AWmusic

Mos Def is what you would call a veteran when it comes to the hip-hop game. Mos has been rapping from when he was 6 years old, and also grew up in the golden age of hip-hop- when the genre was more conscious and and just more convivial. His first album was released in 1998 with Talib Kweli, and was entitled Black Star. From then, Mos has been dominating the hip-hop genre. Mos has also had stints in many movies, and as great of an actor he is, it’s clear Mos’ true endowment is in music.

Mos Def’s latest album, The Ecstatic, is probably his best yet. The first track I had heard off the album was Quiet Dog and from then I immediately knew the album was going to be insane, and more eclectic than Mos’ older stuff. The album oozes with Muslim association (Mos Def himself is Muslim,) which in my opinion is what makes the album so infectious.

After listening to the one track, I moved onto the whole album, and not to sound to gushy, but I was in awe. The album opens up with a speech from Malcom X, and throughout the album, many notable and past speakers appear on the album as well, once again going along with the vintage appeal.

Usually when listening to an album, there are 1 or 2 songs which everyone agrees the album could do without. There were absolutely none on The Ecstatic. In fact, the harshest criticism I have for the album is that many of the songs were way to short.

This album is in a whole other category than other hip-hop artists. Comparable to none, Mos Def maintains a style which many in the industry today and lusting for. This album could have easily been a corny, rushed effort but it wasn’t. It proves that with time, comes perfection. It is artists like Mos Def who give hope to a weltering genre.

I have never been the type to be preachy about an album or artist. But this album pushed me to break that rule.
Mos Def-Quiet Dog