It can be said that Rawkus, the "underground" NYC based hip hop label peaked in the late 90s with this album.  The label's releases got mixed reactions here on Soul Strut partly because they were hyped on perceived trust fund money. It even ensued some famous soulstrutisms like the term "Rawkus Deadstock Gold" after a crate digger came across a store in blowing out all their Rawkus catalogue for pennies during the labels demise after they sold to MCA in 2002. Regardless, without getting too deep, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star is an underground masterpiece that took good advantage of intelligent, afrocentric lyricism and good ole sample based Brooklyn boom bap. I prefer Mos Def's solo EPs and guest spots before this album, but it is something to behold and celebrate.  Apparently they are working on a follow up album 20 years later!

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