Added: 3 years ago
From: lilbmo97
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  • Could you imagine if 3000 got on this...

  • Beautiful, so well articulated.

  • For the Aesop requests, search "9-5ers Anthem Ursinus".

  • At minute 1:27 the chorus is actually a reference to The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison that Kweli mentions at the beginning of the song "why we follow the law of the bluest eye..." If you haven't read this book you should check it out.

  • eveybody say they nice but are you the only one who thinks so,u see mcs like this are a huge reason black people do the right thing,people are so mislead its not even funny 1luv my nigs

  • mos defs line of "not strong, only aggressive/ not compassionate, only polite, now whos the nicest/ not good, but well behaved/ chasin after death so we can call ourselves brave" is an extract from the book "The bluest eye" written by Toni Morrison. it won the nobel prize for literature

  • ILL TRACK

  • This is simply put, a beautiful breakdown of this song!

  • Check out the hip hop education center at NYU. It's time more people saw your art, and we preserve it forever.

  • this song is so amazing, telling the truth, its dedicated to afro americans, to get concious and wake up, the truth is that those are real hebrews, but most dont know and feel lost..and looking glass, is a tool which is keept secred but the truth about that looking glass-which was also found in iraq- is that they can look in the future with it, it was founded by using the knowledge of our pineal glant. research and you ll know...YAH is opening the eyes and hearts for those who want to..bless

  • this is true hip hop i love it

  • brilliant

  • when they refer to faith is it on a religious basis? ie faith in god; or is are they advising faith in yourself?

  • @aggerskrtel

    Overstand! Is there really a difference between the two?

  • This is one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever! But the question is why have'nt these cats released another album since 1998? Just makes you wonder. The industry don't want this kind of music around bottom line! Sad

  • because they cant replicate something like this. but theyre droppin a new (prolly whack) album this year

  • "reflection rarely seen across the surface of the looking glass" doesnt refer to the glass ceiling, it means its rare for the average person to stop and reflect on their own self, they are to preoccupied seeing the world the way they think it is. -hence the looking glass- aka paradigm lens.

  • There needs to be more music like this. It's revolutionary

  • simply put, one of the most intelligent commentary-based songs ever made.

  • I can listen to this Cd over and over. Is this Black Star's only Cd?

  • In the duration of my contemplation I formed declaration about the present mayhem, now listen to this.

    It provides an explanation for the rapid deflation of humans a nation. Why is this?

    The misinterpretation of government participation: an invasion that will destroy all who oppose it.

    Concealing information in moderation will cause the subjugation of generations that do not yet exist

  • I remember how beautiful this song was when I first digged it.. If only I'd have known how amazing it feels now when I'm nostalgic about it.

  • one of the best comments i've heard about it

  • synthesised surface conceals the interior

  • yo tyt song real rap compared to the trashy rap like souljas boy tell em and lil wayne inven though soulja boy isa good xbox live gamer like me gamertag:master hfo 3

  • mainstream artist are accidents that are promoted by people who want bullshit music...and the only reason people want bullshit is because their intelligence constantly insulted by bullshit.....Real Hip Hop liveeeees.

  • "stop hiding, cuz their aint no hiding place. Said their aint no hiding place." That's all that needs to be said.

  • good work lib

  • the lyrics in this song are so calm and quiet but striking

  • (Con't)

    Don't feel like you need to tie certain lyrics to something concrete in order to make sense of them. Certain parts are left purposefully ambiguous.

    Ultimately, I encourage everyone that relates to this song in any way to draw their own conclusions and make their own sense of what it means in a way that is relevant to their experiences...That is all any of us can really do in life anyway...try and make sense of it for ourselves.

    You forgot to analyze Mos's verse, by the way...

  • Some comments on your "analysis":

    I think for the most part you hit the nail on the head. The song is essentially about the unrealized potential of human life as it exists today.

    However, sometimes I think your conclusions are too specific, and therefore somewhat misleading. For example, I for one am not entirely sure that Mos Def is talking about the rich and the poor in his kings and queens lyric...This song is insanely, insanely deep...There are many conclusions that can be drawn from it.

  • indeed, the kings and queens lyric I interpreted as referring to diva singers and rappers that get respect, whilst the poorer, less talented people are forced into crime. Though ofcourse there are lots of different interpretations.

    Same with the looking glass, i thought that was about people not seeing themselves as they are.

  • HEY CROWNZERO.

    ITS RAPTOR.

  • mos' verse might be the best verse in hip-hop history....watchu guys think?

  • @strictlyfitted

    I don't know man, Talib Kweli's verse in Thieves In The Night was pretty dope too :)

  • There's a difference in entertainers trying to educate you while entertaining, and entertainers just entertaining you.

    Thats why we slam mainstream so hard, because even though it is music, its just entertainment not giving us any knowledge of any sort.

    This gives us knowledge and its something we need right now.

  • Like RIGHT NOW..

  • Dont give the music you dislike your attention and energy it only empowers these modern day minstrel shows on wax.Just support the real music and forget about whats on the airwaves.I stopped listening to the radio a long time ago and never looked back.Now I have a collection with nothing but the best of hip-hop in my eyes and im better off for it.Focus on the good music and dont pay the crap any mind please do that and stop trash talking artists that sell their people out

  • some of the best lyricist is in dis song real talk

  • Obviously this is real H.E.R which is true and fresh and chilled but Soulja Boy has its place.

    You guys are all about the 'scene' not the music, just take it in and enjoy. There is a place where you can enjoy Immortal Technique, Mos Def, Nas, Blackalicious. Tribe AND Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, T-Pain.

    Maybe if you listen to enough of this real HIP HOP it will permeate your mind and you will get there eventually.

  • Amen enough of music slaming lil wayne and blackstar are diffrent yet both still music people appreciate and that needs to be respected instead of coming on this videos bad mouthing other artist just sit back and enjoy the music.

  • Music like this makes the world go round

    Peace and Love to everyone. God Bless

  • I'm 15, and I can still tell good music from bad. When I listen to this stuff at school, most ppl wonder why I listen to that. I say "it's the only thing that keeps me from going postal from the shitty hip hop today".

    I love Black Star, Flying Lotus, 2 Pac and J Dilla. I'll always love them and never stop.

    P.S. If you replie to me "Well Soulja Crap and Lil Dick Wayne are better", listen to this and fuck off.

  • for gods sake people. It isn't cool to prefer different types of music, you don't have to proclaim it to everyone. No one on this page like lil wayne or soulja boy, you aren't gonna find someone arguing with you, just alot of people agreeing.

    Obviously hardcore/ underground ( though Blackstar is extremely popular) music has better lyricism and probably better flow, but alot of people don't give a damn. They don't want poems, they want dance music. Music is subjective, don't be hating.

  • word

  • gwan you have taste

  • Maybe one of the best Hip Hop collaboration's ever. The lyrical breakdown is flawless. Most 15 year odls don't listen to this stuff, but me? I can't stop. Most people like mainstream accidents like Lil Wayne and Soulja Boy.

  • completly true. Soulja Boy is a disgrace and he proves that the general public has shit taste for music.

  • good job, young'un. Keep listening to the real stuff.  And yeah, this is possible the illest collaboration ever.

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  • you know, I saw this interview on tv. with Dr. J. They were discussing basketball, but it holds true to most things in this life. The question had something to do with Allen Iverson, and he said "no offense to the younger generation, but the stupider something is, the more popular it is." Fucked up, but it's true. Music, movies, and especially the news. Dumbed-down selections always prove to be more profitable, whether by income or by viewings, or by word of mouth, etc.

  • i think mos def part from this song is the BEST performance throughout the entire hiphop history

  • man i love how you analyze the song so we could see exactly what it means, how poetic it is, and the knowledge we could obtain from it..

  • Thank you for the support!

  • seriously who cares bout weezy?

    black star movement baby

  • That's the thing, if Weezy is gone tomorrow, nobody is going to miss him, even the people who listen his music. Though, the real hiphop will always be supported by the fans.

  • @strictlyfitted wezzy owns mos' verse by saying i pop that pussy jkjk mos is great though

  • i dont like listening to songs day in and day out but i cant stop listening t0 this

  • I love how Mos defines the chorus during his verse...gaddam its the finest verse ever

  • "most cats in the area be loving the hysteria synthesized surface conceals the interior

    America land of opportunity, mirages and camouflages more than usually speaking loudly saying nothing you confusing me you losing me your game is twisted want me enlisted in your usury"

    one of the best flows ever, brought to the fucking stratosphere by Mos's incredible lyrics.

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  • Shit dude it's all changing. Ever since Bush is out of office, spoiled brats who grew up rich (a la Lil Wayne, Paris Hilton, etc.) actually have to work for a living haha.

    Get those fake asses out, and get some more real stuff like this smooth creative thought provoking jazzy hip hop right here

  • No,spoiled brats are still rich.

  • keep lil wayne off this board. please

  • so what if lil wayne didn't grow up rich, so what if he use to hustle. what does that have to do with good rap/hiphop?

    his music sucks

  • Since he was 13 he did what?

    He inherited most of what he has now from his birdman. Do you think that all that hustlin he did since he was 13 did anything?

    Most of us know people who have been hustin all there life and most of us know people way harder than lil wayne.

    Just let him drop his flag at another award show or kiss birdman in the mouth again.

    Lil Wayne is for entertainment, this is for knowledge.

  • Lil Wayne STILL SUCKS> Fuck him and keep his name off of real Hip HOp Videos.

    He is shit, he didn't hustle. GTFO.

  • Why is it I can find this song but Astronomy "8th Light" gets taken down as soon as it gets put up?

    There is a conspiracy to censor good conscious black hip hop that is uplifting. This song is great but it's kind of depressing and not motivating like 8th light

    Think about it

  • make a vid with it. just make sure you put original content in it not just the song or else they'll take it down.

  • They'll mute the song.

  • not if it's original content in the video.

  • I think you need copyright for some songs though.

  • it depends on the video. if the music is in the background. for instance you do a video montage set to a track you can dispute it and you'll win.

  • 88-keys boys and girls.. genius lyricism over genius production.. real hip hop

  • Definitely the best lyrics I've ever heard in a hip hop tune, if not a song in general. I find these absolutely inspiring. Not to mention it's one of the best tunes on a classic record.

  • This is a great song. It was inspired by Toni morrison's novel, the Bluest Eye.

  • two greatest of all time. hands down

  • "The question was rhetorical, the answer is horrible" real lyricists

  • Awsome song, hip-hop with real substance is the illest, there are so many good verses in this song.

  • where is that piano sample taken from?

  • its not sampled

  • Its tight, you should do some slide show deconstructions of aesop rock

  • Ahh Aesop would take weeks to pick apart :) A true poet of our time...

  • hes not better than these 2 tho

  • @generictuber001 aesop rock is the modern shakespeare of hiphop. deconstructing his work would be mindblowing.

  • I love this song. Just brought the album and when I heard this for the first time, I couldn't believe how people just continue to sleep on Talib Kweli and Mos Def. "Chasin afta death so we can call ourselves brave"... the truest Hip Hop. Both Talib Kweli and Mos Def are in the top 10 MCs of all time. LEGENDS!!!

  • Oi same bro i downloaded it not expecting much cause most hip-hop albums are same old same old... but this was like 'woah' haha awesome CLASSIC album ... Cant believe this isnt regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time

  • perfect b3at perfect s0ng

  • this is just such a beatiful piece of art

  • i could listen to this forever

  • Respiration and Two words are his best work.

  • This is a credible song!

  • lol

  • You can see more of these videos by searching "Ursinus hip hop" ...

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  • should also check out sth. by MAD VILLAIN,he´s great ,kind of unique (i would say)

  • Madvillain is two dudes, MF Doom and Madlib, the producer. To me, it's one of the best albums of the decade so far....

  • I don't even know why people gave you a thumbs down without saying why, thats a decent list for someone to have in my eyes, i can see why'd you'd choose those albums.

  • Just a question: how many hiphop albums have you listened to?

  • pretty good list. i would argue that atmosphere fits in there too. and definitely some talib kweli. if you havent heard of these guys check em out. really nice beats and great flow.

  • wheres commons... wheres little brother..., jean grae LOL.... ure joking right

  • lil brother's the listening is the best lp this millenium...and one of the best in history...jean grea's vioce is too....iono i jus dont like it

  • Lyrically, this is one of the best rap songs. Each line has significance, and that is a real rarity.

  • One of the greatest albums of all time

    Hands down.

  • 1 of da b3st rAP songs i ev3r h3ard of

  • . . . because we live the truest lie - i asked him why do we follow the law of the bluest eye?

    he looked at me, he thought about it was like I'm clueless why

    the question was rhetorical the answer was horrible -

    there's a bit more going on. it sounds like racism/white supremacy? why do we live like this non-white victims of white supremacy?

  • They are lyrically some of the strongest artists in hip hop when they apply themsleves. I love this track along with Respiration. It is conscious poetry with a beat.

    ...and yes, this is true Hip Hop and what our music should have evolved into. Instead we get krunk music and the stanky leg.

  • i feel u on that alot of people dnt understand real hip hop and this is pure hip hop

  • Thank you!!

  • This is the best rap song, lyrically, that exists.

    In my opinion....and I listen to a good amount of rap.

  • Now compare this to Arab Money!

  • Ill song, dope analysis

  • the illest song ever...we need to let go of the t.i's the t-pain's the lil wayne's out the radio and but music like this back on. common, talib, mos, dead prez? none need be said...btw mos's verse is the sickiest i've ever heard

  • Dead Prez sold out

  • What do you mean

    Why ?

  • They used to be against the 'man' making rhymes against the system and so forth then one of them, not sure which one, goes and gets the illuminati pyramid (the one on the dollar with the all seeing eye floating above it) tatted on his arm!

    They're well aware what it represents but go and do it anyway. I got bare love for hip hop but truth is there are only a handful of mainstream rappers who are not propogating the hidden agenda

  • lol he sold out cuz he got a tattoo?

    Ur fucking retarded

    A white boy calling a revolutionary brotha a sell out is the height of irony and hilarity.

  • Your one that needs to open his eyes. A tattoo isn't just a tattoo if you have any understanding of symbolic meaning, which apparently you dont.

    You can continue to laugh your head off at the hilarity of 'a white boy calling a revolutionary brotha a sell out', I'll just quietly smile at the fact that I aint even white (not that it matters anyway).

  • Of course i do. But i also have common sense and i would be willing to bet any amount of money that his tattoo doesnt have the same meaning that you think it does, representing the illumanati for one.

    was it stic-man or m1?

  • Stix. The illuminated eye floating above the rest of the pyramid exactly as it appears on the dollar bill only means one thing. If you listen to DP lyrics it is quite intelligent and about 'going against system' as such. Why the tattoo? Also the eagle/phoenix on the back?

    Perhaps its a reminder. Maybe I was a bit harsh on calling them sellouts but make no mistake illuminati run mainstream hip hop

    "The captors own the masters to what we writin"

  • what difference does skin color make? just because this music was brought to the world by black ppl doesnt mean all colors can't relate/enjoy the tunes,

    get ur shit right, ur ignorant.

  • Why was this spammed? ITS THE FUCKIN TRUTH.

    It goes to show that hip-hop as Nas put it, "is dead". People like Kweli and Mos Def are not appreciated because society as you have it has painted a false image of hip-hop by allowing hustlers like "50 Cent" and "Lil wayne" into industry and in a sense allowing kids to see only one aspect of hip-hop rather than the intellectual aspect. Which has reinforced this "Gangster" image of black people

  • DOpe ass song BTW.

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  • i love it when kweli goes: "your firearms are too short to box with god/ without faith, all of that is illusionary/ raised my son no vindication of manhood necessary"

  • i got to get some albums by them

  • Wow!!

    Mind blowing, this is missing from the main stream.

  • mos def verse is sick please listen.

  • BIG TUNE!

  • Mos Def and Kweli spit what has to be one if not the most memorable verses hip hop have ever heard in this song.

  • Best song on the album.

  • best song ever! i think its time for me to upgrade. my cassette tape is worn out lol

  • Masterpiece.

  • Kweli's verse is sick.

  • the most perfect hip hop song now and forever. by the two best hands down.

  • perfection

  • Mos Def spits my all-time favourite verse in this song

  • Yes sir, i love Kweli's verse too

  • blackstar is one of the best albums i have ever purchased other than this song which is the best on the album childrens story is another higlight

  • Respiration, Thieves in the Night, 8th light.....Because of this album I understood the power of good music, and the Power of conscious hip hop.

    Black Star and GoodieMob's first album, are in my opinion the two greatest records in hip hop.....if not music all together. Of course OutKast also...just to many to mention.

    I would sit and listen to this music in a quiet dark room and it would literally open my mind....I have never been touched by an album like that since.

  • everytime i play this i always get a chill

  • damn...great... amazing...!

    keep on postin them videos!

    props from germany

  • Thank you so much, hip hop is NOT dead. It is just UNDERGROUND

  • one be lo - sonogram (2006) shad - when this is ove (2007) shad - the old prince (2008) panacea - ink is my drink (2006) panacea - a mind on a ship throught time (2008) q tip - Kamaal the abstract (unreleased 2007) q tip - the rennaisance (2008) people under the stairs - (question in the form of the answer (2002) puts - ost (2004) puts - fun dmc (2008) mf doom - mm food (2004) dangermouse - the mouse and the mask (2004) j live - whole disc since 2001 .....i could go on.....
  • nothing good since 2000? thats a pretty bold statement. id say that Mashall Mathers LP, Quality, Beautiful Struggle, The Black Album, The Blueprint, God's Son, Stillmatic, Sankonia, Speakerboxxx/Lovebelow, Chronic 2001, Be, Food & Liquor, The Cool, and College Dropout all fall under the category of "good".

  • Yea of those are pretty ill.

    I listen to this song so much its so ill

  • Beautiful Struggle, Eardrum, The new danger, Finding foever. Me personally I wasn't feelin The Chronic, Imma be a jigga fan but even he admitted that he dumbs down his lyrics to sell records.

  • ......... . .  . . damn.

  • "not compassionate, only polite."

    thats true for sooooo many people.

  • real hip hop =]

    shyt makes me

  • black star needa come back quick...its music like this that makes u appreciate real hip hop

  • "suppose its just another clever jedi mind trick that they been running through the stars do all the time with"

    mos def is a beast

  • Talib and Mos Def, possibly the two most underrated dogs in the game

  • they aint underated any true hiphop head would put them in their top 10...especially mos def

  • Way WAY underrated by most of the world's population, who AREN'T hip hop heads

  • this is 1/10 hip hop artists i listen too, not only hip-hop fanatics like this, but people in search of good music.

    One of the best songs ever.

  • Agreed, this is a classic

  • not free we only liscenced,

    not compassionate only polite

  • chasin after death so we can call ourselves brave?

  • still livin' like mental slaves

  • fuck dude i love these song!

    real hiphop

  • real hip hop. We need Black

  • we need a blackstar revival...

    ATCQ are coming back, why can't mos, talib and hi-tek?

  • they are...droppin this year

  • "we chasin after death just to call ourselves 'brave', while everyday next man meet wit the grave"

    "i dont give a damn if any fan recalls my legacy, i'm tryin to live life in the sight of gods memory"

  • I love this song

  • I've had catharsis listenin to this jam...

  • lol me too...some of the illest lyrics i ever heard

  • Great video, love how the song was broken down..TY

  • These Guys are the shit