Mos Def Performs New Material

Mos Def hit the stage at New York City, New York’s SOBs last night (October 20) where he performed some of his new cuts. He introduced himself by his soon-to-be-official new moniker Yasiin Bey, and one track featured production by the late J. Dilla and and another was produced by Oh No.

Iggy Azalea, Skeme, Hustle Simmons and others joined Mos onstage as he performed the songs.

He also announced new projects--including No Glasses and Applied Science.

Talib Kweli Working On Book, Album

Talib Kweli is working on a new book while touring and working on his upcoming album. The Brooklyn rapper isn't giving too many details about the album, Prisoner of Conscious; but revealed that he has a full slate of activity for the remainder of the year.

“This is how I make my money. On the road, having Blacksmith music, making music, working on my book, and other things that I am working on. I enjoy being on the road and writing this book and other things I am involved in,” Talib Kweli told AllHipHop. “I enjoy being on the road and the essence of MCing is the Master of Ceremony. In order to master the ceremony, you have to be at the ceremony."

Talib also spoke about his relationship with Mos Def and the status of the long-awaited Black Star reunion.

“I think what it is with him is really trying to explore ownership and really trying to explore the best way for us to put out an album that is based on the creative love for the music, rather than based on the demand from the fans," Talib said. "As much as this is a business, music is not made because of supply and demand. Music is made from your heart, and we just got to do it because its right and not just because there is a demand for it. But I want to hear it too.” Talib Kweli expects to release Prisoner of Conscious later this summer.

Rock the Bells Lineup Announced

The Rock the Bells 2011 Festival lineup has been announced. Series. This year's event, presented by Boost Mobile, will feature the usual bevy of stars, including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Nas, Cypress Hill, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah.

The stars will be performing their most beloved classic albums in their entirety; a relatively new tradition that began last year. Lauryn Hill will perform The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, while Cypress Hill will perform Black Sunday, Mobb Deep will perform The Infamous, Black Star will perform Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star, and Nas will treat the crowd to a performance of his masterpiece, 1994's Illmatic, alongside DJ Premier, Pete Rock and AZ.

“For years people have been asking me to do Illmatic in so many ways, from stage plays to movies to books, but the time wasn't right. Where music is going now, the time is right,” said Nas in a statement. "This will be my biggest production and it only makes sense to do it on the best rap tour which also happens to be a brand I've built and am a partner in. Can't wait to kill it with my comrades AZ, Premo & Pete Rock!"

The 8th annual RTB festival will also feature the Paid Dues Stage, curated by Murs, the GrindTime Now Stage (showcasing battles), and the 36 Chambers Stage, featuring Wu-Tang Clan members and affiliates. “I am excited that I once again have the privilege of hosting the Paid Dues Stage,” he said. “We will have the honor of showcasing some of the best talent in independent hip hop as part of the worlds largest and longest running hip hop festival... the Paid Dues stage is gonna be the one to watch this year.”

Rock the Bells 2011 will be hitting San Bernadino and Mountainview, CA, Boston and New York City.

Highsnobiety TV - A Set Free Minute with Mr. Cartoon on 50 Cent

Highsnobiety TV - A Set Free Minute with Mr. Cartoon on 50 Cent from Highsnobiety on Vimeo.


A life long b-boy, Set Free works as a cultural conduit, spending his days connecting brands to niche lifestyle. Throughout his journey, he’s collected as many stories as he has amassed sneakers (impressive), and with the “Set Free Minute” brings his experiences to life in short segments.

In the Latest Set Free Minute, he links up with the modern day Picasso, Mr. Cartoon. Cartoon tells a story about one of his craziest experiences in life; giving 50 Cent a tattoo. Check it out above and be sure to catch the previous episodes with Don Cannon and Mos Def at the following link: highsnobiety.com/​news/​tag/​set-free-minute

@Iam_SetFree for Highsnobiety

Mos Def Will Play An Ex-Con On "Dexter"

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brooklyn's own Mos Def has finalized a deal for a multi-episode arc on the sixth season of Showtime's Dexter.

The actor and hip-hop artist will play a former inmate who's followed by violence despite the fact that he's born-again religious. He joins Colin Hanks, who will appear in all of next season's 12 episodes as the primary villain, an ancient artifacts expert linked to a bunch of murders.

The amount of episodes that the Mighty Mos Def will appear in is unclear at the moment. The show's fifth season was its most-watched to date, averaging over 5 million viewers a week; the season finale alone pulled in 2.5 mil during its first-night premiere.

Look for Dexter season six to air on Showtime this fall.

[Via The Hollywood Reporter]

NEW MUSIC Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Big Sean

CLICK LINK FOR SONGS---> http://kanyewest.com/