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Fear Not Of Man
- 04:28
- 41,097 plays
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Hip Hop
- 03:16
- 58,504 plays
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Love
- 04:23
- 39,802 plays
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Ms. Fat Booty
- 03:43
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Speed Law
- 04:16
- 41,304 plays
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Do It Now
- 03:49
- 46,737 plays
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Got
- 03:27
- 39,949 plays
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- 8
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Umi Says
- 05:10
- 90,846 plays
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- 9
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New World
- 03:11
- 39,790 plays
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- 10
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Water
- 05:02
- 7,737 plays
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- 10
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Rock N Roll
- 04:03
- 24,874 plays
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- 12
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Know That
- 04:02
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- 12
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Climb
- 05:09
- 25,626 plays
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- 13
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Brooklyn
- 05:09
- 42,595 plays
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- 14
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Brooklyn Habitat
- 04:39
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- 15
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Mr. Nigga
- 05:12
- 36,201 plays
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Mathematics
- 04:06
- 72,843 plays
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May-December
- 03:29
- 34,490 plays
album review
Mos Def's partnership with Talib Kweli produced one of the most important hip-hop albums of the late '90s, 1997's brilliant Black Star. Consciously designed as a return to rap's musical foundations and a manifesto for reclaiming the art form from gangsta/playa domination, it succeeded mightily on both counts, raising expectations sky-high for Mos Def's solo debut. He met them all with Black on Both Sides, a record every bit as dazzling and visionary as Black Star. Black on Both Sides strives to not only refine but expand the scope of Mos Def's talents, turning the solo spotlight on his intricate wordplay and nimble rhythmic skills -- but also his increasing eclecticism. The main reference points are pretty much the same -- old-school rap, which allows for a sense of playfulness as well as history, and the Native Tongues posse's fascination with jazz, both for its sophistication and cultural heritage. But they're supported by a rich depth that comes from forays into reggae (as well as its aura of spiritual conscience), pop, soul, funk, and even hardcore punk (that on the album's centerpiece, "Rock n Roll," a dissection of white America's history of appropriating black musical innovations). In keeping with his goal of restoring hip-hop's sociopolitical consciousness, Def's lyrics are as intelligent and thoughtfully crafted as one would expect, but he doesn't stop there -- he sings quite passably on several tracks, plays live instruments on others (including bass, drums, congas, vibraphone, and keyboards), and even collaborates on a string arrangement. In short, Black on Both Sides is a tour de force by an artist out to prove he can do it all. Its ambition and execution rank it as one of the best albums of 1999, and it consolidates Mos Def's position as one of hip-hop's brightest hopes entering the 21st century. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
See all-
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- The Ecstatic
- Released 2009
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- The New Danger (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2004
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- The New Danger (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2004
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- True Magic
- Released 2006
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listener reviews
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The New Gen Hip-Hop classic
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- By bossxtreme
- 11/9/2008 09:57:38
- Back in 1999, Mos Def (then known as part of the hip hop duo Black Star) released his Solo Debut, Black On Both Sides. This album is perhaps one of the last true Hip Hop classics. Easily his most focused and pure effort, it truly showed his ability has a lyricist and artist. It’s painfully obvious the album was crafted with care. This album was perhaps a final call to arms for all fans of Hip Hop, at this time was fully integrated into the business machine known as the music industry. It is at once a tribute, a love letter and a mission statement by an artist who fully believes in his craft. For some, it became an album newer generations of true fans to point to as their touchtone. It would be some years before anyone else of this caliber would come around and release a hip-hop album full of so much passion and focus. It is for this reason that “Black on Both Sides” will be remembered as classic material.
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