Mos Def Quiet Dog on Letterman 6 8 09

[EdEmKay]

live musicianship and artistic brilliance mixed together live, perfection

[Steviewonderhaterz]

SF and the 707 see this!! What it is this... yes

[sandgaijin]

Yomiuri Giants hat and timpani? Awesome!

[15linarobson]

Phenomenal performance.



[anelkitatron]

Thanks for the video. Amazing performance

[adotinthecosmos]

@kris131 lol

[yaboytreyy]

these people don't think muslims are terrosit. they think middle easterns are terrorist. Would you be suspect of a blond hair blue eyed muslim. which do exist. Watch the malcolm x movie

[JKnow314]

I literally got chills from this performance...I LOVE YOU MOS DEF!!!

[SuperBambaHFC]

What an amazing performance. I'm glad I discovered this video

[MissNatalonga]

Mos Mos mos Mos MOS!

[ceeteebars]

THE PERFORMANCE WAS APESHIT!!!!

BIG UP MOS DEF, THE DRUMMER AND THE DJ!!!!

LIVE FROM © BUNTREEALL©

[smurphalotte]

This is the illest live performance ever!

[warnutztheloser]

best album n my life

[quianasharief]

beautiful how he inserted fela in the intro..

[dharlem39]

whos the drummer? chris dave? he adds so much to the song in the last minute!

[Royalewithcheese3000]

Spike lee just hanging out on the drums

[maxfeng123]

Black ppl r awesome!

[BeatDigger]

LETTERMAN IS A COMPLETLY IDIOT, PRICK OF A SNOB....

[sgabriel]

My God, Letterman's an ass.

[lilith8lust]

John Mayer sent me here.Amazing performance!

[lolsih101]

Mos Def is muslim. dont trust him. hes probably a terrorist in disguise trying to spread SHARIAH

[BEFEGE]

@lolsih101 lol stereotype

[MrXtermin8]

@lolsih101 Mos Def is a Muslim. A reason to trust him more than the Jew Letterman and others.

[msmassdestruction]

@lolsih101

That is the dumbest shit I never heard.

[DeflocculatedDentist]

@lolsih101 I don't understand why people respond to this obvious trolling.

[krunkaintdead69]

David Letterman's comedy sucks, but I have the utmost respect for him as a person.

[ethiochamp]

what kind of hat is that?

[reedo1703]

@ethiochamp Tokyo Giants from Japan.

[DFLUTSCHY]

chris dave at 1:34 - 1:37 "yeh u know dis hot.."

[dammyvirgo]

The speech was from fela..African legend

[DoktorZapp]

FINALLY some good hip hop

[sixelatelop]

This some hot s&!t

Chris Dave is a funky mother…

You gotta love this!

[MTSQUAREVideo]

Loving the Tokyo Giants hat he's sporting!

[GEMENI76]

MOS-DEF FO LIFE!!

[quax94]

rockin' the timpani while he spits fire. what a bro.

[pulamusic]

Yes Yes YES!!! Mos Def is proof that serving up smart, informed music and lyrics doesn't mean you have to dump the funk or act like a pretentious jerk. This guy rocks.

[thebeatjunkie]

what kind of drums are those?

[Mannex17]

@thebeatjunkie timpani

[SirTopEmHat]

LOVE this album, love Mos.

[bout9times]

@TheDynastking that's fela kuti speaking at the beginning.

[amberglow4ever]

@bout9times gotta love Fela!!! Femi Kuti is awesome too :)

[oneeightyDR]

pwnd! <3

[Kpublik1]

His in a class of his own . ... who got this skill set? 

[ladykws]

He is f-ing talented -- wow.

[alduatic]

Mos Def is the best!!!!!!!!! Continue like this!

[TheDynastking]

Anyone know where the speech is from? Did he make it himself or did he get it from someone else.

[jcj0833]

why has no one done this before? this is the dopest of the dope, no okie doke 

[sgtmcwallace]

I like the idea of drums alongside a dj spinning a lot

[drumjunkie99]

CHRIS DAVE!

[SufferedCoder]

He's the way artists should be. Make the music you want to and not give a shit about how much money you make. If you know you're good, you'll make the money regardless, and probably earn mad respect like this man.

[TigerLikesTail]

The quality of this performance brings me to tears & sends chills.

In all music there has always been POP

There has always been party music too.

Then there was music that stood out & took you someplace deeper.

The sadness comes because 4 hip-hop we let our music get away from us.

The large labels took it to pop which always happens. But we sold out our own sound for the sake of the dollar.

We lost that deeper meaning that I was proud of.

Mos is one of the few that honors it.

[nasmatic23]

@TigerLikesTail His performance puts me in a trance every time I watch it.  Seen this so many times and it never disappoints, Mos Def is king.

[thatsfornoobs]

@TigerLikesTail That's because your all sell outs, it's disgusting. When was music EVER about money until now?

[dland05]

@flavadavis You can buy it in Japan. YG means "Yomiuri Giants".

[eroc70]

thats fela anikulapo kuti in the beginning

[tubetime3]

most all round talented person in hip hop

[Spaz3278431]

lets see the rappers of today step behind a real instrument and flow as well wont happen they dont have the necessary skills to multi task like that they have a hard time spitting and standing up pure retards and puppets nowadays

[kiddanpunjabi]

@Spaz3278431

thats so true cuz mos def is rapping AND drumming without a problem cuz he can feel the rythm and flow

[Mattu190]

One of the best performances I have ever seen. So great that it was on a highly viewed show.

[yaboyabe]

Damn this is good! that drummer goes in hard at 2:38!!

[Killerzahnfee]

@yaboyabe chris daddy dave is tha best !!!

[GANGSTABOONIKKI24]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN HE'S SO HARD I LOVE IT!!!!! THE REALEST!!!!

[PKJTNB]

Mos Def IS hip hop

[jt8402]

mos def is one of a very few mainstream rappers that anyone can call a true artist.

[CrimsonBaby2007]

Forget what you heard! Mos Def is the MAN!!!

[S0212]

@CrimsonBaby2007 has anyone ever said anything else? :O

[electricvisions]

this rocks.

[hass341]

Dam amazing!!!!

[brotherbrando]

double dutch

[wangster7247]

wow wow WOW

[Swell92]

He'd be such a great act at Leeds Festival, can't believe they've not signed him up.

[g4thz]

oh gosh

LOVE IT & LOVE HIM

[bigceez4]

I like how david was surprised to have liked it.

[MendelsMachines]

anyone know what brand of denim jacket he is wearing?

[Ultimoruss]

Simmer down simmer down simmer down

[MrJacksonvill]

subliming performance from the mighty Mos Def

[dcompto16]

i was in the audience for this performance

[kirkland14]

Pure brillance!!!!

[SanneMeems]

Simply amazing.....

[zachrhea1]

Every Mos Def performance should end with "We have to go now. Craig Ferguson is next."

[jwfeatherstone]

Multi-tasking, I'm liking it.

[WarriorPhoenixMedia]

now that is how hip hop is fuckin done!!!

[TheIMightyPatch]

thought he was an actor?

[SoapSudz101]

@TheIMightyPatch omg lol this is blasphemous!!! :))

[TheIMightyPatch]

@SoapSudz101 wahhhhhhhh?????????

[MrJacksonvill]

@TheIMightyPatch he is a multi-talented artist

[ps3rox]

@TheIMightyPatch

he's a rapper that went into acting

[MonacoBlast]

I hope Mos takes it even farther out. Blows through the white boys thinkin' they know what's what Say what you want about selling out, but if not for that stupid palm commercial I would have missed out. Not going to buy a palm but will buy a copy of Estatic. I may not make it all the way, but I will take Mos Def as a lead in. Music and History lessons taught by Mos Def. I wish...simmer down simmer down simmer down.

[235T1NGR4Y23]

Greatest rapper alive.

[Jalyse07]

does anybody know what type of drums he is playing on?

[lingojac]

@Jalyse07 tympani

[ilackpants]

@Jalyse07 Timpani

[Jalyse07]

@Jalyse07 thanks everybody!

[shegwin]

thought mos def deserved best rap album at the grammys, the grammys are bullshit, they clearly didnt want to disappoint the many many eminem dick riders. relapse sucked too.

[matbluvenger]

Such unbelievable talent. I have to agree with Davidharjo in the "Highest Rated Comments" that he is amongst the great of the underground and those on the radio pale in comparison.

As for the song, the studio version is amazing and always makes me want to dance but I definitely was not expecting to see actual instruments and Mos Def even making the beats while laying down some sick flows.

[oleisss]

chris dave!!!

[iaintmadatcha]

Mos Def is a genius !

[oempelpoempel]

what is he saying what's the guys name in the beginning of the song

[oempelpoempel]

what is he saying what's the guys name in the beginning of the song

[pcwhalen]

Even if you didn't hear a word, it was cool. Add the meaning of the song and it was cooler. Add the Fela sound clip at the beginning and it was priceless.

[miglior57]

i could not imagine keeping that beat and rapping. god damn mos has some talent. he's a genius

[LAlingo]

He had eyybody in a trance...thats when u know ya shit is ill...

[Iowapete]

Haha, that's funny Finkster5, about Letterman... that's about as excited he gets... Dave has been at the front for decades to get the best of every genre to his audience... fantastic performance by Mos Def,... loved this one, great, just great..

[LastCalltoBoogie]

Mos put himself on another astroplain with this one. It's harder to rap and play an instrument than sing.

[quicklip]

MOS  ...bring dat truth!!!!!

[Finkster5]

I love Letterman: "I like that. That's good." It's like he's surprised that he's enjoying rap.

[ptinemaucrabe]

OOOMMMGGG!!!<3

[Davidharjo]

He is one of the Few hip hop artists who don't put out songs just about cars and money and girls......MD, Lupe fiasco, nas, and others need to keep doing what they do as long as talentless people like soulja boy and gucci mane keep putting out there crap. These artists are the ones who are keeping hip hop alive and don't change their sound regardless of what the mainstream audiences think of them, and THAT is why I respect them

[nrjelley]

@Davidharjo Immortal Technique, Diabolic......

[vyxtouch]

@Davidharjo Preach that shit

[vyrgo84]

@Davidharjo SAME HERE!!!!!!!!!!

[kris131]

@Davidharjo "He is one of the Few hip hop artists who don't put out songs just about cars and money and girls"

Guess you haven't heard of sex, love and money by mos def ?

[kiddanpunjabi]

@kris131 yyea but those songz were made bcuz of a deeper meaning bout those topics esp. in music to prove that maintstream is garbage

[Moktarr101]

@Davidharjo Check out Jedi Mint Tricks too :D

[UseHERname93]

@Davidharjo one of the few? FEW????? man ppl are REALLY sleepingg

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[ThisIsTaiwan]

好聽!!! Love it

[scootd3900]

is that chris dave!?

[scootd3900]

@scootd3900 yeeeeeezzzirr

[1voice1man]

Heck yes it is, Awesome

[Lateralus1019]

Great Sound!

[williedynamyte]

fabulous performance Mos

[MsTexas73]

THIS is REAL Hip Hop!!!

[biknaker]

Baddest!

[MommyGate]

Just found this tune on Tap Tap Revenge 3 and I had to look it up on Utube. It's my new favorite performance, now. What a game changer for music. Floored again by the amazing talent of Mos D. And no cussing that I could hear. Lovin' it!!!! I wonder how long it will take Black radio to get on board.

[phylliewilly]

AGREED. HE IS PHENOMENAL as a person, a spirit and soul, as an artist!!!!!

[nomoreokeydoke]

Wow, had to watch this again.

Great song, great performance.

[cheezcola]

PILLS

[demodog]

Welcome back, MD. Smooooooth as always.

[dwpro19]

WOW!!!!! I love Mos man..and Chris dave is killin on drums man,it sounds perfect

[chocochaca8]

so good!!

[ReneHolmOlsenCPH]

DAMN TIGHT !!!!

[ItsHambone]

What a performance

The music just commanded my attention

Was I just hypnotized?

[dgmavn]

Comparing baroque and classical artists to Mos Def is pointless - they're completely different styles of music and have very little grounds for comparison. To dismiss Mos Def outright as McDonalds simply because it doesn't sound like Vivaldi is unfair. He's had a much more direct impact on society in the last century than Vivaldi has.

Mos Def is the Vivaldi of his genre - he elevates the art of his style of music to the next level. You may not like his genre, but that doesn't make it not art.

[TheLeakaChannel]

any description of music like everything else is not finale nor absolute...

[TheColdrush22]

That was great Crotum!

[melampomi]

It took at least 25 century for the west to mature musicians like Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn and so on. I don't see why it should take less for other coltures. I call this harmonic noises. Music is litterature, this is words thrown around, scattered in the air.

[bounce93]

we are in the 21th century

[Crotum]

hahahaha

[melampomi]

Listen to Don Carlo, listen what can be done with words and music. You'll understand Mos Def is Mac Donald's and Verdi (and many others) is high cousine.

Let me know...!

[melampomi]

You are right, I am sorry.

[melampomi]

Civilization didn't start 21 century ago, Sir.

[Crotum]

21 centuries = 2100 years.

You say Vivaldi & Händel are from the 17th century, 300 years old, so, how can it take, as you said, 25 centuries = 2500 years, to mature musicians like them.

And answering your comment about Mos Def is like mickey D's, first of all, that's offensive. Second, you still don't get it, THE MEANING OF THE WORDS IN THE SONG, there's a background story to them, just because you neglect to study you call it insignificant, my friend that's what we call IGNORANCE.

[Crotum]

It's about what the words mean, you don't even have to know english to the core, just understand it. I'm mexican, and I understand Mos Def, not only the songs, but the meaning. The voice in the start is "Fela Anikulapu Kuti", he fought for black and minority rights in the 70's and created afrobeat. Pay attention, and if after trying at least you don't like it, respect it for those of us that do, don't just say they're "words thrown around", cos that's just ignorance.

[punkp53]

@Crotum very nicely put!!!

[blackstar21595]

@Crotum i could have swore his first name was Femi

[kiddanpunjabi]

@blackstar21595

no Femi is Feli's son

alot of people were confused about the same thing

[108MiALEE]

@Crotum muy bien dicho!

[misstarie26]

This guy is the man and this song is the shizz!!

[Housingdotcom]

taking hip hop to the next level. awesome.

[RealDefentertainment]

Good Looks/ Good Actor/ Good Musician

only if I was that great

[Crotum]

The raw soul feeling you get, you get it cos there's a lot of bebop jazz in there, rap is the next form of poetry but man, this cat took it to the next level here, truly genius.

[SingleHandedKnopfler]

Damn I just listened to this song with 5.1 surround sound speakers. The timpanis just sound THAT much better.

[mezonicrecords]

what can i say, dope, dope, super spectacular. Go Mos (Best rapper and performer)

check out mezonic records. click on the name

[VKellogg]

He took it there. One of the rawest live performances by one of the best to do it.

with respect to the father of AfroBeat. R.I.P. Fela

[walternutts]

i wonder if those are tympanis or "pimpanis"?

[Demonboy362]

Wow. Great performance, The Ecstatic is just a brilliant album

[houseofchintz]

True artists do infiltrate the mainstream from time to time. This time it's Mos Def. Love to Tympani playing!

[marvusparvus]

real music is always better with soul and timing and class

[geedee79]

Dats d great Fela at the intro....... Big up Nigeria.

[loadbarone]

raw soul music

[loadbarone]

raw soul