I think Theives in the Night by Blackstar should be taught in school

[Kyle C. Barker]

Facts

It's a paradox we call reality so keepin' it real
Will make you casualty of abnormal normality
Killers Born Naturally, like Mickey and Mallory
Not knowing the ways'll get you capped, like an NBA salary
Some cats be emceein' to illustrate what we be seein'
Hard to be a spiritual being when shyt is shaking what you believe in
For trees to grow in Brooklyn, seeds need to be planted
I'm asking if y'all feel me and the crowd left me stranded
My blood pressure boiled and rose 'cause New York nikkas
Acting spoiled at shows, to the winners, the spoils go
I take the L, transfer to the 2, head to the gates
New York life type trife, the Roman Empire state


Standout track from a classic album

This is that soulful intelligent lyricism that provokes thought.
the youngsters need these jewels .

Jesus



Thought provoking lyrics with a hypnotic rhyme scheme.

shyt like that is what had me stanning hip hop hard.

 

[BXKingPin82]

Facts

It's a paradox we call reality so keepin' it real
Will make you casualty of abnormal normality
Killers Born Naturally, like Mickey and Mallory
Not knowing the ways'll get you capped, like an NBA salary
Some cats be emceein' to illustrate what we be seein'
Hard to be a spiritual being when shyt is shaking what you believe in
For trees to grow in Brooklyn, seeds need to be planted
I'm asking if y'all feel me and the crowd left me stranded
My blood pressure boiled and rose 'cause New York nikkas
Acting spoiled at shows, to the winners, the spoils go
I take the L, transfer to the 2, head to the gates
New York life type trife, the Roman Empire state


Standout track from a classic album

This is that soulful intelligent lyricism that provokes thought.
the youngsters need these jewels .

whole album was just jewel after jewel after jewel.

"got my imagination flickerin like HOT flames is how it seems...
you make me wanna ride a Coltrane to a love supreme."




definitely in my favorite albums of all time.

i know that shyt front to back. back to front.

"black like the planet that they fear, why they scared??"

 

[aloebeats]

whole album was just jewel after jewel after jewel.

"got my imagination flickerin like HOT flames is how it seems...
you make me wanna ride a Coltrane to a love supreme."




definitely in my favorite albums of all time.

i know that shyt front to back. back to front.

"black like the planet that they fear, why they scared??"

Facts
In my top 5 of all time, forever
This album helped me to view the streets and life differently.
Read more black literature.
Started to listen to more jazz to find samples .
Respiration (and the remix) also gave me real chills.
Timeless soulful Hiphop.
As someone else stated,this era of Rawkus was a mine of quality music.

 

[bigmanharris]

Mos verse is the best ever. His verse on Respiration too.....WHOOO

 

[BXKingPin82]

Facts
In my top 5 of all time, forever
This album helped me to view the streets and life differently.
Read more black literature.
Started to listen to more jazz to find samples .
Respiration (and the remix) also gave me real chills.
Timeless soulful Hiphop.
As someone else stated,this era of Rawkus was a mine of quality music.

yeah man.
that hip hop with so much soul!
i feel like Mos Def 1st album was slept on.
and also Hi Tek and Talibs Reflection Eternal.

 

[tuckgod]

One of the greatest verses in history

Easily

 

[Rozay Oro]

I was thinking bout this song last night. Don't forget

 

[KravenMorehead™]

"Escuchela, la ciudad respirando..."

 

[Supa]

Call 88 Keys, Pete Rock, Hi Tek, Primo, whoever and give us a new Black Star album.

 

[Izanami]

Hi-Tek criminally underrated.

This album and black on both sides change my whole perspective on hip hop and being black in general.

 

[Capital Steez]

One of the most influential songs for me personally.

Made me completely reevaluate what I thought hip-hop could be in terms of poetry and literature.

Definitely believe an entire course or lesson-plan could be developed around Blackstar.
I actually remember a black woman music teacher in 8th grade telling me about them.

 

[Kyle C. Barker]

Hi-Tek criminally underrated.

This album and black on both sides change my whole perspective on hip hop and being black in general.

It affected a lot of us like that. That album was kind of revolutionary to our generation. I was at Morgan state when that album dropped and I remember a lot of kids being about this album.

 

[Sound (∀√a) Maths]

Nothing else to say except I echo what has already been said here. Classic

 

[The G.O.D II]

Great album and it’s sad how it’s almost forgotten in time and people only know Talib for being the off beat weirdo rapper from twitter and Mos Def being the weirdo who was occasionally on Dave Chappell’s show

 

[The G.O.D II]

My fav off that album was KOS. Such an uplifting song and beautiful chorus