and watch that? But Jay and them are pussy, hiding behind their money while Mos is out there representing for real Hiphop. Everyday.
Casa Bey…My Nigga
Mos is holdin Africa Bam down extraordinarily. Simple and plain…The brotha is HIPHOP!
This is the reason why your blog is wack, that and the fact you update once a week. SMH
Skip whoeve wrote this MOS dropped the album of the year wit ESTATIC Open UR Ears and ya 3rd EYE!!!!!
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Mos is a lyrical genius, but musically he’s not who he wants to be. I can deal with the bad singing (even by rapper standards) but while I understand the need to expand his sound but he’s not Kanye, Andre 3000 or Lauryn when it comes to doing more complex music in hip hop. He needs more people.
I hate brilliant cats don’t even try to make popular product, even though they have the ability. The real challenge of an artist is to be deep and accessable at the same time. Sly Stone, P.Funk, Prince and many others did it. Mos needs to step up and quit ducking the game under the “I’m an artist” cop out.
I second that CJ. I mean. Gotta say though, “Quiet Dog”? The flow is effortless dun
There are a bunch of people here who obviously are confused when it comes to defining the terms “art” and “artistry”.
It is NOT artistic to make an album using autotune as a singing crutch to help with your new look that includes a mullet and singing bad songs about fake relationships (Kanye anyone?).
Just because Andre 3000 made ONE single album that had him singing songs does not mean Mos Def (who has been singing since day one, not all of a sudden or just for one album on an experimental basis) is trying to be like him.
There is never going to be another Sly Stone or Prince, why are we holding Mos to that standard? Why not let him stand on his own two as he has displayed over the years?
Mos has had his own rock band too — now guess who also tours with bands? If anything, Mos and the way he brought singing into the equation inspired other rap artists to try the same thing.
I’ve never heard Mos use the “I’m an artist” excuse for anything, though being a true artists like him isn’t an excuse for anything. It’s more like a reason why he chooses to create the type of music he does instead of the fluff “that dude” references. Lauryn Hill? Really? LMAO!
I co-sign its like he gives you bits and pieces.
I don’t agree with the wack part, but I completely agree with you about the “gracefully rape the microphone” thing. haha. I didn’t really dig the ecstatic. too much singing and not that fire he usually spits. Don’t get me wrong, I respect him for trying new things, but I think he needs to stick to what he does best, killing tracks.
[...] One More Dope Mos Def Album – Like I said on my site “ever since he dropped the classic “Black On Both Sides” album way back when, dude has [...]
Thank you for sharing such an interesting and informative article. – Basura