After almost two decades in the game Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, has seen many ups and downs in the ever demanding music industry without compromising his art. Due to his thought-provoking rhymes in regards to social and political issues, the Brooklyn native belongs to hip-hop’s elite rhymesayers. Having recently rejoined with his frequent partner in rhyme Talib Kweli to resurrect Black Star and a new series called Top 40 is officially making its mark on the music game. We caught up with Yasiin and conversed about his latest music endeavors.

What can we expect from your new series Top 40 Underdogs and what inspired it?
I am doing this for the culture. The tradition, taking someone’s song and making your version out of it, is not new to hip-hop. It is similar to dancehall music, where there is one rhythm and many artists offer their interpretation of it. Covering songs is certainly in the DNA of the culture. 50 Cent, as a matter of fact, built his name in New York for awhile doing just that. I also like the community mind aspect of it that it belongs to all of us. It basically gives and extends the life of our culture, our rhythm. Thus, this series is something that comes quite natural for me to do. I’ve done it before. Just look at “Children’s Story,” or even my version of Jay-Z’s “Takeover” in 2004. It is something that is really fun to do, you know, giving different perspectives on a familiar piece. There are a lot of songs on Top 40 Radio, not just in current day charts, that I have been a fan of and obviously my content is a lot different from what people would hear on Top 40 Radio to say the least. That being said, I am a fan of music and I seek for just another opportunity to express myself and give my point of view on certain things.

Can you open up on the content of the series? Is it under one common theme or just a compilation of distinct songs?
Regarding the content on the Top 40 Underdog, I cannot open up too much on it, but let’s say it will not be just about reinterpreting or even reappropriating modern day hits. It will deal with a range of various subjects, covering socially conscious and political themes since it is a staple in my life and an expression of who I am. I am observing and experiencing life and I express it in this form. Hip-hop to me is just one medium of expression for me. Although I am an artist and I work in various disciplines, I am enthusiastic about my culture, which is hip-hop. It is very dear to me since it started out local.

How do you feel about the global takeover?
It is great, especially since there was no intention or ambition like this from the core group. They started it, enjoyed it, cultivated it with no ambition to dominate the world. It was an expression for us by us. And now everybody is doing it. However, growth has positives but it also has its challenges. Growth has to be managed. Like any other resource it can also be mismanaged or it can manage the people that have it. The better it gets, the better it needs to be. It is good to grow but you have to be mindful. Don’t just grow for the growth’s sake.

You have been linking back up with Talib Kweli lately and have started to put out songs as Black Star once again. How did you get back together with him?
Talib and I have always worked on a project or song here and there ever since we started as Black Star. We always did shows together and whatnot. We have been close friends for at least 15 years now. There is no pressure whatsoever. We didn’t form our identities as solo artists to start the group. Kweli was a solo artist, I was a solo artist and we came together and produced Black Star much in the same tradition that you have seen with jazz collaborations. John Coltrane and Don Cherry teamed up with a group of artists to do one specific project. And that was the real intention behind Black Star. I like what this guy is doing. I have always liked his approach – his skill – and I like what he’s doing and what he has to say. But now it feels like the right time for Black Star to come back. My sentiment was always like Black Star has always been a special time and space for both of us as men and artists. If we want to do it, then we have to do it for the right reasons. We don’t want to come back solely on the basis that people wanted it or a big check. In our professional and personal space we are very open and clear. Kweli is completely independent, no label, no obligation and it is good to have this full circle, having even more control to do what we actually want to do. I am excited.

What is the status of the album?
We are in the studio all the time and we will continue putting out songs on a regular basis. I appreciate the anticipation. Making an album is very time-consuming and requires lots of energy. Even recording one single song demands inner vision and takes up two or three sessions for one cut. Then comes the mixing and sound engineering process on top of that. Just keep in mind that both of us, we have a perfectionist streak. So yea, we are on the road and in the studio and we hope to get it out as soon as possible. It is also great to witness all the people with us in the studio being enthusiastic about it. I think it is one of the great things about Black Star because we never did Black Star because we wanted to as opposed as we needed to. Me and Kweli have one of the best working relationships I ever had with another artist. Kweli has such a tremendous amount of energy and we are getting better with what we do.

What is your working chemistry with Talib Kweli?
What Kweli and I do, we basically just hang out, taking the same space, listen to music and express enthusiasm on music, picking instrumentals. Hence, the process is pretty organic. My man and I are getting together and having a good time. Then we get into work mode which is really exciting and I think that we push each other in positive ways. Kweli is pretty much a self starter and then I get on it. I have a lot of fun working with him and I’m always surprised how it is always going better. There is never any rap star beef. Things are genuine and pleasant between us, even after a decade in the game together.

January 18 saw Vans launch its spring OTW line during Fashion Week in Berlin as part of a three-day pop-up, House of Vans, that featured live performances by the Patta Sound System, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) and new OTW advocate, Lupe Fiasco. Nearly a thousand people braved the rainy conditions to check out the aforementioned musical acts as well as photography by Parisian Dimitri Coste, an art installation by Brooklyn-based Eric Elms, and sculptures by Hong Kong resident Chris Kong.

Photos: Max Wanger

In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) releases a new offering, coinciding with his Top 40 Underdog series in which the respected actor/emcee will be reworking a variety of Top 40 hits. First up, the New York artist has chosen to put his spin on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne track “Niggas in Paris.”

Source: Hypetrak

The latest installment of Hyundai’s RE:GENERATION project sees the mass collaborative effort “A La Modeliste” created by Mark Ronson, featuring a host of artists including Erykah Badu, Trombone Shorty, Mos Def, Zigaboo Modeliste and members of The Dap Kings. Upon creating the track from a jam in the studio, the video was shot at the same time which sees everyone mentioned, resulting in a contemporary ‘feel good’ jazz vibe. Expect more from the roster of artists of the RE:GENERATION project, including DJ Premier, Pretty Lights, The Crystal Method and Skrillex, in the near future.

Source: HYPETRAK

Late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon kicked off the year proper with a rare performance from legendary hip-hop duo Black Star. With the backing of The Roots pounding fervent instrumentals, Yasiin Bey and Talib Kweli performed their latest single – the Aretha Franklin-inspired “You Already Know” – which is scheduled to appear on their mysterious mixtape aptly titled, Aretha. Dressed like a new age Blues Brothers, the two multifaceted rappers also added a second song to their performance, the J. Dilla-produced “Little Brother” from the motion picture The Hurricane. Hopefully this set can temporarily fill the void that this hip-hop enigma has created, as we patiently wait for news regarding their possible mixtape release or eventual followup to the group’s 1998 debut album.

Source: Nah Right

From one creative realm to another Yassin Bey or Mos Def as he’s more commonly known takes the plunge into fashion and style with this inaugural fragrance release. Originally hinted at with a recent video, this first Harun -No.7- release by the hip-hop artist comes to fruition with Union’s Chris Gibbs. The fragrance itself – can be used for the body or burned – features “a special blend of woodsy, spicy, Indian attar, with a refreshing citrus top note.” Available here through Union.

Like André 3000 and Kanye West, Yassin Bey AKA Mos Def is one of the more sartorially inclined musicians in today’s hip-hop scene. Now as an activist, actor, poet and much more, many have wondered when or if he will try his hand at the relentless world of fashion design, like his aforementioned rap cohorts. That day seems to finally be upon us, as with the accompanying video we are offered a brief introduction to Bey’s newly formed creative outlet, Fellowship Mission. A design collaboration with friends including retail owner Chris Gibbs of Union, Fellowship Mission currently has no real direction, but to bring Bey’s awesome innovations to life. In conjunction with Weareblind TV, the Brooklyn-bred artist travels to Paris to likely gain some inspiration for his newly formed band of creative minds, checking out a traveling trade show featuring Sanders & Sanders Shoes and visvim. Again, not much is known for the future of Fellowship Mission, but there have been news circulating the blogosphere that the first release will be an oil-based fragrance named Harun -No.7-.

This year’s Thanksgiving appears to be more than great for music lovers. After The Weeknd dropped his first official video, Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, and Talib Kweli reunite as Black Star and drop the CDQ version of their new song “Fix Up,” which has been premiered at The Colbert Report back in October. Listen below and do not forget, Black Star reunion album is coming in 2012.

Source: Hypetrak

With rumors of a reunion LP continually popping up online, fans have been fever pitch for Yasiin, formerly known as Mos Def, and Talib Kweli to join forces on a full project for the first time in over a decade. Despite the announcement, that Yasiin and Talib cancelled a string of dates on Black Star’s U.S. tour, the potential comeback came a little bit closer to fruition as both emcees graces the stage of The Colbert Report in order to showcase a brand new cut called “Fix Up.”

During this year’s SXSW festivities, Kanye West invited his G.O.O.D. Music family and close friend Jay-Z to assist him on stage during his much-anticipated set. The event’s sponsor, VEVO, has now unveiled quality footage of the performance that include the likes of KiD CuDi, Mos Def, John Legend, Pusha T, Big Sean, CyHi Da Prynce, Mr. Hudson and of course the Watch the Throne protagonists. Check out above ‘Ye and Jay going “H.A.M” while other videos can be viewed here and below. Enjoy!

Kanye West – Dark Fantasy

Kanye West featuring John Legend – Blame Game

Kid Cudi – Pursuit of Happiness

Big Sean – My Last

Pusha T – My God

Mos Def – Intro/Oh No

Source: Hypetrak