Black Star [Original recording reissued]

Black Star, Talib Kweli, Mos Def | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B00000IADP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,391 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Intro

2. Astronomy (8th Light)

3. Definition

4. RE: DEFinition

5. Children's Story

6. Brown Skin Lady

7. B Boys Will B Boys

8. K. O. S. (Determination)

9. Hater Players

10. Yo Yeah

11. Respiration

12. Thieves in the Night

13. Twice Inna Lifetime

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great hip-hop through and through, August 24, 1999

By 

Cedar Riener "criener" (Wash DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Star (Audio CD)

This is destined to be a classic as more and more people hear of it. In a time when hip-hop is becoming more and more pop and its audience has to settle for good beats and melody, a good message, or good lyrics, this album has all three. I have listened to it may times, and a new metaphor or bit of insight pops up every time. Mos Def and Talib Kweli are hard-working and deep-thinking artists, and this work reflects that. The rhymes are tightly woven, and each song is cohesive. They aren't rhyming pneumonia, begonia, and zirconia, a'la Nice N' Smooth, or bragging about how much money, women or cars they have. It is a refreshing break from Puffy's clan, and it lets true hip-hop fans know that the tradition of skillz begun by Rakim, Chuck D and others will be well kept by Mos and Talib.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Just Plain Amazing..., March 24, 2001

By 

T. Walsh "mc-skittlez" (New Jeru) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Star (Audio CD)

Prepare yourself to take a journey throught the minds of 2 highly intelligent gifted musicians. This is one of those CDs where the artist puts their entire souls into, but this seems like they put even more than that..."amazing" doesn't compliment this release enough, but I cannot think of a term to discribe how excellent this CD is...

From start to finish your hit with various rhythms, stories, serious or humorous lyrics...even though its only 11 songs every single one of them is perfect in its own way: "Definition" has its reggae vibe, "Respiration" has its powerful musical performance along with lyrics by Mos, Talib, and Common, "Hater Players" contains a humorous slight diss to commercial music, and both artists very cleverly parafrase 'The Bluest Eye' by Toni Morrison on "Thievs In The Night"...Mos and Talib drop their solo tracks....

Along with the great tracks, you get to read each of the artists perspectives of each track in the booklet; when they finished them, their feelings about them, etc...

These are 2 very slept on artists... the media doesn't know what good music is. They seem blinded by the shine off BGs bling, or deafened by the blasphemous yelling and complaining of DMX, or have their attention on seeing low class women bending over in about 99% of all rap videos shown on MTV and BET...

c'mon true talent is whats on the mind of the musician. Mind Power...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing...Exhilarating...Enlightening, June 17, 2001

By 

"dj_jazzyjoe" (Naptown) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Star (Audio CD)

On the track "Definition", Mos Def proclaims that he and partner Talib Kweli are the "best alliance in hip hop"...after listening to this album, you'll find it damn tough to disagree. For people who can appreciate real hip hop, it doesn't get much better than this. Poignant and often poetic lyrics, slick, chill-out grooves, and a fresh and uplifting message elevate Def and Kweli's effort high, high above all the cliched mainstream garbage that clutters today's musical landscape. Standout tracks include: "Astronomy", on which the duo contemplates the meaning of "black" both literally and metaphorically; the aforementioned "Definition", a track which sports a fierce beat and sharp lyrics to match; "Brown Skin Lady", a silky smooth shout-out to NYC women; "Hater Players", a much-needed and appreciated assault on fake MC's. The album's high point is "Respiration", which I regard as a hip hop classic. The song is an absolutely breathtaking (no pun intended) meditation on Black Star's home territory...the city is fleshed out as an organic, living thing to a bouncing background which is just enough to make you nod your head, but never threatens to overttake the stunning lyrics. Fellow underground icon Common drops a fantastic verse on the track, as well. Overall, this album is an absolute gem. Its a prime example of what hip hop should be...an art form. These MC's have something to say, and anyone that is sick and tired of plastic rap in the vein of DMX and Cash Money should give them a listen.