In 1998, Black Star released Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star. The record has an important place in the history of hiphop. It inaugurates hiphop’s underground. Before this record, hiphop is one. After this record, hiphop is two, the mainstream and the underground, Jay-Z and Talib Kweli. The words of Jay-Z: “If skills sold, truth be told, I’d probably be, lyrically, Talib Kweli.” Skills did not sell. Skills were banished to the underground. The tracks (“Respiration,” “Astronomy [8th Light],” “B Boys Will B Boys”) on Black Star are all about skills on the mic and MPC. Tonight Kweli and Def (the latter of whom will change his name to Yasiin Bey in 2012) bring Black Star back to life before your very eyes. (Showbox Sodo, 1700 First Ave S, www.showboxonline.com/sodo, 8 pm, $35, all ages)
Charles Mudede—who writes about film, books, music, and his life in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, the USA, and the UK for The Stranger—was born near a steel plant in Kwe Kwe, Zimbabwe. He has no memory... More by Charles Mudede
Not a cheap ticket, but it’ll be worth every damn penny, guaranteed. These two together are a force to be reckoned with, especially live!