News

Flashback: Mos Def and Talib Kweli Help Televise a Hip-Hop Revolution

The Black Star duo stopped by BET’s ‘Planet Groove’ to perform tracks from their lone 1998 LP

For hip-hop fans, the significance of 1998 needs little explanation thanks to landmark works by Lauryn Hill, Outkast, Jay-Z, DMX, Big Pun, the Neptunes, the Cash Money and No Limit collectives, and more. But despite a geyser of creativity and a new era of gold-plated entrepreneurship, the year still had more to offer.

Mos Def (now known as Yasiin Bey) and Talib Kweli‘s album as Black Star — released 20 years ago as of September 29th — was a loquacious signpost for an emerging underground that prized s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s and respected independent distribution channels. Updating 1988’s Golden Era for an Internet-savvy, Puffy-saturated 1998, Black Star had Afrocentric subject matter that recalled Boogie Down Productions, highly technical lyricism that recalled Big Daddy Kane and a sweatshirt-and-cap look that was like a boho version of Run-D.M.C.’s ᵴtriƥped-down casual. In short: This was hip-hop as a lot of people had venerated it.

In this footage from around 1998 or 1999, taken from BET’s proto–106 & Park hip-hop show Planet Groove, Mos Def and Talib Kweli (with Hi-Tek, naturally, on the decks) showcase their abilities as master craftsmen for a high-octane medley of “Definition,” “Astronomy (8th Light)” and “Respiration” — all tracks from their lone LP, Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are Black Star. Check out the classic back-and-forth routines, the multiple flows and the ability to pump up the crowd mid-verse. Towards the end, fellow beacon of positivity Common shows up to provide assistance and spit a guest verse.

Related Posts

Diana Ross’ 5 Children: Everything to Know

Get to know Diana Ross’ five kids: Rhonda, Tracee, Chudney, Ross and Evan Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage Diana Ross’ biggest fans are her five 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren. The “Ain’t No Mountain…

Lauryn Hill’s 6 Kids: All About Her Sons and Daughters

Lauryn Hill has four sons, Zion, Joshua, John and Micah, and two daughters, Selah and Sara Lauryn Hill celebrates her 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day with her sons John Marley and Zion…

Terrence Howard’s 5 Kids: All About His Daughters and Sons

‘Crescent City’ star Terrence Howard is a father to five 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren: Aubrey, Hunter, Heaven, Qirin and Hero Terrence Howard, Mira Pak and sons Hero Howard and Quirin Howard…

Lena Horne Biography Timeline – The Most Famous African-American Entertainer of the 20th Century.

Lena Horne is known as one of the most popular African American entertainers of the twentieth century. A woman of great beauty and commanding stage presence, she performed…

Pamela Suzette “Pam” Grier (May 26, 1949), such an iconic actress of the 70s.

Pamela Suzette Grier (𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 May 26, 1949) is an American actress, singer, and martial artist. Described by Quentin Tarantino as cinema’s first female action star (although, many believe…

Black Excellence: Eartha Kitt – Transracial Journeys

Eartha Kitt is known for popularizing the iconic Christmas song, “Santa Baby,” as well as her role as Catwoman in the 1960s tv show, Batman. But she was…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *