14 Quotes & Sayings By Mos Def

Mos Def (born Dante Terrell Smith on September 12, 1973) is an American hip hop recording artist, actor, and writer. He is known for his work as a founding member of the rap group Rhyme Syndicate. As part of their act, he was known as Yasiin Bey (Yasiin Bey is Mos Def spelled backwards), and released several songs under that moniker. He has also released four solo albums: "Black on Both Sides" (1998), "The New Danger" (2000), "The New Danger: The Final Chapter" (2001) and "The Ecstatic" (2006). He was featured on songs by other artists including Jay-Z's "Empire State of Mind", Jurassic 5's "I Want Off" and Mos Def's "West Savannah". Mos Def is also featured on the songs of other rappers such as Talib Kweli ("Get By") and Freeway ("Make It Rain"). He has often worked with other hip hop artists, most notably Kanye West Read more

Their combination has been called Yasiin Bey, which is the name his fans call him by. His songs have appeared in films which include Notorious B.I.G.'s "Mo Money Mo Problems", Dr. Dre's "California Love", Eminem's "Stan", Xzibit's "X", Common's "Be" and Nick Cannon's Pink House.

He also appears in the video game Grand Theft Auto IV as an Internet radio host for Liberty City Hardcore Radio, along with DJ Green Lantern.

All the things that are worth doing, take time.
1
All the things that are worth doing, take time. Mos Def
2
That idea of peace and love toward humanity shouldn't be nationalistic or denominational. It should be a chief concern for all mankind. Mos Def
3
I know what it feels like to have the door slammed firmly in my face, so I'm cool with that. Mos Def
4
I guess something that you love to do, you gotta ease up off it and give it a little space, come back and be fresh to it. Mos Def
5
Everything's got space between it, the planets, trees, your eyes. Your eyes get too close together, it's a whole different world. You can lose perspective. Mos Def
6
I feel like I was the only person who was capable of making this type of music in this type of way. I don't rap like nobody, I don't try to sound like nobody. Mos Def
7
I come from a family of very devout, praying people. That idea of peace and love toward humanity shouldn't be nationalistic or denominational. It should be a chief concern for all mankind. Mos Def
8
Focused. I'm a hustler. And my hustle is trying to figure out the best ways to do what I like without having to do much else. Mos Def
9
You have to experience life, make observations, and ask questions. Mos Def
10
To me, the job of the artist is to provide a useful and intelligent vocabulary for the world to be able to articulate feelings they experience everyday, and otherwise wouldn't have the means to express in a meaningful and useful way. Mos Def
11
I don't want to waste anyone's time or money. I want to give people some truth and positive heart lift. Mos Def
12
Bob Marley performed the 'One Love Peace' concert in Jamaica with the two different warring political sides. There's always been that in black music and culture in general. It's no surprise because black music is such a reflection of what's going on in black life. It's not unusual for hip-hop. Mos Def
13
And remember don't high post when you're far from home, and high posting when you're all alone. Mos Def