Yasiin Bey
Yasiin Bey | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Dante Terrell Smith |
Also known as |
|
Born | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. | December 11, 1973
Genres |
|
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 1987–present |
Labels | |
Member of | Black Star |
Formerly of | |
Children | 6 |
Yasiin Bey (/jæˈsiːn ˈbeɪ/; born Dante Terrell Smith, December 11, 1973), formerly known as Mos Def (/ˌmoʊs ˈdɛf/), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor.
He launched his
A former child actor in television films, sitcoms, and
Bey has spoken out on several social and political causes, including police brutality, American exceptionalism, and the status of African Americans.
Early life
Yasiin Bey was born Dante Terrell Smith on December 11, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York City,[8] the son of Sheron Smith and Abdulrahman Smith.[9] The eldest of 12 children and step-children, he was raised by his mother in Brooklyn, while his father lived in New Jersey.[10]
His father was initially a member of the
Bey attended middle school at
Music career
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1994–1998: Beginnings with Rawkus and Black Star
Bey began his music career in 1994, forming the group UTD (or Urban Thermo Dynamics) along with younger brother DCQ and high-school friend Ces.[12] In 2004, they released the album Manifest Destiny, their first and only release to date. The album features a compilation of previously unreleased and re-released tracks recorded during the original UTD run.[13]
In 1996, Bey emerged as a solo artist and worked with De La Soul and Da Bush Babees, before he released his own first single, "Universal Magnetic" in 1997.[14][15]
Bey signed with
1999–2006: Solo career and various projects
Bey released his solo debut album Black on Both Sides in October 1999, also through Rawkus.[19][20] The single "Ms. Fat Booty" charted,[18] while the album reached #25 on the Billboard 200.[21] Around this time, he also contributed to the Scritti Politti album Anomie & Bonhomie.[22][23]
In January 2002, Rawkus Records was taken over by
2007–2011: Good Music era and name change
On November 7, 2007, Bey performed live in San Francisco at The Mezzanine venue. The performance was recorded for an upcoming "Live in Concert" DVD. During the event, he announced that he would be releasing a new album to be called
Bey appears alongside Kanye West on the track "Two Words" from The College Dropout album, the track "Drunk and Hot Girls" and the bonus track "Good Night" off West's third major album, Graduation. In 2002, he released the 12" single Fine, which was produced by West and featured on the Brown Sugar soundtrack.[31]
In 2007, Bey appeared on
In April 2008, he appeared on the title track for a new album by
In 2009, he worked with Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan to produce the track "America" for K'naan's album Troubadour.[33]
In April 2009, Bey traveled to South Africa for the first time, and performed with The Robert Glasper Experiment at the renowned Cape Town International Jazz Festival. He treated the South African audience with an encore, introduced by his own rendition of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme, followed by a sneak preview of the track "M.D. (Doctor)".[34]
Bey has designed two pairs of limited edition
In late 2009, he created his own clothing line with the "UNDRCRWN" brand called the "Mos Def Cut & Sew Collection". The items were released in select U.S. stores and almost exclusively on the UNDRCRWN website.[36] That year, he was among the MCs aligned with American entrepreneur Damon Dash's DD172 and collaborating with American blues rock band the Black Keys on the Blakroc album, a project headed by the Black Keys and Damon Dash.[37] Bey appeared with Harlem-bred rapper Jim Jones and the Black Keys on the Late Show with David Letterman to perform the Blakroc track "Ain't Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)".
In 2010, Bey featured on the first single, "Stylo", from the third Gorillaz album, Plastic Beach, alongside soul legend Bobby Womack. He also appeared on the track titled "Sweepstakes". In March 2010, Bey's song "Quiet Dog Bite Hard" was featured in Palm's "Life moves fast. Don't miss a thing." campaign.[38]
In September 2010, after appearing on Kanye West's
In September 2011, the rapper announced that he legally changed his name to Yasiin Bey and would go by that name, retiring his Mos Def moniker.[40][41] Bey told a reporter "I began to fear that Mos Def was being treated as a product, not a person, so I’ve been going by Yasiin since ’99. At first it was just for friends and family, but now I'm declaring it openly."[42] Bey also stated "Mos Def is a name that I built and cultivated over the years, it's a name that the streets taught me, a figure of speech that was given to me by the culture and by my environment, and I feel I've done quite a bit with that name. ...it's time to expand and move on."[43] Yasiin is a name in the Qur'an's 36th surah and was important to the rapper who converted to Islam in his teens. Bey said the name change would eliminate "having any moniker or separation between the self that I see and know myself as."[43]
Shortly after the name change announcement, Bey recorded as the narrator of the children's hip hop musical, Pacha's Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature.
2012–present: Later career and retirement
In January 2012, it was reported that Bey and
On January 19, 2016, Bey announced his retirement from both the music and film industries on Kanye West's website: "I'm retiring from the music recording industry as it is currently assembled today, and also
In October 2016, a planned concert in London was cancelled due to travel restrictions imposed on the artist;[50] other European dates suffered the same fate.[51] On October 14, Bey posted a video to Facebook where he announced that he was still planning to retire: "I'm retiring for real this year, this week. With the 17th anniversary of Black on Both Sides being released, I am grateful to have had the career that I have been able to enjoy."[52][53] He also announced one last concert which he said he would be live streaming from Cape Town, South Africa.[54] In November 2016, he was granted the ability to leave but not reenter South Africa and was put on "South Africa's 'undesirable persons' list". He said he would perform one show in Harlem and three in Washington D.C. after leaving South Africa. He announced that Dec 99th, his final album, would be released on December 9. He released three singles from it, "Local Time", "N.A.W." and "Seaside Panic Room".[55] On December 5, 2016, he announced the title of two albums, Negus in Natural Person and As Promised, the latter of which is a collaboration with Southern hip hop producer Mannie Fresh, initially titled OMFGOD.[56] In 2017, his claims of retirement were seen as questionable as he played shows on September 13, at the Fox Theater in Oakland as part of Black Star and performed on Gorillaz' Humanz World Tour, performing "Stylo" with Peven Everett, who filled in for Bobby Womack, who died in 2014. He also has yet to release or announce a release date for the last two albums of his career.[57][58]
In February 2018, Bey announced, on stage, a new Black Star studio album, produced by
On June 28, 2019, Bey appeared on Bandana, an album by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, alongside Black Thought, on a track named "Education". In November 2019, he stated that unreleased music, such as his collaborative album with Mannie Fresh, was still "on deck" for release.[60] In 2021, he launched "The Midnight Miracle" podcast on Luminary, along with Dave Chappelle and Talib Kweli.[61] In April 2022, a release date for the long-awaited Black Star project was officially announced. The album titled No Fear of Time was released via Luminary on May 3, 2022.[62]
Acting career
Beginnings as child actor
Prior to his career in music, Bey entered public life as a child actor, having played roles in
Feature films, theater and television
After brief appearances in
In 2001, he took a supporting role to
In 2002, he played the role of Booth in
In television, Bey has appeared on
Bey won "Best Actor, Independent Movie" at the 2005
In 2006, Bey appeared in
In 2007, Bey narrated the PBS-broadcast documentary
In 2008, Bey starred in the
In 2009, he appeared in the
In 2010, he appeared on the children's show
In 2011, he began a multi-episode appearance on the sixth season of Showtime television series Dexter. He played Brother Sam, an ex-convict who has supposedly found religion despite finding himself in violent situations.[74]
In January 2016, Bey announced his retirement from the music and the film industries on Kanye West's website. In March 2016, it was announced that he had been attached to star in "his last live-action film", The Disconnected, a science fiction thriller dealing with policing, identity, and the intersection of technology and humanity.[75]
Social and political views
In 2000, paired with
Bey is well known for his leftist activism.[76] In 2000, he performed a benefit concert for death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal.[77] In May 2005, Bey, Talib Kweli, R&B singer Martin Luther and City Councilman Charles Barron approached New York City Hall, demanding the withdrawal of the $1 million bounty for Assata Shakur.[78]
In September 2005, Bey released the single "Katrina Clap", renamed "Dollar Day" for True Magic (utilizing the instrumental for New Orleans rappers UTP's "Nolia Clap"). The song is a criticism of the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina. On the night of the MTV Video Music Awards, Bey pulled up in front of Radio City Music Hall on a flatbed truck and began performing the "Katrina Clap" single in front of a crowd that quickly gathered around him. He was subsequently arrested for not having a public performance permit in his possession.[79]
In October 2006, Bey appeared on 4Real, a documentary television series.
On September 7, 2007, Bey appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher where he spoke about racism against African Americans, citing the government response to Hurricane Katrina, the Jena Six case, and the murder conviction of Mumia Abu-Jamal. He appeared on Real Time again on March 27, 2009, and spoke about the risk of nuclear weapons.[82]
In September 2011, Bey joined the cast of the environmental children's hip hop musical Pacha's Pajamas: A Story Written By Nature as narrator. In July 2013, he appeared in a short film released by the human rights organization Reprieve, depicting the forced-feeding methods used at the Guantanamo Bay detention camps. This transpired after a document containing the military instructions for the procedure was leaked.[83][84]
In September 2018, Bey and advertising executive Free Richardson opened an art exhibition to the public in an art gallery in the South Bronx, called the Compound, centered around hip-hop and fine art. The goal of this gallery was to help bridge the gap between the two fields, by showcasing artists from marginalized backgrounds who normally would not be represented in art galleries. Art forms with negative connotations, such as graffiti, as presented in a more optimal context. "The purpose of the gallery is to say all art is equal," Mr. Richardson said. "But we are in the borough that created hip-hop, which is the biggest art form in the world, so it's always an extending arm. It's always present."[85]
Legacy
Personal life
Bey married Maria Yepes in 1996. He filed for divorce from Yepes in 2006.[94] She took him to court over failure in child-support obligations, paying $2,000 short of the monthly $10,000 he is ordered to pay for their two daughters.[95][96] He has four other children.[97]
His mother Sheron "Umi" Smith has actively managed portions of her son's career.[98] She is a motivational speaker, and authored the book Shine Your Light: A Life Skills Workbook, where she details her experience as a single mother raising him.[99]
In January 2016, Bey was ordered to leave South Africa and not return for five years, having stayed in the country illegally on an expired tourist visa granted in May 2013.[100] That month, he was charged with using an unrecognized World Passport and having lived illegally in South Africa since 2014.[101][102] He had reportedly recruited Kanye West to help defend him, and posted a message on West's website announcing his retirement from show business.[103][104] There was an ongoing court case in relation to immigration offenses involving the artist and his family.[105][106] He was allowed to leave South Africa on November 22, 2016, but he was barred from coming back.[107]
Discography
Solo albums
- Black on Both Sides (1999)
- The New Danger (2004)
- True Magic (2006)
- The Ecstatic (2009)
- ንጉሥ (Negus) (2019)[A]
Collaborative albums
- Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (with Talib Kweli, as Black Star) (1998)
- Manifest Destiny (with Ces and DCQ, as UTD) (2004)[109]
- December 99th (with Ferrari Sheppard, as Dec 99th) (2016)
- No Fear of Time (with Talib Kweli, as Black Star) (2022)
- As Promised (with Mannie Fresh) (TBA)
Filmography
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | God Bless the Child | Richard Watkins | |
1991 | The Hard Way | Dead Romeos Gang Member | |
1997 | Ghosts
|
Dante | |
1998 | Where's Marlowe? | Wilt Crawley | |
2000 | Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme | Himself | |
Bamboozled | Big Blak Afrika | Also recorded a song for the movie's soundtrack as part of the fictional rap group Mau Maus
| |
Island of the Dead | Robbie J | ||
2001 | Carmen: A Hip Hopera | Lieutenant Miller | |
Monster's Ball | Ryrus Cooper | ||
2002 | Showtime | Lazy Boy | |
Civil Brand | Michael Meadows | ||
Brown Sugar | Chris 'Cav' Anton Vichon | ||
My Wife and Kids | Tommy | Episode: "Chair Man of the Board" | |
2003 | The Italian Job | Left Ear | |
2004 | The Woodsman
|
Detective Lucas | |
Something the Lord Made | Vivien Thomas | Nominated — Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated — NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Nominated — Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | |
2005 | Lackawanna Blues | The Bandleader | |
The Boondocks | Gangstalicious | Voice over for the animated series (2005–2008) | |
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | Ford Prefect | ||
2006 | Dave Chappelle's Block Party | Himself | |
16 Blocks | Eddie Bunker | ||
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby | Himself | Cameo | |
Journey to the End of the Night
|
Wemba | ||
2007 | Prince Among Slaves
|
Narrator | |
2008 | Be Kind Rewind | Mike | |
Cadillac Records | Chuck Berry | ||
2009 | Next Day Air | Eric | |
House | Lee | Episode: "Locked In" | |
2010 | I'm Still Here | Himself | |
Bouncing Cats | Himself | ||
Yo Gabba Gabba! | Super Mr. Superhero | Episode: "Superhero" | |
2011 | Dexter | Brother Sam | Season 6, recurring, (credited as "Mos" in 2 episodes, as "Yasiin Bey" in 3 episodes) |
2013 | Begin Again | Saul | as Yasiin Bey |
2014 | Life of Crime | Ordell Robbie | as Yasiin Bey |
The Getaway | Himself | Episode: "Yasiin Bey In Morocco"; as Yasiin Bey | |
2015 | Amy | Himself | as Yasiin Bey |
Accolades
BET Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Best Actor | Brown Sugar | Nominated | [110] |
2004 | The Italian Job | Nominated | [111] |
Black Movie Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role | 16 Blocks | Nominated | [112] |
Black Reel Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Outstanding Actor, Independent Film | Civil Brand | Nominated | [113] |
2004 | Outstanding Supporting Actor
|
The Italian Job | Nominated | |
2005 | Outstanding Actor, Independent Film | The Woodsman
|
Won | |
Outstanding Actor, TV Movie or Mini-Series | Something the Lord Made | Nominated | ||
2008 | Outstanding Actor | Be Kind Rewind | Nominated | |
Outstanding Supporting Actor | Cadillac Records | Nominated |
Gold Derby Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | TV movie/Mini Lead Actor | Something the Lord Made | Nominated | [114] |
Golden Globe Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Best Actor – Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Something the Lord Made | Nominated | [115] |
Gotham Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Breakthrough Actor | The Woodsman
|
Nominated | [116] |
Grammy Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Best Urban/Alternative Performance | "Sex, Love & Money" | Nominated | [117] |
2006 | "Ghetto Rock" | Nominated | ||
2007 | Best Rap Solo Performance | "Undeniable" | Nominated | |
2008 | Album of the Year | Graduation (as featured artist) | Nominated | |
2010 | Best Rap Solo Performance | "Casa Bey" | Nominated | |
Best Rap Album | The Ecstatic | Nominated | ||
2011 | Best Short Form Music Video | "Stylo" (with Gorillaz and Bobby Womack) | Nominated |
MOBO Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Best Hip Hop Act | — | Nominated | [118] |
NAACP Image Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Brown Sugar | Nominated | |
2005 | Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Something the Lord Made | Nominated | [119] |
2009 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture | Cadillac Records | Nominated | [120] |
NAMIC Vision Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Best Dramatic Performance | Something the Lord Made | Nominated |
Online Film & Television Association Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Something the Lord Made | Nominated | [121] |
Primetime Emmy Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | Something the Lord Made | Nominated | [122] |
Satellite Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Something the Lord Made | Nominated | [123] |
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Most Annoying Fake Accent – Male | 16 Blocks | Nominated | [124] |
Teen Choice Awards
Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Choice Breakout Movie Actor | Brown Sugar | Nominated | [125] |
2005 | Choice Movie: Rap Artist | The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | Nominated | [126] |
Notes
- ^ Negus is Yasiin Bey’s fifth studio album, entirely produced by Lord Tusk, Steven Julien, and ACyde and was recorded in London in 2015. Negus was exclusively premiered during Art Basel in Hong Kong on March 29, 2019. According to a press release, the album will never receive a physical or digital release but will be displayed at sound installations around the world.[108]
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- ISBN 9781538076798.
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She said there were several attempts at reconciliation, but that Bey, who has six children with four different women, has a demanding though not abusive demeanour that she found difficult to abide. They have not been together since October 2006, but despite a $115,000 financial settlement are not officially divorced.
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External links
- Mos Def / Dante Smith discographies at Discogs
- Yasiin Bey at IMDb