Mos Def is intelligent but not necessarily engaging
Posted on Jun 22, 2009 in News
Rapper/actor Mos Def is as well-known for his acting (“Be Kind Rewind”) as his music and social consciousness. Although he doesn’t generally show up in the mainstream, he remains an important member of the intellectual underground hip-hop movement. Even if he’s not technically an underground artist anymore, he’s still worth a listen, and his latest release, “The Ecstatic,” maintains that mix of intelligence and wit.
Mos Def starts off with the seemingly Indian-infused “Supermagic,” a compilation of historical sound bites, fast verses, and cultural music. Whether or not the mishmash of sounds works or not is up for debate, but the first track definitely establishes Mos Def as a unique artist. Admittedly, “Twilite Speedball” isn’t particularly ear-catching, and “Auditorium” is only interesting for its background music– a sort of somber steady electronic beat.
However, “Priority” redeems the album a little, providing both interesting background music and tight vocals. It is clear early in the album that those who are interested in music for its lyrics will enjoy Mos Def’s music.
The mood doesn’t lighten until much later in the album, with a track titled “Pistola,” an artistic love song that didn’t seem to be fighting any causes, it’s just speaking about love. Mos Def has a knack for filling his songs with serious lyrics, and a break from that seriousness allows the listener a breather.
One unexpected track is “Roses by Georgia Anne Muldraw,” a song with an R&B vibe that retains its artistic roots.
The combination of the soulful singing and Mos Def’s rap provides a balanced listening experience. The album ends on relatively high notes, with enjoyable tracks like “History” and “Casa Bey,” a fast-paced song with retro-inspired background music.
Mos Def’s brand of rap might not be for everyone, but its artistic merit cannot be denied. Perhaps only those who like straying from the mainstream and listening to artsy, more intellectually-based rap are good candidates for “The Ecstatic.”
Email: ashj813@msn.com
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