Black Star (album)
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Black Star is the self-titled debut by Black Star - the pairing of rappers Talib Kweli and Mos Def. It is sometimes listed as Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star. The album was released on August 26, 1998. The title is a reference to a shipping line founded by Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey. Black Star deals with modern day issues, thinkings, and life in Brooklyn, New York City as the two artists know it. They are adept at rapping in any style, whether focusing on a single theme as found on "Astronomy (8th Light)", which revolves around the color of black, to party rapping as found on "B Boys Will B Boys".
Critical Reaction
Black Star was hailed as a hip hop classic and is often cited as an anchor for the new wave of rappers directly or indirectly inspired by the Native Tongues. As a result Rawkus Records became the premier independent hip hop label, with a reputation for delivering underground albums of considerable quality. The praise would continue on subsequent albums by the two MCs. Despite popular demand, Mos Def and Talib Kweli have yet to deliver a follow up album.Track listing
- "Intro" – 1:11
- "Astronomy (8th Light)" – 3:23
- "Definition" – 3:26
- *Contains elements of the beat of "The P Is Free" by Boogie Down Productions
- "Re: Definition" – 3:02
- "Children's Story" – 3:32
- *A cover of "Children's Story" by Slick Rick
- "Brown Skin Lady" – 5:46
- "B Boys Will B Boys" – 2:36
- "K. O. S. (Determination)" – 4:49
- "Hater Players" – 4:08
- "Yo Yeah" – 1:10
- "Respiration" (featuring Common) – 6:05
- "Thieves in the Night" – 5:16
- "Twice Inna Lifetime" (featuring Jane Doe, Punchline & Wordsworth) – 5:38
Personnel
- Hi-Tek - Producer, Cut, Crowd Noise
- Weldon Irvine - Keyboards, Performer
- Jim Godsey - Engineer
- Charlie Mack - Engineer
- Kieran Walsh - Engineer, Mixing
- Vinia Mojica - Performer
- DJ Evil Dee - Cut
- Jane Doe - Performer
- Rick St. Hillaire - Mixing
- Steve Souder - Mixing
- Chris Athens - Mastering
- Ken "Duro" Ifill - Mixing
- Eddie Otchere-Dhagren - Photography
- Vaughn Sessions - Engineer
- Mr. Walt - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
- Success - Engineer
- Brent Rollins - Artwork, Cover art
- Mos Def - Fender Rhodes
- Black Star - Artwork, Art Direction
- Talib Kweli - Producer, Performer
- Marcus Garvey - Photography
- 88 Keys - Producer
- Pat Viola - Engineer
- Jake Septimus - Photography
- Tasleem - Photography
- Richard Mason - Crowd Noise
- J. Rawls - Producer
Chart positions
Billboard Music Charts (North America) - album
| Chart (1998) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| The Billboard 200 | No. 53 |
| Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | No. 13 |
Billboard (North America) - singles
| Chart (1998) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| Definition - Hot Rap Singles | No. 3 |
| Definition - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | No. 31 |
| Definition - The Billboard Hot 100 | No. 60 |
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
| Respiration - Hot Rap Singles | No. 6 |
| Respiration - Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | No. 54 |
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