Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star

by Black Star

Type: Album
Released: September 29, 1998
Label: Rawkus, Priority, EMI, MCA, Universal
Country: United States
Length: 49:56
Community rating: 4.41/5 from 15 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

'Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star' is a cornerstone of late-90s conscious and alternative hip hop that rejected the era's mainstream trends in favor of a deeply intelligent examination of Black culture and identity. [3, 4, 6] Built on the lyrical chemistry of its two emcees, the album explores philosophical ideas, life in Brooklyn, and critiques of materialism over a foundation of sparse, jazz-infused production primarily crafted by Hi-Tek. [1, 3, 6] With lyrical inspiration drawn from figures like Marcus Garvey and author Toni Morrison, the work cemented its status as a landmark release for its thoughtful content and soulful, traditionalist sound. [1, 3]

Genres

Descriptors: rap, conscious, soulful, underground, classic

Tracklist

Credits

Mos Def - fender rhodes, performer, rapper
Talib Kweli - producer, performer, rapper
Weldon Irvine - keyboards, performer
Vinia Mojica - performer
Jane Doe - performer
Hi-Tek - producer, cut, crowd noise
Jim Godsey - engineer
Charlie Mack - engineer
Kieran Walsh - engineer, mixing
DJ Evil Dee - cut
Rick St. Hillaire - mixing
Steve Souder - mixing
Chris Athens - mastering
Ken "Duro" Ifill - mixing
Eddie Otchere - photography
Vaughn Sessions - engineer
Mr. Walt - producer, engineer, mixing
Success - engineer
Brent Rollins - artwork, cover art
Black Star - artwork, art direction
Marcus Garvey - photography
Ge-ology - producer, crowd noise
88-Keys - producer
Pat Viola - engineer
Jake Septimus - photography
Tasleem - photography
Richard Mason - crowd noise
J. Rawls - producer
Kieran Dee - photography/banter/dietician