Joel Foley, Journal #9

     Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star is an album that serves to work against the genre of hip hop because of how it strays away from the characteristics of gangsta rap. "Astronomy" strives to define what "Black" is by describing things that are not usually found in gangsta rap or modern hip hop. It compares Black to things that are not associated with black culture, but instead with physical objects that are indeed the color black. They compare themselves and all people as black stars shining bright. They rap about seeing through peoples black magic and attempts to civilize them saying a social revolution is the only solution. This song works against the genre by avoiding stereotypes and an anger towards society.
     Their song "Twice Inna Lifetime" features a female artist who straight up says that she shouldn't be underestimated just because she is a woman. She even says she will take on the other rappers and "attack with my estrogen". This goes against the elements of hip hop and gangsta rap that put down women and see them as material objects. The other rappers in the song put down people who follow the typical hip hop genre when they mix in lyrics about having a real life outside of rapping. They rap about having good sons and saving money in their pockets while the other rappers are only "dodging bullets in the projects".
     K.O.S. explains how being a black man is demanding and they need determination and knowledge to live a full life. They use this determination and knowledge in hip hop to get their unheard words about society out to the people. This goes against the genre because although it does call for an uprising, it is not a violent one, but an uprising of knowledge for the people who don't have any to see what they can do to better themselves. This reflects a more middle class approach of self betterment to gain position in life. Which is a polar opposite of the methods advocated in gangsta rap that solely focus on living a short material life and living in the moment with no goals for a bleak future.