Black Star [EXPLICIT LYRICS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Black Star

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 19, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 26, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, 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 (128 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #126,006 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 1998
They're not on every soundtrack, and they aren't featured guests on every crossover hit. That's OK. Mos Def & Talib Kweli are leaders of a different school; though they've got beats by the pound and the lyrical chops to pull off an (updated) cover of Slick Rick's classic "Children's Story," Black Star proffers a more philosophical take on hip-hop. Years from now this album, much like the Freestyle Fellowship's Innercity Griots, will still be revered. --Randy Silver --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Description
Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track: "Waiting for You". --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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

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)

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

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.