Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star

By 1998, Rawkus Records emerged as the only solution for hip hop at that time. In those darkest hours, my brightest hope was Black Star.

On my last trip to New York of the 1990s, my crew and I saw a yet-to-release-their-album Black Star perform in a Bronx park. While watching them, I felt I was watching my future of hip hop in front of me. I believe I did in many ways.



The Black Star album is what I wish more rappers aimed at creating.

I tried not to abuse or overkill that album. I wanted to return to its wonder and amazement similar to the day I opened the wrapping and popped in the CD player for the first times.

If you agree on a number of levels that hip hop's best days have come and gone and have not yet seen Mos Def or Talib Kweli perform live solo or together, do yourself the favour and check them out when you can. In your darkest hour, they may be the Black Star you seek.