Power of Equality: Yasiin Bey for MLK Day - "Nig_as In Poorest" (Kanye & Jay-Z Remix)
Matt Horowitz
The Artist Formerly Known as
"Mos Def,"
Yasiin Bey has finally taken a long-overdue break from his day job (film actor) to make an undoubtedly triumphant return to his first true love:
Hip-Hop. In what appears to be
The Soulquarian's premier offering under his
newly-adopted guise, Bey proceeds to remix a familiar
Top 40 hit.
"Niggas In Poorest" is the first in a series of socially-conscious
Top 40 Underdog freestyles... and
Yasiin Bey drastically flips
Kanye & Jay-Z's uncanny
"radio single" (2011) on it's head. The weekly series will seemingly re-appropriate some of the year's finest
Hip-Hop/Mainstream hits, albeit in thought-provoking, new light.
The formerly lavish tale of over-indulgence has now been morphed into a painfully accurate lament of modern-day society. Of course though, @ it's stereophonic heart,
"Niggas In Poorest" is in fact a politically-driven, racially-charged social commentary released just in time for today's holiday:
Martin Luther King Day.
Mos Def
Yasiin Bey is also currently finishing up a number of other projects -
Black Star Aretha (mixtape) with
Talib Kweli, his own solo offering for new label:
G.O.O.D. Music, and a label-wide compilation with
Kanye & Rap Friends. With involved parties including:
Kid Cudi, Big Sean,
Common,
Teyana Taylor,
D'banj & Don Jazzy, Pusha T,
Mr. Hudson, and No I.D.