Yasiin Bey - "I Don't Like"

While I would've added "Love Sosa" line to this myself, Yasiin dives a little deeper to his "These Are A Few Of My [Least] Favorite Things" list as he takes on Chief Keef's banger "I Don't Like" produced by Young Chop.


Expect Bey, formerly known as Mos Def to continue taking on the hits as he presents his Top 40 Underdog Series.

[Hypebeast]

Previously: Yasiin Bey, Dead Prez & Mikeflo - Made You Die (Trayvon Martin Tribute) [Music Video]

Yasiin Bey, Dead Prez & Mikeflo - Made You Die (Trayvon Martin Tribute) [Music Video]

I've been really appalled to hear some of today's most popular rappers mentioning Trayvon Martin's name in their songs for tasteless and unclever punchlines (Exhibit A, meet Exhibit B). Thankfully, we still have Hip Hop emcees like Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Dead Prez & Mikeflo who release the severity of this tragedy in American history. Watch the music video for their Trayvon Martin tribute "Made You Die" below, and hit the jump to download the track.

Yasiin Bey - Ni**as In Poorest

When Watch The Throne dropped the most frequently heard complaint about the album was that it focused too much on luxury and contained too much bragging about how much Jay-Z & Kanye West had accomplished.  While I slightly disagree, Mos Def Yasiin Bey put is probably the only rapper original enough to take the mega-hit "Niggas In Paris" and spin it to address how poverty has effected America.

Great start to Martin Luther King Day! 

Yasiin Bey - Niggas In Poorest

Download: Yasiin Bey - Niggas In Poorest

Expect more freestyles from Yasiin, who will be releasing more covers on his Top 40 Underdog project.

Props to HHNM

Previously: Mark Ronson feat. Yasiin Bey & Erykah Badu - A La Modeliste

Mark Ronson - A La Modeliste feat. Erykah Badu & Yasiin Bey [Music Video]

As part of Hyundais' RE:GENERATION project, producer Mark Ronson created this New Orleans jazz flavored track with legendary jazz musicians Zigaboo Modeliste and The Dap Kings. Also lending their creative talents to the track are the lovely Erykah Badu and Mr. Yasiin Bey.  Check out the music video for this track below, and learn more about this documentary film project at regenerationmusicproject.com!



Props to Stupid Dope

Previously:

• Wale Announces Joint Project With Mark Ronson [VIDEO]
• Erykah Badu Perfoming At Black Girls Rock [VIDEO]
• Black Star Perfoming Live With The Roots [VIDEO]

Black Star Performs With The Roots Live On Jimmy Fallon [VIDEO]

If I ever had a dream concert come to life, it would be to see Mos Def Yasiin Bey, Talib Kweli, and The Roots live (followed by a matrimony ceremony between me and Yasiin).  Fortunately viewers got a glimpse of the legendary musicians rocking to some Black Star's new and old stuff as they performed their latest single "You Already Knew" and their 1999 collab "Little Brother" with The Roots.  Real music y'all!

Black Star - You Already Knew


Black Star - Little Brother


Props to XXL

Previously:

• Black Star - You Already Knew
• Talib Kweli - Distractions [Music Video]
• The Roots Bring In 2012 With Carson Daly [VIDEO]

New Music: Black Star - You Already Knew

Yasiin & Talib are reuniting as Black Star to release a tribute project to the Queen of R&B/Soul Aretha Franklin with Black Star Aretha.  Check out the soulful track "You Already Knew" below, and be on the lookout on G.U.E. for more Black Star!

Black Star - You Already Knew [Prod. OhNo]

Download

We mobile!! Hit the jump to stream "You Already Knew" on your phone!

Black Star (Yasiin Bey + Talib Kweli) - Fix Up

We first got to hear Mos Def Yasiin and Talib's new Black Star track "Fix Up" when they performed it live on The Colbert Report.  We finally have the CDQ version, which is now available on iTunes. Listen to the track below, and let me know what you think of the track!

Black Star - Fix Up [Prod. by Madlib]


Purchase on iTunes

We Mobile!! Hit the jump to stream the track on your phone!

Gangstas Use Emoticons Radio, Vol. 12: Da Art Of Storytelling

Gangstas, it's been a while! Soooo, yours truly, DJ Hourglass, decided to put something special together for Gangstas Use Emoticons Radio, Vol. 12.  I present... Da Art of Storytelling (Part 1).  Hip Hop storytelling is an art form that few rappers have mastered, but when done right, the story can be so clever or shocking that you're stuck sitting, thinking about it.

Of course I included storytelling pros like Slick Rick, The Notorious B.I.G., Pac, Common and Nas, but there are some new names in the mix as well including J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T., and Kendrick Lamar. Check out Gangstas Use Emoticons Radio, Vol. 12: Da Art of Storytelling below and hit the jump for a full tracklisting!

Gangstas Use Emoticons Radio, Vol. 12: Da Art of Storytelling

Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def) "Astronomy" & Brand New Track LIVE on The Colbert Report

Looks like Black Star (Talib Kweli & Mos Def Yasiin) are planning to drop a new project on us after 13 years since their debut album.  They recently performed on The Colbert Report and gave an exclusive performance of their classic track "Astronomy" as well as their brand new track "Fix Up," which you can watch after the jump!

Talib Kweli, Mos Def & Common Perform "Respiration" Live in Chicago

During their sold out show at Chicago's House of Blues, Mos Def & Talib Kweli (Black Star) surprised the crowd and brought out hometown hero, Common, to perform their classic 1998 track "Respiration."  Watch the legendary performance below!



Props to GWHH

Previously: New Music: Derek 32zero ft. Talib Kweli - Lift 'Em Up