Mos Def started his career as a rapper in the band named UTD (Urban Thermo Dynamics) with two of his younger siblings, Derente and Ces in 1994. In 1996, Mos Def got married the Maria Yepes. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. "[85], About.com ranked him #14 on its list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time,[5] and The Source ranked him #23 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. The production featured frequent live instrumentation that perfectly accentuated Moss poetic, socially conscious lyrics. His lyrics were poignant and focused on a wide range of topics that reflected the social conditions of the late 2000s. He has no plans of releasing the album digitally or physically. The sprawling album saw Mos experimenting with different styles and sounds, to varying degrees of success. Let . In October, he signed a deal with Downtown Records and appeared on a remix to the song "D.A.N.C.E." The couple parted ways 10 years later. His father, Abdulrahman was a member of the nation of Islam and a follower of Warith Dean Mohammed. "This is a major, major, major turning point, not just for me, but for the culture [T]his is one of those rare instances where something of a high artistic order is like at ground level, at street level, where Jay-Z and Puffy have come to the theater, where kids are coming to Broadway to watch this play." The album reached number 25 on Billboard and was certified Gold in February 2000 after selling more than 500,000 copies. Killer Mike Bio: The Rise of a Rapper Turned Activist, Redman Bio: The Life and Career of a Hip Hop Icon, https://www.notablebiographies.com/newsmakers2/2005-La-Pr/Mos-Def.html, https://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/richest-rappers/mos-def-net-worth/, https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mos-def-mn0000927416/biography, https://www.essence.com/news/yasiin-bey-mos-def-announces-retirement-pleads-leave-south-africa/#:~:text=Yasiin%20Bey%E2%80%94the%20artist%20formerly,on%20Kanye%20Wests%20officially%20website, https://www.thestar.com/news/2008/06/29/scenes_from_a_hiphop_marriage.html, https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-38065758, Pusha T Bio: The Making of a Hip Hop Legend, Mos Def, Dante Beez, Flaco, El-Bey the Moor, Fear not of men because men must die. On November 7, 2007, Mos Def performed live in San Francisco at a venue called The Mezzanine. it's time to expand and move on. He also took time to question the amount of money allocated in the U.S. defense budget. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. [55] On December 5, 2016, he announced the title of two albums, Negus in Natural Person and As Promised, the latter of which is a collaboration with Southern hip hop producer Mannie Fresh, initially titled OMFGOD. It also showed that they deeply appreciated the culture and the greats that came before them. "And I'm like, 'Am I seein' this right? Mos Def also designed two pairs of limited edition Converse shoes. Hes always had a rare talent for making insightful and socially conscious music that is also fun and entertaining to listen to, which is why his messages are so powerful. [101][102] He had reportedly recruited Kanye West to help defend him, and posted a message on West's website announcing his retirement from show business. Sadly, the success was tainted by his decision to have a legal separation in 2006 from his wife Maria Yepes who has given him two children during their ten-year marriage. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. In 2011, he began a multi-episode appearance on the Showtime television series Dexter. He was featured on the Kanye West song Two Words from his debut album The College Dropout, which is one of the best performances of his entire career, in my opinion. It was released exclusively on the podcasting platform Luminary and received general acclaim from critics. The reaction surprised Mos Def himself. Born Dante Terrell Smith, December 11, 1973, in Brooklyn, NY; son of Abdul (Abi) Rahman and Sheron (Umi) Smith. Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star is an undeniable classic and helped set both artists up for successful solo careers. Mos Def is the oldest of 12 siblings and half-siblings, including one of his earliest collaborators, Ilias Bey, aka DCQ. Flash, Madlib's brother Oh No, J. Dilla, and Georgia Anne Muldrow. He always had a love for theatrical arts so his roles in films are really jobs but also hobbies. Yasiin Bey (/jsin be/; born Dante Terrell Smith, December 11, 1973), more commonly known by his former stage name Mos Def (/mos df/), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Mos Def appeared in court yesterday (Feb. 14) after filing for divorce from his wife, Maria Yepes-Smith. No one perceives Alana as being active on any social media network. Most of his money comes from music and film royalties. . At 16, he was cast in a role on the sitcom You Take the Kids, which ran until 1991. as Super Mr. Superhero. In one act, he had to do a striptease to a James Brown piece while removing several stolen suits lifted as part of his day's work. Mos Def was born on December 11th, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York City. In September 2011, the rapper announced that he legally changed his name to Yasiin Bey and would go by that name, retiring his Mos Def moniker. Regarded as one of hip-hop's most introspective and insightful artists, Mos Def has shaped a career that transcends music genres and artistic medium. Since the early 2000s, he has appeared in the films Something the Lord Made, Next Day Air, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 16 Blocks, Be Kind Rewind, The Italian Job, The Woodsman, Bamboozled, and Brown Sugar and in television series such as Dexter and House. Later they made headlines when Yepes took Mos Def to court over failure in child-support obligations, paying $2,000 short of the monthly $10,000 he is ordered to pay. [9] The eldest of 12 children and step-children, he was raised by his mother in Brooklyn, while his father lived in New Jersey. [9], Bey attended middle school at Philippa Schuyler Middle School in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where developed his love for acting. Art forms with negative connotations, such as graffiti, as presented in a more optimal context. In 1998, they released an album called Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star which was met with universal acclaim from critics. Bey won "Best Actor, Independent Movie" at the 2005 Black Reel Awards for his portrayal of Detective Sgt. Yasiin Bey was born Dante Terrell Smith on December 11, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York City,[8] the son of Sheron Smith and Abdulrahman Smith. They spent their time browsing the literature and later became co-owners of the bookstore. Am 15. [19] He has influenced numerous hip hop artists throughout his career, including Lupe Fiasco, Jay Electronica, Kid Cudi, and Saigon. [57][58], In February 2018, Bey announced, on stage, a new Black Star studio album, produced by Madlib, would be released in 2018. [34], Bey has designed two pairs of limited edition Converse shoes. Bey features on the first single, "Stylo", from the third Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, alongside soul legend Bobby Womack. It was released haphazardly by his label after it leaked online and the physical copy was initially sold in a clear plastic booklet without cover art or a booklet. [36] That year, he was among the MCs aligned with American entrepreneur Damon Dash's DD172 and collaborating with American blues rock band the Black Keys on the Blakroc album, a project headed by the Black Keys and Damon Dash. Even so, the divorce apparently did not bring much affect to Def's career for he kept marching forward confidently to issue his next record "Tru3 Magic" on December 29, 2006 while reaching deals to take part in a handful of films that included "16 Blocks", "Journey to the End of the Night", and "The Brazilian Job.". In April 2008, he appeared on the title track for a new album by The Roots titled Rising Down. Bey appears alongside Kanye West on the track "Two Words" from The College Dropout album, the track "Drunk and Hot Girls" and the bonus track "Good Night" off West's third major album, Graduation. At the age of 14, he also worked as a child artist in one of the television . The couple divorced in 2006. [19][20] The single "Ms. It debuted on the Billboard album chart at number five. It also has an innovative and worldly that borrowed from other cultures but stayed true to hip hop. The albums created quite a buzz in the hip-hop world, but Mos Def left them behind to concentrate on acting once again. [54] In November 2016, he was granted the ability to leave but not reenter South Africa and was put on "South Africa's 'undesirable persons' list". On the night of the MTV Video Music Awards, Bey pulled up in front of Radio City Music Hall on a flatbed truck and began performing the "Katrina Clap" single in front of a crowd that quickly gathered around him. The issue is still in court. He's a character that could have been played by any actor, black or white. He filed for divorce from Yepes in 2006. Mos Def, born Dante Terrell Smith Bey on December 11, 1973, in Brooklyn, N.Y.C., began rapping at nine and professional acting at 14. Maria Yepes-Smith is currently available. The group had two singles until he took on a solo career. The Ecstatic is one of my all-time favorite Mos Def projects. [61] In April 2022, a release date for the long-awaited Black Star project was officially announced. Def was accused of anti-Semitism when in 2004, Def rapped "some tall Israeli is running this rap shit." After that, Mos would continue his acting career and make frequent appearances on tracks by popular artists. Other reports say that he has as many as six children with four different women. [69] He also appeared on the sitcom My Wife and Kids as the disabled friend of Michael Kyle (Damon Wayans). While not a bad album, in my opinion, its a bit overly experimental in a way that doesnt always pay off and doesnt hold up as well as his first two projects. Throughout the early 2000s he would also rediscover his love for acting and land prominent roles in films like Bamboozled, Monsters Ball, and Brown Sugar. The play also showcased some of Mos Def's unseen talents. Continue with Recommended Cookies. They had been married for 9 years. The group is composed of artists from Living Colour, Bad Brains, and Parliament-Funkadelic. Black Stars debut album is now considered one of the greatest conscious hip hop albums of all time. (sources: notablebiographies.com, buddytv.com,aceshowbiz.com, wikipedia.org), Hip Hop Scriptures, New York, NY 10032, United States. Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or add our RSS feed. They began their relationship after he dropped out of school. A massive underground hit, the composition joyously led Def to a more high-profile collaboration with Talib Kweli under the moniker of Black Star, whose self-titled album became one of the most discussed works in 1998 following its launch on August 26 that year via Rawkus Records. "[42] Bey also stated "Mos Def is a name that I built and cultivated over the years, it's a name that the streets taught me, a figure of speech that was given to me by the culture and by my environment, and I feel I've done quite a bit with that name. [11], Bey began his music career in 1994, forming the group UTD (or Urban Thermo Dynamics) along with younger brother DCQ and high-school friend Ces. They got divorced in 2006. The Ecstatic was met by widespread critical acclaim and received much more positively than his past two records. Dante Terrell "Beze" Smith # of Kids = 5 # of Stepkids = 1 # of Baby Mamas = 2-4 # of Wives = 2 Wife #1 (U.S.) = Maria Yepes-Smith (divorce pending, two daughters) Wife #2 (Canada) = Alana Wyatt (m. Aug. 17, 2005 at Toronto City Hall, no children together, Alana has one son, . Mos Def. Music - Rapper. Mos Def Wife, Marriage. He earned roles in 2000's Bamboozled, which was directed by Spike Lee, 2001's Monster's Ball, starring Halle Berry, 2002's Brown Sugar, and 2004's The Woodsman. Yasiin Bey. In January 2012, it was reported that Mos Def and Talib Kweli had begun "to resurrect" Black Star. He has a recurring guest role on Boondocks, starring as "Gangstalicious". At the age of 16 he earned the part of Nell Carter's son on the sitcom You Take the Kids, which ran from 1990 to 1991. campaign.[38]. While the bigger part of his net worth has been accumulated from his career as a rapper, his acting career has significantly added to that impressive amount. Mos Def announced his retirement from music and acting in 2016, through a post on Kanye Wests official website. He still occasionally performs and has worked with younger talent such as JID and ASAP Rocky. (Doctor)". Last. It became a classic of the hip-hop underground. Friday track "Lord Lord Lord", Mos Def confirmed his signing with GOOD Music. [56] His claims of retirement were seen as questionable as he played shows on September 13, 2017, at the Fox Theater in Oakland as part of Black Star and performed on Gorillaz' Humanz World Tour, performing "Stylo" with Peven Everett, who filled in for Bobby Womack, who died in 2014. The two decided to join forced and form a group called Black Star. In March 2019, he debuted his album, (pronounced Negus) at a listening session as part of Art Basel Hong Kong. Since 2006, Mos Def has been a party to a migration court dispute. Bey was not exposed to Islam until the age of 13. In January 2012, it was reported that Bey and Talib Kweli had begun "to resurrect" Black Star. The items were released in select U.S. stores and almost exclusively on the UNDRCRWN website. The releases heightened Mos Def's notoriety and established him as a socially conscious, introspective, and insightful rap artist. . Overall, reviews were mixed. The Smiths' two children are named Jauraha and Chandani. In March 2016, it was announced that he had been attached to star in "his last live-action film", The Disconnected, a science fiction thriller dealing with policing, identity, and the intersection of technology and humanity.[75]. [49], In October 2016, a planned concert in London was cancelled due to travel restrictions imposed on the artist;[50] other European dates suffered the same fate. . He said he would perform one show in Harlem and three in Washington D.C. after leaving South Africa. [98] She is a motivational speaker, and authored the book Shine Your Light: A Life Skills Workbook, where she details her experience as a single mother raising him. [79], In October 2006, Bey appeared on 4Real, a documentary television series. Def married Maria Yepes in 1996, and although they split, they had two daughters Jauhara . However, the critical reception was not as enthusiastic as his first album. This performance was recorded for an upcoming "Live in Concert" DVD. The song is a criticism of the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina. Starring in the production allowed him to work with renowned director George C. Wolfe in a play that won the author, Suzan-Lori Parks, a Pulitzer Prize. In October, he signed a deal with Downtown Records and appeared on a remix to the song D.A.N.C.E. The rapper has paid roughly $8000 a month since the order was issued, but said obligations to his three []. He started his career in 1994 as a rapper for short lived rap group Urban Thermodynamics. In 2006, Mos Def appeared in Dave Chappelle's Block Party alongside fellow Black Star companion Talib Kweli, while also contributing to the film's soundtrack. Just a year later, Mos Def released a solo album, Black on Both Sides, which had a jazzy, R&B flavor. [45] Bey again revived his Mos Def moniker for two new songs in August 2015, titled "Basquiat Ghostwriter" and "Sensei on the Block", respectively. However, the couple separated in 2006. [88][89][90] Kendrick Lamar once mentioned him as a very early inspiration as a young rapper, though Lamar denied being a part of the conscious rap movement. His performance was well received, with E! The album featured backup from his new band venture, Black Jack Johnson. It was created in response to the 1999 police shooting of Amadou Diallo, and sought to accumulate 41 artists to the roster, one to match each of the 41 gunshots fired on Diallo. For the American football player, see. Mos Def wants the group to make an album that is hip-hop rock. In 2002, he released the 12" single Fine, which was featured in the Brown Sugar Motion Picture Soundtrack. Random Facts. Black on Both Sides was released in October 1999 and quickly named an instant classic in underground hip hop. In 2016, he announced via Kanye Wests website that he was officially retiring from acting and music. [32] He appeared on Stephen Marley's debut album Mind Control on the song "Hey Baby". CRITICAL ACCLAIM:About.com ranked him #24 on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time, while The Source ranked him #23 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. . Mos Def Digital Biography. The year 2005 found Mos Def back on the big screen, this time in a lead role, playing alien journalist Ford Prefect in the sci-fi comedy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, based on the Douglas Adams book of the same name. He enticed his bemused African following with an encore introduced by his own rendition of John Coltrane's "Love Supreme" followed by a sneak preview of the track "M.D. In 1995, he met De La Soul's lyrical genius Maseo and was invited tojoin the Native Tongues Posse. Check out: Copyright 2023 The Hip Hop Insider | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. In April 2008 he appeared on the title track for a new album by The Roots entitled Rising Down. [40][41] Bey told a reporter "I began to fear that Mos Def was being treated as a product, not a person, so Ive been going by Yasiin since 99. His debut was followed by The New Danger (2004), True Magic (2006), and The Ecstatic (2009). Im releasing my final album this year. In 2002, he played the role of Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog, a Tony-nominated and Pulitzer-winning Broadway play. The shoes were released through Foot Locker stores on August 1, 2009 in limited amounts.[35]. He also appeared in A Free Man of Color, John Guare's play at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. He spends his time writing and producing music when he's not working. In 2010, he appeared on the children's show Yo Gabba Gabba! In June 2010, he recorded a cover of the classic New Orleans song originally by Smokey Johnson, "It Ain't My Fault" with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Lenny Kravitz and Trombone Shorty. During this performance Mos Def announced that he would be releasing a new album to be called The Ecstatic. Mos Def made his stage debut in fifth grade in a production of Marlo Thomas's Free to Be You and Me. [95][96] He has four other children. Mos Def married Maria Yepes in 1996. The rapper has paid roughly $8000 a month since the order was issued, but said Friday track "Lord Lord Lord", Bey confirmed he had signed with GOOD Music. Los dos hijos de los Smith se llaman Jauraha y Chandani. Born Dante Terrell Smith on 11th December, 1973 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States, he is famous for Black On Both Sides in a career that spans 1994-present and 1993-present. In late 2009, Mos Def created a brand of clothing line with UNDRCRWN called the "Mos Def Cut & Sew Collection." ", "Amy Winehouse - Onyx Barber's interview", "Mos Def Tossed Out of Court | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales", "Yasiin Bey Would Like You To Quit Calling Him Mos Def", "Rapper Mos Def ordered to leave South Africa in passport row", "A rapper's plight raises the question of who has the right to issue passports", How Hip-Hop Lost Mos Def: Yasiin Bey Announces Retirement and Final Album, "Mos Def held on immigration charges in South Africa, family ordered out", "Yasiin Bey Announces Retirement, Final Album in Heartfelt Plea for South African Government to Free Him", "Mos Def 'World Passport' case postponed", "SABC News - Mos Def set to make another court appearance:Tuesday May 31, 2016", "Rapper Mos Def allowed to leave South Africa after apology", "Yasiin Bey released his newest album and all I got was a Polaroid of myself", "Manifest Destiny [2004] - UTD - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic", "Breaking News - Tyler Perry to Host Film Life's 2006 Black Movie Awards - a Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present & Future, Premiering Wednesday, OcT. 18, on TNT", "Vivica A. Mos simultaneously celebrates and critiques rap culture in a way few other artists can and offers thought-provoking takes that are both playful and satirical. This occurred after a document containing the military instructions for the procedure was leaked. He has four other children. Mind over matter and soul before flesh. Mos Def, They say that when a man faces his destiny, the destiny ends and he becomes the man that he really is. Mos Def, I give a damn if any fan recalls my legacy, Im trying to live life in the sight of GODs memory.- Mos Def, 1998 Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (with Talib Kweli), 2004 Manifest Destiny (with Ces and DCQ), 2016 December 99th (with Ferrari Sheppard), 2022 No Fear of Time (with Talib Kweli).
