Mos Def & Talib Kweli are – Black Star

I love this album. I mean, I really love this album. I cannot imagine a world where this album is not in my all time top 10. So I might be a little biased.

At first glance in a record collection, the artwork is pretty understated. The reds and greens sit comfortably over the yellow(ish) background. ‘Black Star’ is written boldly across the front, but it doesn’t jump out at you. Instead, it takes some looking at to feel the depth of this cover – very much like the music.

You then see the images of Mos and Talib in the negative space, looking out almost anxiously. Then a ghetto blaster with Star of Africa as speakers. Then the faces below come in to focus. All of a sudden, the red, green and black of Africa makes itself known. This is a journey. This is an education. Mos and Talib will be your teachers. “Live from somewhere…”