Track Listing

1. Intro
2. Astronomy (8th Light) - Black Star, Weldon Irvine, Talib Kweli, Mos Def
3. Definition
4. RE: DEFinition
5. Children's Story
6. Brown Skin Lady
7. B Boys Will B Boys
8. K. O. S. (Determination) - Black Star, Talib Kweli, Vinia Mojica, Mos Def
9. Hater Players
10. Yo Yeah
11. Respiration - Black Star, Common, Conunon, Talib Kweli, Mos Def
12. Thieves in the Night
13. Twice Inna Lifetime - Black Star, Jane Doe, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, ,

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33741 in Music
• Released on: 2001-06-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Amazon.co.uk Review
Even in hip-hop--a genre famous for auspicious debuts--Black Star, the first album from the team of Mos Def and Talib Kweli, stands out. It's not just because these guys know their history (an update of Slick Rick's classic "Children's Story", a fine jack of BDP's "The P Is Free" on "Definition", and shout-outs to 2Pac, Biggie, and the Rock Steady Crew) and have paid their dues. Mos Def had been bouncing around the Native Tongues family for years, and both he and Kweli are featured on the Soundbombing and Lyricist Lounge albums. No, Black Star stands out simply because it's a great album, an intelligent, progressive, and funky piece of work that showcases two great MCs, both of whom have internalised the best parts of Guru, Rakim, and Q-Tip. The album also features strong production from Shawn J. Period and DJ Hi-Tek (Kweli's partner in Reflection Eternal). --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews

shining star
This has got to be one of the most played cd's in my collection.
If you like either mos or talib then you NEED this cd, because quite simply you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
I think it's quite difficult to get hold of at the moment but well worth the effort, funky, raw and cutting edge even now this is a seminal album by two unsung masters of true hip-hop.
I'm not gonna bang on or give a track by track synopsis of this album, i could never do it justice, you just need to listen.

ABSOLUTELY DOPE
If you're even contemplatin about looking at this review and decided whether to buy it..you should be dubbed a FOOL.One of the best LPs of this decade,and thas sayin suttin...better than mos def debut "black on both sides",better than "reflection eternal"...Black star is the best of both worlds of these justified hugely talented emcees...COP IT NOW IF YOU A TRUE HIP HOP HEAD.5/5,5mics,10/10 wateva u want...its a classic dun.peace im ghost

The finest album of the last decade.
One of the best albums ever made. Mos Def and Kweli put more emotion into their lyrics than any other emcees, and this is shown on 'Thieves in the night' and 'Respiration'. The production is simply the best, Hi-teks finest work, and is a pleasure to listen too. The cover of Slick Rick's 'Children's Story' is amazing, with Mos Def showing off his storytelling skills which are just as good as the masters (slick rick). Kweli's relaxed style works amazingly well with the complex rhymes he is saying, and this throws you somewhat. The guests which feature are of extremely high quality (common, vinia mojica etc...) and just complement the songs more. Highlights are everything. If you do not own this, buy it and listen to how real hip hop should be.