Mos Def:
The New Danger

Release Date: 18 October 2004

Reviewed By: Oli Marlow

1. The Boogie Man Song

2. Freaky Black Greetings

3. Ghetto Rock

4. Zimzallbim

5. The Rape Over

6. Ble Black Jack - ft, Shuggie Otis

7. Bedstuy Parade & Funeral Marcg - ft, Paul Oscher

8. Sex, Love and Money

9. Sunshine

10. Close Edge

11. The Panties

12. War

13. Grown Man Business - ft, Minnesota

14. Modern Marvel

15. Life Is Real

16. The Easy Spell

17. The Beggar

18. Champion Requiem

19. The Jump Off - ft, Ludacris

Nas - Street's Disciple
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Mos Def’s second solo long player ‘The New Danger’ is a welcome change from the norm. Genre-hopping more times than an illicit wife swapping ring would do if given the chance to gangbang their way through the charts and back again; he raps and sings over all kinds of backdrops, from the sultry jazz tones of the opening track, ‘The Bogey Man Song’, to the heavy metal guitars of ‘Freaky Black Greetings’ and beyond.

Offering the wisdom of his fame through his raps, Mos Def comfortably maintains his stance as a lyricist and as an original artist. Blending live instruments with hip hop is something artists are striving to do more in an attempt to make the music real and live but Mos Def has captured perfectly the angry rebellious angst of his attitude (‘AOL and Time Warner are running this rap sh*t’), with the slashing distorted guitar riffs and heavy bass lines.

Mos Def sings the blues on ‘Blue Black Jack’, plays piano and drums on the opening track and adds himself to the production roster of the album producing five of the nineteen tracks. Guest producers include Raphael Saadiq, 88Keys and Kayne West, who finally excels himself and provides a melodious basis for Mos Def to get ‘hip hop’ again after the glorious crunches of the metal crossover tracks in the track ‘Sunshine’.

Lyrical contributions are small on ‘The New Danger’ but the credits go out to Ludacris and Fresh Vintage Bottles w Minnesota.

It’s clear throughout the album that Mos Def has taken an unconventional approach, which in my opinion, is something that needs to be done more often. Expanding boundaries and innovation is something you seldom see from American artists, so the welcome change is easy on the ear for listeners who are sick of the same usual ‘Crystal and bitches’ approach.

Soulful grooves, gritty beats and hip hop genius tinged with the crackle of a wah wah pedal, elevate Mos Def further as an artist who continues to push the envelope. ‘The Easy Spell’, through its dark simplicity is the perfect example of such innovation. Mos Def played all the instruments himself and has produced a track that harbours the aggressive bite of punk music. Mos Def’s half-sung delivery wholly suits the atmosphere of the track with the contemplation of the lyrics echoing throughout.

The production of the album really stands out, capturing the live instruments and creating the boom of bounce feel of the harder tracks, whilst seizing the introspective moments perfectly. The album comes as a package and it proves best to listen to all of it straight to really experience the power and emotion of the music and lyrical content.

Mos Def’s execution of different musical genres pays dividends to the final product exposing the possibilities such innovation can produce. The multitude of styles and approaches scream longevity and it concludes that Mos Def deserves every ounce of praise he receives.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Top Three Tracks:

16) The Easy Spell
7) Bedstuy Parade & Funeral March
13) Grown Man Business

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