The duo that is Black Star recently appeared on The Colbert Report to speak on a variety of issues concerning their group and music. The duo also took to the Colbert Report stage and presented the show’s host with “classy warrior” gear. During the program, Mos Def explained his name change to Yasiin and joined Kweli in a discussion about underground and “corporate” Rap.
When asked about his name change, Yasiin explained that he is not going by Mos Def any longer and later likened it to Mark Twain.
“Nope. I am not using Mos Def as a professional name anymore,” he said. Stephen Colbert, the show’s host made light of this, asking, “Why would you not be Mos Def anymore? He’s a famous guy who sells records. Why would you do that?”
The conversation took a turn to the labels that people have placed on art for years, including the “underground” label placed on Black Star.
“Underground Rap is a label we never really understood,” Yasiin noted. “What does it mean? Is it that we don’t rhyme above sea level? I don’t know. But, there’s a lot of diversity in Hip Hop, there’s a lot of different styles across all different genres of art. People like to label things, I guess…We just do what we do, underground or above ground.”
Kweli then spoke to what it means to be independent, not tied to corporate sponsors.
“That’s what’s great about us being able to do this show. Both me and Yasiin, are in creative spaces and professional spaces where we are not aligned with any particular record company. When we perform music or when you get music from us at this point, you’re getting it directly from us. There’s no middle man. It’s straight up independent.”
The video, as seen on Mr. World Premiere, can be seen below.
Further video provided by Comedy Central.
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RELATED: Mos Def to Retire His Name At The End Of 2011, Renaming Himself Yasiin
That song was fire. They need to make an album quick
they flat out ripped that.
mama named the boy Cassius, Imma call him Cassius
i fucking love these guys. (all three of them actually) but Blackstar, they’re so smart and talented, and please can their album better come out soon! and i lol’d @ colbert’s “Great news everybody, Yasiin says i can be mos def now!” hahahah
he will always be mos def to me
great fuckinh performance. that’s the kind of shit i love.
they are so bad ass
i don’t care what his name is
his lyrics and voice are what i love
Hip Hop shall return once again..
rawest rap duo alive. these 2 teamed up cannot be fucked with by anyother duo.
These 2 are legends, classics, heroes, whatever good name you can call them. So unique and elite. Black Star forever.
wow….its crazy some people on here think this a new song
I want a Blackstar / Colbert collab! hahahahaa
Classy Warfare Baby!
show tonight. Homeboy Sandman interview and exclusive freestyle. follow on twitter at @RadioRebels
checkout our music http://www.theverbalist.bandcamp.com
blackstar are 2 of my influences support real hip hop
I’m amazed by how tight they are after all these years. So on point. And their music sounds as fresh at it did 10 years ago. amazing.
These guys are like Outkast….They are so much better together. This is dope.
Producers on my Blackstar wishlist:
1. Madlib
2. Hi-Tek
3. Pete Rock
Collaborators
1. Black Thought
2. Nas
Everyone should go independent. Labels will not allow good music to come out anymore; they dilute the albums with trash.
seems like these guys took a page out of OFWGKTA, trying to go the “independent” or “underground” route offering their music straight from them for free.
they’re just riding the wave that the artist formerly known as Mos Def noticed when Tyler the Creator and Hodgy Beats played on Jimmy Fallon.
Basically I think they are reinventing themselves.
Wait do you really think that OF were the first to offer their own music for free? Ever heard of mixtapes?
Bro.. Black Star has been doing this forever!! When Odd Future’s members were in their childhood. Do some research.
Are you f***ing serious. Kweli and Mos Def have been releasing independent, underground shit since those Odd Future morons were in diapers.
Do some research guy, Blackstar has been around since 95, Tyler and his crew we’re literally still in diapers. Think before you speak.