This week's Spotlight Artist is none other than Dante Terrell Smith Bey, a.k.a. Mos Def, or more currently, Yasiin Bey. Since he has begun his career in 1994, Yasiin Bey has established himself in rap, acting, comedy, and as an activist. Born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, the artist has been best known for his music career. Before his music career took off, however, Bey was integrated into the light of the public as a child actor in sitcoms, movies, and even theater. Later in his life, he took on roles in film since the early 2000s like Next Day Air, 16 Blocks, and The Italian Job.
In 1999, Yasiin Bey released his debut solo album, Black on Both Sides under the label Rawkus and Priority records. Following that was The New Danger in 2004, True Magic in 2006, and in 2009, The Ecstatic. 2013 to 2014, you found the rapper taking his family and himself out of the US. He moved to Capetown, South Africa because of personal issues, but still stated he was proud of where he was from, Brooklyn. Later in 2015, he was found featured alongside fellow rapper, A$AP Rocky’s sophomore album, At. Long. Last. ASAP on the track “Back Home.” This year, Yasiin Bey has announced on Kanye’s website he will release one last album, but after that, Bey will be retiring from the game. There is no release date for his final album but not only is he leaving the music scene, but he is hanging in the towel for the film industry as well.
By Kianna Woods for RAPstation.com
