This single song changed my whole perspective in life. When this song dropped, I was in highschool, and learning the hard way what I meant to be a man of color, when you weren't raised to see it. My father told me one day I would understand, and when I did, i saw things differently, not in a bad way, just in a real way. I have also passed this song to others, like a blue pill to help them understand not everything is what it appears to be, that as Henry Thoreau said it's not "what you look at that matters, but how you see it". 💯
The song comes from a quote from a book called the bluest eyes by Toni Morrison: And fantasy it was, for we were not strong, only aggressive; we were not free, merely licensed; we were not compassionate, we were polite; not good, but well behaved. We courted death in order to call ourselves brave, and hid like thieves from life. We substituted good grammar for intellect; we switched habits to simulate maturity; we rearranged lies and called it truth, seeing in the new pattern of an old idea the Revelation and the Word.
I told you this was good stuff. This was 1998 I am not big on singing hooks, unless they are done by legit singers. Mos Def doesn't need autotune to create a chorus. He is ridiculously talented.
This is so overlooked - one of the best tracks in hip hop history, the beat, the hook, and the quality of the flow and verses is off the charts to say the least...its chill but hits hard and deep - so glad someone did a reaction, mad props to you. Another song off this album that to me is on the same level is "K.O.S." ... it is another DL classic. Both Mos Def and Talib went on to big solo lives but they found that zone that happens sometimes in music. Mos Def never equaled his first solo album he put out a couple years later, he was on FIRE back then, and same with Talib, though they both have kept it rolling for the long. If you haven't done some of the top tracks off of Mos Def's "Black on Both Sides" album, man...its one of those records with just about zero weak or skip tracks and some absolute killers. But yeah - 'K.O.S.' - I predict you'll love it. Thanks for finding this and taking your time to share. Peace//
Out loud reaction I had when I saw that you were listening to this track One of my all time favorite rap songs. Timeless message that still resonates today. Glad you finally gave it a go!
I listen to this record at least a few times a year. I cannot believe this record is almost 30 years old (it came out in 98) and is more relevant as time goes on. Everyone could use a good listen to this record in 2024I This record is a conscious Hip Hop magnum opus.
Whole album for sure. Especially “Twice in a Lifetime”. When Kweli says, “you stopping is is preposterous like an androgynous misogynist”. Who puts something like that together so perfectly?
Seriously if you want to hear how beautiful Hip-hop can be listen to "Four Women" by Talib Kweli. Its his version of the classic song by Nina Simone. I'm not asking for a reaction video just recommending this as a Hip-Hop lover and knowing you're someone who appreciates word play (EMCEEING). Do yourself a favor and listen to that song and the beautiful story telling Kweli delivers. And then listen again and again to get the jewels he's dropping. I put it up there with Dear Momma by Pac as two of the most beautiful songs Hip-Hop has ever produced. Just a recommendation young homie. Hope you give it a listen.
Producer: Shawn J. Period, Hi-Tek, Ge-ology, 88-Keys, J. Rawls, Da Beatminerz these are the producers of the Album. No need for guessing go look it up! 🤣
I never thought rap like this would go away, and here we are now in the year 2024 where it's rare to get music like this nowadays. I dont know if you ever heard of em but Black Thought aka The Roots be hitting too. They collaborated with each other on some tracks as well.
To me... this is the most underrated song in hip hip history. Nobody has ever heard it and it's basically perfect.
It is so good. Is there anything else like this? I also enjoy the stuff by Mos Def and some King Geedorah.
facts
Facts!
Thank you, I've been saying this for years
When someone asks me what my favorite rap verse of all-time is. I send them to this song, Mos definitely verse
You might as well do the whole album. You definitely won't be disappointed.
Agree.
This single song changed my whole perspective in life. When this song dropped, I was in highschool, and learning the hard way what I meant to be a man of color, when you weren't raised to see it. My father told me one day I would understand, and when I did, i saw things differently, not in a bad way, just in a real way.
I have also passed this song to others, like a blue pill to help them understand not everything is what it appears to be, that as Henry Thoreau said it's not "what you look at that matters, but how you see it". 💯
The song comes from a quote from a book called the bluest eyes by Toni Morrison: And fantasy it was, for we were not strong, only aggressive; we were not free, merely licensed; we were not compassionate, we were polite; not good, but well behaved. We courted death in order to call ourselves brave, and hid like thieves from life. We substituted good grammar for intellect; we switched habits to simulate maturity; we rearranged lies and called it truth, seeing in the new pattern of an old idea the Revelation and the Word.
Listened to this song forever and never knew this. So creative to make it into the hook. I love these guys.
Greatest hip -hop tune ever
Most rappers in the 80's and 90's dropped alot of knowledgeable . 👍
Everyone was listening to this album when it came out in Fall 1998.
One of the greatest albums ever
I told you this was good stuff. This was 1998 I am not big on singing hooks, unless they are done by legit singers. Mos Def doesn't need autotune to create a chorus. He is ridiculously talented.
He doesn’t need auto tune.
Can't tell you how happy i am to see you discover Black Star. TY.
Do the Album it's a classic head to toe! 🔥
I’ve been scouring UA-cam for quite some time now for a reaction video to this unbelievable song! Bars!
One of my favorite songs since I was 15, and im 40 now. Helped me through my youth.
Same!!
Yea them late 90s early 2000s had some tuff tunes 🎶
Hi Tek produced most of their music. He also raps. Check out "the blast" from him and Talib kweli off the refection eternal album.
This beat tho was 88 keys
Probably their greatest song…Deeper than Atlantis
it's great watching you vibe to shit i loved in my youth. music is timeless.... good music anway. The producer on this was Hi-tek from Cincinnati
Respiration
Group: Black Moon
Artist: Buck Shot shorty
Album: Enta Da Stage
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
This is so overlooked - one of the best tracks in hip hop history, the beat, the hook, and the quality of the flow and verses is off the charts to say the least...its chill but hits hard and deep - so glad someone did a reaction, mad props to you. Another song off this album that to me is on the same level is "K.O.S." ... it is another DL classic. Both Mos Def and Talib went on to big solo lives but they found that zone that happens sometimes in music. Mos Def never equaled his first solo album he put out a couple years later, he was on FIRE back then, and same with Talib, though they both have kept it rolling for the long. If you haven't done some of the top tracks off of Mos Def's "Black on Both Sides" album, man...its one of those records with just about zero weak or skip tracks and some absolute killers. But yeah - 'K.O.S.' - I predict you'll love it. Thanks for finding this and taking your time to share. Peace//
Out loud reaction I had when I saw that you were listening to this track One of my all time favorite rap songs. Timeless message that still resonates today. Glad you finally gave it a go!
Mos Def favorites: Hip Hop, Mathmatics, Travellin' Man and Crime and Medicine
agree mate this song very deep
This whole album was a classic, 5 mics, just fabulous and deep
Hi Tek is the beat maker
This beat was produced by 88 keys. My favorite song on the album!
This song gives me chills every time I hear it
The relevancy of dis song.....stills hold's 2 dis very day....a gift dat gives 2 whoeva ears who recieve it...🙌🏽🙌🏽💪🏽💪🏽🔥🔥🔥🔥🎯🎯🎯🎯💯
I listen to this record at least a few times a year. I cannot believe this record is almost 30 years old (it came out in 98) and is more relevant as time goes on. Everyone could use a good listen to this record in 2024I
This record is a conscious Hip Hop magnum opus.
One of the best one off records ever recorded with two of the best lyrists and Hi Tek on production...great album and my fav song of all time.
What’s understood don’t gotta be explained 💯 I Fuck with that. I’m a major hip hop head and live to see y’all young heads listening to this .
88 keys produced this NOT Hi-Tek.
Hi tek produced this album
Gota do some eLZhi....he remade illmatic with the same beats just his own verses...album called elmatic
Super underground Wu-Tang Duo Wu-Syndicate - Where wuz heaven
Add to your reaction list;
DJ Honda featuring Mos Def - "Travellin' Man"
and dj honda x de la soul - trouble in the water
Fuck. I forgot about this track. What a banger
Classic Material
Whole album for sure. Especially “Twice in a Lifetime”. When Kweli says, “you stopping is is preposterous like an androgynous misogynist”. Who puts something like that together so perfectly?
Give and take the greatest hiphop track EVER yeah I said it 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I'm trying to live my life in the sight of God's memory 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This album was a game changer and I would put up against anything today
Seriously if you want to hear how beautiful Hip-hop can be listen to "Four Women" by Talib Kweli. Its his version of the classic song by Nina Simone. I'm not asking for a reaction video just recommending this as a Hip-Hop lover and knowing you're someone who appreciates word play (EMCEEING). Do yourself a favor and listen to that song and the beautiful story telling Kweli delivers. And then listen again and again to get the jewels he's dropping. I put it up there with Dear Momma by Pac as two of the most beautiful songs Hip-Hop has ever produced. Just a recommendation young homie. Hope you give it a listen.
88 keys did the track his stuff is dope
Twice Inna Lifetime next Guaranteed Banger 🙏
88 Keys put his foot in this beat
Memories by Talib queli
🔥
You gotta do black star-twice Inna lifetime
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Should do a full album reaction, these guys are ill
Much respect to the God talid but Mos Def made Black Star hot 🔥
MF DOOM
Hi tek produced everything by them maybe one or two song on Mos def albums are done by other people but Hi tek do all of talib
88 Keys produced Thieves in the Night
Shawn J. Period 🐐💯
Producer: Shawn J. Period, Hi-Tek, Ge-ology, 88-Keys, J. Rawls, Da Beatminerz these are the producers of the Album. No need for guessing go look it up! 🤣
Check out Black Milk’s Tronic album. Fire 🔥 I’m going to keep bugging you about it until you experience his music 😂✌️
React to the song Respiration that's on this album. If you haven't already.
MOS DEF- BEEF
I never thought rap like this would go away, and here we are now in the year 2024 where it's rare to get music like this nowadays.
I dont know if you ever heard of em but Black Thought aka The Roots be hitting too. They collaborated with each other on some tracks as well.
I love this song. Deep message but most def hurt me when he put on the dress. All I could think about was this song. But you let the devil get you
Too much talkin.