Mos Def
21 quotes
Biography
Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, is an American rapper, singer, and actor. A prominent figure in conscious hip-hop, he is recognized for his use of wordplay and commentary on social and political issues, such as police brutality, American exceptionalism, and the status of African Americans in the United States.
"Good art provides people with a vocabulary about things they can't articulate."
"And remember don't high post when you're far from home, and high posting when you're all alone."
"With guys I revere, like Marcus Garvey or Malcolm X, their look is less about style than purpose and the expression of beauty. It wasn't just about being noticed, you know?"
"Focused. I'm a hustler. And my hustle is trying to figure out the best ways to do what I like without having to do much else."
"I know what it feels like to have the door slammed firmly in my face, so I'm cool with that."
"I can't control what people think. I'm not trying to manipulate people's thoughts or sentiments. I write all the time. You have to experience life, make observations, and ask questions. It's machine-like how things are run now in hip-hop, and my ambitions are different."
"You have to experience life, make observations, and ask questions."
"To me, the job of the artist is to provide a useful and intelligent vocabulary for the world to be able to articulate feelings they experience everyday, and otherwise wouldn't have the means to express in a meaningful and useful way."
"I come from a family of very devout, praying people. That idea of peace and love toward humanity shouldn't be nationalistic or denominational. It should be a chief concern for all mankind."
"I began to fear that Mos Def was being treated as a product, not a person, so I've been going by Yasiin since '99. At first it was just for friends and family, but now I'm declaring it openly."
"And remember don't high post when you're far from home, and high posting when you're all alone."
"I come from a family of very devout, praying people. That idea of peace and love toward humanity shouldn't be nationalistic or denominational. It should be a chief concern for all mankind."
"That idea of peace and love toward humanity shouldn't be nationalistic or denominational. It should be a chief concern for all mankind."
"Bob Marley performed the 'One Love Peace' concert in Jamaica with the two different warring political sides. There's always been that in black music and culture in general. It's no surprise because black music is such a reflection of what's going on in black life. It's not unusual for hip-hop."
"I don't want to waste anyone's time or money. I want to give people some truth and positive heart lift."
"African art is functional, it serves a purpose. It's not a dormant. It's not a means to collect the largest cheering section. It should be healing, a source a joy. Spreading positive vibrations."
"I have no confidence issues with the impact or the quality of the music. No one in hip-hop, before this point and to this point, with all due respect, has done this."
"All the things that are worth doing, take time."
"I feel like I was the only person who was capable of making this type of music in this type of way. I don't rap like nobody, I don't try to sound like nobody."
"I guess something that you love to do, you gotta ease up off it and give it a little space, come back and be fresh to it."
"Everything's got space between it, the planets, trees, your eyes. Your eyes get too close together, it's a whole different world. You can lose perspective."