Who’s here in 2024

@raihanshrk1955

4 ай бұрын

2025 here

@BigEmpySpaces76

4 ай бұрын

Still a fresh breath of air.

@Batemanronny.

4 ай бұрын

@@BigEmpySpaces76real talk

@fdpunchypops7814

4 ай бұрын

if you watch this now what other year can you be in fool?

@terrancehugle141

4 ай бұрын

i'm with u @@raihanshrk1955

Man when Blackstar dropped I had just graduated high school. Earlier that day I was kicked out of my house by my snake ass stepmom, pops didn’t stick up for me due to him being strung out on dope and she was his way of getting tons of money to feed his addiction. I had no car, no job and nowhere to live. But I had that Blackstar CD though. That gem got me through some real hard times fam.

@omegamanGXE

2 жыл бұрын

damn

@ButcherOfBeek

2 жыл бұрын

How are you doing now buddy?

@jweezy8645

2 жыл бұрын

@@ButcherOfBeek Doin real good fam. Married my high school girl. Have 2 kids, one boy and one girl. Both of them are in high school and my son graduates next July. Half to say I’m actually happy in life lol. Not many get to say that. Appreciate you.

@Maasai-El

2 жыл бұрын

Write a book

@simonjakefrances6433

2 жыл бұрын

Peace fam. Blessings sir

We didn’t realize how much we missed this era of hip hop, until it was gone!

@samicarter1527

5 ай бұрын

They still about my bro Long life for all of us ✊

@erykahhoney588

5 ай бұрын

Unfortunately so do realize it and it hurts,but here right now to relieve that “pain”

@ast3077

5 ай бұрын

its in our hearts its not gone juwst on vacation for a bit it seems

@thatshim4724

5 ай бұрын

@@erykahhoney588i feel your pain ma!

@sharemeth

4 ай бұрын

everything is change and can't be forever,be happy this era exist and enjoy it

A top 5 Common verse easily. Maybe top 3. “Asked my guy how he thought traveling the world sound, Found it hard to imagine he hadn’t been past downtown”

This should be the official link to the term Hip Hop in Wikipedia. All time classic.

@checkle1

4 жыл бұрын

@erock755 Redefinition of

@perrynnlynch1883

4 жыл бұрын

Great comment.

@andykerste1

3 жыл бұрын

100%.. one of the greatest hiphop songs of all time. Along with thieves in the night.

@rollin177

3 жыл бұрын

P

@rollin177

3 жыл бұрын

@@andykerste1 the p lol mopmlollpmllllpoplpoopll on I'm p Op poop love look pretty pleased kpki I op

"no batman and robin, can't tell the difference between the cops and the robbers, they both partners, they both heartless"

@SpearFire

4 жыл бұрын

💎💎💎🔥🔥🔥

@bryan7538

4 жыл бұрын

@@TRUMPWAV you prolly listen to playboi carti

@arsenelupin1854

4 жыл бұрын

@@TRUMPWAV must be a mumble rap fan

@RoganRicheart

4 жыл бұрын

That line always stood out from day one.

@lycan2494

4 жыл бұрын

@@TRUMPWAV someone listens to mumble rap

"So much on my mind, i just can't recline. Blasting holes in the night til she bled sunshine" Rappers don't write like this anymore. Blessed to have lived through the boom bap/golden era 🙏🏼

Hi-Tek is such an underrated producer, this beat is incredible.

@lisasimpson8003

2 ай бұрын

I agree! kinda sounds like a premo beat, and i mean that as a high compliment to Tek, not to take away from the brother's brilliance

One of the greatest Hip Hop songs ever written.

@castroleiro

3 жыл бұрын

lyrically its one of the greatest songs ever written, period.

@MrBigR928

3 жыл бұрын

💯🔥🔥🔥

@rikinine

3 жыл бұрын

No doubt

@arsonravengarcia8370

2 жыл бұрын

Best hiphop song ever written.

@HypnoticHollywood

2 жыл бұрын

Also one of the greatest Hip Hop songs ever produced too.

This is my niece's account. She is fast asleep. I just wanna make sure that she sees and hears this joint ;-)

@AQtee

4 жыл бұрын

How thoughtful and loving of you.

@joekate121609

4 жыл бұрын

Breath in breath out

@najam9832

4 жыл бұрын

peso

@zwiamudau7049

4 жыл бұрын

Its the paradox we call reality, so keeping it real will make you a casualty of abnormal normality....

@najam9832

4 жыл бұрын

@@zwiamudau7049 that is what the song says well done

When this joint dropped it was an Instant classic. Definitely holds up 25 years later. Clever lyrics over a dope beat with a gritty video. Perfect.

Mos Def is one of the most underrated rappers of all time He's a lyrical genius

@themountainsandthesea4121

5 ай бұрын

Yes

@L.A.Killah213

5 ай бұрын

​@@themountainsandthesea41214 sure

@dynamic9016

5 ай бұрын

Indeed

@rufusdaniel1578

3 ай бұрын

When this dropped, it was the first time I could say that's my favorite Emcee, me and my boy's would always debate Chuck oR Krs, and when I heard this cadence from Mos, I said that's my favorite Emcee right there!!

@MrDiyar1

3 ай бұрын

Underrated? Says who?

One of the best hip-hop songs of all time

@leighd1971

7 жыл бұрын

Agree

@TemisanAdoki

7 жыл бұрын

One of the best hip-hop albums of all time. A masterpiece from front to back.

@thetruth4246

7 жыл бұрын

Oh yeA

@kwania.l1667

7 жыл бұрын

am 14 and this my favorite song

@efdavis

7 жыл бұрын

you may be right sir

Mos def should really get more recognition. He is such a dope MC. The flow, the voice, the lyrics he has got it all.

@edub9930

3 жыл бұрын

He a GOAT in my book 4 sure

@sirwoodofeast9497

2 жыл бұрын

Do not forget he also was a pretty decent actor.

@Carl-lk8zn

2 жыл бұрын

All around black superhero

@47times14

2 жыл бұрын

Alll

@ANDWEROCK17

2 жыл бұрын

Wtf you talkin? The mans a legend globally

0:54 “ The cost of living is preposterous “ Mos Def said this in 1998.. it’s 2023 now and the cost of living is even worse 💯

@herpsmaltwatta

2 ай бұрын

Rights it is! 2024 5 6 7 ..... Up it will keep trickling.

@007alztruli

2 ай бұрын

Keep supporting the same people that are the reason why your hoods are the way it is and be expecting a different result

@justinspano2682

Ай бұрын

A lot of 90’s hip hop prophecies are true today.

Before smoking PURPLE, there was the PURPLE TAPE. Way years ahead of its time. Beats, lyrics, stories, and emcees really bringing their own version of HIP HOP. ORIGINALITY AT ITS FINEST. WUUUUU FOR EVER.

"Surrounded by hate, yet I love home" This song is too good

@dionewilliams2296

2 жыл бұрын

That's so true!!!!!!

@busyrand

Жыл бұрын

"Veteran of the Cold War... It's Chica I Go for..." Common is my all time favorite emcee...

@mariopantoja8259

Жыл бұрын

Being from the west side Chicago.. this bar made me cry

@busyrand

Жыл бұрын

@@mariopantoja8259 I feel you...

Fuck man, I wish I went through my teenage years through the 90s. I love this shit way to much.

@LeeBo318

7 жыл бұрын

I did bro, it was a fuckin blast! I can't get with this new mumbling bs

@filmerdennis

7 жыл бұрын

+Corey Lee for reals man no talent at all, no originality.

@usuckeggs1479

7 жыл бұрын

"90s", this was made in 2004

@LeeBo318

7 жыл бұрын

+Cerebro Wtf are you talking about? Lol, this is 90's

@usuckeggs1479

7 жыл бұрын

late 90's mb

1997 Common and Souls of Mischief played at a small Canadian club in the midst of a blizzard here in Calgary. We were never as blessed to have such a show. Truly honoured to have seen them.

@Tricklarock

2 ай бұрын

Oh damn, consider yourself very lucky!!!!

@charlesnelthorpe9252

12 күн бұрын

right? we get those super weird and surreal shows here in the north sometimes, like... how the fuck am I at a Pendulum show in one of the smallest clubs in town with 100? ppl... its sweaty and dank downstairs and since its November outside? ITS FUCKING FREEZING.

"look in the skies for God, what you see besides the smog is broken dreams flying away on the wings of the obscene" unbelievable levels of poetry in this masterpiece

@Williamdzi

7 жыл бұрын

Talib's verse is one of the best in hip hop for all time. "It's a paradox we call reality, where keeping it real will make you a casualty of abnormal normality" That's practically a philosophical paper on existentialism reduced to one line.

@lifestraight

7 жыл бұрын

Exactly. That part alone is the part I think of when I say Talib Kweli's verse is the best on this track.

@Kasatali13

7 жыл бұрын

"Some cats be MCing to illustrate what we be seeing. Hard to be a spiritual being when shit is shaking what you believe in. For trees to grow in Brooklyn, seeds need to be planted. I'm asking if "y'all feel me?" and the crowd left me stranded"

@Pibscu

7 жыл бұрын

Killer. Kweli stay in the top 5.

@DeeNyce973

7 жыл бұрын

swearing you got pull, when the only pull you got is the wool over your eyes, getting knowledge in jail like a blessing in disguise

"Sometimes I take the bus home, just to touch home". That's too real.

@helioszxc

5 жыл бұрын

What does he mean with touching home?

@brianbadonde9251

5 жыл бұрын

@@helioszxc basically to feel how it feels in his hometown. Or how it felt before the game and money. That's what I inferred from it. Peace!

@helioszxc

5 жыл бұрын

@@brianbadonde9251 ah i see.makes sense.thanks for the reply

@anthonyali7309

5 жыл бұрын

Migos get in there. Lol💯🕯🔥🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤✌✌

@BRev673

5 жыл бұрын

@@anthonyali7309 migos?😂😂😂

The beat, the 3 immaculate verses, the impeccable filmography that perfectly captures NYC in the 90s... this is the greatest thing ever produced in hip-hop history.

@brandonpeterson4861

9 ай бұрын

I’ve been where you’re at 👈🏽

@curtismiles9173

8 ай бұрын

I believe Commons scene was shot in Chicago. But your comment is on point. Peace!

@OUTLAWinTX

6 ай бұрын

This entire album is that!!

@ericcheatem6261

5 ай бұрын

Ny AND chicago. Common verse was in chicago

@yepyolochannel

4 ай бұрын

Listen to massari old songs. Them beats hit different

"Getting knowledge in jail like a blessing in disguise" That hit. It all hits.

Common was always like an unofficial member of Blackstar to me. Even though he wasn't on too many joints, his sound and style fit perfectly with Talib and Mos. Imagine those three with a pre-fame Kanye producing for them, shit would have been crazy yo.

@seandafny

7 жыл бұрын

Damn

@chdz92

7 жыл бұрын

Iconoclastic damn that would be 🔥

@nikeboy3211

7 жыл бұрын

Iconoclastic old Kanye production would be nice

@johngarth2511

7 жыл бұрын

Iconoclastic agreed.

@shawncharles7270

7 жыл бұрын

You dont mix real hearted rappers with fake rappers that produce music. It sounds like shit. Kanye and Diddy and Cockafella fucked up a lot of peoples flows and made them sound wak. Theyre too mainstream and dont understand the real struggle to be working with these titans of rap. Itd be like having lil yahty produce a j cole song. It would be so wackkkk!

dislikes on pure hip hop is blasphemy. This song is iconic.

@frankcano406

5 жыл бұрын

some people don't want to think

@GeraldHarris-cf2zh

5 жыл бұрын

Over 1.4k dislikes in 2019...who are these people

@MyUniqueVibe

5 жыл бұрын

@@GeraldHarris-cf2zh 1.4k wannabe mumble rappers.

@TheSnipes1

5 жыл бұрын

Hip hop sucks today!!!classic!!!..😉

@scinnyc

5 жыл бұрын

*If you miss that 90s sound then peep my tracks out...I specialize in making 90s-style hip hop...!!!👍🏾🎤🎧💿🎼🔥*

25 YEARS AGO. ONE OF THE GREATEST HIP-HOP DUOS OF ALL TIME.

@AyyOhhhh

Ай бұрын

Man it’s really been that long geez

@theb-moregoochzn18

29 күн бұрын

Amen!!!!

“Breath in, breath out” Those words are the reason why I NEVER get tired of running for a while

“Sometimes I catch the bus home just to touch home” 🔥🔥🔥

@Rob2380

2 ай бұрын

Love that line too. Extremely relatable to many people. Especially if you struggled and have moved up in life.

@patternview

Ай бұрын

Can someone explain? Is it a pun? I am german and dont get it.

@christiancruz8737

8 күн бұрын

@@patternviewcatch is equal to grab, depend on the context so when he says that line is a wordplay between catch and touch.

real rap is timeless

@MrBeastknows

8 жыл бұрын

+Jedi Maneuvers Blackstar's Respiration: 2 million views, by now likely to barely reach 3 million. MC Hammer's Can't Touch This: 177 Million views. Just sayin'.

@Shaolin-Jesus

8 жыл бұрын

"just sayin" what exactly ?

@MrBeastknows

8 жыл бұрын

***** Wow okay. I'm not going to explain something that is REALLY fucking obvious.

@Shaolin-Jesus

8 жыл бұрын

Shane Benjamson no need to be condescending buddy, just tryna understand your point. are you implying just because something acquires allot of views it is therefore more timeless than the one that doesn't ?

@MrBeastknows

8 жыл бұрын

***** Yeah sorry my b was in a bad mood I guess. Basically, yes. The more it has been seen by people, the more likely it will be remembered. More people will therefore remember and notice MC Hammer than Blackstar.

this is kind of songs I feel like no one will ever do again

@xTerrierHD

7 жыл бұрын

piotrekzproductions This were others time that will never return.

@CaptainKirkCrunchComedy

7 жыл бұрын

piotrekzproductions substantial, jdilla, black lotus, nujabes, five deez. check em out

@coneyoster1275

6 жыл бұрын

The is how hip hop should make you feel. GOOD!

@coneyoster1275

6 жыл бұрын

I M DeDaluS__ you can find stuff that makes you feel like this, hard part is finding someone to enjoy it with.

@ericdemby4644

6 жыл бұрын

Naw you just gotta dig

im here in 2024 for sure

Common's verse is really a strong contender for a spot in the top 10 best guest verses in hip hop

"It's a paradox we call reality So keepin' it real will make you a casualty of abnormal normality" That's gotta be one of the sickest verses in the history of hip-hop.

@alto3056

4 жыл бұрын

pirandelliana

@NikaSixtyten

4 жыл бұрын

Fast forward two decades: “Gucci gang gucci gang gucci gang gucci gang.”

@carissarashea9598

4 жыл бұрын

Andres zabala my favorite bar!!!!

@bongisizwendlovu3378

4 жыл бұрын

Damn! Word Zabala

@anthonyharris483

4 жыл бұрын

We living the abnormal normality unfortunately

Mos Def bodied this.

@231994C

3 жыл бұрын

as usual.

@justinhunt4767

3 жыл бұрын

Incredible flow

@rawrizord

3 жыл бұрын

hes one of the goats for sure

@alantaylor695

3 жыл бұрын

Mos Bodies Everything son

@edwardsmith8814

3 жыл бұрын

Love me some Mos Def!

This song taught me how to not only love my city,but to become one with my city. Nashville TN, reporting for duty.

After 25 years I still get goosebumps every time I hear this track. Timeless classic, incredible in every way.

Who’s banging this on 2020?? TUUNEEE

@langatsimba5904

4 жыл бұрын

I feel so old, I remember how young I was when this first dropped... and now we listen to Mumble music... tsk tsk tsk

@GeriDoc8

4 жыл бұрын

Right here bro 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

@alimantado373

4 жыл бұрын

his best album

@jasonhawkins6187

4 жыл бұрын

Right here

@magloresaleh3992

4 жыл бұрын

2020 February 10th 3am we herrrrr

“I can feel the city breathing, chest heaving, against the flesh of evening, sign before I die like the last train leaving” this verse will stay in my soul for the rest of my life!

@simonjakefrances6433

2 жыл бұрын

👌

@thomassankara1391

Жыл бұрын

"So much on my mind that I can't recline, blasting holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine" Wow this is deep. Basically Saying he's got a lot on his mind so he can't sleep, and on top of that there's gunshots until dawn. Also blasting holes could mean his eyes being open in the night until dawn. This song is a masterpiece

@lenglain

Жыл бұрын

"sigh" before I die... In train stations the sound of steam leaving the trains sound like a sigh

@michaelwillett6353

4 ай бұрын

Kweli's next 4 bars tho..best ever

“Ask my guy how he thought traveling the world sound, found it hard to imagine he hadn’t been pass downtown”. It’s actually guys in Chicago who haven’t been pass downtown, that was so true when I first heard this song. All 3 killed it, this is timeless.

YES we all here in 2024

I cannot believe that this only has 2 million views. This is one of the best hip-hop songs ever made...

@mrpostman730

9 жыл бұрын

This use to be number 1 on RAP CITY on BET! I taped it on VHS the day it became number 1 too!!!!

@MarcusVisionaryUPA

9 жыл бұрын

mrpostman730 you should upload man... let me know if you do

@Trudon

9 жыл бұрын

its not a mainstream song

@iprofessionalamateur

9 жыл бұрын

If u don't use the word "Pu$$y","A$$","Fcuk" or "B!tch" more than 10 times u do not Qualify for advertisement in the Hip Hop catalogues. Only the True Hip Hop Listeners will search for this kind of music.

@EasPoetloveWater

9 жыл бұрын

mrpostman730 yeah i remember. it was #1 on Rap City for 7 or 8 wks (maybe longer). Was surprising cuz this was the time when dirty south music (Master P, JT Money) was popular. Fundamental Hip Hop lived

Brooklyn and Chicago connection is flawless! Hip-hop forever

@abaileyjr97

2 жыл бұрын

New York and Chicago connection is special period.

My brother showed me this when I was 10 and I had no clue what it was. 13 years later and this is a banger to me

This keeps me alive. Thank you BlackStar

@darkhorse10036

2 күн бұрын

3:15 Amen

God level hip hop. Where everything is perfect. The is incredible, Talib, Mos Def and Common weave an amazing narrative that paints a great picture of the street of New York and the people within. Everyone who contributed to this song helped to craft a truly timeless gem. I was so blessed to hear this at such a young age. It made me realize we are the curators and protectors of this culture. It's important to share these songs and if your a hip hop artist like me it's important to keep this culture strong and forever vibrant. Peace to you all.

@shizz812

2 жыл бұрын

,,,MOVE...,,,

@Unc0mmonSense

2 жыл бұрын

Real talk. This is one of the songs I often play when people question the talent of hip hop when they usually haven't been exposed to real lyricist.

@LeonExile05

2 жыл бұрын

The culture has been shit on by this new generation. This is the realest it was ever gonna get. The only ones keeping it even close is rappers like Cole and Kendrick. Otherwise it’s RIP.

@atkiltgeleta6077

2 жыл бұрын

Blackstar - Brown Skin Lady // m.kzread.info/dash/bejne/Yqdt1syYhafgkag.html

@archangelnakeer1781

2 жыл бұрын

@@LeonExile05 kzread.info/dash/bejne/eKiEr8WtnJjUm8Y.html #APREME

maybe one of the best hip-hop tracks ever recorded....

@deathhimself8370

8 жыл бұрын

I agree

@tyronenewsom3047

8 жыл бұрын

+asa zimbabwe Maybe? Three of the best ever, in their prime, dropping some absolute knowledge over a heavy beat. I'd say definitely one of the best. I love all the verses, but Common just drops some soul music on here.

@ellisgill1337

8 жыл бұрын

+asa zimbabwe thieves in the night too

@dantegood2195

8 жыл бұрын

It's definitely in the argument. And I don't say that lightly

@alebarajas3045

8 жыл бұрын

Right next to platinum plus by Big L and Big Daddy Kane

This timeless track still kills all day 24/7❤

shit like this reminds me why i’m a fan of hip hop

Mos def was mos definitely ahead of his time this right here depicts on whats going on today everyday. Whos still jammin to this in 2020?!

@mc12358

3 жыл бұрын

From 98 to today. I had Black*Star on CD from early on. Think I got it at Target, IIRC. Definition and Re:definition were on heavy rotation on 102 Jamz down here in North Carolina. My favorite track was the posse cut near the end of the album, but I didn't sleep on Respiration either, this track is timeless!

@edub9930

3 жыл бұрын

Street prophet

@tawainahollis4770

2 жыл бұрын

2021…….

Def what a rapper, Kweli and Common rip it up as usual but fuck me Def is unbelievable

@CrashJC123

7 жыл бұрын

He's the Illest of all Villains. Everyone loves DOOM

@x3i4n

7 жыл бұрын

WORD

@SigmaMale1440p

7 жыл бұрын

He's MOSt DEFinitely one of the best. Undisputed.

@CrashJC123

7 жыл бұрын

ari haha very nice

@highlybaked8417

7 жыл бұрын

FACTS

Hip Hop so dope in the 90's. I'm telling this is when it reached it's peak.

That's too much talent on one track 😁👍

I swear Kweli and Mr. Bey were like "who can drop more truth in a verse?" lmaoooo i swear this is just TOO MUCH/GOOD

@westindian10

8 жыл бұрын

yeeah

@zinzosiphoqobo1940

8 жыл бұрын

+Gabriel Mercado I agree....

@j-imperial4778

8 жыл бұрын

kinda fucked up they cut talibs verse 8 bars less. smh. my favorite part was cut. oh well still a classic.

@phillipwattsjr.4714

8 жыл бұрын

+j-imperial: That's what kills me about RADIO EDITS...like it would kill the radio programmers to play those extra 20-30 seconds. Not to mention, the radio never gave a fuck about this song, especially when they're too busy shoving P-Diddy and Masta P down our throats, so why bother making this a radio edit at all?

@cliftoncunningham2438

6 жыл бұрын

Gabriel Mercado and Common Didn’t?

Mos Def's verse on this song is probably one of the most beautifully written and performed piece of poetry I've ever heard. If I had to pick one song to illustrate the beauty and artistry of hip hop this would be it. Other notable songs I would recommend are The Roots "Act Too: The Love Of My Life", Common "Nag Champa", Slum Village "Fall In Love", etc.

@lestry7878

3 жыл бұрын

Just came to the comment section to look for somebody who feels the same as me. Every time I listen to this song I can't help but be amazed at Mos Def's verse. It's just so beautiful and poetic. The rhyme schemes are there, the content is there, and then his amazing voice and that delivery. To me it's one of the greatest verses of all time. Together with the hook since it blends so well with the verse.

@83osoy

2 жыл бұрын

Those are indisputable classics. “Act Too” is on my favorite song of all time in any genre list, and “Nag” and “Fall in Love” are on every playlist I make

@83osoy

2 жыл бұрын

And Mos’ verse is a hell of an opener. He paints the greatest verbal illustration I’ve heard- And it IS pure poetry

@chelsea6671

2 жыл бұрын

Fall In Love actually has on of my favorite instrumentals ever.

@sihleduma8481

Жыл бұрын

Put 'thieves in the night' in there

In 2024 this song still RINGS TRUE! All Time CLASSIC

Common came through repping the Chi the right way with the fur and lyrics NY will always respect you 💪🏽🔥

My nigga Common said "young girls w/ weak minds but they butt strong", he said "ask my guy how traveling the world sound, then thought it was hard to imagine if he had been past downtown", incredibly deep, that's a true South Side Chicago nigga for you that's really from the hood. We see this shit everyday here on the South Side, everyday. It's thousands of Chicago niggas on the South, West, and East side of the city that ain't never been downtown cause they "stuck in the trap". That's real shit right there.One of the realest songs known to man. Some of the realest artists known to man.

@lifestraight

7 жыл бұрын

That's not limited to Southside Chicago though. That is true for a lot of hood dudes all over America. Most don't have the financial means or courage to travel to places and spaces they are unfamiliar with.

@bprice2784

7 жыл бұрын

The World is a hood lifestraight yes I certainly agree. However I am only referring to what I have seen here in Chi.

@lifestraight

7 жыл бұрын

The Truth OhI feel you. The same can be said of New Haven, where I'm from or a lot of places. Most are limited in their means of travel.

@richiebuz

7 жыл бұрын

The Truth Same in Milwaukee. The majority of Blacks and Browns on the North, East & South Side of Milwaukee is struggling.

@rome368

7 жыл бұрын

The Truth Educate your brothers and get them to see more than being inside the fishbowl. Different city but Richmond and Petersburg the same way. Reach and teach my man.

When hip hop was ORGANIC

@FCastillo000

3 жыл бұрын

Word

@michaelmcmillan1425

3 жыл бұрын

This is so BULK UP. MAJOR PROPS to Mos, Def, Talib Quali, and Common for this. This song is MUCH better than Sex. FACTS!😄

@ndhavukogift9903

3 жыл бұрын

Now it's inorganic coz of mumble rapper🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I remember playing this song as a sophomore in Palm Springs high in California. I just had moved from Los Angeles and didn't know any one but this album and my love for graffiti got me through some shit.

1:28 that run down the road...kills me every time. 🤣

There's a paradox we call reality So keepin it real will make you a casualty Of abnormal normality

@eladiogarcia501

10 жыл бұрын

Love that part

@sivumntuyedwa741

10 жыл бұрын

"Of reality I touch, but for me it's hard to keep" - COMMON

@baldswagg79

7 жыл бұрын

Word to Life

@christopherjeter5900

6 жыл бұрын

Ahtnamas2 Dope

@gideonfiyahmovement9183

5 жыл бұрын

🔥🔥🔥🔥

"..gets you capped like the NBA salary." these guys are poets.

@alexandrahopkinson1748

Жыл бұрын

I always think that's the only rubbish line in the whole track

@donsolo8258

Жыл бұрын

@@alexandrahopkinson1748 the only line eh? Damn, I must be an absolute clown shoe. Thank you for pointing out my idiot understanding of sports referenced lyrics.

4 ever the real OG's

I remember getting this CD with money I made from one of my first jobs. I listened in awe, mesmerized by the pictures it painted.

“Blasting holes in the night ‘til she bled sunshine.”

@lebrigand4115

4 жыл бұрын

In 2003, Complex interviewed Mos Def and David Bowie. Bowie said this line was one of the most beautiful he ever heard in a song. Needless to say, Bowie knew a thing or two about song writing...

@GeronFletcher

4 жыл бұрын

LeBrigand Thats dope!

@dondaddan

4 жыл бұрын

@@lebrigand4115it's through his ear and understanding of songwriting we got Luther Vandross, everyone overlooked Luther till David Bowie came through

Commons verse is really underrated makes me shed a tear every time.

@tutuletters6664

Жыл бұрын

What makes you think his verse is underrated? All three of them shined.

@neneolivares6743

Жыл бұрын

@@tutuletters6664 I’ve seen videos glorifying Mos defs verse all over social media but I’ve never heard no one talk about Commons. That’s why.

@jammawun

Жыл бұрын

@@neneolivares6743 That's because Mos had the best verse, and he deserves that. Doesn't mean that Com's verse is a sleeper or anything. It's just like on the Tribe song, What's The Scenario. Busta had the best verse, though everyone on the song had great verses.

@mariopantoja8259

Жыл бұрын

I always nod no but it's true

@torrywilliams

Жыл бұрын

Chicago finests

for some reason this song puts me right where i need to be

Beautiful to know there are black boys were once extremely conscious of what they produced and delivered in Hip-Hop. No girls shaking their asses or flashy cars just pure lyricists.

@ericjohnson4181

11 ай бұрын

Now morality check, black MEN not boys

This song brings tears to my eyes, makes me think how good hip-hop used to be.

@MCVessels

4 жыл бұрын

And will be again.

@goldenchildtheater

3 жыл бұрын

Me too my friend

@patrick_k_

3 жыл бұрын

So funny, I was just thinking the same thing. Tears to my eyes as well.

@layers3458

2 жыл бұрын

it's still good, you just gotta listen to the right people

@buckstrickland2833

2 жыл бұрын

Same

Mos Def made the greatest ad lib vocal ever at 3:02

@JsiadiNoon

3 жыл бұрын

Bro that shit was crazy

@omegamanGXE

2 жыл бұрын

What did he say

The begining hits different for us Spanish speakers ✨

@themountainsandthesea4121

5 ай бұрын

Nice

@1deepsoulja

3 ай бұрын

Right

"Hey don't da bass ride out like an ancient mating call ?" - Mos Def 🎉❤

Damn you can really feel the energy of city life in this song. On an east coach college trip I was on, my bus full of me and my fellow students were driving to New York City from Lehigh University late at night and everyone was passed out. Suddenly, across the Hudson River, NYC stood colossal and bright against the night. I remember playing this song and it was EPIC!

@Trudon

9 жыл бұрын

its so late 90s

@iwouldliketoorderanumber1b79

Жыл бұрын

A perfect mix of two cities, with common from Chicago and mos def and talib from New York.

Stay alive, you play or die, no options No batman and robin Can't tell between the cops& the robbers They both partners they all heartless with no conscience , back streets stay darkened where unbelievers' hearts stay hardened My eagle talons stay sharpened

@MrNegatron76

8 жыл бұрын

Channicia Parrish these points have never been sharper than they are now. Stay awake to the ways of the world.

Best song on the album. But more importantly. ONE OF THE BEST TRACK EVER WRITTEN.

Absolutely insane hook, so creative. Rappers don't use this level of brain power anymore.

I took an introduction to poetry class in college and played this in front of the whole class start to finish 👊

@kwamestamps35

4 жыл бұрын

What was their reaction?

@obinator9065

4 жыл бұрын

@@kwamestamps35 they all started clapping. Can confirm, I was there. r/thatHappened

@UNDERGROUNDskateco

4 жыл бұрын

@@kwamestamps35 It went over the majority of people's heads, looking back I should have played the lyric video but I didnt think to do that lol

@NardoC64

4 жыл бұрын

@@UNDERGROUNDskateco or... Maybe you should have read the lyrics, then played the song. Anyway, I completely understand it soaring over their heads. Easily. Kudos to you for trying.

@yvettetaylor1323

3 жыл бұрын

Even if it went over their head at the time, I bet they still listen to it now 👊

“This shiny apple is bruised but sweet, and if you choose to eat, you could lose your teeth.” In a song full of highly skilled poetry this one line outshines the rest. The apple is New York City, the “Big Apple”. The profit motive underlying city life is enticing (shiny, sweet) but whether you pursue via Wall Street (Manhattan) or Main Street (Brooklyn) you have to be a “gangster of Gotham” to succeed (the game is bruised, ie unhealthy for you), and it’s high stakes (lose your teeth). Eat the forbidden fruit (the shiny apple) and die like Adam and Eve who committed the original sin of greed. Of course the actual original sin in Gen 3 was wanting to become like gods. But Mos can be forgiven for a little artistic license.

@shaunmc013

2 жыл бұрын

Commons first line gives it competition though… but I feel you… he’s talking about gentrification

@SeanDot

2 жыл бұрын

@@tasjaki Mostly science, history, world religions, philosophy. Book cases are the household shrine.

@sohaylmusic

2 жыл бұрын

@@SeanDot can you suggest some good philosophy books or history or wherever you get your knowledge from

@enemdes3735

2 жыл бұрын

@@sohaylmusic you get your knowledge from your own mind

@sohaylmusic

2 жыл бұрын

@@enemdes3735 omygod did u really just say that🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

One of my top albums of all times. They got so slept on at the time because of all the Bling Bling Rap going on...but real heads knew.

Purity....this is a "young/hungry" God MC Talib Kweli....with the man that I've always said that he is the "literal" face of "Real Hip-Hop" 🎤🎷🪘🥁🎻🎺🎸🎉 Mighty Mos Def....and the greatest/most poetic, Brotha Common, showing the Aliens, from the depths of space, what "Conscious Rap/Real Hip-Hop" truly is = WE HAVE TO SHOW THEM ( the Aliens 👽🤙💯 ) THIS VIDEO FIRST....BEST RAP VIDEO/SONG EVER = Gone....

i like how all the best 90s rap videos are in black and white

@vincentb4659

5 жыл бұрын

G

@raelockletree3858

5 жыл бұрын

jordan archuleta Hell yeah lol

@BUSTARBEAT

5 жыл бұрын

Brenda's got a baby

@abdullahabdussaheb3152

5 жыл бұрын

jordan archuleta passing me by - the pharcyde

@elmalanmalan2175

5 жыл бұрын

not all are black and white

this is lyrically the strongest rap song I’ve ever heard EDIT: Mural by Lupe Fiasco takes number 1 spot actually

@1995yuda

5 жыл бұрын

Listen to the Album Liquid Swords by GZA. That said, Mos Def's verse here is untouchable.

@bardistass

4 жыл бұрын

Modern rappers pen game just doesnt even come close..... Mos Defs first verse is a fucking masterpiece

@KomenCents

4 жыл бұрын

Are you a youngster who just realised this stuff exists?

@nikkil_99

4 жыл бұрын

@@KomenCents I found this song on Hip Hop Evolution (amazing series on netflix) and I've been listening to these artists nonstop for weeks. I'm ashamed to say a year ago I didn't know this song existed. Truly amazing, lyrically, musically, it's a masterpiece.

@1995yuda

4 жыл бұрын

@@nikkil_99 Glad to have ya buddy

"Tried to call or at least beep the Lord but didn't have a touch tone." "It's a dog eat dog world, you gotta mush on."

El Hip Hop vivirá mientras sigamos escuchando estas obras musicales callejeras. Saludos desde Chile hermanos!

This was the very first mp3 I downloaded off of Napster. Believe that.

@alltrue8217

3 жыл бұрын

Props, OG!

@chanellee6034

3 жыл бұрын

That's what's up!

Mos Def killed this

@edub9930

3 жыл бұрын

Mos aint dropped a wack verse his entire life. He couldnt even if he tried

I’m 41 years young , this my era young bucks

@ryutheocean4334

3 ай бұрын

Ol “you don’t know nun bout this young blood.” head ass 💀😭🤣 but nah tho this so refreshing!!!

So much on my mind, I just can't recline Blastin' holes in the night 'til she bled sunshine Breathe in - inhale vapors from bright stars that shine Breathe out - weed smoke retrace the skyline

The beat on this track is honestly top 3 beats of all time. Not only does it sound amazing, but it fits in with the narrative. The voicing of the 2 guitar chords sound with they're breathing in and out, which plays into the concept of the song about a living, breathing city. Pure perfection.

@FakefulandDisgracedSlaveClass

Жыл бұрын

Amazing production no doubt. It has a very melancholy and vintage feel to it.

@stephgel

Жыл бұрын

Hi-Tek produced it

@jessicamusto5426

6 ай бұрын

Fucken editeddddd .. junkkkk

@rufusdaniel1578

3 ай бұрын

Well said, it's hard to put words on the real, like this #speachless

@j-r-hill

3 ай бұрын

Less is more, this beat is a masterpiece

The location where Talib Kweli is walking on 2:15 is the Black Lady Theater on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. You can barely see in the video the mural of a white guy shooting lasers into the eyes of a black man. That mural is still there today.

@oofogman420oo2

4 жыл бұрын

Cool man i eat ass also!!!

Poetry rap hits different

Axiom - so much on my mind is why I'm here. I knew it was the mighty mos they sampled on that track

Top 5 track of all time

Thumbing this down is true blasphemy. Top 10 songs ever created.

@glitchripple369

9 жыл бұрын

Very true!!

@tommypearson9260

9 жыл бұрын

Thomas Mudrick Kalapuya soul Me being a True West Coast Hiphop person I can say this is one of the Baddest Tracks i ever heard especially getting Blown on some good Greens

One of the greatest songs of all time …. Still here is 23

90s was the greatest decade for rap. So much competition back then.

Blackstar, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Nas, Gang Starr, Pete Rock and C.L Smooth, Rakim, J Cole and Logic all my favorite artists to listen to. Edit: Yall got me shaking my head in these comments lol. To each their own. Just to name others that didn't make the insanely long list. Kendrick, Tupac, Biggie, T.I., Lupe, Tech 9, Drake, Nipsey, Joey Badass, Kid Cudi, Mac Miller, Wiz and the list just keeps going, we all got our shit we rock with or don't.

@Tomanna

7 жыл бұрын

FuzzyFruits you haven't listened to enough rappers then

@FuzzyFruits

7 жыл бұрын

Free Nation Rebel Soldier I can't name them all, but I've listened to plenty! that's just the common names I listen to more frequently

@Tomanna

7 жыл бұрын

FuzzyFruits you need some Souls of Mischief though

@FuzzyFruits

7 жыл бұрын

Free Nation Rebel Soldier 93 till infinity, maaan kill all that wack shit!!

@TheTelevisionRobot

7 жыл бұрын

dude, listen to wu tang clan, they're rad

Word, common said, "surrounded by hate, yet I love home." Deep bars 🔥🔥🔥🔥

What a masterpiece this track is.

I'm born after the 90's and still realize that this is actual music. Commons' verse is dope af, whole song just flawless.🔥