In October of 1999, Mos Def released Black on Both Sides, his solo debut. Featuring such classic tracks as “Umi Says” and guest spots from the likes of Busta Rhymes and Q-Tip, it still stands as one of the definitive hip-hop records of its era.
The rapper—now known as Yasiin Bey—will celebrate the landmark LP with a special November 3 show in Brooklyn opened by Camp Lo. In Los Angeles, Black on Both Sides is being commemorated with a free December 13 listening party at the Hammer Museum along with a discussion led by UCLA musicology professor Shana Redmond; the event will also include Open Mike Eagle, UC Irvine film, media, and African Studies professor Sohail Daulatzai, film and TV music supervisor Morgan Rhodes, and DJ Lynnée Denise.
The rest of Bey’s 2019 itinerary includes an appearance at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival set for November, and participating in Robert Glasper’s massive Blue Note residency going on this month in NYC.
