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Yasiin Bey, F.K.A. Mos Def, Thinks Drake Makes Pop Music, Not Hip-Hop

January 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Yasiin Bey is a legend within hip-hop, and his decades of experience, knowledge, activism, social consciousness, and skill elevates his standards quite a lot. Moreover, he recently sat down with The Cutting Room Floor and, at one point, was asked by the program’s host whether Drake is hip-hop. Well, you tell me: do you think that the man behind Black Star and Black on Both Sides is a massive fan of the 6ix God? While Bey, formerly and best known as Mos Def, didn’t really diss him here, he did point to the commercial, agreeable, and non-remarkable nature of the game that Drizzy represents, for better or worse.

“Like, is Drake hip-hop?” host Recho asked the MC formerly known as Mos Def. “Why are you doing this to me?” Yasiin Bey replied, and you can tell throughout the whole segment, with some laughs in between, that he’s trying not to go full scorched Earth and be as clear as possible. “Drake is pop to me. In the sense, like, if I was in Target in Houston, and I heard a Drake song. It feels like a lot of his music is compatible with… shopping. Or, as you know, shopping with an edge in certain instances.

Yasiin Bey Speaks On Drake: Watch

“Of course, I get it,” Yasiin Bey continued about Drake. “It’s likable. It’s likable… ‘Wooooo! So many products! So many SKUs! Look at all these SKUs (stock-keeping units, more commonly known as bar codes)! Oh, so many products. I love this mall! Look at this place. I mean, look at this place! They have everything, everything’s here! They have everything here! Oh, this is great. This is the new Drake, do you hear it? It’s great…’

“Okay. What happens when this thing collapses?” he concluded. “What happens when the columns start buckling? Are we not in some early stage of that at this present hour? Are we seeing, like, the collapse of an empire? Buying and selling, where’s the message that I can use? You know, what’s in it for your audience apart from, like, banging the pom-poms?” For more news and the latest updates on Drake and Yasiin Bey, stay up to date on HNHH.

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Yasiin Bey Is Hosting A One-Night-Only Tribute Show To MF Doom In Paris, Where He Will Cover His Songs

December 22, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Yasiin Bey announced that he’s holding a truly special show in Paris, which will be held for one night only at La Cigale Paris on January 18. As for what else will make it unique, he will be doing a tribute to the late MF Doom by covering his songs during the concert.

“Yasiin Bey always showed admiration to the rhymes of who’s been called Viktor Vaughan, The Villain, King Gheedorah or simply DOOM,” the description on the social media reveal read. “He will perform some of his favorite tracks from the Masked One.”

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For those looking to attend, tickets for Yasiin Bey’s concert went on sale today. As of Friday afternoon, there are still passes available for €45.

A few years ago, during an interview with Vulture, Questlove shared a heartfelt story about how Yasiin Bey was the one to introduce him to MF Doom’s music.

“I was preparing myself for some kind of deep talk, but he just started preaching the gospel of DOOM,” Questlove said at the time. “I’m talking a 40-minute monologue, almost something like a Jehovah’s Witness would preach, trying to convert me to a new religion. He was like, “Do you understand the majestic gift that is Operation: Doomsday?”

More information about his MF Doom tribute show can be found here.

Yasiin Bey, F.K.A. Mos Def, Gives Andre 3000 Flute Track A Rap Verse At Dubai Show

December 10, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, is one of hip-hop’s all-time greats, a quality that he keeps on proving. Moreover, he recently held a show in Dubai on Saturday (December 9), and he had a very special surprise for the crowd, who seemed to be having an amazing time. At one point of the concert, the other half of Black Star began to rap over the opening track to André 3000’s new album, New Blue Sun. If you didn’t already know, this project is entirely instrumental and steeped in New Age, spiritual jazz, and ambient traditions. As such, it’s quite the treat to hear one rap legend give his own unique take, via a melodic and killer verse, to the new lane that another rap legend ventures into.

Furthermore, Yasiin Bey is not the first to engage in this kind of tribute and genre fusion. For example, Lupe Fiasco also rapped over New Blue Sun‘s opener, which gave Andre 3000’s song some uniquely creative and expertly rapped lyrics to go along with it. This was one point of contention for many in the hip-hop community: why isn’t one of the best rappers alive rapping?! That’s a debate we won’t engage in here, but perhaps it’s more important to celebrate how this new work is clearly still inspiring rappers left and right.

Yasiin Bey Adds Verse To A New Blue Sun Cut: Watch

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Meanwhile, there are other rap exponents in addition to Yasiin Bey and Lupe Fiasco who think that New Blue Sun holds some real weight in the game. One curious and interesting suggestion came from Paul Wall, who gave 3 Stacks major props for his new effort. However, he posited that a chopped-and-screwed version of the improvisational LP could actually be quite compelling and exciting. It certainly wasn’t the first thing that came to mind when we heard “Andre’s flute album,” but who are we to judge?

On that note, though, what do you think of Bey’s verse on this song? Where do you fall on the debate around whether this is an interesting or worthwhile thing for MCs to do? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, stay up to date on HNHH for the latest news and updates on Yasiin Bey and Andre 3000.

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The Alchemist Premieres New Music With Yasiin Bey, F.K.A. Mos Def, At Los Angeles Show

December 2, 2023 by newhiphopnews

The Alchemist recently hosted a one-off show along with MIKE and Wiki to perform their new 2023 album, Faith Is A Rock. On Thursday (November 30), he and these two amazing MCs hit the Teragram Ballroom and performed together for the first time. However, one of the most exciting parts of the show happened when Uncle Al previewed new music with the one and only Yasiin Bey, which many of you might know better as Mos Def. In fact, it’s a bit of a left hook: rather than rap through the beat, he decided to take on a more melodic delivery as he muses through his themes. Regardless, it was still a great taste.

Moreover, The Alchemist and Yasiin Bey don’t have much of a collaborative history, which makes this all the more exciting. Still, the former has worked with the latter’s Black Star partner, Talib Kweli, so we can assume that they have a lot to love for each other. That legendary collaboration turned 25 years old this year, which also adds another touching angle to this premiere. Even after all these years, Bey remains one of the most respected, beloved, and influential MCs of all time.

The Alchemist & Yasiin Bey’s New Material: Listen

Of course, this also prompts some speculation– or rather, pipe dreams– about a joint project between him and Uncle Al. After all, the iconic producer is well-known for crafting some of the best collab albums in rap history, and keeps dropping excellent team-ups. Faith Is A Rock is just one example from this year, with another being the impeccably crafted VOIR DIRE with Earl Sweatshirt. With this history in mind, it’s only natural that fans want to see what he can unlock within any other MCs over the course of a full LP.

Meanwhile, the artist formerly known as Mos Def took some time earlier in 2023 to pay respect to some of hip-hop’s titans. Much like how the beatmaker is a pivotal part of so many careers, De La Soul is even more important, and he thanked them for paving the way for him and so many others. All these artists continue to make great strides today, and it’s exciting to see how legends keep growing. On that note, check back in with HNHH for more news and the latest updates on The Alchemist and Yasiin Bey.

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Mike Amiri: The Mastermind Behind The Fusion Of Rockstar & Hip-Hop Fashion

August 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Mike Amiri, an American fashion designer known for his iconic hand-crafted designer clothing pieces, including the trendy Amiri Jeans, has taken the fashion world by storm. From dressing rock and hip-hop stars to creating a luxury brand that resonates with the Gen Z generation, Amiri’s unique style and influence have garnered attention from celebrities and […]

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Black Star’s Yasiin Bey & Talib Kweli Become The Faces Of AMIRI In High-Fashion Campaign

August 18, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Luxury fashion brand AMIRI recently announced the new faces of their new campaign. Their selection includes iconic hip-hop duo Black Star, consisting of Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def) and Talib Kweli, as their brand ambassadors for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2023 campaign. AMIRI Autumn-Winter 2023 The California-based brand made the exciting revelation on August […]

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Erykah Badu & Yasiin Bey Return To The Stage With “Unfollow Me” Tour 2023

June 13, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Erykah Badu and Yasiin Bey, two legendary artists in R&B and Hip-Hop, returned triumphantly to the stage with their highly anticipated Unfollow Me Tour 2023. The tour kicked off in San Antonio, TX, at the AT&T Center, where the dynamic duo delivered an unforgettable sold-out three-hour show that left the crowd in awe. On Sunday, […]

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