Mos def the ecstatic speech full#

Yet on occasions it became gratuitous, lessening his resonance as the Mighty Mos Def hip hop extraordinaire. Not one to shy away from gratitude he constantly thanked the crowd for their presence: 'Thank you for spending your money and most importantly time'. 'You could have been anywhere in the world, but you’re here with us'. Through charm, humour and a sage-like approach, the sometime thespian, well known for his recent role in Michel Gondry’s film Be Kind Rewind, proved to be a garrulous and gracious host. The audience instantly took to the ravenous rhythm, excited at the prospect of an impending fifth album. The veteran mused about opening a ‘24-hour karate school’ before dropping a new tune of the same name. Those that came to hear Mos Def circa ‘99's ‘Black on Both Sides’ were finally in their element.

Mos def the ecstatic speech full#

It was an example of his unorthodox approach to hip hop yet left some a little bored and less than bemused.Ī unanimous sea of head-nods was in full swing when classics including beat-laden ‘Mathematics’ and song ‘Hip Hop’ - with its lyrical prowess: 'Speech is my hammer, bang the world into shape' - took centre stage.

‘Quiet Dog’ saw Mos Def manning a massive drum-kit bashing out a rapturous rhythm while simultaneously rapping. It was a show fuelled by heavy funk, hooks and samples. With swagger and presence the hip-hop flavoured stylings continued with the Madlib-produced ‘Auditorium’, ‘Priority’ and ‘Life in Marvelous Times’.

It was a formal introduction that began an hour-long blaze of songs from the rapper’s newest work The Ecstatic, all the while punctuated with tunes from his earlier albums.ĭonning thin braces, a cap and a fully grown beard the ‘Boogyman’ gripped an old school microphone before kicking it off with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-like ‘Supermagic’, laced with a winding guitar and rock ‘n roll inflexions. 'My name is Yasin Dante Terrell Smith-Bey, known to many across the world as Mos Def'. Amidst a decadent display of red and white roses and under a flood of moody red lighting, the lyrical genius introduced himself.