My first impression of Black Star's album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star is that this album has a chill vibe to it and I particularly like that. I noticed that most of the songs on the album have simple, creative beats mixed with creative instruments in the background. The focus is mainly on the lyrics of the song. I particularly like the song "Definition" because it has an intriguing beat and the flow of their lyrics is something to talk about. They rhyme with a fast pace flow and it sounds really good.
When looking at the genre of hip-hop, Black Star's album both fits into its constraints and has its own aspect that breaks away from the mainstream sound. The lyrics fall into this genre. The lyrics talk about the struggles of growing up, the influence of drugs, the rebellious nature of rappers, the "look at me, I'm the best" aspect of the rap game, and the rise to money and fame. The album fits into the genre because Black Star is trying to express their message of their experiences through the rap game. However, Black Star strays away from the norm with their selection of beats and the vibe they give off. The beats in the album incorporate the sounds of a DJ mixing at a turn table and nowadays beats don't usually have that same aspect. The album has an old school feel to it, which contrasts to the change of hip-hop today. The album gives off a chill vibe and it almost seems that they incorporate a reggae aspect of their music.
Black Star's album is informed by both the social and economical history of hip-hop in the U.S. Black Star incorporates the use of the "n word" which has been common throughout the history of hip-hop. They use the sounds of a DJ which was the original sound of hip-hop when it first started. Black Star uses the album to make money and create opportunities for themselves. The idea of using rap to better oneself revolutionized the hip-hop game.
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