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African art is functional, it serves a purpose. It's not a dormant. It's not a means to collect the largest cheering section. It should be healing, a source a joy. Spreading positive vibrations.
Mos Def
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Mos Def
Age: 50
Born: 1973
Born: December 11
Actor
Composer
Film Actor
Film Producer
Rapper
Record Producer
Singer
Singer-Songwriter
Songwriter
Television Actor
Brooklyn
New York
Yasiin Bey
Dante Terrell Smith
Dante Beze
Black Dante
Purpose
Sections
Cheering
Means
Serves
Functional
Art
Cheer
Dormant
Mean
African
Spreading
Healing
Section
Positive
Vibrations
Source
Collect
Joy
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More quotes by Mos Def
I'm a passionate person. I'm a lot of things, like most people are. Most people are dynamic. The focus is not on me though, I'm a screen. The aim is to always keep myself in the position where the screen is clear.
Mos Def
I don't care about what brand you are, I'm concerned what type of man you are, what your principles and standards are.
Mos Def
There's just some dysfunctionalism with artists.
Mos Def
But even creeps deserve to live someplace halfway decent.
Mos Def
I think hip-hop is actually one of the most challenging things that's happened in music in a long time. The people who are in charge of what people see or hear are afraid. What you hear on top 40 or what you see on BET or MTV is not a fair representation of what is really going on...
Mos Def
I can't take it y'all I can feel the city breathin Chest heavin, against the flesh of the evening Sigh before we die like the last train leaving
Mos Def
All the things that are worth doing, take time.
Mos Def
That's what I've been trying to strive for - to draw a clear picture, to open up a new dimension.
Mos Def
Fame is like getting across the street. It's like, if there's nothing to be across the street for, it's a pointless destination. It's like, I gotta get across the street, man! I gotta be there! I gotta be there! Then you get across the street and you're like, Yeah I'm here! And then, that's it. Fame doesn't make you particularly happy.
Mos Def
I never had any ambitions of being a movie star or anything like that, but you know, this is nice.
Mos Def
Bob Marley performed the 'One Love Peace' concert in Jamaica with the two different warring political sides. There's always been that in black music and culture in general. It's no surprise because black music is such a reflection of what's going on in black life. It's not unusual for hip-hop.
Mos Def
Restlessness is my nemesis. It's hard to just chill and sit still.
Mos Def
You can positively affect and change a social circumstance with art, and it’s vital that a change happens now.
Mos Def
Crack mothers, crack babies and AIDS patients Youngbloods can't spell, but they could rock you in PlayStation.
Mos Def
Everything's got space between it, the planets, trees, your eyes. Your eyes get too close together, it's a whole different world. You can lose perspective.
Mos Def
That idea of peace and love toward humanity shouldn't be nationalistic or denominational. It should be a chief concern for all mankind.
Mos Def
With guys I revere, like Marcus Garvey or Malcolm X, their look is less about style than purpose and the expression of beauty. It wasn't just about being noticed, you know?
Mos Def
I can't control what people think. I'm not trying to manipulate people's thoughts or sentiments. I write all the time. You have to experience life, make observations, and ask questions. It's machine-like how things are run now in hip-hop, and my ambitions are different.
Mos Def
Breathe in...inhale vapors from bright stars that shine, Breathe out...weed smoke retrace the skyline.
Mos Def
Every time you ask yourself where hip-hop's going, ask yourself where you're going how are you doing?
Mos Def