Track Listing

1. Intro
2. Astronomy (8th Light)
3. Definition
4. RE: Definition
5. Children's Story
6. Brown Skin Lady
7. B Boys Wil B Boys
8. K.O.S (Determination)
9. Hater Players
10. Yo Yeah
11. Respiration
12. Thieves In The Night
13. Twice Inna Lifetime

Product Details

• Released on: 1998-09-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

From Amazon.com
Mos Def has done his time in the hip-hop trenches, apprenticing with Native Tongue before hitting with his first big single, "Body Rock" (with Q-Tip, off the Lyricist Lounge, Volume One compilation). He's learned well, and it comes through on Black Star. He and partner Talib Kweli flow well together, but they've also got something to say: their spiritual "Astronomy (8th Light)" harks back to De La Soul's Daisy Age; "People be thinkin' MC is short for misconception.... Stop acting like a bitch already / be a visionary," Kweli raps on "Definition." And then there are the backing tracks--for once, the music and the lyrics are on the same level. While Mos Def and Kweli's words would be powerful as spoken word, the music here--innovative and funky, bass-heavy, but with plenty going on--would be enjoyable even if there were no MCs in sight. --Randy Silver

Album Details
Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track: "Waiting for You".