| Black on Both Sides | |
|---|---|
 Studio album by Mos Def | |
|
Released |
12 October 1999 |
|
Recorded |
1998-1999 |
|
Genre |
|
|
Length |
71:21 |
|
Label |
|
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Producer |
88-Keys, Ayatollah, D-Prosper, Diamond D, DJ Premier, Etch-A-Sketch, Ge-ology, Weldon Irvine, David Kennedy, Mr. Khaliyl, Mos Def (also exec.), Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Psycho Les, Shaka (exec.) |
| Mos Def chronology | |
|---|---|
|
Next |
The New Danger (2004) |
Black on Both Sides is the debut album by American rapper Mos Def, released in 1999 on Rawkus Records. Prior to the album's recording, Mos Def had collaborated with Talib Kweli as the duo Black Star and released the album Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star in 1998, which raised high expectations for a solo effort. Black on Both Sides features an emphasis on live instrumentation and socially conscious lyrics. Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes and singer Vinia Mojica make guest appearances, while production is supplied by DJ Premier, Diamond D, 88-Keys, Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Psycho Les of The Beatnuts, among others.
The album was both commercially and critically successful. It peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200, and #3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Black on Both Sides is often considered Mos Def's best solo album.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Fear Not of Man" | Mos Def | Smith | Mos Def | 4:28 |
| 2. | "Hip Hop" | Mos Def | Kirkland, Smith | Diamond D, Mos Def (co.) | 3:16 |
| 3. | "Love" | Mos Def | Njapa, Smith | 88-Keys | 4:23 |
| 4. | "Ms. Fat Booty" | Mos Def | Dorell, Smith | Ayatollah | 3:43 |
| 5. | "Speed Law" | Mos Def | Njapa, Smith | 88-Keys | 4:16 |
| 6. | "Do It Now" | Mos Def, Busta Rhymes | Dillon, Smith, Smith | Mr. Khaliyl | 3:49 |
| 7. | "Got" | Mos Def | Muhammad, Smith | Ali Shaheed Muhammad | 3:17 |
| 8. | "UMI Says" | Mos Def | Kennedy, Smith | Mos Def, David Kennedy (co.) | 5:10 |
| 9. | "New World Water" | Mos Def | Fernandez, Smith | Psycho Les | 3:11 |
| 10. | "Rock n Roll" | Mos Def | Fernandez, Smith | Psycho Les, Mos Def (co.) | 5:02 |
| 11. | "Know That" | Mos Def, Talib Kweli | Dorell, Greene, Smith | Ayatollah | 4:03 |
| 12. | "Climb" | Mos Def, Vinia Mojica | Dunn, Erving, Smith | Etch-A-Sketch, Mos Def (co.), Weldon Irvine (co.) | 4:02 |
| 13. | "Brooklyn" | Mos Def | Kennedy, Smith, Young | Ge-ology, Mos Def (co.), David Kennedy (co.) | 5:09 |
| 14. | "Habitat" | Mos Def | Dunn, Irvine, Smith | Etch-A-Sketch | 4:39 |
| 15. | "Mr. Nigga" | Mos Def, Q-Tip | Davis, Prosper, Smith | D-Prosper, Mos Def (co.) | 5:12 |
| 16. | "Mathematics" | Mos Def | Martin, Smith | DJ Premier | 4:06 |
| 17. | "May-December" | Mos Def | Irvine, Njapa, Smith | 88-Keys, Mos Def (co.) | 3:29 |