Life as we know it comes down to one thing, and one thing only. Evolution. Those species whom have failed to adapt, change or mutant have fallen by the way side. It’s a fact. And so it continues today, especially in the mercurial world of music. In the world of entertainment, you either continue to be relevant or perish. Those who continue to generate their own personal phoenix steadily apply this fundamental truism, and continue to rise from the proverbial flames. Dante Terrell Smith knows a thing or two about evolution. In fact, he has embraced it. Throughout his career, first as half of the duo Black Star, as the ying to Talib Kweli’s yang. Then as a solo Rap artist par excellence and successful screen actor. As Mos Def, he continuously advanced a considerable stake in our collective consciousness. And now in 2012 we behold Yasiin Bey. Call it what you will, but this isn’t some media-grabbing ploy which will cultivate in yet another insignificant name change in 12-months. No, I suspect it’s something much deeper and meaningful than just une chose sans valeur. Yasiin Bey translates into the word ‘rich’ and in this case you shouldn’t take it as something which symbolizes material or monetary worth. No, Yasiin Bey is flush with the currency of true knowledge, understanding, self-awareness, but also vision. Yasiin Bey, fka Mos Def, has not rested on his laurels. By most standards his career has been a successful one. Embodying his various persona’s as rapper/poet and actor and through it all, he has stayed hungry. Indeed, Yasiin Bey is inhaling rarefied air, but yet still not content to let up now. With is latest track “Niggas In Poorest” he continues to further expand his legacy. Here he has taken “Niggas In Paris” ala Jay-Z and Kanye West and flipped it supremely. And in the process made it raw and grittier. By taking something overly flamboyant and by some accounts dull, and sharpening into a subtle social weapon. And in the process Yasiin thus lays a solid foundation for what’s to come next. “Don’t get caught up in no throne…” Teach! Peace.
(Via SoulCulture)