Mos Def appeared via hologram.

via rr

Curren$y – The Day ft. Mos Def & Jay Electronica

via tumblin ‘erb

Crazy Legs mentioned his participation in this film during the Panel Discussion on Latinos in Hip-Hop back in Feb. It’s funny ’cause when he first walked on stage his Red Bull cap was standing out to me. Later on in the night he revealed them (Red Bull Media House) to be a sponsor of the project. The film tells the story of Breakdance Project Uganda, which aims to help the youth of that war torn region to overcome hardships through a focus on hip-hop and dance. It follows Abramz, the founder, and Crazy Legs as they travel and participate in workshops. Narrated by Common and features interviews with Mos Def, Will-I-Am, and K’Naan. Directed by Nabil Elderkin. Full synopsis after the jump.

FILM SYNOPSIS

Uganda has been called one of the worst places on earth to be a child. In the South, children face the threat of poverty and disease. In the North, these threats are enflamed by a brutal, mindless war inflicted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (L.R.A.) that has divided families, displaced millions, and led to the abduction and mutilation of tens of thousands of children resulting in the deterioration of identity and culture.

Bouncing Cats is the inspiring story of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of
Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdance. In 2006, Abraham “Abramz” Tekya, a Ugandan b-boy and A.I.D.S. orphan created Breakdance Project Uganda (B.P.U.). The dream was to establish a free workshop that would empower, rehabilitate and heal the community by teaching youth about b-boy culture. Based in Kampala, Uganda, B.P.U. has recently expanded to include permanent classes in Gulu, Northern Uganda. Abramz teaches classes three times a week to more than 300 kids from all parts of the country. Many of the children are homeless, victims of war and poverty, and few can afford proper schooling yet they walk from miles away to attend the B.P.U. classes. As Abramz says, “This is where many people’s pride is. It’s a skill that no one can take away from us.”

Crazy Legs, one of the founding members of the seminal Rock Steady Crew visited Uganda after receiving an invitation from Abramz to teach b-boy classes. What he discovered upon his arrival was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Traveling throughout Uganda, from the southern slums to the war-torn North, Crazy Legs encountered a passion for hip-hop and desire to learn amongst the most squalid conditions.

Bouncing Cats follows Abramz, Crazy Legs, and Breakdance Project Uganda on a journey to use hip-hop culture for positive social change. The film features narration by Common and interviews with Mos Def, Will-I-Am, and K’Naan.

via sc73

via OnSmash

Mos Def and Jim Jones – Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)

via hhc

According to director Daniel Hastings, this is Mos Def’s first video appearance. How many of y’all would have guessed Body Rock?

Black Star – Definition

Somewhere on Flatbush Ave Circa 1998 . . .

Dead Prez – The Root Of All Evil

Anyone have a copy of the Loud ’97 “Set Up Tape” this song is from?

Raekwon – New Wu (Dirty Version) ft. Wu-Tang Clan

Back from the slums, 12 years after shooting the pics for the Purple Tape’s cover art.

Peace to Jeremy Mack.

via WSHH and LunchBoxBeats

Part of the Ecstatic Tour kicking off soon. I saw Mos Def perform at the Black Star show and he was alright. I’m only really there to see Jay Electronica rock anyway. link

The duo of Mos Def & Talib Kweli, also known as Black Star, will be performing live later this month in NYC. A lot of cats will disagree with me but I thought their self-titled album was the pinnacle of both their musical careers. I was disappointed with the follow-ups: “Black on Both Sides” and the Reflection Eternal album. Who agrees? link for 7pm show, link for 11:30pm show

NOKIA Theatre Times Square
1515 Broadway at W. 44th Street
New York, NY 10036

I’m almost feeling this.

Peace to Tunji for the look. Link

Here’s the trailer for “Let’s Get Free: The Black August Hip Hop Project,” featuring performance and interview footage from Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, dead prez and more.

The Black August Hip Hop Project strives to promote human rights though supporting and influencing the global development of Hip Hop culture. By facilitating exchanges between international communities where Hip Hop is a vital part of youth culture, they promote awareness about the social and political issues that affect our global communities. Their vision is to bring culture and politics together and to allow them to naturally evolve into a unique Hip Hop consciousness that informs our collective struggle for a more just, equitable and human world. This film documents the movement through a series of interviews and performances with hip hop artists and key members of the black activist movement.

Peace to Kinetik Cinematix.

Peep the rest @ FMWJ

previously:
Mos Def Performs Jay Electronica’s “Act 1: Eternal Sunshine” @ Carnegie Hall / audio

Acapella @ Carnegie Hall. via FWMJ

Mos Def Performs Jay Electronica’s Second Verse From “Act 1: Eternal Sunshine”

Side A by G

Ayatollah – Coonskin
Ed209 + Imam Thug – 360 Degrees
The Roots – Rising Down ft. Mos Def, Styles P
Big Boi – Royal Flush ft. Andre 3000, Raekwon
Blueprint – The Day To Day
D-Day One – Terminal 86 (The Transition)
Carlos Nino + Lil Sci – Love, Hugs and Hip-Hop Soul
Dagha – She Left
Cee Rock (The Fury) – 16 Bar Appetizer
Islord + Zu – We Ain’t Playin
Craig G + Marley Marl – Made The Change
Krs-One – Self Construction ft. Nelly, Styles P, Redman, Game, Ne-Yo, Method Man, Busta Rhymes

Side B by CV

Gurp City – for the weasels
Kool Keith – tight pants with the skinny legs
Serengeti – wallet and keys
Isaiah + Dj Signify snippet
Pop Da Brown Hornet – love yall miss yall
Mischkas World – monkey on the run (cv mix)
Prodigy – when i see you
Keith Murray – Pen Life
Roughneck Jihad – No Emotion No Lotion
Mike Chavarria + Mr. Porter – 4US
Al Green – Standing in the Rain

Rock The Bells last year was an utter nightmare for me. Most of the sets sucked. The crowds were unbearable. And it rained ALL day. That being said, I might have to hit this up just to see A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde hit the stage. As always with these type of events, some artists are only playing select dates. more info

Saturday – July 19th – Chicago, IL – Venue To be Announced

Sunday – July 20th – Toronto, ON, Cananda – Venue To be Announced

Saturday – July 26th – Boston, MA – Venue To be Announced

Sunday – July 27th – New York, NY – Venue To be Announced

Saturday – August 2nd – Miami, FL – Venue To be Announced

Sunday – August 3rd – Philadelphia, PA – Venue To be Announced

Saturday – August 9th – Venue To be Announced

Saturday – August 16th – San Francisco, CA – Venue To be Announced

Saturday – August 23rd – Denver, CO – Venue To be Announced

Saturday – August 30th – Vancouver, BC Canada – Venue To be Announced

previously:
Mos Def & Jay Electronica in NYC