| Mos Def | Primary Artist, Bass, Percussion, Conga, Drums, Keyboards, Vibes |
| Weldon Irvine | Piano, Keyboards |
| Busta Rhymes | Track Performer |
| Vinia Mojica | Vocals |
| Mathias Q-Tip | Track Performer |
| Talib Kweli | Track Performer |
| Johnny Why | Guitar |
| Weldon Irvine | Arranger, Producer, String Arrangements |
| The Beatnuts | Producer |
| Diamond D | Producer |
| DJ Premier | Producer |
| David Kennedy | Producer, Engineer |
| Ali Shaheed Muhammad | Producer |
| Mos Def | Producer, Executive Producer |
| 88-Keys | Producer |
| Etch-A-Sketch | Producer |
| Shaka | Executive Producer |
| Psycho Les | Producer |
| Johnny Why | Engineer |
| Ayatollah | Producer |
| Ge-ology | Producer |
Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
Mos def is definitely one of the best mcees in hip hop today. He goes from hip hop to jazz and he not only raps, but sings (Charlie Hunter : Analog playground). I recently saw the documentary - Freestyle: The Art of Ryhme (check it out) and he tore it up in a couple spots. I know this is about Mos Def's cd, but if you haven't already heard anything from Gift Of Gab, check him out too. As much as I like Mos Def, I thik Gift Of Gab is the best mcee out right now. Gift Of Gab and Cheif Excel make up Blackalicious. Pick up any of their cd's including Gift Of Gab's solo album 4th dimensional Rocket Ships Going Up and you will not be dissapointed I promise. If your tired of the garbage coming out of mcees mouth's nowadays (which I'm sure you are if your reading this) check out the Gift Of Gab's spiritaully consious flows that will keep you wondering how he does it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
This CD is definitely worth picking up. I can't say it blew my socks off or anything. Mos Def is definitely on with his rhyme skills, but I think his production could be better. This CD gets better as it goes along. I would be happy if Do It Now w/ Busta Rhymes wasn't on the CD. Most of the tracks are good. I guess I'm just a little dissapointed when every track isn't as good as the previous. Mos Def's new CD sound interesting b/c he's experimenting with live instruments, and not just relying on some generic beat loop.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
I went to college with this girl who was like one of the deepest hip-hop headz I'd ever met in my life. She used to be so disgusted with me because I enjoyed commercial hip-hop as much as I enjoyed underground hip-hop. But after I started writing for an underground hip-hop magazine, I realized why she was so frustrated with me. The lyric scheme, the themes, the style, and the presence of underground artists are EXTREMELY different. It's strange to me to actually turn my base down and actually listen to the lyrics that the rapper is spitting cause I usually just listen to beats and block them out. But as I learned from Def Poetry Jam, the lyrics really do matter. I knew it, I just ignored it. I used to believe that people are mad at Eminem for succeeding as a rapper, but if more lyricists paid attention to what they said and had a POINT, they may get more respect. But...on that same note...Mos Def is definitely underrated and he's lyrically equal to Eminem. Rakim and Talib Kweli are on the same note of being underrated because I turned the base OFF just to listen to them. I loved every track on here and I knew I would just because I enjoyed him so much on Def Poetry and the girl from college tried to shove his lyrics down my throat. She was his biggest fan and I see why.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
So now I see the light. From the cover with Mos' close-up to the last drop of music, this is dope. There isn't a song you have to skip, and he gives you something to chew on, or dance to. I love that the man can manage to drop so much philosophy and not bore you. From "UMI SAYS" to "NEW WORLD WATER" to "MR.NIGGA" to "MATHEMATICS" he narrates ideas we can all relate to, and have all pondered at one point in time. When an artist like Mos Def drops an album, don't hesitate to buy it, because another one like him may not appear. Love.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
Just when you thought the influence of the native tongue era was on it's way out Mos Def grabs a hold of it and has became a major front runner in ushering the style for the new millenium. He delivers an album that tests the limits of the standard hip hop album. He sings(sometimes! and it only adds to his creativity), flows to a production team that matches his efforts greatly and lyrically provides some of the most thought provoking, complex yet not too complex bars not seen or heard in a while. He should have won New Artist of the Year at the 2000 Source Awards. In the end no matter how you look at it 'Black on both sides' leaves nothing to doubt about what this artist wants to deliver. If anything else Mos Def should be well respected for his efforts in attempting to get into the minds of hip hop's listeners and making ALL of us aware of the wrongful murders and brutality experienced by so many of minorites nation and world wide. Respect Due.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
Being a baby in tha hip hop world I don't claim to kno anything but, i do kno that this cd is off tha hook. i am a 25 y/o female and i am now and forever a fan of this dude. Tha trax is all that and then some and i would buy it again.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
This is by far a must-own album. Mos creates music and lyrics that talk to the soul and the mind. He combines hip hop, soul and even a little rock and roll on a CD that everyone should own.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
Mos Def is looking to take this hip hop thing to the next level. This album is very original. Mos Def does a little bit of everything on this album. People tend to compare Mos to a young Q Tip but Mos Def has his own sound and it doesn't sound like Q Tip. Cop this album and like everybody else I know who copped it you'll be satisfied.
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Posted October 1, 2010
this album is across between the harlem renaissance and the second comming of black thought. mos def continues the linage of the native tonuges thru deep wise rapp and witty punch lines that makes the listener think to the wisdom droped by the god. on tapp with social issues mos just is to def for the main stream to hear.
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Editorial Reviews
Barnes & Noble - Chairman Mao
On his impressive debut solo endeavor, Brooklyn's mighty Mos Def delivers the album most true school hip-hop fanatics have patiently awaited since the original Native Tongues collective stopped speaking. BLACK ON BOTH SIDES is at once thoughtful the anthemic "Hip Hop", playful the Slick Rick-meets-Wu-Tang-flavored "Ms. Fat Booty", and righteously indignant "New World Water," "Mr. Nigga" featuring Q-Tip. Unlike Mos's spotty Black Star longplayer from last year, this time around the mindspray is supported by consistently strong musical choices and excellent production from the likes of Diamond D, The Beatnuts, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and the always dependable DJ Premier. ...