Black Star (hip hop group)
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Black Star is an alternative hip hop group formed by MCs Mos Def and Talib Kweli. The unofficial third member of the group is DJ Hi-Tek, who also worked with Kweli on the album Reflection Eternal.
History
Black Star is part of the Native Tongues Posse, a collective that contains, amongst others A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, the Jungle Brothers, Da Bush Babees and Common.Black Star arose from the underground movement of the late 1990's, which was in large part due to Rawkus Records, an independent record label stationed in New York City. They released one album, Black Star. Though the album achieved little commercial success, they (and other members of the Native Tongues Posse) helped shape underground, alternative rap. Both have gone on to greater commercial and critical success in separate solo careers.
Albums
The eponymously titled Black Star album (sometimes listed as Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star) was released 1998 and was a major breakthrough in alternative/underground hip hop. Mos Def and Talib Kweli have done numerous tracks together since then, but they have yet to release a second album as Black Star. Rumors abound that the group will release their sophomore album in 2006, although this hasn't been officially confirmed, particularly as Mos Def has a burgeoning acting career and is due to be appear in several Hollywood productions in 2006.Tracks by Black Star, and solo tracks by Kweli and Mos Def also appeared alongside other Rawkus artists on the label's "Lyricist Lounge" and "Soundbombing" compilations.
According to hip-hop website TheSituation.co.uk, Kweli has confirmed that a new Black Star album is "in the pipeline" ([link]).
External links
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