Black Star (album)
|
|
Missing image
MosDef&TalibKweliBlackStar.jpg
Album cover
MosDef&TalibKweliBlackStar.jpg
Album cover
Black Star is the self-titled debut for the pairing of alternative rappers Talib Kweli and Mos Def, released on August 26, 1998 (see 1998 in music). The title is a reference to a shipping line founded by Pan-Africanist Marcus Garvey. Black Star deals with modern day issues, thinkings, and life in Brooklyn as these two know it. They are well adept to rapping any style they choose, from revolving around one theme [Astronomy (8th Light) revolves around the color of black] to party rapping (B Boys Will B Boys).
Track listing
- Intro - 1:11
- "Astronomy (8th Light)" - 3:23
- "Definition" - 3:26
- "Re: Definition" - 3:02
- "Children's Story" - 3:32
- "Brown Skin Lady" - 5:46
- "B Boys Will B Boys" - 2:36
- "K. O. S. (Determination)" - 4:49
- "Hater Players" - 4:08
- "Yo Yeah" - 1:10
- "Respiration" - 6:05
- "Thieves in the Night" - 5:16
- "Twice Inna Lifetime" - 5:38
Personnel
- Hi-Tek - Producer, Cut, Crowd Noise
- Weldon Irvine - Keyboards, Performer
- Jim Godsey - Engineer
- Charlie Mack - Engineer
- Kieran Walsh - Engineer, Mixing
- Vinia Mojica - Performer
- DJ Evil Dee - Cut
- Jane Doe - Performer
- Rick St. Hillaire - Mixing
- Steve Souder - Mixing
- Chris Athens - Mastering
- Ken "Duro" Ifle - Mixing
- Eddie Otchere-Dhagren - Photography
- Vaughn Sessions - Engineer
- Mr. Walt - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
- Success - Engineer
- Brent Rollins - Artwork, Cover Art
- Mos Def - Fender Rhodes
- Black Star - Artwork, Art Direction
- Talib Kweli - Producer, Performer
- Marcus Garvey - Photography
- 88 Keys - Producer
- Pat Viola - Engineer
- Jake Septimus - Photography
- Tasleem - Photography
- Richard Mason - Crowd Noise
- J. Rawls - Producer
Chart positions
Billboard Music Charts (North America) - album
1998 The Billboard 200 No. 53 1998 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 13
Billboard (North America) - singles
1998 Definition Hot Rap Singles No. 3 1998 Definition Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 31 1998 Definition The Billboard Hot 100 No. 60 1999 Respiration Hot Rap Singles No. 6 1999 Respiration Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 54