Customer Reviews

Black On Both Sides

5 star:		(187)
4 star:		(44)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Black on Both sides takes the modern paradigm for Rap music and totally crushes it. Taking the B-boy stance of 1983 and marrying it to the jazz-hop brilliance of the early to mid-90's, Mos created the high water mark for the entire lifespan of Hip Hop music.

The only drawback here is that we haven't heard from Mos since 1999, except for the periodic Rawkus collab. You cannot, I repeat CANNOT, drop an album so strong, so visionary, so on point, so apocalyptic and then hang up your MC shoes for life, as Mos has done. The man is obviously multi-talented, has plans beyond his next rhyme and knows the industry too well to go bowing to it, but Mos where you at?

Although I'm not saying anything that the 215 reviewers before me haven't said already, this album should have written a new blueprint for hip-hop instead of the one Jay-z claims to have staked. Problem is, there's only one Mos Def. If you think you know hip hop but don't know this album, you got a lot a learnin' to do. Take 'em to school, Mos.

mm..cool album, listening to it rite now. mos is incredibly tallented lyricist, who blows on everyone and exhibits his crazy talents on tracks like "speed laws" and "hip hop". Problems? he gets a lil rascist on tracks like "rock n roll" ( in which he basically claims that no white man has ever showed any innovations in rock music) and mr.nigga( in which he defends O.J.- what was that about?!) and not all the songs measure up to mos's potential. the album was tight, and at moments gets deep and soulful. my favorite track wasn't even a rap song, "climb" is a deep and entrancing song where mos chooses to use his vocals for melodies instead of rockin lyrics. mos isnt afraid to attack money minded rap in songs like "new world water", which ends beautifully with mos's mockful proclamation that "cash rules everything around me-move!" climb inta this album, whoever you are. there will be at least one track you will like. heres hoping for a long and successful career to mos def.

Mos Def is one of the few hip-hop artists remaining true and holding it down for the whole genre. As one of the most anticipated albums to come out since snoop blessed us on his first joint, mos lives up to the hype and expectations. However, this album is not without its flaws. On "Rock and Roll" Mos goes a little overboard on white rock and roll legends such as the rolling stones. Black rock pioneers such as jimmy hendrix do get there fair share of paraise and respect. But he finishes of the song with a little rock an roll of his own that plays beautifully juxtiposed with the hip-hop. Lyrically Mos comes off tighter than a bra on some double D's. Musically it could not get better as well. With joints ranging from Primo, Diamond D, 88 keys, and even a few by Mos himself, as well as playing some live instruments, this cd will keep your head bobing. It remains to be seen though if the counsumers will appreciate one of hip-hops finest.

This album is a CERTIFIED CLASSIC.

Haters get over it, cuz everyone loves this cd.

This is the mosdef that I always want to hear. I maintain, that if he really wanted to be one of the illest to touch the mic he has it within himself to do so. One listen to black on both sides and its inconceivable that anyone would disagree with me. I don't know if there is such a thing as a perfect album. But this album comes pretty close in my estimation. The production is diverse and original, and mos' flow and lyrical dexterity is on full display. From Umi Says to Mathematics, mos' range and flexibility is impressive. Except for the ending (just a few seconds) of the Psycho Les produced Rock and Roll, nothing here is skippable-just one man's opinion.

Mos Def has composed a classic hip-hop album. This album drops knowledge on the tracks. Every hip-hop fan needs to buy this album, along with black star, reflection eternal, and quality.

I can't believe I'm the only rating this album. Anyone who is a fanatic of hip hop should definitely pick this album as this is dictionary to which many upcoming lyricists will reference. Truly, a classical album from a masterful wordsmith... A must cop!

This is probably one of the greatest hip hop albums to come out with in the last 10 years. Truly a great listen from beginning to end. Mos exploited all his gifts on this album. He will go down as one of hip hop's true craftsmen. I hope Mos drops another album soon cause the game really needs to hear from this cat.

I agree with the other reviewer, "Black on Both Sides" is easily in the Top Five Hip Hop albums of all time. From the intro, Mos Def eases the listener into the concept of Hip Hop with "Fear not of Man". His spiritual approach is reminiscent of early A Tribe Called Quest. However, his style is his own. "Ms. Fat Booty", the popular single, is perhaps the worst song on the album, and it's a great song. It's story telling fun recalls Slick Rick at his best. "Mathematics", with his direct analyzation of the facts of life could easily have been a Guru episode. The instrumental tracks are delicious as well.The album simply does not go wrong. "Rock and Roll" is a monumental track that probably disturbed his following of suburban Caucasians but it was essential to the album's concept. Relating to the true meaning of the title itself,"Black On Both Sides." The album is progressive, approachable, and intelligent. If I can compare it to any other Hip Hop album I'd have to say the underated ahead of its time "Blowout Comb" by Digable Planets. Which he sampled from on this album. Now that Mos Def has proven that he is indeed the Master of Ceremony, the world is waiting for him to show us how far ahead of us he actually is with the Black Jack Johnson Band he's been touring with for the past few years. I own everything he's released, seen all his films, seen him on Broadway performing "TopDog UnderDog", and seen him in concert several times. Being from Brooklyn myself I feel like he is the best representative of what Hip Hop is and what it can be. 'Nuff respect to the Mighty Mos Def. But...what's good with his new album? When is he gonna bless us with a new joint? Remember Mos, Umi said shine your light on the world. Shine Brethren, shine.

Mos Def is an excellent rapper but I have one slight problem with this album. In his song Rock N Roll he says that Elvis and the Rolling Stones have no soul and they didn't come up with their styles on their own. Then a couple songs later he rips off the beginning of the Red Hot Chili Peppers song Under the Bridge. I think this is kind of hypocritical. Also, he has a song on the Black Star album where he copies the Slick Rick song Children's Story from the album The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. I hope he's not saying it's okay for him to copy another black artist just because they're the same race. I think his song Rock N Roll is somewhat ignorant. Apparently it's not okay for Elvis to copy Little Richard because they're not the same race...? This is what comes across in this song. I think this attitude is actually deamening to his own race, as well as others. People's identities aren't just their race; multiple identities exist. Just listen to Chino XL's song What Am I? from his album Here to Save You All for an example. He's a half black, half Puerto Rican rapper who shows how he's never felt accepted by either race. It's nice to have a strong sense of community and keep it together but respect for people of other ethnicities needs to be encouraged, especially when someone is confused about their identity since they fit more than one. I know Mos is speaking from the viewpoint of his people but I think some of the lyrics are demeaning to whites. Just because Elvis sang a lot of Little Richard songs doesn't mean that Elvis has no soul. Artists have copied each other since the dawn of art. It doesn't mean a lack of originality or soul. Artists take what's already been created and pay homage to other artists and add their own flare to an existing piece of art. This happens in all mediums. I think it's pretty insulting to say that Elvis and the Rolling Stones have no soul. I see nothing wrong with an artist of one race using the ideas of an artist of another race. In some instances it shows a respect that that artist has for another. Mos needs to stop focusing on race. Also in one song, he uses the term "gringos." It makes me kind of mad when there's a musician I really like and his lyrics are insulting to me. I am not going to say he's racist; I just think he needs to re-think the messages he sends. He says Elvis and the Stones didn't create their styles on their own...well, so what? Mos Def didn't exactly create his style on his own either. He uses an existing medium (hip hop) and adds his own flair to it, just like Elvis did. Great artists often "copy" other artists. Aside from all this, this album is excellent. Mos Def is a great writer and MC. His beats are so interesting. My favorites are Love, Ms. Fat Booty, Speed Law, Umi Says, New World Water, Habitat, and May-December. What's great about New World Water is that the lyrics explore a topic I haven't ever heard in a rap song...water conservation. I love a lot of mainstream hip hop but it's always nice to listen to this type of socially conscience rap, where it's more about the lyrics than the beats, but this song does have an excellent beat! It's probably my favorite on this cd because all the elements sound so great. The beat almost sounds like water dripping. The last track, May-December, is an instrumental song that sounds amazing. It leaves you with a great feeling and is an excellent track to finish the album off with. I definitely recommend this album to rap fans that love the early-mid 90s stuff (my favorite rap era) because it brings back that feeling. I bet also a lot of non-rap fans would love this album because it just sounds great and laid back. I think a lot of people are turned off from rap because so much of it is filled with violent lyrics (I don't pretend to not like that stuff; I love a lot of gangsta rap) but this album leaves you feeling good and relaxed. Just lie down sometime and listen to it! It's like therapy!