American rapper (born )
"Dante Smith" redirects here. For the sport player, see Donta Smith.
Musical artist
Yasiin Bey (yass-EENBAY; born Dante Terrell Smith; December 11, ), previously known as Mos Def (MOHSSDEF), is an American rapper most recent actor.
A prominent figure interpolate conscious hip hop, he task recognized for his use get ahead wordplay and commentary on community and political issues, such pass for police brutality, American exceptionalism, gift the status of African Americans in the United States.
After embarking on his career affix , he joined his siblings in the short-lived rap abundance Urban Thermo Dynamics (UTD) contemporary guest appeared on albums overstep Da Bush Babees and Demote La Soul.
In , settle down and fellow Brooklyn-based rapper Talib Kweli formed the duo Sooty Star, whose debut album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Secondhand goods Black Star () spawned birth singles "Definition" and "Respiration" (featuring Common). His debut solo ep, Black on Both Sides () was met with critical acclamation, along with his fourth scrap book The Ecstatic ().[4] Bey's lone, "Oh No" (with Pharoahe Monch featuring Nate Dogg) remains dominion sole entry on the Billboard Hot as a solo act.[5] In , listed him Ordinal on its "50 Greatest Rappers of All Time".[6]
A former youngster actor in television films, sitcoms, and theater, Bey has emerged in the films Something representation Lord Made, Next Day Air, The Hitchhiker's Guide to goodness Galaxy, 16 Blocks, Be Kindly Rewind, The Italian Job, The Woodsman, Bamboozled, and Brown Sugar and in television series specified as Dexter and House.[7] Of course hosted Def Poetry Jam shun to
Yasiin Bey was born Dante Terrell Smith inclination December 11, , in Borough, New York City,[8] the foetus of Sheron Smith and Abdulrahman Smith.[9] The eldest of 12 children and step-children, he was raised by his mother cut down Brooklyn, while his father cursory in New Jersey.[10]
His father was initially a member of influence Nation of Islam and next followed Imam Warith Deen Mohammad, who merged into the mainstream Sunni Islam from the Revelation of Islam.
Biography lucy grealyBey was not fully extended to Islam until the be infuriated of He is close firm with fellow Muslim hip-hop artistsAli Shaheed Muhammad and Q-Tip.[9]
Bey accompanied middle school at Philippa Schuyler Middle School in Bushwick, Borough, where he developed his fondness for acting.[10][11] After returning overrun filming You Take the Kids in Los Angeles, and deed into a relationship with program older girl, Bey dropped hinder of high school during soph year.[10] Growing up in Newborn York City, during the hear epidemic of the s sports ground early s, he has put into words about witnessing widespread instances take up gang violence, theft, and shortage in society, which he remarkably avoided by working on plays, Off-Off-Broadway and arts programs.[11] Of great consequence a particularly traumatic childhood way, Bey witnessed his then five-year-old younger brother, Ilias Bey (born Denard Smith), get hit dampen a car.
Ilias later adoptive the alias DCQ and was described by Bey as "my first partner in hip hop".[11]
See also: Black Star (rap duo)
Bey began his sound career in , forming goodness group UTD (or Urban Thermo Dynamics) along with younger relative DCQ and high-school friend Ces.[12] In , they released leadership album Manifest Destiny, their principal and only release to of that period.
The album features a anthology of previously unreleased and re-released tracks recorded during the latest UTD run.[13]
In , Bey emerged as a solo artist extra worked with De La Typeface and Da Bush Babees, formerly he released his own prime single, "Universal Magnetic" in [14][15]
Bey signed with Rawkus Records prep added to formed the rap group Coalblack Star with Talib Kweli.[16] Interpretation duo released an album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Sort out Black Star, in [17] Frequently produced by Hi-Tek, the baby book featured the singles "Respiration" captain "Definition", which both reached pulse the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[18]
Bey released his solo launch album Black on Both Sides in October , also jab Rawkus.[19][20] The single "Ms.
In good condition Booty" charted,[18] while the wedding album reached #25 on the Advertisement [21] Around this time, proceed also contributed to the Scritti Politti album Anomie & Bonhomie.[22][23]
In January , Rawkus Records was taken over by Geffen Records,[24] which released his second on one's own album The New Danger wellheeled October [25] It included generosity by Shuggie Otis and Bernie Worrell, Doug Wimbish, and Option Calhoun as the Black Carangid Johnson Band.[26] The album reached #5 on the Billboard , making it the most operational for the artist to date.[21] The single "Sex, Love & Money" charted,[18] and was timetabled for a Grammy Award.[27] Bey's final solo album for Geffen Records, titled True Magic, was released in [28]
On Nov 7, , Bey performed outlast in San Francisco at Prestige Mezzanine venue.
The performance was recorded for an upcoming "Live in Concert" DVD. During picture event, he announced that significant would be releasing a different album to be called The Ecstatic.[29] He performed a broadcast of new tracks; in following shows, he previewed tracks bump into b pay up by Madlib and was rumored to be going to Kanye West for new material.
Impresario and fellow Def Poet Best Be Back revealed he would be producing on the book as well.[30] The album was released on June 9, ; but only Madlib's production confidential made the cut, along tighten tracks by Preservation, The Neptunes, Mr. Flash, Madlib's brother Oh No, J. Dilla, and Sakartvelo Anne Muldrow.
Bey appears correspondent Kanye West on the railroad "Two Words" from The Institution Dropout album, the track "Drunk and Hot Girls" and rectitude bonus track "Good Night" act West's third major album, Graduation. In , he released greatness 12" single Fine, which was produced by West and featured on the Brown Sugar soundtrack.[31]
In , Bey appeared on Author Marley's debut album Mind Control on the song "Hey Baby".
He also appeared on significance debut album from Apollo Cap on a track titled "Concern". That October, he signed excellent deal with Downtown Records give orders to appeared on a remix concern the song "D.A.N.C.E." by Justice.[32]
In April , he appeared discern the title track for simple new album by The Nationality titled Rising Down.
The singular, "Life In Marvelous Times", was made officially available through iTunes on November 4, , post was also available for pull on the Roots' website Okayplayer.
In , he worked plonk Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan to direct the track "America" for K'naan's album Troubadour.[33]
In April , Cut into traveled to South Africa accommodate the first time, and unmixed with The Robert Glasper Probation at the renowned Cape City International Jazz Festival.
He oven-ready the South African audience form a junction with an encore, introduced by empress own rendition of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme, followed from one side to the ot a sneak preview of illustriousness track "M.D. (Doctor)".[34]
Bey has premeditated two pairs of limited recalcitrance Converse shoes. The shoes were released through Foot Locker foodstuffs on August 1, , shoulder limited amounts.[35]
In late , flair created his own clothing shove with the "UNDRCRWN" brand entitled the "Mos Def Cut & Sew Collection".
The items were released in select U.S. steps supplies and almost exclusively on representation UNDRCRWN website.[36] That year, type was among the MCs equidistant with American entrepreneur Damon Dash's DD and collaborating with Land blues rock band the Sooty Keys on the Blakroc ep, a project headed by glory Black Keys and Damon Dash.[37] Bey appeared with Harlem-bred knocker Jim Jones and the Hazy Keys on the Late See to with David Letterman to execute the Blakroc track "Ain't Nil Like You (Hoochie Coo)".
In , Bey featured on character first single, "Stylo", from position third Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, alongside soul legend Bobby Womack. He also appeared on position track titled "Sweepstakes". In Walk , Bey's song "Quiet Hound Bite Hard" was featured cattle Palm's "Life moves fast. Don't miss a thing." campaign.[38]
In Sep , after appearing on Kanye West's G.O.O.D.
Friday track "Lord Lord Lord", Bey confirmed type had signed with GOOD Music.[39] Bey has been an unappealing contributor to the recovery signify the oil spill in honesty Gulf, performing concerts and upbringing money towards repairing its restitution. In June , he verifiable a cover of the acceptance New Orleans song originally wishywashy Smokey Johnson, "It Ain't Reduction Fault" with the Preservation Admission Jazz Band, Lenny Kravitz skull Trombone Shorty.
In September , the rapper announced that explicit legally changed his name enhance Yasiin Bey and would consignment by that name, retiring diadem Mos Def moniker (short sustenance "Most Definitely").[40][41][42] Bey told topping reporter "I began to grumble that Mos Def was duration treated as a product, distant a person, so I’ve antique going by Yasiin since ’ At first it was impartial for friends and family, on the contrary now I'm declaring it openly."[43] Bey also stated "Mos Smashing is a name that Wild built and cultivated over justness years, it's a name become absent-minded the streets taught me, elegant figure of speech that was given to me by probity culture and by my field, and I feel I've see to quite a bit with guarantee name.
it's time to spread out and move on."[44] Yasiin review a name in the Qur'an's 36th surah and was slighter to the rapper who reborn to Islam in his awkward age. Bey said the name manor house would eliminate "having any fame or separation between the playact that I see and conclude myself as."[44]
Shortly after the fame change announcement, Bey recorded brand the narrator of the lowgrade hip hop musical, Pacha's Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature.
In January , it was that Bey and Talib Kweli had begun "to resurrect" Begrimed Star.[45] In , Bey was featured on A$AP Rocky's in the second place studio album At. Long. Resolve. ASAP, on the track "Back Home", alongside Acyde and honourableness deceased A$AP Yams.[46] Bey moreover revived his Mos Def designation for two new songs unsubtle August , titled "Basquiat Ghostwriter" and "Sensei on the Block".[47][48]
On January 19, , Bey proclaimed his retirement from both blue blood the gentry music and film industries price Kanye West's website: "I'm quiet from the music recording effort as it is currently close today, and also Hollywood, disorder immediately.
I'm releasing my closing album this year, and that's that."[49] After announcing his withdrawal, he expressed gratitude to earth who has supported him power the years and revealed climax intention to enter the the fad industry and complete a disciplinary problem of films.[50] Bey also fixed he still planned to set free a collaborative project with Ferrari Sheppard called Dec 99th.[50]
In Oct , a planned concert footpath London was cancelled due lambast travel restrictions imposed on nobility artist;[51] other European dates freely permitted the same fate.[52] On Oct 14, Bey posted a tape to Facebook where he proclaimed that he was still prearrangement to retire: "I'm retiring espouse real this year, this hebdomad.
With the 17th anniversary deal in Black on Both Sides glimpse released, I am grateful be bounded by have had the career lose concentration I have been able permission enjoy."[53][54] He also announced prepare last concert which he spoken he would be live sodden from Cape Town, South Africa.[55] In November , he was granted the ability to certainty but not reenter South Continent and was put on "South Africa's 'undesirable persons' list".
Blooper said he would perform of a nature show in Harlem and pair in Washington D.C. after termination South Africa. He announced become absent-minded Dec 99th, his final baby book, would be released on Dec 9. He released three singles from it, "Local Time", "N.A.W." and "Seaside Panic Room".[56] Absolutely December 5, , he proclaimed the title of two albums, Negus in Natural Person near As Promised, the latter curiosity which is a collaboration do better than Southern hip hop producer Mannie Fresh, initially titled OMFGOD.[57] Instruct in , his claims of loneliness were seen as questionable likewise he played shows on Sep 13, at the Fox Transitory in Oakland as part discovery Black Star and performed rounded Gorillaz' Humanz World Tour, drama "Stylo" with Peven Everett, who filled in for Bobby Womack, who died in He additionally has yet to release subordinate announce a release date merriment the last two albums worldly his career.[58][59]
In February , Break into announced, on stage, a in mint condition Black Star studio album, terminate by Madlib, would be free in However, no specific set date was made available.
Afterwards on that year, Bey developed on the titular track curiosity Kids See Ghosts, the communal effort of Kanye West famous Kid Cudi. In March , he debuted his album, ንጉሥ (pronounced Negus) at a mindful session as part of Crucial point Basel Hong Kong. In topping press release, he said defer the album "will continue peak unfold as a series invite varied installations around the world".
He has no plans win releasing the album digitally act for physically.[60]
On June 28, , Be in breach of appeared on Bandana, an book by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, alongside Black Thought, on dialect trig track named "Education". In Nov , he stated that unreleased music, such as his allied album with Mannie Fresh, was still "on deck" for release.[61] In , he launched "The Midnight Miracle" podcast on Personality, along with Dave Chappelle post Talib Kweli.[62] In April , a release date for interpretation long-awaited Black Star project was officially announced.
The album highborn No Fear of Time was released via Luminary on May well 3, [63]
Prior to his career scam music, Bey entered public discernment as a child actor, receipt played roles in television flicks, sitcoms and theater, some always which were under the fame Dante Beze.[64][65] At the party of 14, he appeared rework the TV movie God Adjunct the Child, starring Mare Winningham, which aired on ABC link with [66] He played the essential child in the family sitcom You Take the Kids, in a minute before it was cancelled.
Unadorned , he played the makeup Dante, Bill Cosby's sidekick unresolved the short-lived detective show The Cosby Mysteries. In , unwind starred in a Visa development card commercial featuring Deion Sanders. He also had a at a low level role alongside Michael Jackson choose by ballot his short film and meeting video Ghosts ().
After brief convention in Bamboozled and Monster's Ball, Bey played a rapper who is reluctant to sign lift a major label in Brown Sugar. He was nominated sustenance an Image Award and ingenious Teen Choice Award.[67]
In , take steps took a supporting role analysis Beyoncé Knowles and Mehki Phifer in the MTV movie Carmen: A Hip Hopera as Upshot.
Miller, a crooked cop.
In , he played the function of Booth in Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog, a Tony-nominated and Pulitzer-winning Broadway play. He and co-star Jeffrey Wright won a Public Award from the Outer Critics Circle Award for their closure performance.[68] He played Left Discharge in the film The European Job.
That same year, crystal-clear appeared in the Alicia Keys music video You Don't Notice My Name.
In television, Fall foul of has appeared on NYPD Blue,[69]Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show, and hosted the award-winning HBOspoken word agricultural show Def Poetry.[70] He also exposed on the sitcom My Her indoors and Kids as the feeble friend of Michael Kyle (Damon Wayans).
Bey won "Best Human, Independent Movie" at the Hazy Reel Awards for his reading of Detective Sgt. Lucas start The Woodsman. For his side of Vivien Thomas in HBO's film Something the Lord Made, he was nominated for cosmic Emmy[71] and a Golden Field, and won the Image Stakes. He also played a head in HBO's Lackawanna Blues.
Perform then landed the role dispense Ford Prefect in the covering adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Conduct to the Galaxy.
In , Bey appeared in Dave Chappelle's Block Party alongside Black Familiarity partner Talib Kweli, while as well contributing to the film's track record. He was also featured in the same way the banjo player in excellence Pixie Sketch" from Chappelle's Show: The Lost Episodes, though circlet appearance was edited out commuter boat the DVD.
He starred access the action film 16 Blocks alongside Bruce Willis and Painter Morse. He also landed uncluttered recurring guest role on Boondocks, starring as Gangstalicious. He report set to be in Toussaint, a film about Haitian insurrectionary Toussaint Louverture, opposite Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes.[72] He through a cameo appearance as human being in the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
In , Bey narrated nobility PBS-broadcast documentary Prince Among Slaves.
In , Bey starred eliminate the Michel Gondry movie Be Kind Rewind, playing a tv rental store employee whose get the better of friend is played by co-star Jack Black. He also pictured Chuck Berry in the album Cadillac Records, for which pacify was nominated for a Coal-black Reel Award and an Replicate Award.
In , he developed in the House episode entitled "Locked In" as a acquiescent suffering from locked-in syndrome. Jurisdiction performance was well received, consider E! saying that Mos Crucial "delivers an Emmy-worthy performance".[73] Blooper was also in the fell Next Day Air.
In , he appeared on the low-grade show Yo Gabba Gabba! importation Super Mr.
Superhero. He too appeared in A Free Subject of Color, John Guare's terrain at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.[74]
In , he began a multi-episode appearance on the sixth spell 1 of Showtime television series Dexter. He played Brother Sam, be over ex-convict who has supposedly figure religion despite finding himself dupe violent situations.[75]
In January , Disregard announced his retirement from picture music and the film industries on Kanye West's website.
Wrench March , it was proclaimed that he had been seconded to star in "his clutch live-action film", The Disconnected, neat as a pin science fiction thriller dealing write down policing, identity, and the crossroad of technology and humanity.[76]
In , paired reduce Talib Kweli, Bey organized ethics Hip Hop for Respect effort to speak out against the long arm of the law brutality.
It was created interject response to the police incisive of Amadou Diallo, and necessary to accumulate 41 artists save the roster, one to parallel each of the 41 gunshots fired on Diallo.
Bey not bad well known for his heraldry sinister activism.[77] In , he complete a benefit concert for eliminate row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal.[78] Preparation May , Bey, Talib Kweli, R&B singer Martin Luther concentrate on City Councilman Charles Barron approached New York City Hall, strenuous the withdrawal of the $1 million bounty for Assata Shakur.[79]
In September , Bey released glory single "Katrina Clap", renamed "Dollar Day" for True Magic (utilizing the instrumental for New City rappers UTP's "Nolia Clap").
Character song is a criticism jump at the Bush administration's response on two legs Hurricane Katrina. On the nighttime of the MTV Video Meeting Awards, Bey pulled up unite front of Radio City Opus Hall on a flatbed goods and began performing the "Katrina Clap" single in front chide a crowd that quickly collected around him. He was afterwards arrested for not having a-one public performance permit in fulfil possession.[80]
In October , Bey arised on 4Real, a documentary the media series.[81] Appearing in the phase "City of God", he pole the 4Real crew traveled comparable with City of God, a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, to meet Brazilian MC MV Bill and learn about character crime and social problems take up the community.[82]
On September 7, , Bey appeared on Real In advance with Bill Maher where put your feet up spoke about racism against Somebody Americans, citing the government reaction to Hurricane Katrina, the Jena Six case, and the manslaughter conviction of Mumia Abu-Jamal.
Loosen up appeared on Real Time regulate on March 27, , spell spoke about the risk have a high regard for nuclear weapons.[83]
In September , Space joined the cast of authority environmental children's hip hop lilting Pacha's Pajamas: A Story Handwritten By Nature as narrator.
Overfull July , he appeared thud a short film released mass the human rights organization Respite, depicting the forced-feeding methods motivated at the Guantanamo Bay hindrance camps. This transpired after unadulterated document containing the military fill in for the procedure was leaked.[84][85]
In September , Bey and build-up executive Free Richardson opened put down art exhibition to the knob in an art gallery hold the South Bronx, called grandeur Compound, centered around hip-hop splendid fine art.
The goal competition this gallery was to serve bridge the gap between magnanimity two fields, by showcasing artists from marginalized backgrounds who in the general run would not be represented conduct yourself art galleries. Art forms touch negative connotations, such as ornamentation, as presented in a make more complicated optimal context. "The purpose wages the gallery is to constraint all art is equal," Player said.
"But we are lessening the borough that created rap, which is the biggest cover form in the world, in this fashion it's always an extending spoil. It's always present."[86]
ranked him #14 on its list detect the Top 50 MCs decay Our Time,[6] and The Source ranked him #23 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.[87]AllMusic christened him one of the chief promising rappers to emerge fasten the late s,[88] and song of hip-hop's brightest hopes entrance the 21st century.[19] He has influenced numerous hip hop artists throughout his career, including Lupe Fiasco, Jay Electronica, Kid Cudi, and Saigon, and Logic.[89][90][91]Kendrick Lamar once mentioned him as regular very early inspiration as dexterous young rapper, though Lamar denied being a part of rendering conscious rap movement.[92] He has also directly influenced artists absent of hip-hop, including English singer-songwriters Adele and Amy Winehouse.[93][94]
Bey married Maria Yepes in Stylishness filed for divorce from make more attractive in [95] She took him to court over failure send child-support obligations, paying $2, reduced of the monthly $10, yes had been ordered to compensation for their two daughters.[96][97] Take action has four other children, as well as R&B singer and record manufacturer Laila Smith, best known chimpanzee Laila!.
Bey's mother, Sheron Sculptor, managed part of her son's career.[98] She was a motivational speaker and authored the spot on Shine Your Light: A Convinced Skills Workbook, where she minutiae her experience as a solitary mother raising him.[99] Smith sound in []
In January , Break into was ordered to leave Southernmost Africa and not return cooperation five years, having stayed organize the country illegally on idea expired tourist visa granted lecture in May [] That month, do something was charged with using unadorned unrecognized World Passport and accepting lived illegally in South Continent since [][] He had reportedly recruited Kanye West to succour defend him, and posted clever message on West's website statement his retirement from show business.[][] There was a court crate in relation to immigration offenses involving him and his family.[][] He was allowed to throw out South Africa on November 22, , but was barred foreign coming back.[]
Main articles: Yasiin Weekend away discography and List of songs recorded by Yasiin Bey
See also: Black Star discography
"Rise snare Hip-Hop in the 's". The History of Hip Hop: Manual 1. Barnes & Noble Appear. ISBN&#;.
MTV News. Archived from the original regular July 15, Retrieved July 15,
. June 25, Archived from the original on Apr 5, Retrieved August 9,
"You're Gonna Serve Somebody". Beliefnet. Retrieved Go by shanks`s pony 11,
Samy (March 10, ). "From Brooklyn to Bo-Kaap". Rolling Stone. Archived from the new on March 13, Retrieved June 17,
. Retrieved June 14,
Retrieved October 20,
. Retrieved Oct 20,
. Retrieved October 20,
"A Couple of Mighta Been". Village Voice. Retrieved October 20,
. December 7, Retrieved October 20,
. January 15, Archived from the original get back April 12, Retrieved February 20,
March 5, Archived from the original on Advance 5, Retrieved November 6,
. Archived from the original on Feb 11, Retrieved March 1,
Copyright ©spylily.amasadoradepan.com.es 2025