Mos Def

Dante Terrell Smith (born December 11, 1973)[4] is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor known by the stage name Mos Def. Mos Def started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. He formed the duo Black Star with Talib Kweli and they released the well-received album Black Star in 1998. He was a major force in the late 1990s underground hip hop explosion spearheaded by Rawkus Records. As a solo artist he has released three albums Black on Both Sides (1999) The New Danger (2004), and True Magic (2006).[4]

Mos Def
Def performing at the 2012 Ilosaarirock festival
Def performing at the 2012 Ilosaarirock festival
Background information
Birth nameDante Terrell Smith
Also known as
  • Yasiin Bey
  • Black Dante
  • Dante Beze
  • Flaco
  • El-Bey the Moor
Born (1973-12-11) December 11, 1973
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • actor
  • activist
Instruments
Years active1994–present
Labels
Member ofBlack Star
Formerly of
  • Crooklyn Dodgers
  • Dec 99th
  • Soulquarians

Filmography

YearMovieRoleNotes
1991The Hard WayDead Romeos Gang Member
1997GhostsTownsperson
1998Where's Marlowe?Wilt Crawley
2000Freestyle: The Art of RhymeHimself
BamboozledBig Blak AfrikaAlso recorded a song for the movie's soundtrack with other members of the Mau Maus
Island of the DeadRobbie J
2001Carmen: A Hip HoperaLieutenant Miller
Monster's BallRyrus Cooper
2002ShowtimeLazy Boy
Civil BrandMichael Meadows
Brown SugarChris Anton Vichon
My Wife and KidsTommy1 episode: Chair Man of the Board
2003The Italian JobLeft Ear
2004The WoodsmanDetective Lucas
Something the Lord MadeVivien ThomasNominated - Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Nominated - Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Nominated - Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Mini-Series or Television Movie
2005Lackawanna BluesThe Bandleader
The Boondocks (2005-2008) Voice Of Gangstalicious
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyFord Prefect
2006Dave Chappelle's Block PartyHimself
16 BlocksEddie Bunker
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky BobbyHimselfCameo
Journey to the End of the NightWemba
2007Prince Among SlavesNarrator
2008Be Kind RewindMike
Cadillac RecordsChuck Berry
2009Next Day AirEric
HouseLeeSeason 5, Episode 19, Locked In
2010I'm Still HereHimself
Bouncing CatsHimself
Yo Gabba Gabba!Super Mr. SuperheroSeason 3, Episode 44, Superhero
2011DexterBrother SamSeason 6, recurring, (credited as "Mos" in 2 episodes, "yasiin bey" in 3 episodes)
2014Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesBaxter Stockman
Life of CrimeOrdell Robbie

References

  1. Reese, Eric (2018). "Rise of Hip-Hop in the 2000's". The History of Hip Hop: Volume 1. Barnes & Noble Press. ISBN 9781538076798.
  2. Johnson, Josh (May 27, 2014). "Steal This Track from Courier GT". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  3. O'Connor, Christopher (March 29, 2000). "Common Moves Toward a Progressive Hip-Hop". MTV News. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  4. allmusic Biography

Other websites


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.