Blackstar also includes Hi-tek the producer. Least that’s how I saw it, as Reflection Eternal was also him and Talib. Mos def imagery in this track is one of the greatest poetic rap verses ever.
Because most dudes don't want to be him and most females don't want to sleep with him. It's been an issue with all intellectual male rappers who "haven't been hood enough" (which has essentially meant rapping about drugs and/or violence).
This! I love this comment, and in my situation I am the Dad who grew up with all of this hip hop now teaching this to my 15year old. He is teaching me the music he likes. Music is so important.
"This is Hip Hop, This is Hip Hop". Your dad has come a long way by showing him all the classic hip hop. This is the best father son music channel. Kai you have great taste and it's amazing to see your dad become a fan of hip hop like this.
The Blackstar album is one of my top ten all time favorites of any genre. It’s a timeless classic that always feels fresh no matter how many times you’ve heard it. Absolute masterpiece.
Mos Def in my opinion is the closest to being the definition of Hip-Hop in one emcee. He's done it all, and can do it all. From lyrics to choruses, to delivery, freestyle, cyphers, underground and commercial, singing. EVERYTHING.
Gotta listen to the whole black star. Put your dad on rawkus records. These guys have all been rapping together since they were kids. Hi tek and kweli are a group as well.
If you guys wondered what the intro was talking about it’s cut from the first documentary on graffiti in the 70s and 80s New York called Style Wars. Skeme is talking about the train he had painted the night before
I lost my twin brother recently, and this album held a special place for both of us. 'Thieves In The Night' probably being the favorite track, but 'Respiration' is also great (check out the remix as well). We both bonded over this channel as well...love the relationship you guys have and the music you select! I'd definitely recommend more Talib reactions! 'Good Mourning', 'Ghetto Show' (feat Common), 'The Blast' (have you already reacted to that?), etc... are all great places to start.
@@frontroom Thank you! Good memories are definitely keeping me going, as well as the little things (like your channel and the reactions to music we also love). A few weeks ago my mom was listening to her old CDs, and among them was a blank one she threw on assuming it was a mix of her music. It happened to be an old Talib Kweli mix my brother must've made years ago...needless to say, she randomly became a fan (and she's not into hip-hop at all). I wish you guys and this channel much success! It means a lot to a lot of people.
Lost my bro a couple years ago and Thieves in the Night was one of our tracks. I took him to see Mos and Talib when we were younger and those shows altered our DNA. Peace to you and yours.
@@Randhyll_Cho What a great memory to have seen Talib and Mos Def with him. It's a two-sided coin to lose someone you share so much with...your closeness makes the loss that much stronger, but you feel grateful to have ever had someone like that in your life to begin with. I'm sorry for your loss, and I appreciate the kind words!
When my nephew was in 9th grade (in 03) his English teacher took his rhyme book and told him he shouldn't me listening to rap. I sent her a copy of Hater Players from BlackStar. She gave him his book back and thanked me. 🙂 Anyone who loves words/poetry/literature should love BlackStar.
That is pretty amazing, I can see you passing on the words without saying them, make it self explanatory. The best part is opening her eyes and ears to the struggle and poetry.
This song belongs in a museum as an example of what TRUE HIP-HOP is supposed to be. The combination of poetry always gives me goosebumps every time i listen to this track. 🔥🔥🔥
Definitely one of my favorite tracks of all time. Of course this albums is littered with gems. Thieves N Da Night is one I could listen to all day. I was introduced to this album back in 2000. I may have listened to it, without skipping, more than 1000 times.
just an fyi, "the beast" is slang for police and "ghetto bird" is slang for police helicopter... as always, great video and i love seeing the interaction you guys have as father and son and i appreciate how much of a hip hop connoisseur your dad has become! Great taste in music for both of you!
Dude I’m 54 so I still have this cd I remember when this came out I worked about 30 mins away from where I use to live and I use to just bump this every day on the way to work and back. Good shit🔥🔥🔥🔥
“…make the bread leaven”=literally bread rising, but also making money… bread being money… great double entendre “Hard knuckles on the second(2nd) hands of working class watches” is my favorite one on this track tho… meaning second hands on a watch, but then also 2nd hand, like handed down… real hiphop is the realest
I’ve said it before, I’m so envious and of the bond you two have. My dad was a jazz musician and he indulged me at every turn with my introducing him to wha I was listening to. Hours upon hours of wonderful memories. Love that your dad has become such a hip-hop head! ✌🏽❤
Lyrical Hip-Hop again! Thank you!! Just thought I'd add that "the beast" represents the criminal justice system (cops/ judges/court/jail/prison, etc.)... In this example, the police, and how they radio communicate (chirp) to the "ghetto bird" which is the police helicopter.
@frontroom Yeah, Ice Cube has a West Coast classic titled "Ghetto Bird", and the beast is referenced in countless Hip-Hop songs like The Fugees track "The Beast".
@@frontroom The beast, in this context, is police. So picture police creeping through the hood, communicating with police helicopters overheard and the fear they instill in some neighborhoods.
@@frontroomThe ”Beast” in this scenario, refers to the cops on their beat. Old school good walked through their assigned neighborhood, known as a best. The ” plunger” refers to the infamous crimes committed against an immigrant by an officer of the 72nd Precinct. Where a police officer savagely sodomized a man who was a Hatian immigrant, with a plunger from the police bathroom. There's so much NYC history in their music, that we can sometimes forget everyone doesn't know.
You get me on every video.. Here is it the smile on sons face when beat starts.. To show his Dad one of all time great songs.. Not many tracks are that good.. 93 til infinity.. is one of them also
One of my favorite songs of all time! I can't choose a favorite couplet, but Mos' verse is impeccable. The vivid imagery, his flow and inflections, just everything about his verse is amazing. Great reaction! I especially appreciated your breakdown of the 'seconds hands of working class' line. I've listened to this song a million and one times and you brought new imagery to that line for me! Cheers!!
This is one of my all time favorites that I consistently listen to. I appreciate how Dad almost immediately knew this track was special. I have a similar musical relationship with my dad and love your channel. Greetings from Victoria.
YESSSSSSS SO GLAD YOU DID THIS ONE!! Easily my favorite Hip Hop 🙌 song of all time and I consider it probably the Best Rap song of all time! ❤ great video
@frontroom Thanks for making these videos, really inspiring for me to try to get closer with my Dad too as we always bonded over music 🎶 Great channel 👍 👏 You and Kai are dope!
The woman is singing, "Listen, the city is breathing." If you've been here, you know NYC has its own pulse, its own contained world. I'm sure other large, culturally cities have similar pulses. It almost feels like the city is alive, fueled by the energy of 8 million of us. Also, the intro is from Wild Style, a must watch movie for any and all hip hop heads (even if graffiti isn't your thing). Edit: Also, the "plungers" line - and someone can correct me if I'm wrong - talks about taking risks and succumbing to prison/death, which are too often the outcomes in some areas. More specifically, the "painted by numbers" line I believe is alluding to people succumbing to outcomes that the system, e.g., poverty, etc., can lead people to. It's a theme he used throughout the verse.
It’s so exciting to see your Dads response. I felt the same way when I first heard that Album. That is a HIP Hop treasure. That whole album is flawless. It needs to be put in the HIp Hop museum in New York
Respiration is such an amazing and beautiful song. Great reaction! BTW.. A GHETTO BIRD is a police chopper 🚁 The beast (police) communicates with it while it's in the air.
I am new to your channel and I absolutely love the interaction between you two! I love the light in both of you as you read through these lyrics! You’ve got yourself a new follower for sure
I remember Listening to this in my car my first 1965 Buick riviera. I used to bump that all the time. Now , when I hear songs like this I wonder How did we go from this to mumble rap. And I almost start to cry.😢
I think the "sigh before it died" also refers to the "hiss" sound a train makes after coming to a stop and releasing the pressure from the brakes...just a guess, but it's what I've always thought of
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. A couple things wanted to share, not sure if you caught Mos Def - Starts the song with a challenge to himself to come up with a description worthy of capturing the city's existence. "I'm wrestling with words and ideas, my ears is picky, seeking what will transmit, the scribes can apply to transcript". Then near the end he proclaims that "my narrative rose to explain this existence" - I would agree, pure poetry Talib Kwali - Correct his verses usually take more work to appreciate. But there was some slick wordplay that I really enjoyed. When he starts talking about getting "murdered over a glare", the next couple lines but specifically the line "killers born naturally like micky and mallory" is a play on the movie Natural Born Killers where the two main characters are Micky and Mallory. Not very complicated but very slick I thought.
I love Pops rocking the hoodie. We need to get him a fitted cap collection! And yes, Mos is in his prime here. All of them are. But the kine was "swearing you got pull where the only pull youve got is the wool over your eyes"
click here to watch reactions Big Pun, Raekwon, Lupe Fiasco, etc: www.patreon.com/collection/414865
You guys are always on point with these classics.
Blackstar also includes Hi-tek the producer. Least that’s how I saw it, as Reflection Eternal was also him and Talib. Mos def imagery in this track is one of the greatest poetic rap verses ever.
@@bobbydeazy I don't think so, Black Star had production from a few different people.
@@prolifik5 this is true just mostly hi tek.
Please do Talibs Reflection Eternal Album!
Mos Def is one of my favorite lyricist of all time, and he doesn't get the flowers he deserves
Because most dudes don't want to be him and most females don't want to sleep with him. It's been an issue with all intellectual male rappers who "haven't been hood enough" (which has essentially meant rapping about drugs and/or violence).
💯💯
Amen
@@loki2240 fr
Facts
It's awesome how you turned your Dad into a Hip-hop head. Awesome way to bond
Dad's face when the beat dropped! He's a true head.
"THIIIIS is Hip-Hop!" brought so much joy to me to hear. You and Dad get it
Traded the New Balance for a pair of Timbs!
This is something I tried and failed to do in 1998
This! I love this comment, and in my situation I am the Dad who grew up with all of this hip hop now teaching this to my 15year old. He is teaching me the music he likes. Music is so important.
Mos is a LYRICAL MASTERMIND!!! "Blastin' holes in the night til she bled sunshine" 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The visual is insane😭😭🔥🔥🔥
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
"This is Hip Hop, This is Hip Hop". Your dad has come a long way by showing him all the classic hip hop. This is the best father son music channel. Kai you have great taste and it's amazing to see your dad become a fan of hip hop like this.
Serious chills watching your Dad experience this moment. Took me back.
The Blackstar album is one of my top ten all time favorites of any genre. It’s a timeless classic that always feels fresh no matter how many times you’ve heard it. Absolute masterpiece.
Facts brother
Facts
Putting dad on to one of the best songs in HISTORY 🔥🔥🔥❤
Mos Def in my opinion is the closest to being the definition of Hip-Hop in one emcee. He's done it all, and can do it all. From lyrics to choruses, to delivery, freestyle, cyphers, underground and commercial, singing. EVERYTHING.
thats a fact
Scientifically speaking, this is true.
Gotta listen to the whole black star. Put your dad on rawkus records. These guys have all been rapping together since they were kids. Hi tek and kweli are a group as well.
Reflections eternal is a dope album
Kweli and Hi Tek the blast is still one of my favs to this day.
If you guys wondered what the intro was talking about it’s cut from the first documentary on graffiti in the 70s and 80s New York called Style Wars. Skeme is talking about the train he had painted the night before
Thanks for that. - Kai's dad
A lot of Skyzoo's music really gives me Mos Def vibes
Goosebumps when pops said "this is Hip-Hop!"
The look on your face while showing your dad this is the same face my brother had when he let me hear this for the first time.
I lost my twin brother recently, and this album held a special place for both of us. 'Thieves In The Night' probably being the favorite track, but 'Respiration' is also great (check out the remix as well). We both bonded over this channel as well...love the relationship you guys have and the music you select!
I'd definitely recommend more Talib reactions! 'Good Mourning', 'Ghetto Show' (feat Common), 'The Blast' (have you already reacted to that?), etc... are all great places to start.
Real sorry to hear about your brother. Hoping good thoughts of him are giving you strength. - Kai's dad
@@frontroom Thank you! Good memories are definitely keeping me going, as well as the little things (like your channel and the reactions to music we also love).
A few weeks ago my mom was listening to her old CDs, and among them was a blank one she threw on assuming it was a mix of her music. It happened to be an old Talib Kweli mix my brother must've made years ago...needless to say, she randomly became a fan (and she's not into hip-hop at all).
I wish you guys and this channel much success! It means a lot to a lot of people.
Thieves in the night might be the best hip hip track ever made..
Lost my bro a couple years ago and Thieves in the Night was one of our tracks. I took him to see Mos and Talib when we were younger and those shows altered our DNA. Peace to you and yours.
@@Randhyll_Cho What a great memory to have seen Talib and Mos Def with him. It's a two-sided coin to lose someone you share so much with...your closeness makes the loss that much stronger, but you feel grateful to have ever had someone like that in your life to begin with. I'm sorry for your loss, and I appreciate the kind words!
When my nephew was in 9th grade (in 03) his English teacher took his rhyme book and told him he shouldn't me listening to rap. I sent her a copy of Hater Players from BlackStar. She gave him his book back and thanked me. 🙂 Anyone who loves words/poetry/literature should love BlackStar.
That is pretty amazing, I can see you passing on the words without saying them, make it self explanatory. The best part is opening her eyes and ears to the struggle and poetry.
This song belongs in a museum as an example of what TRUE HIP-HOP is supposed to be. The combination of poetry always gives me goosebumps every time i listen to this track. 🔥🔥🔥
One of the best hip hop songs of all time. The feel of this song is like no other ❤
The Remix with Black Thought is ILL too!
Came here to say this! 🔥🔥🔥
Definitely one of my favorite tracks of all time. Of course this albums is littered with gems. Thieves N Da Night is one I could listen to all day. I was introduced to this album back in 2000. I may have listened to it, without skipping, more than 1000 times.
just an fyi, "the beast" is slang for police and "ghetto bird" is slang for police helicopter... as always, great video and i love seeing the interaction you guys have as father and son and i appreciate how much of a hip hop connoisseur your dad has become! Great taste in music for both of you!
One of Mos Def's greatest verses and hooks. Just pure poetry.
Dude I’m 54 so I still have this cd I remember when this came out I worked about 30 mins away from where I use to live and I use to just bump this every day on the way to work and back. Good shit🔥🔥🔥🔥
Truly one of the greatest rap songs ever. Now do the remix!!
Ur Dad is a mother F ing OG 👊 he called out common the corner song hella good 💯💯 🔥🔥 great job
Hearing Pops say This is hip hop made my year.
This is one of the pinnacles of True Lyricism. Not a single throw away bar
“…make the bread leaven”=literally bread rising, but also making money… bread being money… great double entendre
“Hard knuckles on the second(2nd) hands of working class watches” is my favorite one on this track tho… meaning second hands on a watch, but then also 2nd hand, like handed down… real hiphop is the realest
I’ve said it before, I’m so envious and of the bond you two have. My dad was a jazz musician and he indulged me at every turn with my introducing him to wha I was listening to. Hours upon hours of wonderful memories. Love that your dad has become such a hip-hop head! ✌🏽❤
Seeing your dad really listen to this music and reference related bars from other songs, man, that warms the soul bro.
Easily one of my top 5 favorite hip hop albums all time! Mos and Kweli are lyrical geniuses! Thanks for covering this one!!
This song! Have never stopped banging this one!
Lyrical Hip-Hop again! Thank you!! Just thought I'd add that "the beast" represents the criminal justice system (cops/ judges/court/jail/prison, etc.)... In this example, the police, and how they radio communicate (chirp) to the "ghetto bird" which is the police helicopter.
Thanks! Would’ve never guessed
@frontroom Yeah, Ice Cube has a West Coast classic titled "Ghetto Bird", and the beast is referenced in countless Hip-Hop songs like The Fugees track "The Beast".
@@frontroom The beast, in this context, is police. So picture police creeping through the hood, communicating with police helicopters overheard and the fear they instill in some neighborhoods.
@@frontroomThe ”Beast” in this scenario, refers to the cops on their beat. Old school good walked through their assigned neighborhood, known as a best. The ” plunger” refers to the infamous crimes committed against an immigrant by an officer of the 72nd Precinct. Where a police officer savagely sodomized a man who was a Hatian immigrant, with a plunger from the police bathroom. There's so much NYC history in their music, that we can sometimes forget everyone doesn't know.
@@GodlessG0D I was going to add KRS-One ” Sound of da Police”.. Whoop, whoop! That's the sound of the beast!
The bond you and your father have is a example of positive Father-Son relationships ! Bendiciones de cielo!!!!
One of the best hip hop album of all time imo. Great memories.
Much love from France.
You get me on every video..
Here is it the smile on sons face when beat starts..
To show his Dad one of all time great songs..
Not many tracks are that good..
93 til infinity.. is one of them also
Appreciation for music is so beautiful. It can make you shed a tear.
One of my favorite songs of all time! I can't choose a favorite couplet, but Mos' verse is impeccable. The vivid imagery, his flow and inflections, just everything about his verse is amazing. Great reaction! I especially appreciated your breakdown of the 'seconds hands of working class' line. I've listened to this song a million and one times and you brought new imagery to that line for me! Cheers!!
Thanks for watching.
This is one of my all time favorites that I consistently listen to. I appreciate how Dad almost immediately knew this track was special. I have a similar musical relationship with my dad and love your channel. Greetings from Victoria.
Great reaction, you gotta do Theives in the Night from the same Blackstar album. A masterpiece imo
Yesss!!!! ❤ this and thieves in the night are two of the best hip hop songs ever written.
Simply one of the best Hip-Hop tracks of all time
I once ran around Newark with Mos' grandfather. He was kind as he was cool.
Bro the joy when the bass hits 😆 love it
I’ve just seen talib kweli live in uk he was awesome ❤
YESSSSSSS SO GLAD YOU DID THIS ONE!! Easily my favorite Hip Hop 🙌 song of all time and I consider it probably the Best Rap song of all time! ❤ great video
Can't argue with you on that. Thanks for watching - Kai's dad
@frontroom Thanks for making these videos, really inspiring for me to try to get closer with my Dad too as we always bonded over music 🎶 Great channel 👍 👏 You and Kai are dope!
The remix of this with Black Thought is next level!!
And track by Pete Rock!! 🔥🔥
This song might be one of the greatest hip hop tracks and albums v few people appreciate!
GKMC and TPAB pls! WE'VE BEEN WAITING TOO LONG!
Your right. We need that
Yesss, please @frontroom 🙏
This song is amazing. Most def is top 5 🔥
The woman is singing, "Listen, the city is breathing." If you've been here, you know NYC has its own pulse, its own contained world. I'm sure other large, culturally cities have similar pulses. It almost feels like the city is alive, fueled by the energy of 8 million of us. Also, the intro is from Wild Style, a must watch movie for any and all hip hop heads (even if graffiti isn't your thing). Edit: Also, the "plungers" line - and someone can correct me if I'm wrong - talks about taking risks and succumbing to prison/death, which are too often the outcomes in some areas. More specifically, the "painted by numbers" line I believe is alluding to people succumbing to outcomes that the system, e.g., poverty, etc., can lead people to. It's a theme he used throughout the verse.
I love watching you both. I can tell how truly interested you are in the music and that it moves you in a way that is supposed to.
wow... cant believe you did this revolutionary rap classic.
Love this channel! Goals for my son ❤
one of the greatest songs EVER!
It’s so exciting to see your Dads response. I felt the same way when I first heard that Album. That is a HIP Hop treasure. That whole album is flawless. It needs to be put in the HIp Hop museum in New York
Glad to see someone appreciate one of my favorite songs like I do! Dope video!
Kweli is a Swahii word meaning truth.
Thieves in the Night by Black Star is my favorite song of all time. Hope you guys react to it one day 🙏
Escuchela……la ciudad respirando……..chills every time……….❤❤❤❤❤❤
I really love you guys! You truly feel and understand our music and culture
Respiration is such an amazing and beautiful song. Great reaction!
BTW.. A GHETTO BIRD is a police chopper 🚁 The beast (police) communicates with it while it's in the air.
“This is hip hop!” He felt it.
This song brings tears to my eyes every time I swear
Good selection guys…this album is nothing short of amazing
Yes it is, Pure lyricism! Putting words together and communicating on an elite level...2024 still an amazing song!
I am new to your channel and I absolutely love the interaction between you two! I love the light in both of you as you read through these lyrics! You’ve got yourself a new follower for sure
Thank you so much!
I remember
Listening to this in my car my first 1965 Buick riviera. I used to bump that all the time. Now , when I hear songs like this I wonder How did we go from this to mumble rap. And I almost start to cry.😢
@21:04 "ghetto birds" is slang for helicopters. Usually police helicopters searching for suspects in the neighborhood.
100% correct
6:05 is like he unlocked the final piece of understanding in hip hop
This is the most perfect song in hip hop history.
Yayyyyyyyyy! One of my favorite hiphop albums of all time!
22:01 that was Spike Lee’s 2nd movie …and its name is Do The Right Thing……His first movie is “She’s Gotta Have It” …check it out!!!
Thanks for this one, this is one of my favorite instrumentals ever as well as everybody bodied it. Escuche le ciudad respirando...
I will never forget the 1st time hearing this album. Pure genius, easily one of the best albums ever.
I smiled so hard watching this. One of my all time favorite tracks
Mos Def is your favorite rapper's favorite rapper. I had to look up the word "inscrutable" because of this guy...
One of my favorite hip hop songs ever.......
Great reaction. This is a classic for sure. This was a great time to be a hip hop fan but I guess every generation has their moment
I think the "sigh before it died" also refers to the "hiss" sound a train makes after coming to a stop and releasing the pressure from the brakes...just a guess, but it's what I've always thought of
One of the most classic Hip Hop albums of all time, in my opinion.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. A couple things wanted to share, not sure if you caught
Mos Def - Starts the song with a challenge to himself to come up with a description worthy of capturing the city's existence. "I'm wrestling with words and ideas, my ears is picky, seeking what will transmit, the scribes can apply to transcript". Then near the end he proclaims that "my narrative rose to explain this existence" - I would agree, pure poetry
Talib Kwali - Correct his verses usually take more work to appreciate. But there was some slick wordplay that I really enjoyed. When he starts talking about getting "murdered over a glare", the next couple lines but specifically the line "killers born naturally like micky and mallory" is a play on the movie Natural Born Killers where the two main characters are Micky and Mallory. Not very complicated but very slick I thought.
I truly believe that this is the greatest hip hop song ever made.
Mos Def is in my top 3-5 favorite rappers of all time - he's utterly sublime ;)
Your Dad is amazing !
"THIS is Hip Hop!" Yooooooooo!!! You're dad's a Hip Hop head!!! 🔥
Next RE:DEFINITION plz, the track where Mos Def took it up a level 🤯
Love you guys! Keep up the great work
I love how much Dad is enjoying this! "This is hip hop!" ❤❤❤
One of the best songs. Ever.
The way i was smiling waiting to see your dad's reaction to the beat drop !
plunger = the cap pushed on spray-paint can that allows the spray out
It's also a double entendre in that he's talking about Dialo who was assaulted by NYPD with a broom stick...
Y'all should do the whole album!!
The Mighty Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Common Sense.
This is one of my boyfriend's favorite songs ❤ so excited to watch this with him
Damn listening to this takes me back to college! I loved this album.
Definition is going to blow his mind lol
Finally!!! I love this album
I love your guy's break down of the lyrics
One of my top 10 favorite hip hop songs of all time !!!
I love Pops rocking the hoodie. We need to get him a fitted cap collection!
And yes, Mos is in his prime here. All of them are.
But the kine was "swearing you got pull where the only pull youve got is the wool over your eyes"
This whole shit was incredibly dope! lyrics, best wise great work right here! this is my era