So.. if Hip-Hop is about the people
and the.. Hip-Hop won't get better until the people get better
then how do people get better? (Hmmmm...)
Well, from my understanding people get better
when they start to understand that, they are valuable
And they not valuable because they got a whole lot of money
or cause somebody, think they sexy
but they valuable cause they been created by God
And God, makes you valuable
And whether or not you, recognize that value is one thing
You got a lot of societies and governments
tryin to be God, wishin that they were God
They wanna create satellites and cameras everywhere
and make you think they got the all-seein eye
Eh.. I guess The Last Poets wasn't, too far off
when they said that certain people got a God Complex
I believe it's true
I don't get phased out by none of that, none of that
helicopters, the TV screens, the newscasters, the..
satellite dishes.. they just, wishin
They can't really never do that
When they tell me to fear they law
When they tell me to try to
have some fear in my heart behind the things that they do
This is what I think in my mind
And this is what I say to them
And this is what I'm sayin, to you check it

All over the world hearts pound with the rhythm
Fear not of men because men must die
Mind over matter and soul before flesh
Angels for the pain keep a record in time
which is passin and runnin like a caravan freighter
The world is overrun with the wealthy and the wicked
But God is sufficient in disposin of affairs
Gunmen and stockholders try to merit my fear
But God is sufficient over plans they prepared
Mos Def in the flesh, where you at, right here
on this place called Earth, holdin down my square
Bout to do it for y'all, and y'all at the fair
So just bounce, come on bounce
B-b-bounce b-bounce b-bounce-bounce

-Mos Def Fear Not of Man

VIBE: BLACK STAR - K.O.S. (Determination)

Yes yes come on, yes yes

Knowledge Of Self is like life after death

With that you never worry about your last breath

Death comes, that's how I'm livin, it's the next days

The flesh goes underground, the book of life, flip the page

Yo they askin me how old, we livin the same age

I feel the rage of a million niggaz locked inside a cage

At exactly which point do you start to realize

That life without knowledge is, death in disguise?

That's why, Knowledge Of Self is like life after death

Apply it, to your life, let destiny manifest

Different day, same confusion, we're gonna take this

hip-hop shit and keep it movin, shed a little light

Now y'all bloomin like a flower with the power of the evident

Voices and drums original instruments

In the flesh presently presentin my representation

Huck Magazine featuring Mos Def.

Reaaaaally dope feature on Mos Def. PLEASE READ.

Some of my favorite quotes:

On the election of President Barack Obama and how it temporarily motivated Americans to change but some rich Americans, black and white, change is clearly not on the agenda:

"A lot of people who should be showing more concern are not. And I don't cry for the man in the business suit. As Supercat said, "I cry for the youth of America." I'm not crying for Bank of America. I am not crying for none of these people who are like, I gotta have a few bottles less of champagne. I'm not crying for you. I'm crying for the youth, because the people should be giving them another type of dream, another type of inspiration...."

"You know  everyone thinks we're gonna be the next leaders of the world - the new leaders of this world we live in. We're going to be strong and compassionate. It's not just about power. It's about strength, wisdom and compassion. There are too many problems on Earth in this time and day for you to have some fucking cavalier attitude towards we humans, man, on planet Earth."

On being a man:

"I'm a dude's dude. I love neighborhood dudes. I'm one, you know. I love that. I love men who are men. You know, my dad was a real, and is, a real man. My grandpa... all these dudes are real dudes. That macho shit is like, come on, man. You can't live and die in that space. It's bigger than that and they [are] teaching people to be selfish... they got women [and are] really just devaluing themselves. We got the kids violent. It's a bunch of bullshit."

On himself as a musician:

"I've always wanted that Jimi Hendrix, Muhammad Ali, John Coltrane, Miles Davis... I wanted to be that write. I've always wanted that. And to quote a proverb that says, "Do not speak too much, do not speak conspiracy. Be proud but do not remind the world of your deeds." And then it ends in, "Many heroes are not yet born, many have already died. So it's like, be proud of what you do, but have a humble heart. I'm extremely proud of this."

"So I'm realizing that I knew things that I didn't realize I knew but I'm recognizing a certain comfort and settlement with, okay, this is what I am, this is what I'm doing, this is who I am, and this is how I wanna ride. It doesn't have anything to do with anything, just pure goodness, relations, pure positive vibes. "

nothin' flashy.

simple, classic pieces.

I can appreciate a man whose wealth rests on whats inside.

Dante Terrell Smith by way of Brooklyn New York

 

Pretty much closest thing to perfection.
Mos Def

mightymosdef.

I'd rather have ya as my equal.

SUMMER LOVE: MOS DEF

Watched MOSDEF today at the music institute in Hollywood with Siene & his homies. He hit me up this afternoon with an extra ticket and I just happened to be free! We were Most definitely groovin' through the whole damn thang. Just what I needed this week + it was free!

Let me just say, we were standing in the 2nd row and this man is beautiful.
Foreal, it was almost distracting! ha.

I love real music with diverse people & getting lifted right after.
What a great day already.

shine your light for the world to see.