Mos Def Words Become him!

Album Dropping June 30th, 2009 ' The Ecstatic' 

URBAN THERMO DYNAMICS (UTD)

For some reason in the back of my mind there was always this nagging sensation that caused me to believe that Mos Def, was apart of another group from long ago. Today is the day that I can relax and know that I am not crazy.

Urban Thermo Dynamics better unknown as UTD.

Here is the proof:



My Kung Fu

Movie to reconsider ::: Journey to the end of the night

I have had many blockbuster nights with the lady that turned out to be a total waste of twenty six dollars. Last night was not one of them. After a long day at the gym getting in shape for my first 10K, I figured to end the night with good food and rest, and in a last minute decision I decided to take in a movie. In this case a few movies, but I will touch on the others later.

One of the movies that has my attention and will not let go, is 'Journey to the end of the night'. This film is provocative and raw. Although it brings characters to the screen that we see everyday, they are finally amplified and left under the microscope showing us the now or never reality that we all face at one point or another in our lives.


Director Eric Eason is showing us the gritty side of Brazil, through a pair of two half-gangster father and son team. Redemption is the vehicle and the passengers are in for more than just a ride. Which Mos Def's Character rips into this film as a Nigerian Dishwasher who hops on a chance of a life time to help his boss(Scott Glenn), finalize his retirement by doing a deed that is out of his element. He takes on the task with the understanding that he will never have to wash another dish again as long as he live. He just has to do one thing. That one thing is where the plot unfolds and you end up on the edge of your seat.

Brendan Fraser, giving what I believe a performance of a lifetime is more than enough reason to see this film. This movie is a must for film enthusiast and if you miss it, don't be upset. I told you so.


Here is what one reviewer had to say at IMDB:


The film is a second feature by a director who had a film at Tribeca a few years ago which i never saw. This is a gritty pot boiler made in Brazil with an eclectic mix of famous faces and non-professional actors. The film is extremely violent but not without a soul. I particularly applaud Brendan Fraser for a stellar turn as the Bad Guy. Here is a part that he might well be remember for in years to come. Also very good is Scott Glenn and Mos Def. My favorite aspect of the film was the film score which was very emotional. I give it a solid 7 for those that like crime films. Beware there is a lot of blood in this one.

Tracks with message :::: Goodie Mob, Nas, Rakim, Mos Def and Kanye West

Underrating or forgetting something seems to be the norm in our society. We are more attracted to the polished shoe instead of the one that last longer or the new pair forgetting how far the old pair brought us in our journeys. We tend to seek out that which catches our eyes, therefore forgetting the prime component of quality or longevity.

With an abundance of copy cat raps, and bikinis alongside mediocre music. I think many have forgotten the messages. So allow me to remind you that their is some real out there and it will not leave those who seek understanding and vibe banging tracks at the same time.


I need to start this off with a potent turn in Hip Hop.

Kanye West 'Jesus Walks'








Jesus Walks Kanye West featuring Mase




Yes I gave you a butt load of version and remakes. I hope you enjoyed it.

Classics that went under the radar

Pharoahe Monch [When the Gun Draws]

Mos Def feat. Pharoahe Monch & Nate Dogg - Oh No

Canibus - Who Writes The Song

Canibus - Second Round KO

Mos Def taking on Chuck Berry

Rock "N" Roll legend Chuck Berry could not have it any better than what is about to take place. Besides a career that has gone down in history as one that has shifted the way music was interpreted this is a highlight to a legend.

With an artist such as Mos Def, who has done a great job with every film he has applied himself to you can do no wrong. Taking on the role of Chuck Berry in Cadillac records, alongside Beyonce as Etta James, Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess, Jefferey Wright as Waters, Eamonn Walker as Howlin' Wolf, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, and Columbus Short as Little Walter, you should not be disappointed.



The Film is set in 1950's so you know it will be an awesome site to take the retro trip with a great cast of characters and the actors who portray them. Having Mos Def aboard will not only bring additional fans to the film, but will give the film broader appeal in general, all the while maintains its true essence. The politics does not get any better than that. Mos Def is the epitome of a true artist in every sense of the word and I can not wait to see what he will do with this role. Just keep in my Something the Lord made, or his role in 16 blocks just to name a few.

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MentalPolics - Mindjuice :::: Def Poetry Jam

MentalPolics - Mind Juice is a response section to thoughts and ideas that are presented to me. The very nature of mental workings, that I come across, which breed further exploration of the ideas or familiar questions.

In this particular post it is a direct supplemental thought on humanities lack of originality. A lack of stringing together words, or misusing a multitude of words with out understanding of it origin or the often deficit of vocabulary.

So I give you in response to that a clip from Def Poetry Jam. With poets; Taylor Mali "Like Lilly Like Wilson", Adele Givens "That Shit Ain't Funny", Kevin Coval "My g-dself Loose".

The last two poets are a treat in of themselves that will give you a more universal insight to the musing behind the thoughts of others. I only ask that you comment on this section as much as possible and feel free to leave your ideas and opinions at my mercy. I will treat them with respect in hopes to make this section more efficient and robust so that you can enjoy my musings along with my take on Entertainment and how I feel the entire thing is interconnected in the grand scheme of life.

Enjoy the video then return reading to my regularly scheduled ranting!

Authentic Rants :::: Mis-concept-ions of an Art-form

Driving down the road the other night I decided to put on the radio and listen to my favorite variety station that will go unnamed. A Rap song was blaring from the radio just before the announcer cut it off to give us his take on the song. Stating "This music is trash and never will be anything worthwhile to ever come from it." I could not help but to be alarmed that a radio Jock had the balls to say what he really felt about a song. He went on to say that "it should have ended a long time ago, that Rappers such as Soulja boy are not artist and pretend to be a part of the art/music community", and "get away with it by dubbing themselves as entertainers." He said this because he was uneducated about Rap/Hip-Hop as a whole. Someone needed to school him, I am writing this in hopes that I can reach him and people like him.

I cant help it but to agree with his sentiment, but I have done some research on the subject of whether or not, the style of rap that is performed by Soulja Boy is an accurate representation of Hip Hop, and truth be told, it is. A time existed when simple lyrics and a catchy beat was all it took to arouse the ears of the listeners. From the old school to the new school, there were simple songs that got you on the dance floor to show of your latest break dance and pop and lock.

Hip-Hip does not have one hat, and will never where one hat. To the knitted beanie on Common to the baseball topping off a hot outfit on 50Cent. You may at time catch NAS wearing either of the two styles, depending on his state of mind. The epitome of a Rapper is more than sneakers, chains, watches, and cars. It is the ability to make sound out of words, and some rappers are in this case study a little less likely to hone in on the skill of many words, and manipulate a few words to their advantage, and often make up their own to fit the mission they see ahead of them. The mission to make a number one chart topping hit song.

As Much as I hate simple rappers, that have not fluidity in their vocabulary, the genre of lyric-less Rap is nothing new, and will be back in 8 year, 15 tops, when the new era of lyrical rappers take over. Thank you Wu-Tang for coming back with your eight Diagrams, Thank you to Talib Kweli for keeping the pen hot, Thank you Jay-Z for coming out with American Gangster, Thank You Nas for Hip-Hop is Dead and you upcoming Nigg*r Album, Thank you Eminem for all your efforts. However long the simple rap generation, of Hip-hop/Rap hold the throne, they will keep the balance that is needed.

What bothers me most about this, is that it seems the world is dumb, that it wants nothing more than just entertainment. They no longer want great artist to grace the stage. We were lucky that an artist such as Kanye West could come along and knock 50cent off his throne of nonsense. I am not knocking the business man/Actor Curtis Jackson, but the lyrics are trash. With all of his wealth you would think that he would give you an album with Songs that are deep as many men through out an LP. With a few song like in the club, Ayo Technology, and In Da club. I love my party songs, but at some point you want substance on entire effort. A single get you the momentum, gives you a chance to get notices, and then your album solidifies are artistry in my opinion.

No Thank you to Soulja Boy, 50cent latest efforts, and all the Gangsta Rap wannabes and their Craptastic albums and mix tapes. Whenever I hear dumb-dumber say super man that oooh I cringe, then I change the dial until I think it is off the air.

I only protest simple rap to say that the people cant make the decision, if they did, they would have done it a long time ago. It is up to the music industry and the artist combined to start working on quality music. The people that love simple rap are too young to make a choice, our kids are falling off the edge, and that is too close for comfort to the bottom of a never endless abyss.

Parents are not doing a good job of censoring their children, and as much as they try their is always another kid in the school yard who has the latest unrealistic RAP album or Single. They are going to be plugged in one way or another. For some; if they have a complete balance of music to pick from or listen to, they will be able to decide one way or the other, at least have an eclectic mix of Hip-Hop/Rap music to pick from. If not to make a choice having a wide range of styles and lyrical content that will prepare them for what is ahead. The world requires language and Hip-Hop moves too fast at making new words, so having a complete diet of Rap styles work. For example, Mos-Def Main course, Talib Veggies, Jay-Z your grains, and Nas your beverage. Soulja boy for dessert which means too much and you will be unhealthy).


I want to end this by saying that there is more to Hip-Hop/Rap, than any one rapper or Trend in the music. It is an eclectic art form. At times it is innocent, and at times it is in your face and ready to attack. Overall it is a full course meal that many can not define to one category so they file it under miscellaneous and come back another day to define. That day of Definition has come many times, and it has been named Gangster(Gangsta) Rap, misogynist rap, as of late all of them and Idiot or Simple Rap to top it off and throw Rappers that speak peace or teach from history Backpack rappers, which in my definition means they have books to reference and are re-writing the book on what hip hop is. I would like to think of it that way. In closing Hip Hop is misunderstood, and at times it misrepresented, It need to be none by all of its abilities and the people will decide. That Goes for any music, for instance Michael Jackson is the King of Pop, but remember that Thriller has crossed more than the pop charts, and good music does that and last as long as Thriller has in the minds of many and can cross generations with out fail.


In the end some will say that Hip-Hop can be many things to many different people and "I believe Hip-Hop is a way of life expressing elements of urban community" and Hip-Hop is an urban musical tree that has spawned branches from grafiti to gangsta rap and is still growing"


Here is Andre 3000 Actor and Second Half of OutKast had to say about his upcoming movie, where you will get a short quip about his take on the current status on Hip Hop. Here he is being asked has Hip-Hop Loss its Essence:

Throwback Video :::: Mos Def - Umi Says,Ghetto Rock, Sex, Love & Money, Ms. Fat Booty

Umi Says


Ghetto Rock


Sex Love & money


Ms. Fat Booty

BlogBio moment ::: MosDef Throback and recap

This is a throwback moment of one of the more critically acclaimed Hip Hop artist of the new Generation. The second half of the group black star, with rapper Talib Kweli, make up to powerful forces keeping the true essence of Hip hop/Rap alive.

This clip shows a segmented piece of the one time comedy central phenomenon the Dave Chappelle show, which is as poignant as these lyrics, that flow from the mouth of a true lyrical artist.


Also get a glimpse of a great collaboration with Pharaoh Monch and Nate Dogg- Titled Oh No.

Real Throwback::: Rakim- Guess who's Back?

A time existed when Lyrics mattered to the population, and garbage was not the main course, MC Hammer was getting booted off world stage. Rakim ruled the mic and soulja Boy was in preschool, and the Ying Yang twins were figuring out what to do with their lives.

This is what music is all about, not about the diamonds, the cars, the houses, the women, and the fame, but the lyrics. Rakim brought you this, and depicted colorful ideas in deep metaphor, grounded by his street wisdom and book smarts, it made him a huge figure in the Rap World, and remains the prototype to many, minus the bubble gum rappers, and the studio gangsters. From Jay-Z, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Nas(major influence in his delivery), The Game, Lloyd Banks, and yes even 50cent.


Enjoy!