Mos Def first made a name for himself with his rap skills, but the thoughtful MC now goes by a new name: Yasiin Bey.
“I began to fear that Mos Def was being treated as a product, not a person, so I’ve been going by Yasiin since ’99. At first it was just for friends and family, but now I’m declaring it openly,” Bey tells GQ. The new name has also influenced Bey to branch out: he can be seen on “Dexter,” on Broadway (in “A Free Man of Color”), and making waves in the fashion industry. GQ caught up with the artist formerly known as Mos Def to talk about his style, hear how he’s preserving hip-hop through fashion, and more. I’ve pulled some quotes below:
Yasiin Bey on his style… “I like drawing connections between pieces and patterns that would make someone else think,’Those two things would never go together.’ Well, to me they do.”
On representing his hip-hop roots through fashion… “Hip-hop is the last true folk art. I got involved with Ale et Ange because it represents hip-hop in a way that isn’tpandering. It’s nice to see something that’s elegant, skillful, and raw.
On what fashion advice he’d offer to others… “I don’t have advice for people on how to dress. People should dress based on what they find beautiful. My best advice: Keep your clothes clean.”
For the full interview, click here!
Photo credit: Steven Pan / GQ.
Mos Def, one of the most recognizable hip-hop artists in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has recently made an unexpected move – he’s changed his name. Formerly known as Mos Def, he is now going by Yasiin Bey. While fans may be confused about this sudden switch, it appears that there is something deeper behind this change than just a simple name shift.
It seems that Mos Def was not pleased with how his product was being treated and so decided to make a stand in the best way he knows how: through music. Reportedly, Mos def felt that certain companies were taking advantage of him and using his likeness without proper compensation or recognition. In order to make sure his voice was heard on the matter, he chose to take action and rename himself Yasiin Bey.
In doing so, Mos Def has created quite a stir among fans who are curious why such drastic measures had to be taken. What could have caused such outrage? Could it possibly have been enough for Mos Def to resort to changing his stage name? Read on to find out more about what motivated this surprising transformation from Mos Def into Yasiin Bey!
Background Of Mos Def
Mos Def, born Dante Terrell Smith, is a hip-hop artist and actor who gained fame in the late 1990s. His career started with his debut album Black on Both Sides (1999) which solidified him as one of rap’s most innovative artists. He has released four solo studio albums since then, displaying an impressive range from soulful raps to intense rhymes. Throughout his music career he has collaborated with other well-known artists such as Talib Kweli, Kanye West, and Pharoahe Monch. Mos Def’s acting career began when he starred in Spike Lee’s film Bamboozled (2000). Since then he has gone on to appear in numerous films and television shows including The Italian Job (2003), House M.D.(2009), and Dexter (2011).
In addition to being a successful musician and actor, Mos Def is also known for speaking out against social injustices that are affecting minority communities worldwide. In April 2011 he joined forces with the human rights organization Reprieve to launch “Close Guantanamo” – a campaign calling for the closure of the U.S.-run detention center at Guantanamo Bay. As a result of this activism it was reported that Mos Def had been subjected to extra scrutiny by British authorities while travelling through London Heathrow Airport on multiple occasions in 2010 and 2011.
Ultimately, this experience led him to renounce his birth name Dante Terrell Smith and take up Yasiin Bey instead – both names inspired by African American spiritual leaders Malcolm X and Shaykh Ibrahim Abdal-Rahman Yasin respectively. This change reflects not only an attempt by Mos Def to distance himself from negative experiences but also highlights his commitment towards advocating for social justice internationally.
Reasons Behind Name Change
Mos Def’s name change from Dante Terrell Smith to Yasiin Bey reflects his commitment to social justice and advocacy. The decision was likely made in response to the extra scrutiny he faced while travelling through London Heathrow Airport on multiple occasions in 2010 and 2011 due to his involvement with Reprieve’s “Close Guantanamo” campaign. By renouncing his birth name, Mos Def is sending a message that he will not be intimidated by oppressive forces or succumb to discrimination.
This shift also serves as an expression of identity politics within hip-hop culture. Hip-hop has long been associated with African American liberation movements such as the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 70s which sought to empower black people through political activism and cultural pride. Mos Def’s choice of new name reinforces this idea – Malcolm X being one of the most influential activists during this period, while Shaykh Ibrahim Abdal-Rahman Yasin represents a spiritual leader for Muslims worldwide.
By changing his name, Mos Def is displaying resistance against external oppression but also affirming his own sense of selfhood and purpose. In doing so, he challenges us all to take ownership of our identities and actively stand up for what we believe in despite potentially hostile environments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mos Def’s decision to change his name from ‘Mos Def’ to ‘Yasiin Bey’ was a result of feeling disrespected by the music industry. His career has spanned over three decades and he felt as though his work wasn’t being appreciated in terms of product treatment. It’s incredible how an artist can remain relevant for such a long period of time while constantly reinventing themselves and producing quality content.
I think it’s important to recognize the hard work that goes into creating art; especially when it comes to those who have been doing it since before we were born! As fans, it is our responsibility to show respect and appreciation towards our favourite artists. After all, they are only trying to make us happy just like any other job would do.
Yasiin Bey should be commended for taking a stand against unfair business practices in the entertainment industry. His courage should be an example for others in similar situations. With this new alias, perhaps Yasiin will receive the recognition and respect he deserves – both professionally and personally – from the people around him.t!
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