Mos Def - Black on Both Sides

Black on Both Sides is a manifestation of compelling, honest hip-hop. The genre's underground torchbearer, the mighty Mos Def (half of Black Star), injects intellect, humor, and knowledge into all of his rhymes. Overall, the album has an understated quality, but pure enjoyment comes with discovering the clever lyrical gems Mos drops. The expansiveness of his mindstate is showcased best on "New World Water," in which he fully limns our uses of, needs for, and exploitation of water. On "Ms. Fat Booty," a love tale with unexpected twists is woven intricately around Aretha Franklin's wailing vocals. Whether rapping, singing, or lecturing, Mos Def is firmly rooted in African American consciousness and examines social issues with great ease. Black on Both Sides will endure for many years; it's an album worthy of numerous listens. --Celine Wong Amazon.com

my favorite

out of all of his alblums this one is my favorite. i enjoy every track on it. July 30, 2008

Gangsta Rap for Serious Thinkers.

"Sixty-nine billion in the last twenty years
Spent on national defense but folks still live in fear" (Mathematics)

This is the hip-hop album that sparked my serious interest in all other rap music. Because Mos Def (Dante Terrell Smith) is known for confronting such controversial social and political issues as the defense budget, racism, and the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina in his music, his conscious gangsta rap style appeals to an audience otherwise uninterested in rap. Produced by DJ Premier (arguably the greatest hip-hop producer ever), Mos Def's highly-acclaimed, 1999 solo alternative rap album, Black on Both Sides, is a mulit-layered mix of socio-political black poetics infused with hip hop, classic jazz, and other grooves. In addition to his smart vocals, this album features Mos Def on bass, percussion, keyboards, and vibraphone. Many (including me) consider this to be one of the best hip-hop album ever. Tracks include:

1. Fear Not Of Man
2. Hip Hop
3. Love
4. Ms. Fat Booty
5. Speed Law
6. Do It Now
7. Got
8. Umi Says
9. New World Water
10. Rock N Roll
11. Know That
12. Climb
13. Brooklyn
14. Habitat
15. Mr. Nigga
16. Mathematics
17. May-December

G. Merritt
April 24, 2008

Mos Definitely!

Its not just hip hop, its soul music. As you all know, Mos Def is one half of the dynamic duo Black Star(who had the most slept-on album of 1999 but thats another story). I've always liked Mos Def because he not only has mic presense in the form of a commanding voice that demands attention, he also has songs of substance as well as songs for the hip hop heads. Hip Hop is that vintage B-Boy track that you can listen to over and over. His first single Ms Fat Booty was a story of a broad he met. Although Ms Fat Booty is dope I dont think it was a good choice for a first single though. Got is him warning those guys who flash a lot that they need to get ready for the jackmove from those who are doing bad. He also has his moments where he sings like on Umi Says and Rock N Roll(GET YO PUNK A$$ UP!!!). Umi Says is pretty soulful and deep and Rock N Roll is him talking about the originators as well as the imitators and style-takers of Rock N Roll. Busta Rhymes and Mos Def are a great matchup as proven in Do It Now. The other half of Black Star also known as the amazing Talib Kweli shows up on Know That, another hip hop gem. He also drops some jewels in New World Water and Mr N**** feat Q-tip. Mos pays homage to BK in Brooklyn as he rips it over three different beats. As for flaws there are NONE. I've listened to this album straight through.
Bottom Line: Mos Def's Black On Both Sides is not only his best work, its alos a highlight of 1999. Mos Def is not only a great MC, but he also slides you gems in the music making this album more complete. Not to mention that the production is great. If you're dissapointed by this release then you are a pop rap supporter and have no business listening to what you cant stand and that's real hip hop. Standout Tracks: HIP HOP, LOVE, SPEED LAW, DO IT NOW, UMI SAYS, NEW WORLD WATER, GOT, KNOW THAT, ROCK 'N' ROLL, BROOKLYN, MR N**** and MATHEMATICS. November 12, 2007

Mighty MOS!

Don't Git' Me Don't Git Me Don't Git Git Git Git Git Me!


BROOKLYN STAND UP! October 29, 2006

amazing

I'm a fan of all types of hip-hop. my favorites are lyrical and production masterpieces like the wu-tang clan and mobb deep, but I listen to everything from the roots and epmd to three 6 mafia and lil' wayne.

that being said, I'm not biased towards alternative hip-hop at all. in fact, I find most of it to be boring and lame, as it's usually the same old lyrics over beats that sound like they were made in 85 about how the current state of hip-hop songs is bad. but let me tell you, mos def on "black on both sides" shows that he is one of the best lyricists to hit rap. after one of my personal favorites "black star" with talib kweli produced the year before, mos def came on the solo tip with an album on the same level as "black star". the lyrics are intelligent, the beats make you feel good and the music as a whole is just perfect.

there are many top tracks on this album, such as the collabs with talib and the popular "ms. fat booty", but my favorite is the dj premier produced "mathematics". mos comes hardcore and the beat is banging.

hip-hop fans in general will find something they like on this album, but if you like the roots, talib kweli, dead prez, kanye west and common you'll fall in love instantly. don't pass this one up, it deserves a chance. August 13, 2006

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