In happier times… Visvim and designer Hiroki Nakamura played host last week to the label’s seasonal trunk show. With a good dose of conviction from Union Los Angeles, the location was changed from the usual fare of Tokyo to the Greater Los Angeles area, where the scope of Visvim’s popularity finally became clear. Among the friends and families, long time fans such as Mr. Bentley and Mos Def swung by for a few purchases. But the true highpoint of the moment was when Eric Clapton walked in and had an engrossing conversation with Nakamura about what else but the different elk species. Make us wonder whether Nakamura customized a few special pair just for the rock & roll legend.
Judging from the releases that have been trickling out over the past few months during Kanye’s scheduled G.O.O.D. Fridays releases, it seems that he must have tracks for days that continue to impress. In the collaborative vein of the previous releases, this week’s track features heavy-hitters Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, and Big Sean. Mos Def sings the inspirational hook over a rolling drum line sample and simple bluesy piano loop. On his verse, Lupe continues to cement his status as one of the most lyrically deft MCs, and after a sprawling instrumental portion, Big Sean finishes the track off. Once again, you can download this track direct from Kanye’s website.
Kanye West has released his newest track as a part of his G.O.O.D. Friday promise; the new song features Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, Raekwon, and Charlie Wilson and is entitled “Lord Lord Lord”. The seven and a half minute song features verses by West, Mos Def, Swizz Beatz, and Raekwon while Charlie Wilson sings on the chorus.This new collaboration track was released early this Saturday morning due to a late recording session between West and Swizz Beatz in Los Angeles, however once it made it’s way onto the internet the feedback around the new soulful song from West and his partners has been incredible. Download the “Lord Lord Lord” after the jump…
Cognito, a photographer, filmmaker, and visionist followed Mos Def for two years while Mos recorded his 2009 album, The Ecstatic, along the way he captured various candid photographs of Mos Def that will now be on display for a week in Los Angeles as a part of the Ecstatic Moments Exhibition. In addition to the exhibition, a limited edition t-shirt was also created in collaboration with Los Angeles boutique, UNION, which will be available both at UNION and via: their online store. Make sure if you’re in LA this week you check out the exhibition.
Photographer, filmmaker, visionist Cognito showcases rare performance and behind-the-scenes images captured during the two year journey of making and supporting the June 2009 release of “The Ecstatic” (Downtown Records.) This special one-week exhibition features candid photographs of Mos Def, including images from visits to the Cape of Great Hope,South Africa, performing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a powerful series of US Summer Tour “end-of-the-night posse shots” featuring such artists as Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, and even a surprise guest appearance by the legendary Shuggie Otis. Cognito has also immortalized Mos Def in bright moments from “The Ecstatic” studio sessions with producers Madlib, OH NO,Preservation & Georgia Anne Muldrow. The photographs in this exhibit, soon to be published in book format, are offered by Mos Def to his family, friends and fans in order to share the many “ecstatic moments” he experiences while creating, recording, traveling and performing around the world.
The HV8 Art + Design Gallery
661 North Spaulding Avenue | Map
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 655-4898
Mos Def tracks keep coming out long after the release of The Ecstatic. We’ve given our readers a taste of tracks like “24 Hour Karate School” and, more recently, “White Drapes.” This track, called “The Tournament” features the Mighty Mos on a track that was left off of his latest album, which is nominated for a Grammy Award. In this track, Mos raps over a sparse drum break that also uses a sample from “Theme from the Godfather” by the Professionals that recently got chopped up by the RZA on “Black Mozart” off of Raekwon’s latest album.
Mos Def is riding high right now, even without a new album to plug. With a recent star-studded show with Jay Electronica, and a Grammy nomination, Mos is staying in the game as strong as ever. This video is for a track off of Michael Sterling Eaton’s album called Mictape Vol. 1 that also features The Cool Kids, Stally, Curren$y, and more. In the moody-toned video, Mos spits out a fresh verse over a subdued, dreary synth. Keep your eyes open during the Grammy Awards ceremony to see if Brooklyn’s own, Mos Def, can take home the trophy for best hip-hop album for The Ecstatic.
Bragging rights are hard to come by. But when you have an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records, Grammy nominations and multiple platinum, you would have every legitimate right to put your hands up and say, “I’m the Most Successful Virtual Band!”. At least that’s what UK virtual band, Gorillaz, would say. The animated rock stars have returned to the music scene after a period of staying dormant, with a third studio album, Plastic Beach. While the album is due to release early in March, a preview of the album has been released on the internet in the form of their latest song, Stylo, featuring Mos Def and Bobby Womack. 2D, Murdoc, Russel and Noodle are back with heavy beats, bass, electric tunes and haunting vocals. Just like every other Gorillaz album we loved, the new tracks promises good times that makes you just want to kick back, lounge and take a mental trip with the band. Check out their latest track and stay tuned for the album release. For those who are hoping to see the band live, Gorillaz will be the headlining for Coachella’s closing night this year, so click on over to their site and grab tickets.
The Mighty Mos Def has been on a roll of late. Capped off by a Grammy nod for his album “The Ecstatic,” Mos Def has enjoyed critical success, and he keeps releasing more heat, like this track called 24 Hour Karate School. Mos tackles this beat co-produced by Ski Beatz and Apple Juice Kid that samples a breakbeat classic called “Hook & Sling” by Eddie Bo. The beat has a staccato snare and shouts (and even a Tribe Called Quest sample from “Oh My God”). Check this track out, and be on the lookout on Grammy night for The Universal Magnetic, Mos Def. via: NahRight
With a recent Grammy nomination for best hip-hop album, Mos Def – a true hip-hop veteran, is enjoying some well-deserved success. After releasing critically-acclaimed records over a decade ago on the Rawkus label, Mos Def has made three major label albums, and his most recent–The Ecstatic has the highest first week sales of any of his releases. Oh no, the California-based producer and Stones Throw recording artist produced the beat for Supermagic, which follows “Quiet Dog” and “Casa Bey” as singles from the album. The video, directed by Dribblez & Weirdcore, features a series of stop motion images combined with trippy image trails of Mos Def delivering the complex wordplay.
UNDRCRWN (UNDER-CROWN) returns this season with the second and final run of its successful Mos Def collaboration. The much anticipated collection for Fall 2009 will comprised the Cut & Sewn design line, a mix of collegiate varsity styling and urban trend. Outerwears, including RBG, RBG Patchwork, and Brooknam jackets, feature handcrafted prints, blend with graphics by Mos Def himself. Other silhouettes the collection includes are windbreakers and hats, addressing the need of versatility in the transition Fall season. When asked about the collection, Mos Def stated ” Loving how they got a very unique perspective on athletic style. They make some very strong overtures to Brooklyn and Bed-Stuy and that’s me, so I responded to that almost immediately! What they’re doing is very distinct.”
The UNDRCRWN x Mos Def – Cut & Sewn Collection is now available at the official UNDRCWRN online store and UNDRCRWN dealers worldwide.
> Mos Def [Interscope]
Mos Def (whose real name is Dante Terrell Smith) is definitely a driving force in the entertainment industry. From record deals to television appearances, a talent that does it all. Now, he’s taking his first steps into the fashion industry. Long known for his love of urban style, Mos Def recently partnered with UNDRCRWN of Philadelphia for a new collection by the label’s creative director, Dustin Canalin. The aim behind the new project is to create a line with solid designs. Furthermore, it can operate independently from Mos Def’s celebrity, establishing a name for itself as a stand-alone label. While maybe not as prolific as Kanye West’s own Pastelle, this new project from UNDRCRWN and Mos Def has already garnered much attention within the street wear/urban lifestyle industry. Expect this collection to become one of the most coveted this year when it drops on August 26th at the Palms Hotel & Casino, in Las Vegas. To learn more, read men’s fashion trade paper, DNR‘s report on it.
Philadelphia based clothing brand, UNDRCRWN, has gotten together with yet another talented Hip-Hop musician, Mos Def, to collaborate on these Watermelon Syndicate t-shirts. One of the tees was debuted for the first time when Mos Def performed at Carnegie Hall on June 28th, both of the tees from the Watermelon Syndicate collaboration between UNDRCRWN and Mos Def will be exclusively sold on Karmaloop. via: CtotheJL
More photos after the jump…
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