Their analogies bleed the wisdom of two guys who could deliver hip-hop-based sermons, “Me and Kweli close like Bethlehem and Nazareth.” I have yet to hear a hip-hop duo top the palpable chemistry between these two verbal acrobats. Then, on ‘Definition’, we get two rappers standing up for the hood as examples of what you can become, rather than simply reflecting on their rough upbringing. Def swings the chorus with subtle back-up vocals from Kweli and it solidifies the equation for the remainder for the remainder of the album. It contains bass-heavy, funky guitar strings and impeccable flows from both Def and Kweli. From the very first track, save the intro, the duo bonded over the word black being used as a term of endearment rather than a limitation. They didn’t just make songs about street violence or the value of money, but rather critiqued artistic glorifications and depictions of them, turning hip-hop on its head. Mos Def and Talib Kweli effectively took on the role of street prophets, laying down some of the most critical and lyrically sensical rap of the decade. This all changed in 1999 when two MC’s decided to postpone their debut solo projects and create one of the most eye-opening hip-hop albums of all time. All of that is fine and dandy and actually thrust the art into what many will defend as the golden age of hip-hop, but being concerned with progression, few were actually reflecting on its current state. Artists were creating the music that they wanted to make and more often than not, poetically depicting the harsh lifestyles of the hood or experimenting with lyricism. This is a very rare opportunity to see him performing the UK: one you just don't want to miss.Back in the 90’s hip-hop was finally establishing itself as a concrete art form with more than enough substance to justify its existence. MOS DEF will be touring the UK in April showcasing material from 'The Ecstatic' as well as classics from his repertoire. Making the end of year lists left right and center 'The Ecstatic' was one of the Hip Hop highlights of 2009 and shows MOS DEF at his best. Released in mid-2009, 'The Ecstatic' sees Mos Def combining clever intricate wordplay, heartfelt lyrics - in Spanish even - and sung choruses riding over a myriad samples from Turkey, India, Brazil and beyond. His latest offering, 'The Ecstatic', marks a return to the principles that made him stand out with his iconic first solo album 'Black On Both Sides'. #MOS DEF THE ECSTATIC SAMPLE FULL#Yet despite - or maybe because - all this activity, MOS DEF has delivered just four full solo albums in this period. #MOS DEF THE ECSTATIC SAMPLE SERIES#Somehow in all this time he has also managed to fit in roles in TV series and films as diverse as 'Monster's Ball', 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' or Michel Gondry's 'Be Kind Rewind'. During a prolific music career spanning just over a decade he has worked with an illustrious list of artists including Talib Kweli, The Roots, Robert Glasper, De La Soul, The Neptunes and Madlib to name but a few. Not content with being one of the most important figures in Hip Hop music and culture, MOS DEF has established himself as both a respected mc and poet as well as an award-winning actor. Indeed, open-mindedness has always been an identifying feature in MOS DEF's career, a trait that has landed him a much coveted slot in the latest Gorillaz album alongside the legendary Bobby Womack or the much in vogue The Horrors. Eschewing more obvious choices like Manchester and Birmingham, MOS DEF has once again put his street savvy on display by electing to play in a city with a distinctly vibrant and open-minded, albeit smaller underground scene. In what some might regard as a surprising move MOS DEF has chosen Bristol as the only non-London date for his UK mini-tour this April.
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