Fresh to Mos Def

When we say “mos def” in casual conversation, it means we most definitely agree with whatever you’ve just said. When thousands of fans scream it, that means they’re thirsty for more wickedly conscious rhymes from one of hip-hop’s longest-lasting and most underrated MCs, Dante Smith — AKA Mos Def. A rapper who’s rejected the fads of hip-hop and stayed true to himself, Def might be more recognizable for his role as Chuck Berry in last year’s silver-screen ode to Motown, Cadillac Records, than for his fourth solo album, The Ecstatic. But for that we blame a shaky record industry, not Def’s mike skills. This Saturday at 8 p.m., catch him at the Arsht Center's Knight Concert Hall, where he’ll run through commercial and critical hits from his nearly 15-year career. Tickets start at $32 and are available at arshtcenter.org.
Sat., Aug. 15, 8 p.m., 2009