the concept of mos def the ecstatic album

#THE CONCEPT OF MOS DEF THE ECSTATIC ALBUM FULL#
#THE CONCEPT OF MOS DEF THE ECSTATIC ALBUM SERIES#

The following year Mos released his solo debut, “Black On Both Sides”, which was certified gold and credited by critics with bringing hip-hop back to its soapbox roots. In 1996, Mos Def became an underground favorite in the hip hop world, which lead to the recording of “Black Star”, his legendary collaboration with Talib Kweli, whose debut release would become one of the most critically acclaimed hip-hop albums of its generation. Regarded as one of the most insightful artists of our time, musician, activist and actor Mos Def has captured the attention of critics and audiences alike with a celebrated body of work that has crossed all artistic genres-from music to the Broadway stage, film and television. The photographs in this exhibit, soon to be published in book format, are offered by Mos Def to his family, friends and fans in order to share the many “ecstatic moments” he experiences while creating, recording, traveling and performing around the world. Cognito has also immortalized Mos Def in bright moments from “The Ecstatic” studio sessions with producers Madlib, OH NO, Preservation & Georgia Anne Muldrow.

#THE CONCEPT OF MOS DEF THE ECSTATIC ALBUM SERIES#

This special one-week exhibition features candid photographs of Mos Def, including images from visits to the Cape of Great Hope, South Africa, performing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a powerful series of US Summer Tour “end-of-the-night posse shots” featuring such artists as Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, and even a surprise guest appearance by the legendary Shuggie Otis. Photographer, filmmaker, visionist Cognito showcases rare performance and behind-the-scenes images captured during the two year journey of making and supporting the June 2009 release of “The Ecstatic” (Downtown Records.) 25, 2010) – HVW8 Art & Design Gallery, Union LA & Frolab present a photo exhibition entitled MOS DEF: ECSTATIC MOMENTS. Mos Def: Ecstatic Moments – Photographs by Cognito, Opens Jan. With an all-star lineup including pop-funk star Mayda Miller on bass, Black Blondie's Tasha Baron on keys and veteran jazz drummer Kevin Washington, Wright pushed his new group through an innovative blend of reggae, dub and electronic styles that eschewed the usual live-band mold in hip-hop.ONE WEEK PHOTO EXHIBITION CELEBRATES MOS DEF’S TWO GRAMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR “THE ECSTATIC” He's still Toki, but instead of just rapping, he's a bona-fide bandleader now. Local rapper Toki Wright, who has long been a thought-provoking MC of the Mos Def ilk, opened the show carrying his own new identity. There's no way to act your way through those kinds of skills.

#THE CONCEPT OF MOS DEF THE ECSTATIC ALBUM FULL#

He's one rapper who sounds as impressive performing a cappella - which he did several times Monday - as he does in full boom, so the acoustics were just a small hitch. Luckily, the acoustics couldn't hide the main attraction: Bey's MC-ing talent. While Bey had all the charisma and drama befitting the Guthrie's Wurtele Thrust Stage, the theater's tinny sound system was not up to par for his two-DJ sonic output. The slow-simmering peace mantra 'Umi Says' followed, with a few dozen fans invited on stage - much to the dismay of the visibly aghast Guthrie staffers - to help sing the chorus, 'Shine your light on the world.' Now that was ingenious music. Just when he stretched the show to its weirdest, though, Bey brought it back rubber-band-style with one of his most straight-ahead older favorites, 'Hip-Hop,' from his 1999 solo debut. (The song's hook, 'I'm always horny,' didn't exactly support his claim.) 'But my dumb is so dumb, it's ingenious,' he cracked. He introduced one of the newbies by admitting he'd be 'going dumb' in it.

The middle of the set was thick with new tracks, several of which came off as quizzically peculiar as his name change. Not a lot, thankfully.īey, 38, dedicated the first half-hour of his set to his last Mos Def album, 2009's 'The Ecstatic.' Basking under red stage lights that matched the shade of the record's cover art - the stage would stay red for the duration of the 75-minute set, too - he offered up ecstatic dance moves to the funkiest of those tunes, including 'Pretty Dancer' and 'Casa Bey.' He then masterfully slowed things down and amped up his sharp-tongued flow in the sarcastically titled, spiteful 'Life in Marvelous Times.'

He officially adopted Yasiin Bey as both his legal and stage name as of last year, leaving fans to wonder what else might be different about his act this time around. Def became the Guthrie's first-ever non-local rap headliner in 2010.īut Monday's concert was the New York hip-hop star's first time in town working under a new moniker.

With his Broadway-approved and Emmy Award-nominated acting credentials no doubt helping him get his foot in the door, Mr. It was actually his second time at Minneapolis' thespian institution, too. The only rapper who's as likely to come to the Guthrie Theater for an acting role as he is a music gig, the artist formerly known as Mos Def arrived for the latter reason Monday.

The concept of mos def the ecstatic album