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List Price: $13.98 | | Label: Rawkus / Umgd
Salesrank: 12644
Released: June 4, 2002 |
| Our Price: $10.20 |
| Used Price: $6.99 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Black Star Track Listing:
1. Intro
2. Astronomy (8th Light) - Black Star, Weldon Irvine, Talib Kweli, Mos Def
3. Definition
4. RE: DEFinition
5. Children's Story
6. Brown Skin Lady
7. B Boys Will B Boys
8. K. O. S. (Determination) - Black Star, Talib Kweli, Vinia Mojica, Mos Def
9. Hater Players
10. Yo Yeah
11. Respiration - Black Star, Common, Conunon, Talib Kweli, Mos Def
12. Thieves in the Night
13. Twice Inna Lifetime - Black Star, Jane Doe, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, ,
Editorial Review:
Even in hip-hop--a genre famous for auspicious debuts--Black Star, the first album from the team of Mos Def and Talib Kweli, stands out. It's not just because these guys know their history (an update of Slick Rick's classic "Children's Story," a fine jack of BDP's "The P Is Free" on "Definition," and shout-outs to 2Pac, Biggie, and the Rock Steady Crew) and have paid their dues. Mos Def had been bouncing around the Native Tongues family for years, and both he and Kweli are featured on the Soundbombing and Lyricist Lounge albums. No, Black Star stands out simply because it's a great album, an intelligent, progressive, and funky piece of work that showcases two great MCs, both of whom have internalized the best parts of Guru, Rakim, and Q-Tip. The album also features strong production from Shawn J. Period and DJ Hi-Tek (Kweli's partner in Reflection Eternal). --Randy Silver
Black Star Reviews:
Masterpiece. The greatest hip-hop album ever. 
2009-10-28 - Lemme star off by saying this: I put it over Illmatic. I'm gonna catch hell for that, but that's how good this album is. When I first brought it, I was buying it cause of what people were saying about it way back when. I'm only 17, so I missed the Soundbombing and Lyricist Lounge days (I have those now tho) when Mos Def and Kweli were "showcased" and introduced to the hip hop scene. Basically, this is the first Mos Def and Talib Kweli I ever heard. I immidiately RE:did my top ten lists after hearing it.
The album no doubt is afrocentric. Not in the sense that it'll get on your nerves, but you'll acknowledge and appreciate it. It built an atmosphere that is unexplainable. When I popped this in, I didn't have to get used to it, I didn't have to give it a few listens to really get into it, and I didn't find any flaws. I was amazed and ever since, I'd say this is the best work of art I ever purchased.
LEMME BREAK IT DOWN...
-Usually people separate the beats and rhymes in their ratings, but both are looped together and match so perfectly that its impossible to knock any of them. The beats make the MC's better and the MC's bring out the beats with their enthusiastic flows. ABSOLUTLY MASTERFUL WORK
-The lyrical wisdom is so flawless it's almost scary. You think Mos Def's Black On Both Sides was good? Listen to his verse in "Thieves In The Night." It'll shatter all expectations. This is Talib Kweli's BEST work besides 2000 Seasons and The Manifesto as well.
-No one can agree on which MC was better, which is a rarity and a good thing. It's like debating between Barry Sanders and Walter Payton. BOTH WERE PRACTICALLY FLAWLESS.
-The variety of songs are amazing. It has a few bangers (Definition and RE:DEFinition), some showcasing of raw skillz (Twice Inna Lifetime, Hater Players), a story (Children's Story), and a lot of introspection (the rest). It has EVERYTHING and maintins a level of excitement and holds your attention through the entire album. Illmatic couldn't even do that for me, even though it is on my top ten list ever.
THE FINAL VERDICT...
I went into Best Buy thinking this album would fit into my collection somehow. After my first listen, it made my entire 50+ collection seem inferior. I brought Soundbombing 1&2 plus Lyricist Lounge, Vol. 1 JUST for Talib Kweli and Mos Def. I also brought Black On Both Sides, Reflection Eternal: Train Of Thought, and Eardrum. This ONE album inspired me to fork out the money for 6 additional albums containing their excellent material. This is no doubt the greatest album ever and the greatest duo ever. Unfortunately, neither MC could match their work on Black Star. Talib went out and has been pretty consistent, while Mos Def is slipping away through his acting career and hasn't been able to release a worthy followup to the classic Black On Both Sides.
Since Black Star, both artists have managed to release 1 classic apiece. Talib's being Reflection Eternal: Train Of Thought Mos Def's being Black On Both Sides.
BUY IT ALL^^^ But Blackstar first. It is the best work you'll ever purchase I guarantee it. LONG LIVE RAWKUS RECORDS!!!
talib kweli and mos def are amazing in this
2009-09-07 - very few rappers compare to this and if u dont know of this u dont kno hip hop
this music is innovative and deep and these guys are in the underground and uncommercial like lots of the pop rap while hi tek is one of the best producers and he can put a jazzy beat like tribe called quest or a fast one or a natural sounding one or reggae beats he is amazing and talib kweli and mos def are all about passion and visions and every song sounds diffrent every time u listen to it
The Filler Killed it 
2009-05-26 - I love these guys and maybe because its an older cd, but the music seemed dated. Or maybe more of the same. However, it is the original sound so i'll give 4 stars. The good definitely outweighs the bad.
Kweli and Mos Def? Give me a break.
2008-10-25 - Black Star is a great album for many reasons, but to me, they're all personal and unique to myself. I think the "best" music is the music that moves you. Blackstar reminds me of growing up, stirring up memories of walking around in the city with my dad. Most albums simply can't do that for you nowadays. Mos Def's flow is tight, Kweli's lyrics are deep, Hi-Tek is well, Hi-Tek. Definition, RE:Definition are obviously the big songs on this album. I love this album to death, and it's one of the few CD's I've played so much that the disc shattered in my cd player.
AMAZING Hiphop album!
2008-08-27 - Ive been checking out lots of different hiphop/rap styles lately, and after previewing then buying this album, I have to say it's one of my favorites. The songs all are unique and I can listen to this so many times without getting bored of it! Mos(t) Def(inately) recommend this!
